Bells and whistles
| Feifei: | Hi Finn. I'm so happy. I finally bought that laptop I was so keen on. |
| Finn: | That's great, Feifei. It took you a long time to decide on the brand, the model ... and even the colour, didn't it? |
| Feifei: | Yes, I know. But there are so many options on the market ... Every computer has its good and bad points, but I followed your advice! |
| Finn: | My advice? |
| Feifei: | Yes, your very good advice! Let me take the laptop out of the bag and show you ... |
| Finn: | Bells?! |
| Feifei: | Yes, bells! Aren't they lovely? |
| Finn: | And what on earth are those? |
| Feifei: | Those are whistles! |
| Feifei: | And this one, too. |
| Finn: | Feifei, the laptop is a good one. This is the latest model of a very good brand ... |
| Feifei: | Yes, it is! And you told me to buy one with all the bells and whistles! |
| Finn: | Yes, but when I said that, I didn't mean actual bells and whistles. In English, when you say 'bells and whistles', you mean something extra, like all the add-ons and gadgets. |
| Feifei: | No whistles? And no bells? |
| Finn: | I'm afraid not. 'Bells and whistles' is today's expression in The English We Speak. Let's hear some examples of how it's used. |
| My neighbour is very jealous of me. I've just bought a car with all the bells and whistles! It's even got a mug holder for my coffee by the dashboard! | |
| I don't need a mobile phone with the latest bells and whistles. They add to the cost and all I do is answer calls and send text messages. | |
| Feifei: | Well, even if you didn't mean actual bells and whistles, Finn, you gave me good advice. |
| Finn: | Oh? How come? |
| Feifei: | When I left the shop, with my brand new laptop, a mugger tried to steal it from me. |
| Finn: | Oh, that's terrible, Feifei! |
| Feifei: | Yes, I know. But I managed to unzip my bag, shook the laptop and blew the whistle. A policeman who was nearby heard the noise; he rushed over and arrested the mugger! |
| Finn: | Oh, that's brilliant! Well, maybe I should attach some bells and whistles to my laptop, too. |
| Feifei: | Yes. A computer with all the bells and whistles is great, I say! |
| Finn: | OK. Bye. |
| Feifei: | Bye. |