LEARNING ENGLISH WITH T.

V SERIES

Episode 1.13
 00:00 - 1:50 to wrap
Scene: Chandler
Scene: Chandler walks
walks intointo Monica
Monica and Rachel’s apartment, and opens the fridgeA.
and Rachel’s
wrapped B around her waist. Chan-
comes out of the shower with a towel wrappedA
dler and Rachel startleC each other and sheB drops the towel for a second.
around her waist. Chandler and Rachel startle
Vocabulary
RACHEL: ! You just barge in
D E
A. fridge: a very common way to say
here, you don’t knockPIC. refrigerator.
B. wrap: to cover something by sur- a wrap (food)
CHANDLER: I’m sorry!
rounding it with paper, a piece of cloth.
RACHEL: You have no respect for any-
C. startle (sb): to shock someone. Ad-
body’s privacy!
jective: strartling: surprising, shocking,
jaw-dropping. >>
CHANDLER: Rachel, wait, wait.
does to unprotected skin is startling.
RACHEL D. that is it = that is enough, that is too
much, I’m fed up. knock (on sth)
CHANDLER: Can I just say one thing?
E. barge in (or into a place): to enter a
RACHEL: What? What?! place in a rude way, especially without
asking for permission.
CHANDLER open
weave and I can still see your... nipular F. weave: (noun) a particular style or
F+I

areasII. manner something is woven >> Fine

weave. Verb: to form a piece of cloth
RACHEL: Oh!! using wool or another type of fabric.
Opening Credits / Scene: Central Perk G. that’s (pretty much) it: that’s it
means “that’s all”. Pretty much means
PHOEBE: Oh, honey, honey, tell them the to weave
“almost.” Common collocation.
story about your patient who thinks things
are, like, other things. You know? Like, when H. sweetie:
the phone rings and she takes a shower. somebody you care about.

ROGER: G
. References
PHOEBE: Oops! I. open weave: Rachel’s cover was wo-
ven in such a way that Chandler could
ROGER: But you tell it really well, sweet- see through the fabric.
ieH.
II. nipular areas: uncommon way
Chandler uses to refer to Rachel’s nip-
PHOEBE
ple (the center part of her breast).
so we can talk about you.
 1:50 - 2:37
ROGER: Okay. I’ll miss you.
PHOEBE: Isn’t he great?
RACHEL: He’s so cuteA! And he seems
to like you so much.
PHOEBE: I know, I know. So sweet...
and so complicated. And for a shrink B
he’s not too shrinky , you know?
Vocabulary a shrink
A. cute: being nice, charming, and hav-
ing an attractive look.
B. a shrink: (slang) psychiatrist, psychol-
ogist, or therapist. Adjective: shrinky.
for a... [complementary remark]
construction: for a...
for a[complementary
shrink, he’s not too shrinky.
remark] couch
We use this construction to express that
although sth/sb might have defects or have

positive things about it/them. >> For a man

MONICA: So, you think you’ll do itC on with no work experience or expertise, he’s got-
his couchPIC ?
PHOEBE: Oh, I don’t know1, I don’t
know. I think that’s a little weirdI, you
know? It’s vinylD.
RACHEL: Okaaay. Do any of you guys
want anything else?
CHANDLER: Oh, yes, could I have one
of those...
RACHEL: No, I’m sorry, we’re all out
of E those. Anybody else?
CHANDLER: Okay.
ROGER: Did I, uh, did I miss some-
thing?
CHANDLER: No, she’s still upset be-
cause I saw her boobiesII.
ten a really good contract. >> For a 9 year old
computer, it still works pretty well.
vinyl record
C. to do it = to have sex.
D. vinyl = plastic-like, shiny material.
E. (to be) out of (sth): to no longer
>> We’re out of
out of time
donuts
Pronunciation
1. I don’t know: I duh know
References
I. I think that’s a little weird: Phoebe is
not exactly the type of person who would
think a couch is a weird location for sex.
II. boobies: a slightly vulgar, child-
ish way to say breasts. Boobs is a more
adult (still vulgar) way to say the same.

