2011-08-29
2 分钟This is a download from the BBC.
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Hello and welcome to the English We Speak.
I'm William Kramer.
And I'm Feifei William.
William, what are you doing with that suitcase?
And flowers and boxes of chocolates?
Ah, well, I'm spending the weekend with my wife's parents.
So I thought I'd better get something for my mother in law.
Oh, I see, A weekend with the in laws.
Yes, and I'm going to do a bit of decorating and gardening for them too.
Wow, you really are trying to earn some brownie points, aren't you?
William is trying to get praise and approval by doing something for them.
Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie.
Points to earn some brownie points.
Brownie points are badges young girls who are members of a youth organization called the Brownies earn
for doing good things for others.
Now we use that term generally to mean trying to get praise for our actions.
Yes, you see, I'm not sure if my mother in law really really likes me that much.