Summary

What's wrong with Feifei? Rob thinks she's looking grumpy and has a word to describe her. But Feifei claims she's fine. Maybe it's just an excuse to teach another piece of authentic English. Listen to this programme to find out.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei. 

Rob
And hi, I'm Rob. Hey, Feifei. Why the long face? 

Feifei
What's wrong with my face? 

Rob
I mean, why are you looking so… grumpy? 

Feifei
Grumpy!? 

Rob
Yes… moody. 

Feifei
Moody! There is nothing wrong – this is my normal face. Why are you throwing so many insults at me? 

Rob
Oh come on, you do look a bit bad-tempered. 

Feifei
I'm not bad-tempered. But I'm getting angry now. 

Rob
Oh great! Then I can describe you as mardy. 

Feifei
Mardy? I hope that's not another insult. 

Rob
It's not an insult – but 'mardy' does describe someone who is in a bad mood, moans a lot and gets annoyed easily. So, thanks for demonstrating that, Feifei! 

Feifei
My pleasure! Let's hear some examples… 

Examples
There are no desks for Pedro to work at today, so he has to sit on the sofa - no wonder he is so mardy. 

My boyfriend is always so mardy – nothing seems to please him. Maybe I shouldn't have come home drunk last night! 

Steer clear of me today. I only had four hours sleep last night and I'm really mardy today. 

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we're talking about the word 'mardy', which describes someone in a bad mood. As I was saying, Rob, I am not mardy! 

Rob
If you say so, Feifei. 

Feifei
But I know something to make you mardy. 

Rob
Oh yes? 

Feifei
You're going to have to record this programme again. 

Rob
What? Again? Why? 

Feifei
You forgot to explain that 'mardy' also describes someone who is sulky or grumpy.

Rob
Hmm, you're just being awkward. I'm not going to start this programme again – I'm too busy. Right, I'm off to get a coffee. Goodbye!

Feifei
Who's mardy now? Or he is just acting? Bye!