ROSS: You what? Wh... what were you
doing seeing her boobies?
CHANDLER: It was an accident. Not
like I was across the street with a tele-
scopeIII and a box of donutsPIC.
III. across the street with a telescope:
Chandler brings up the typical idea of
a perv spying on girls with a telescope,
which is a recurrent thought for people
who live in a building surrounded by
other buildings.
 2:37 - 3:51 Vocabulary mittens
RACHEL: Okay, okay, could we change A. mitten: a type of glove used to keep
the subject, please? hands warm when it’s cold or to handle
hot kitchen object (oven mitten).
PHOEBE: Yeah, ‘cuz hello, these are not
her boobies, these are her breasts. B. laughter vs laugh
Laughter is an uncountable noun, and laugh
RACHEL: Okay, Pheebs, I was hoping of is a countable noun oven mitten
more of a change. can say “laughs” but not “laughters” or “a
laughter.”
CHANDLER: You know, I don’t know You can replace “laughs” in most instances
why you’re so embarrassed, they were where “laughter” is used, but in some cases it
very nice boobies. might sound out of place. For example, in the
expressions “laughter is infectious” or “laugh-
RACHEL ter is the best medicine”, laughter can’t be re-
placed by laughs without it sounding strange.
that’s it? I mean, mittensA are nice. Sparky
the Fire Dog
C. back up there: used to go back and
CHANDLER: Okaaay, rock, hard place, analyze something someone just said..
meI. Literally: to back up: to move backwards.
ROGER: You’re so funny! He’s really D. not know sb from Adam: to not
funny! I wouldn’t wanna be there when know someone, not know someone
the laughter B stops. at all. >> Why would I trust him in my
apartment? I don’t know him from Adam.
CHANDLER: Whoah whoah, back up
C
there, Sparky II. What did you mean by E. hit: to arrive at another stage.
that? References
I. rock, hard place, me: Chandler describes that moment
ROGER: Oh, it just seems as though
with the expression to be between a rock and a hard place
that maybe you have intimacy issuesIII.
You know, that you use your humour as
rock would be Ross and the hard place Rachel. Rachel
a way of keeping people at a distance.
feels Chandler should use a more complementary adjec-
CHANDLER: Huh.
II. Sparky: For some reason, Chandler calls Roger
ROGER: I mean hey! I just met you,
Sparky. He probably means Sparky the Fire Dog, which
I don’t know you from AdamD...Only
was a cartoon used to make children aware of the danger
child, right? Parents divorced before you
hitE puberty. See PIC.

III. intimacy issues: a condition that keeps you from being

CHANDLER: Uhhuh, how did you
able to establish emotional connections with people.
know that?
 ferry
3:51 - 5:00 Vocabulary
ROGER: It’s textbookI. A. in a more satisfac-
tory condition. >>
JOEY: Hey, you guys. You all know my my ex, I realized that I was
dad, right? without him than with him.
haul
ALL: Hey! Hey, Mr. Trib! B. haul (sth): to move or pull with ef-
fort something very big and heavy.
MONICA: Hey, how long you in the city? C. one’s ass = oneself. >> Move your
ass. >> Get your ass
MR. TRIBBIANI: Just for a couple You’re gonna get your ass
of days1. I got a job midtownII midtown
I’m A
staying with the kid than D. back and forth: from one place to
haulingB my assC back and forthD on the another repeatedly. >> I travel back and
ferryPIC. I don’t know this one2 III. forth from Chicago to Texas.

PHOEBE: Oh, this is my friend Roger. Pronunciation

1. : s Stress Pattern Focus
ROGER: Hi. 1. just a couple of days
2. : s JUST uh COUPLE uhv DAYS
MR. TRIBBIANI: Hey, hey. Good to puppet
meet you, Roger. 2. I don’t know this one
I duh KNOW THIS one
ROGER: You too, sir.
3. something: som-nn
MR. TRIBBIANI: What happened to
References
the, uh, puppetPIC guy?
I. It’s textbook: Roger means that the conclusions he made
JOEY: Dad, dad. about Chandler’s behavior is basic theory based on textbooks,
and therefore common sense. Also, this word is sometimes used
to say that something is executed perfectly. >> A golfer with
MR. TRIBBIANI: Oh, excuse me. So textbook technique.
Ross, uh, how’s the wife?IV 0 for 2V, uh?
Uh, Chandler, quick, say something3 II. Midtown: middle part of the island of Manhattan, New York.
funny!
III. Mr. Tribbiani: Notice how Joey’s father speaks with a strong
Scene: Chandler and Joey’s Italian American accent.
MR. TRIBBIANI: Gotta go. I miss you IV. how’s the wife: Mr. Tribbiani has some catching-up to do.
too, I love you, but it’s getting real late now.
wife and Phoebe was dating ‘puppet guy.’
JOEY: Hey Ma. Listen, I made the ap-
V. 0 for 2: 0 successful attempts out of 2 tries (baseball meta-
pointment with Dr. Bazida, and... Excuse
phor).
me? Did you know this isn’t Ma?
 5:00 - 6:25 Vocabulary mortician
MR. TRIBBIANI: Her name’s Ronni. A. mortician: an occupation consisting
She’s a pet morticianA. in the organization and general pro-
ceedings at a funeral.
JOEY: Sure. So how long you been...
B. you’re one to talk: (also look who’s
MR. TRIBBIANI: Remember when you talking, you can’t talk!). Used when
were a little kid, I used to take you to the someone criticizes someone for some-
navy yardI and show you the big ships? thing they’re doing themselves. Navy Yard

JOEY: Since then?! C. big time: (informal) a lot, very

MR. TRIBBIANI: No, it’s only been six
years. I just wanted to put a nice mem-
ory in your head so you’d know that I
wasn’t always such a terrible guy...Joe,
Have you ever been in love?
much. >> I wanted that job big time! >>
big time.
D. lead (a life): used to talk about how naval warfare
someone lives their life. >> He leads an
exciting/dangerous/monotonous life.

