Not rocket science

(Sound of a rocket being launched)

Kaz:	Hello, I'm Kaz.
Yang Li:	And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz, why are we listening to this rocket launch?
Kaz:	Well, it's dramatic, but there's another reason. I thought it could introduce today's expression.
Yang Li:	Tell me more.
Kaz:	The expression is 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li:	'It's not rocket science', meaning?
Kaz:	Something that's not complicated or difficult to understand—'it's not rocket science'.
Yang Li:	For example?
Kaz:	OK. Somebody can't get the television to work and asks you, "How do I switch this thing on?" You would say "It's not rocket science. Just press 'on' on the handset".
Yang Li:	So there's nothing complicated about it. You just press the 'on' switch and away you go. But is the expression 'it's not rocket science' only used for gadgets?
Kaz:	No, not at all, Li. In fact it's used for many situations that are just obvious ... for example—why are we always short of money?
Yang Li:	Well, it's not rocket science Kaz—we don't get paid enough!
Kaz:	Brilliant Li. That's an excellent example.
Yang Li:	Yes, I like it too. But let's listen to some more examples:

How do I cook this soup?
Come on Rob, it's not rocket science, all you have to do is open the tin and heat it up.
I can't understand why our company is in such a mess?
It's not rocket science to figure that out—there are too many managers!

Yang Li:	OK Kaz, the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is used for situations that are obvious. But I get the feeling that the phrase 'it's not rocket science' is quite informal, right?
Kaz:	You're right Li. So please use with care!
Yang Li:	Absolutely.
Kaz:	It's usually used with the negative 'It's not rocket science'.
Yang Li:	Well, I'm sure of one thing Kaz.
Kaz:	What's that Li?
Yang Li:	Presenting this programme is not exactly rocket science—it's easy!
Both:	Bye! (Sound of a rocket being launched)