BBC Learning English
The English We Speak
21st May 2013
Freak
Jennifer: Hi, and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Jennifer and with me
today is Feifei.
Feifei: Hi there.
Jennifer: Why do you have that big bag with you?
Feifei: Oh this? I'm going to the gym after work.
Jennifer: Again? But you went yesterday, and the day before that!
Feifei: I need to push myself! I want to get fit.
Jennifer: You're such a fitness freak.
Feifei: Hey, that's not very nice. What do you mean, I'm a 'fitness freak'? You're
calling me some kind of strange monster?
Jennifer: I'm not calling you a monster, that's not what the word 'freak' means in
this context. In English, you can use the word 'freak' with a noun to say
that someone is obsessed by something which you think is strange.
Feifei: So when you call me a 'fitness freak', you're saying I'm obsessed by sport
and fitness?
Jennifer: That's right. It's an informal phrase, usually used if the person saying it is
not interested in the hobby or action. So someone might be a 'football
freak' if they're watching football. My boyfriend is a 'car freak'  he's
obsessed with cars and talking about them, but I'm not interested at all, I
think it's weird.
Feifei: I understand. Well you might call me a fitness freak, because you don't
like it. I'd say I'm a fitness fanatic!
Jennifer: Well, I have no intention of going to the gym today or any day. I don't
like it and the thought of using the equipment really freaks me out.
Feifei: Hang on, you've used the word freak again.
Jennifer: Yes, in a slightly different way. 'To freak someone out' is a phrasal verb
which means to make someone feel strong emotions, like panic or fear.
Going to the gym freaks me out; it makes me panic.
Feifei: It freaks you out! You need to toughen up. I really do think you should
come and join me for a gym session tonight.
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Jennifer: No way! I'm too scared and too tired. I'd rather lie on the sofa and watch
my favourite soap opera.
Feifei: Well, I think that people who sit around and watch television every night
are very strange  so I guess you're a television freak! Join us again for
another edition of The English We Speak from bbclearningenglish.com.
Both: Bye!
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