JOEY: I don’t know. E. double life: referred to someone

MR. TRIBBIANI
You’re burning your tomatoes.
JOEY: You’re one to talkB II.
MR. TRIBBIANI: Joe, your dad’s in love
big timeC. And the worst part of it is1,
JOEY: Oh man. Please tell me one of
them is Ma2.
who has an extramarital relationship.
F. (it) blows = (also it bites) it sucks.
C.I.A. agent
Stress pattern Focus
1. and the worst part of it is
an thuh WORST PART uh vit is
2. tell me one of them is Ma
TELLme ONE uh vem is MA

MR. TRIBBIANI: Of course, course one References

of em’s Ma. What’s the matter with you. I. Navy Yard: the area where the naval warfarePIC (combat
ships) is stored.
Scene: Monica and Rachel’s
JOEY: It’s like if you woke up one day II. you’re one to talk: Joey replies this when his father
and found out your dad was leading this says ‘you’re burning your tomatoes’. Joey implies in a
double lifeD+E. He’s like actually some metaphorical sense that his father is actually burning the
spy, working for the C.I.AIII tomatoes, meaning he’s getting in trouble.
blowsF!
II. C.I.A.: Central Intelligence Agency.
 6:25 - 7:40
RACHEL: I know, I mean, why can’t
parents just stay parents? Why do they
have to become people? Why do they
have.... Why can’t you1 stop staring at my
breastsPIC?
Vocabulary
A. peepee: funny name for penis.
B. tit for tat: (similar to an eye for an
eye or blow for blow) used to mean the
act of doing something in return for

CHANDLER: What? What2? or annoy you in any way.

RACHEL: Did you not3 get a good

Pronunciation
enough look4 the other day?
1. why can’t you: why kAn-chew
ROSS: Alright, alright. We’re all adults
here, there’s only one way to resolve5 2. what: what
this. Since you saw her boobies, I think, Note how /t/
uh, you’re gonna have to show her6 no air release at the end of the articu-
your peepeeA. lation. Learn more about this here.

CHANDLER: You know, I don’t see that

3. did you not: dih-jew not
happening?
4. get a good enough look:
RACHEL: Come on, he’s right. Tit for
geh-duh good nough look
tatB I.
5. one way to resolve:
CHANDLER: Well I’m not showing you wun way duh resolve
my ‘tat.’
Stress Pattern Focus
MONICA: Hello? 6. you’re going to have to show her
YOUr gonna uhv tuh SHOW HER
PHOEBE: It’s Phoebe.
References
ROGER: And Rog.
I. tit for tat: this phrase derives from
MONICA: Come on up. the old saying ‘tip for tap’, which meant
to give sth in return. However, over
CHANDLER: Oh, good. Rog is here.
is that Chandler say Rachel’s “tits”, so
JOEY: What’s the matter with Rog? that’s because this phrase is particularly
funny in this situation.
ROSS: Yeah.

CHANDLER: Oh, it’s nothing, it’s a little

thing... I hate that guy.
 7:40 - 8:51 Vocabulary high self-esteem
ROSS: What, so he was a little analyt- A. (high/low) self-esteem: how you see
ical1. 2
, you know? and appreciate yourself.
C’mon, he’s not that bad.
B. overshadow (sb/sth): to cause
cut: Ross has a loud conversation with Roger
someone to seem less impressive or im-
ROSS: You see, that’s where you’re wrong. portant; to make sth feel small in com-
Why would I marry her if I thought on parison. >> His charisma as the leader
any level that-that she was a lesbian? of the team overshadows
that the other members make. Common
ROGER: I don’t know. Maybe you want- collocation with siblings overshadow-
ed your marriage to fail. ing each other with success in life.

C. sibling = brother or sister. overshadow

ROSS: Why? Why would I why? Why?
Why? Why? D. conceivable = (formal) possible.

ROGER: I don’t know. Maybe maybe E. sabotage: to purposely make some-

low self-esteem , maybe maybe to com- thing or someone fail.
A

pensate for overshadowingB a siblingC,

maybe you... F. in the eyes of: in sb’s opinion or
from sb’s point of view.
MONICA: Wait-wait, go back to that might be fun in the eyes of some people suck up to sb
sibling thing. but cruel for the animals.

