Feifei and Neil are in the park talking about places they enjoyed visiting. She likes the park and he… well, he loves going to the other side of the pond. But can they reach the other side easily?
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript
(In a park by a pond)
Feifei
What a pleasant day, Neil! I love this park. Some of my best memories are from walking around here, feeding the ducks…
Neil
My best memories are… well, from across the pond.
Feifei
Really? What sort of thing did you do over there?
Neil
Shopping! They have all sorts of products over there which are cheaper than here!
Feifei
Good shops with cheap stuff… mmm… I want to go there, but I can't really see from here!
Neil
I'm talking about across the pond. And the food there is so delicious! Big portions and all very tasty! I love Mississippi mud pie!
Feifei
That's a chocolate cake, isn't it? I want some! Where is the restaurant? I want to go there now!
Neil
But I told you—it's too far away. It's across the pond!
Feifei
Don't be lazy. We can just go walk around the pond. But all I can see are ducks!
Neil
Here in Britain, when we say 'across the pond' or 'the other side of the pond' we might be referring to the Atlantic Ocean and the United States. Because there's so much contact between the two continents, we compare the ocean to a pond.
Feifei
So the cake and the shops are… in America!
Neil
Yes! Let's hear some examples of how this expression is used.
Examples
The latest Woody Allen movie was very popular on both sides of the pond. It was praised by critics and popular among cinemagoers.
Many American actors are starring in plays in London's West End. But this is Shakespeare's territory and I think the best theatre is still on our side of the pond!
Neil
You look disappointed, Feifei. It's the chocolate cake, isn't it?
Feifei
Yes, it is.
Neil
Come on. Let's find a nice coffee shop and I'll buy you a tasty dessert. We don't have to go to New York for that.
Feifei
No we don't. London is a great city!
Neil
Come on, let's go!
Both
Bye!