ROGER: Well, I don’t know. I mean, it’s con- G. suck up (to sb): to try to make your-
ceivableD that you wanted to sabotageE your self likable in the eyes of someone by
marriage so that the sibling would feel like saying or doing things to please them.
less of a failure in the eyes of F the parents.
H. like (sth) better: collocation: we
ROSS ridiculous3! I don’t can say you like something more than
feel guilty for her failures! something else, but it’s also common to
replace better for more.
MONICA: Oh! So you think I’m a failure!
Pronunciation
PHOEBE: Isn’t he good?
1. a little analytical:
ROSS: Nonono, that-that’s not what I uh lih-dull A-nuh-lih-dih-kuhl
was saying...
2. that’s what he does: thAts wuh-dee does
MONICA: Do you know what I mean , 4

all these years, I thought you were on my 3. ridiculous: rih-dih-kew-luhs

side. But maybe what you were doing
was sucking up toG Mom and Dad so 4. do you know what I mean:
they’d keep liking you better!H yuh- know wuh-dy mean
 8:51 - 10:07 Vocabulary Cruise Ship
ROSS: Hey, I married a lesbian to make A. wobble: to move from side to side in
you look good! in an unsteady motion.
A tooth that’s about to fall in a 5-year-
RACHEL: You’re right! I mean you’re old wobbles for a couple of days before
right! It wasn’t just the WeeblesI+II, but it falling. A table with an uneven leg will
was the Weeble Play Palace, and and the wobble as wellPIC. A person’s legs will
Weebles’ Cruise ShipPIC. Oh, which had wobble if he or she is dizzy and about lifeboat
this little lifeboatPIC for the Weebles to to faint. In any of these cases it’s com-
wobbleA in. mon to use this word in its adjective
form: wobbly. >> A wobbly tooth/table.
ROGER >> Wobbly legs.
C’mon, Pheebs, if we’re gonna catch that
movie, we gotta get goingB. B. gotta get going: (also gotta get mov-
wobbly table
ing) used to announce you’re leaving.
PHOEBE: Oh, okay. Feel better, Rachel, Read about more ways to say goodbye.
okay?
C. easy on (sth): used to tell to some-
ROGER: Pheebs, we’re gonna be late, sweetie. one to not take too much of something.
>> Easy on the dessert! Remember
PHOEBE: Oh, okay. Listen, thanks for you’re on a diet.
everything, Mon. weeble
go easy on sth or
take it easy on sth. It can also mean to treat
MONICA: No problem. -
ing punishment on someone. >> Go easy
ROGER: Listen guys, it was great see- on the dog. It’s our fault that he pooped in
ing you again. Mon, um, easy onC those
cookies, okay? Remember, they’re just
food, they’re not love.
Pronunciation
MONICA: I hate that guy!
1. goodnight: guh-night

JOEY: Goodnight, you guys. References

CHANDLER: Oh look, it’s the woman
we ordered.
JOEY: Hey. Can, uh, can we help you?
RONNI: Oh, no thanks, I’m just waiting
for, uh, Joey Tribbiani.
I. a weeble: a type of doll that wobbles back
and forth when you push it.
II. It wasn’t just the weebles: the joke here
is how bizarre and absurdly funny it is that
a person has adult issues over weebles. Also,
the joke is that Roger is psychoanalyzing
each of them.
 10:07 - 11:27 Vocabulary Cheese Nip
JOEY: I’m Joey Tribbiani. A. I would go for: I’d have (a sth/some
of sth).
I
RONNI : Oh no, not you, big Joey. Oh my
God, you’re so much cuter than your pic- B. pass on: to die.
tures! I-I’m, I’m Ronni....Cheese NipPIC? C. good hair: here: a toupee. See PIC
D. I figured = I thought.
CHANDLER: Uh, Joey’s having an em-
bolismII, but I’d go forA a Nip, you know? E. who’s up for = who wants to..; who
feels like.. >> Who’s up for a beer? laid out
Scene: Chandler and Joey’s
RONNI: Now, you see, most people, Pronunciation
when their pets pass onB, they want 1. they want them sort of:
them sort of 1 laid outPIC like they’re they wa-num sor-duhv
sleeping. But occasionally you get your
person who wants them in a poseIIL.
Like, chasing their tailPIC, or, uh, jump- References
ing to catch a frisbeePIC IIL. I. Ronni’s accent: Note that like Joey’s frisbee
father, Ronni also speaks with a heavy
CHANDLER: Joey, if Italian-American accent.
be looking for my keysIV.
II. embolism: the blocking of the
RONNI bloodstream due to a clot that gets
stuck in a vein.
MR. TRIBBIANI: Hey, Joe. dogs chasing
III. (pets) laid out / in a pose / chas- their tail
JOEY: Dad, Ronni’s here. ing their tail / catching a Frisbee: this
is a very bizarre topic of conversation
MR. TRIBBIANI: Huh? between Ronni and Chandler. She’s
RONNI: Hi. talking about taxidermy or animal
toupee
MR. TRIBBIANI: Hey! Hello, babe! Wh
what’re what’re you doing here? memory of them. Ronni says that some

RONNI good they’re chasing their tail, or catching a

C
hair at my apartment, I D
you’d frisbee.
need it tomorrow for your meeting. Kerplunk
IV.
MR. TRIBBIANI my keys:

CHANDLER: So, who’s up forE a big in a position that makes him look like
game of KerplunkPIC he’s looking for his keys.

11:27 - 12:30
RONNI: Look, I uh, I shouldn’t have
come1. I-I’d better get going, I don’t
wanna miss the last train2.
MR. TRIBBIANI: I don’t want you tak-
ing that thing.
RONNI: Oh, where am I gonna stay, here? parents discipline their kids.
JOEY: Who-ah-ho.
MR. TRIBBIANI: We’ll go to a hotel3.
RONNI: We’ll go to a hotel.
JOEY: No you won’t.
RONNI: No we won’t.
keep an eye on
Vocabulary sb
A. keep an eye on (sb): to watch out for
someone so that you’re aware of what
they’re doing. >> Could you keep an eye
on the kids? I’ll be back in 2 minutes.
B. : this is a com-
monly used phrase (and tone) when
C. as long as = provided that. Used
to say something will happen only if
something else happens. >> I will do
the job as long as they pay me according-
ly.
D. as long as you’re under my roof:
common phrase used to obligate chil-
dren to follow parents rules when
living at home.

JOEY: If you go to a hotel you’ll be... E. live by (sth): to behave according to

a particular set of beliefs or principles.
can keep an eye onA you. lived by a code of ethics.

MR. TRIBBIANI: You’re gotta keep an Pronunciation

eye on us? 1. shouldn’t have come:
JOEY: B4
, and I don’t shou-duh-nuh come
care how old you are, as long asC you’re shou rhymes with good and would
under my roof Dyou’re gonna live byE my Stress Pattern Focus
rules. And that means no sleeping with 2. I don’t want to miss the last train
your girlfriend. I uhn WAnna MISS thuh LAS TRAIN
RONNI: Wow. He’s strict. 3. We’ll go to a hotel
WILL GO tuh uh hoTEL
JOEY: Now dad, you’ll be in my room,
Ronni uh, you can stay in Chandler’s room. 4. mister: mis-tuh (Joey’s Italian accent
gets thicker around his dad and Ronni)
RONNI
good kid. References
CHANDLER: C’mon, I’ll show you to I. that sounds so weird: Chandler is
my room... I
when used to being rejected by women (who
it’s not followed by “No thanks, it’s late.” he tries to invite to his room for sex).
 12:30 - 13:44 Vocabulary
JOEY: Okay. Now this is just for tonight. A. to stop being
Starting tomorrow, you gotta make a in a relationship with a person.
change. Six years is long enough.
B. come clean (with sb) (about sth) =
MR. TRIBBIANI: What kinda change? to confess something, to tell the truth.
>> Judy has to come clean with the police.
JOEY: Well, either you A
C. kicky: (not common) someone who is
Ronni. kicking with irritation, as in a tantrum.
MR. TRIBBIANI: I can’t do that! D. (sth) on top of (sth): when there’s a
lot of something (not a common ex-
JOEY you gotta come clean withB pression). >> I had beer on top of beer
at that party.

MR. TRIBBIANI: Yeah, but this is... E. come along: to appear, to arrive. >>
By the time you came along the show
JOEY: I don’t wanna hear it! Now go to had ended.
II go the distance
my room! (literally,
F. stand-up (person): someone who
Scene: Chandler and Joey’s carries himself (behaves) with integrity. boxing)
CHANDLER: Hey, KickyC. What’re you G. go the distance: to carry on with some-
doing? thing until its completion. >> He’s willing
to go the distance with his project.
JOEY: Just trying to get comfortable1.
Can’t sleep in my underwear. Pronunciation
1. : s Stress Pattern Focus
CHANDLER: Well, you’re gonna.
1. just trying to get comfortable
2. : sjus TRYin uh GET COMF-tuh-bl
JOEY: I’ve been thinking. You know,
about how I’m always seeing girls on top
of girlsD... 2. end to end: en-duh-end

CHANDLER: Are they end to end2, or

tall like pancakesI?
JOEY: You know what I mean, about
how I’m always going out with all these
right one comes alongE, I’d be able to be
a stand-up guyF and go the distanceG,
you know? Now I’m looking at my dad,
thinking.
References
I. end to end or tall like pancakes: he’s asking Joey if they are
end to end (packed tightly together so there are many of them)
or tall like pancakes (women on top of each other, as in Lesbian
activity).
II. now go to my room
parent and child are reversed. Go to your room is a classic thing
a parent would say to their child to punish them.
 13:44 -14:52
CHANDLER: Hey, you’re not him.
You’re you. When they were all over
youA1 to go into your father’s pipe-fit-
tingB business, did you caveC?
JOEY: No.
CHANDLER: No. You decided to go
into the out-of-work actor businessI.
Now that wasn’t easy, but you did it! And
I’d like to believe that when the right
woman comes along, you will have the
courage and the gutsD to say “No thanks,
I’m married.”
JOEY: You really think so?
CHANDLER: Yeah. I really do.
JOEY
CHANDLER
Scene: Monica and Rachel’s
RONNI: Hi.
MONICA: Hi...May I help youE?
RONNI: Yeah, uh, Joey said I could use
your shower, since, uh, Chandler’s in ours?
MONICA: Okay...who are you?
RONNI: Oh, I’m Ronni. Ronni Rappela-
no? E
? I.
I. : business:
tor .
MONICA: Oh, come on in.
RONNI
RACHEL: Hi, I’m Rachel.
Vocabulary
A. to be all over (sb): if sb is all over
you, they’ constantly try to pressure
you to do something you’re averse to.
>> My parents were all over me trying to
get me to go to the university.
B. occupation consisting
in installing and repairing pipe and
tube systems.
C. cave (in): give up in an argument.
In the scene: Joey didn’t give in to his
father’s urging of him getting into
Literally: to collapse in-
wards- as in a cave.
D. have the guts: to be courageous guts
enough to do something.
E. May I help you?: we ask this question
with ‘may’ to people we don’t know and
want to be especially polite to.
F. the mistress: A man’s out-of-wed-
lock lover.
Pronunciation
Stress Pattern Focus
G.
1. : .when they were all over you
wen THEY wer ALL ove-ryou
References
-
As Chandler is narrating, Joey
didn’t accept to follow the same career as his
he decided to pursue a career as an actor,
which has so far been rather unsuccessful
because as Chandler puts it, Joey’s in the
“out-of-work” actor business.
 fasten your seat-
14:52 - 16:00 Vocabulary belts (literally)
RONNI: Hi. A. fasten your seat-belts: (similar to
get ready) said before something excit-
RACHEL: Bathroom’s up there. ing or provocative of any strong emo-
tion is about to happen. >> Fasten your
RONNI: Great. belts, Apple is about to release its new
iPhone and the Internet will go crazy.
RACHEL: Hey, listen, Ronni, how long Literally: to put your seatbelt on in a
would you1 say Chandler’s been in the car, plane or another vehicle. See PIC.
shower2?
B. It’s ____ time: said when something
RONNI fun and exiting is about to happen. It’s
very commonly collocated as “It’s show-
RACHEL: Perfect. Fasten your seatbelt- time” when some type of performance
sA, it’s peepee time B... Hey, Mr. Trib. or entertainment is about to start.

MR. TRIBBIANI: Hey. Morning, dearC. C. dear: dear here is a very parent-like

RACHEL: Chandler Bing? It’s time to abuse this term by calling people they
see your thingD. don’t know very well dear.

D. your thing = your penis or private

JOEY: What’s the matter with you?! part.
RACHEL: I thought it was Chandler! E. dinner thing: this use of thing at-
tached to noun makes an event out of
CHANDLER: What? What? that noun.

RACHEL: You were supposed to be in Pronunciation

there so I could see your thing! 1. how long would you say:
how long woo-djuh say
CHANDLER: Sorry, my my thing was in would rhymes with good and should
there with me.
Note the when /d/ precedes /y/, the
Scene: Central Perk two sounds blend into a /dj/, which
ALL: Hey, Pheebs. is the sound you hear in jealous or in
jewel.
PHOEBE: Hey.
2. been in the shower:
MONICA: How’s it going? ben n-thuh shower
Stress Pattern Focus
PHOEBE: Good. Oh oh! Roger’s having 3. : s
3. and he wanted me to invite
a dinner thingE and he wanted me to
an HE WANed me duh INvite
invite3 you guys.
 16:00 - 17:10 Vocabulary
PHOEBE: So what’s going onA? A. what’s going on?: this phrase is
used as a greeting, or to ask what’s hap-
MONICA: Nothing, um, it’s just, um... pening with something.
It’s Roger.
B. perceptive: of someone who is good
ROSS: I don’t know, there’s just some- reading people’s be-
thing about... haviors.

CHANDLER: Basically we just feelI C. freak (sb) out: to upset or make

that he’s... someone feel uncomfortable by saying
Also: to frighten
RACHEL: We hate that guy. someone.

ALL: Yeah. Hate him. D. to

put thoughts or ideas into sb’s head.
ROSS: We’re sorry, Pheebs, we’re sorry. E. put it away: to put something in the
place it’s supposed to be when it’s not in put (sth) away
PHOEBE: Uh-huh. Okay. Okay, don’t you use. >> Put those toys away.
think, maybe, though, it’s just that he’s so
perceptiveB that it freaked you outC? F. For God’s sake!: exclamation used to
express surprise, anger, impatience or
ALL: ...No, we hate him1.

RACHEL: We’re sorry. Pronunciation

Scene: Chandler and Joey’s 1. we hate him: we hay-dim
JOEY: Ma! What’re you doing here?

MRS. TRIBBIANI: I came to give you

References
this and this. I. basically we just feel...: the guys are
trying to mince or sugarcoat y
JOEY: Oww! Big ringII! really don’t like Roger, but they’re trying to
make it sound more pleasant by choosing
milder words (which they don’t really suc-
MRS. TRIBBIANI: Why did you have ceed at).
to D
all that
garbage about making things right? II. Big ring: Joey’s mom has a ring on her
hand that hurt Joey.
put it awayE .
For God’s sakeF, Joey, really. III. Mother
(formal) Ma, Mom (common), Mommy
(children), Mum (England/ Australia) .
JOEY: Hold on, you-you knew?
 17:10 - 18:36
MRS. TRIBBIANI: Of course I knew!
What did you think1? Your father is no
James BondI. You should have heard2
some of his cover storiesA. “I’m sleeping
over atB my accountant’sC,” I mean, what
is that? Please!
JOEY: So then how could you I mean,
how could you?!
MRS. TRIBBIANI: Do you remember
how your father used to be? Always yell-
ing, always yelling. Nothing made him
happy, nothing made him happy, not
that wood shopD, not those stupid little
ships in the bottleII, nothing. Now he’s
happy! I mean, it’s nice, he has a hobby.
JOEY: Ma, I don’t mean to be disrespect-
ful, but... what the hell are you talking
about?! I mean, what about you?
MRS. TRIBBIANI
honey, in an ideal world, there’d be no
her, and your father would look like
StingPIC. And I’ll tell you something
along, he’s been so ashamed of himself3
that he’s been more attentive, he’s been
more loving... I mean4, it’s like every
day’s our anniversary.
JOEY: I’m...happy...for you?
MRS. TRIBBIANI: Well don’t be, be-
cause now everything’s screwed upE. I
just want it5 the way it was.
JOEY: Ma, I’m sorry. I just did what I
thought you’d want.
Vocabulary screw up
A. cover stories: lies and excuses used to
cover the truth. >> His doctor’s appoint-
ment was a cover story for missing work.
B. (stay, sleep, etc) over at (sb’s
house): when we talk about staying
Sting
adverb ‘over’. For example, “to sleep over
at your friend’s” means to sleep at their
house instead at yours.
C. at someone’s: sometimes the pos-
sessive ’s is used to refer to someone’s
house or property.
D. wood shop: an area to build things
made out of wood.
E. (to be) screwed up = in trouble.
Pronunciation
1. what did you think:
wuh-duh-yuh think
2. should have heard: shou-duh-herd
3. ashamed of himself:
ashame-duh-vim-self
4. I mean: uh-mean
5. I just want it: I jus wan-nit
ships in the
References bottle
I. Your father is no James Bond: James
Bond is very discrete. Joey’s Dad is not
skilled at being secretive.
II. ships in the bottle: Mr. Tribbiani
used to have this hobbyPIC.
 18:36 - 19:57 Vocabulary
MRS. TRIBBIANI: I know you did, A. could I take her = could I beat her
cookie. Oh, I know you did. So tell me.
Did you1 see her?
B. no contest: without competition.
JOEY: Yeah. You’re ten times prettier
than she is. C. creepy: (a creepy person / a creep)
someone who acts weirdly and might
MRS. TRIBBIANI Could Also: some-
I take herA? one –especially a man– a man whose
-
JOEY: With this ringI? No contestB. an uncomfortable.
Scene: Central Perk
ROGER: What’s wrong, sweetie?
Pronunciation
PHOEBE: Nothing, nothing. 1. did you: dih jew

ROGER: Aaaah, what’s wrong, come on. 2. I’m not at all: I’m naw-duh-dawl

PHOEBE: It’s, I mean, it’s nothing, I’m

they have a References
liking problem with you . In that, um,
II
I. With this ring? No contest: If Mrs.
they don’t. Tribbiani wanted to actually take Ron-
ni, the ring on her knuckle would make
ROGER her punch really painful.

PHOEBE: But, you know, they don’t II. They have a liking problem with
see all the wonderfulness that I see. You you: this is a funny and uncommon
way to put it. Phoebe here is also trying
you
know , think you’re a little...
III

sounds a lot less impactful than ‘they

ROGER: What?
don’t like you’ or ‘they hate you.’
PHOEBE: Intense and creepy C.
III. you know: used to give space to
ROGER: Oh. -
ic being addressed.
PHOEBE: But I don’t. Me, Phoebe.

ROGER: Well, I’m not I’m not at all2

surprised they feel that way.
 let go
19:57 - 21:24 Vocabulary
PHOEBE: You’re not? See, that’s why A. stunted: slow, stopped, or abnormal
you’re so great! in developmental terms. >> Messi had a
disease that stunted his growth when he
ROGER: Actually it’s, it’s quite, you know, was a kid.
typical behavior when you have this kind
of dysfunctional group dynamic. You B. emotionally stunted: someone who know better
know, this kind of co-dependent, emo- carries emotional issues from child-
tionally stuntedA+B, sitting in your stupidC hood and that as a result has not been
stupid big cups able to mature emotionally in adult-
which, I’m sorry, might as well have nip- hood.
ples on them, and you’re all likeI ‘Oh, de-
C. stupid: note how it is used to show
extreme contempt towards something.
Scene: Monica and Rachel’s In the scene: Roger says stupid little
MONICA: So you talked to your dad, huh. house; earlier Ms. Tribianni said ‘ stupid
little ships in bottles’.
JOEY: Yeah. He’s gonna keep cheating
on my ma like she wanted, my mom D. pretend: to behave in a way that
is gonna keep pretendingD she doesn’t makes it look as if something didn’t
know even though she does, and my happen when in fact it did. restraining
little sister Tina can’t see her husband order
E. know better: if someone knows bet-
any more because he got a restraining
ter, they are wiser and know what to do
orderII, which has nothing to do with
anything except that I found out today.

RACHEL: Wow. References

I. : you’re like
CHANDLER
is another way to say “and you all keep saying”.
here on Waltons mountainIII.
II. restraining order: a court issued order that prevents
ROSS: So Joey, are you okay? someone from being able to legally come in contact with
JOEY: Yeah, I guess. It’s just you know
you got- abusive (ex) boyfriends.
ta let go . Even if you know betterE ,
IV
III. A
you’ve gotta let them make their own -
mistakes.
than before.
RACHEL: Just think, in a couple of
years we get to turn into them.
IV. let go: Joey is continuing with the parent/ child clichés, as
CHANDLER: If I turn into my parents, usually parents need to “let go” of their children (release detach-
I’ll either be an alcoholic blond chasing ment, accept). Literally: to stop holding on to something, to
PIC
twenty-year-old boys, or... I’ll relinquish.
 21:24 - end
end up like my mom.
PHOEBE: Hey.
ALL: Hey, Pheebs.
MONICA: How’s it going?
PHOEBE: Oh, okay, exceptA I broke up
with Roger.
ALL: Awww.
PHOEBE: Yeah, right.
ALL: Aaawwwwww!!
RACHEL: What happened?
PHOEBE: I don’t know, I mean, he’s a
good person, and he can be really sweet,
and in some ways I think he is so right
for me, it’s just... I hate that guy!
Closing Credits / Scene: Monica and Rachel’s
PHOEBE: Hey, Joey. What’s going on?
JOEY: Clear the tracks for the boobie
payback expressI. Next stopI: Rachel
Green.
MONICA: Joey!! What the hell were you
doing?!
JOEY: Sorry. Wrong boobies.
MONICA: Hello, Joey.
MR. TRIBBIANI: Oh! ...Hello, dear.
Vocabulary
A. except: used in a rather ironic and
humorous way when saying that’s the
only thing that’s not good -which hap-
pens to be of so much more relevance
than the good things that overshadow
them. For example, if someone asks
you how your ill-fated trip was, you
might answer “Oh, it was great... except
I broke my ankle and lost my passport
and credit cards.”
References
I. Clear the tracks for the boobie payback express: the
whole phrase is a train metaphor. First, by clear the tracks
Joey means to remove any obstacle present on the tracks
(railroadsPIC).
A paybackPIC is what you do to take revenge. Joey says
boobie payback because the revenge consists in him sur-
prising a topless Rachel.
Finally, express is a type of rail service. An express train
travels faster because it doesn’t stop in every single sta-
tion. Each place where the train stops is precisely called a
stop. Rachel is Joey’s train’s next stop.