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Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Learn English with this romance English lesson

Date: Feb 04 2014

Themes: Hobbies, Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Modal Verbs

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Before 1928, if you wanted to use bread for a sandwich, you had to cut it yourself. But that year, a machine was created to cut bread into slices. Sliced bread was sold in stores for the first time, and it soon became extremely popular. It became so common, that in today’s grocery stores, you have to look carefully for bread that isn’t already sliced.

Because sliced bread was an incredible new food that everyone loved, people started using the expression the best thing since sliced bread. If a person calls a new toy, or a tool, or even an idea the best thing since sliced bread, that means that the toy, tool or idea is something that everyone will love. It means that it is amazing and original, just like bread that doesn’t need to be cut with a knife.

Jeff tells Lily and Rafael about his new girlfriend Alexis. He shares all of the things that make Alexis special to him and an amazing person that he enjoys spending time with. Put together, these things make her the best thing since sliced bread to Jeff.

Will Lily and Rafael also think that Alexis is the best thing since sliced bread, or will they think that Jeff is crazy? Find out in this English lesson about falling in love.

3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Lily

Jeff

Rafael

Lily: So, Marni tells me you’ve been dating a lot of women.

Jeff: That’s true. But it’s actually only one woman now.

Lily: Oh, really? So, why don’t you tell us about her?

Jeff: Well, her name is Alexis. We met about a month ago at a party, and we’ve been spending quite a bit of time together.

Rafael: All right. So when you say quite a bit of time, do you mean every day?

Jeff: Well, you know. We hang out a few times a week.

Rafael: Nice. What’s she into?

Jeff: You know, that’s the thing. She likes everything. If she hasn’t done something yet, she’s totally game to try it. She’s the best thing since sliced bread.

Lily: What kinds of stuff do you do when you go out?

Jeff: I don’t know. Last weekend we went rock climbing. The one before that, we tried out some underwater basket weaving.

Lily: Wow.

Jeff: Yeah.

Rafael: So, is she really athletic? It sounds like she’s very outdoorsy.

Jeff: No, not really. But she’s not afraid to try anything new. See what I’m saying? She just jumps right in there without worrying about making a fool of herself.

Lily: That’s great! I can understand why you would say that she’s the best thing since sliced bread.

Rafael: She sounds like a keeper. So, when are we going to get to meet her?

Jeff: Well, I don’t know. That’s the thing. I’m kind of enjoying keeping Alexis on the down low. So, we’ll see. I’m taking it slow. See where it goes.

Lily: I totally understand that. You don’t want to break that spell that you guys have over each other yet. Right?

Rafael: Yeah, I understand that, too, but eventually you’re going to have to let us meet her.

Jeff: Well, yeah. You know, maybe it will happen. Hey, I’ve got to go. I’ve got a date.

Lily: With Alexis?

Jeff: Yeah.

Rafael: What’s your itinerary today?

Jeff: Roller skating. See you guys later!

Grammar Point

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Discussion

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Jeff has been dating someone new. Her name is Alexis, and she seems perfect for Jeff. She likes to try new things, and she doesn’t seem to worry about what other people think of her. That makes Alexis seem pretty wonderful to Jeff. He’s been seeing a lot of her and his friends want to know more.

Rafael and Lily ask Jeff to share details about Alexis with them. They learn that she and Jeff are going on dates every weekend. They want to meet Alexis, but Jeff isn’t sure that he wants her to meet his friends yet. He’s happy with what they have together and doesn’t want to break that spell yet.

Have you ever met someone, received a gift, or learned something that you thought was the best thing since sliced bread?

Comments

leilahavaneh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

my mom is the best thing since sliced bread i’ve learned a lot from her hope she stay with m for ever.

sireeshasiree77

India

I found my husband was the best thing since sliced bread.

ricoswift

China

BEST THING SINCE THE BIG BANG 0_0

ttsuka

Japan

Why of course, English baby! is the best thing since pre-packaged sushi!!

mondir

Morocco

yes of course but not every time happen

AryelLanes

Brazil

The internet is DEFINITELY the best thing since sliced bread! I can’t imagine a life without it! hahaha

eduard12

Ecuador

well i met a girl a long time well,she was the best thing since slice bread,by the way she cheated on me i know it´s a foolish story but it´s true

ola33

Japan

keep that on that down low expression reminded me about Meet the Parents movie.

Greg Focker: Don’t worry about your little covert op, I’ll keep it on the low down.

Denny Byrnes: Down low.

Greg Focker: No doubt.

ahmet55

Germany

To be honest, the great man i’ve ever met is Prof. Banisi on my simulation, Modeling of mineral processing plant’s course who was the best thing since sliced bread. A marvelous trail teacher with great prestige as well as high discipline. Actually i confesses he is a NEW KID ON THE BLOCK however he is taken three industrial project in this year (in the amount of 150,000$). Could u imagine?!! bcz he is talented, tactful, outstanding and also deserve of it. He is not a SUPERMODEL or some. Indeed he just utilize of his productive mind properly. He GETS HIS DUCKS ON THE ROW easily and all metallurgy experts herein just say yes in front of this true man. Maybe we can say that he is ON HIS GAME for ever.

Undoubtedly and also more generally, He is the father of mineral processing Eng. in Iran. Sorry, all i said above might will not make sense to u, but he is so impressive, with great sense of justice along with humor and full of energy.

munisa alimatova

Uzbekistan

i bet, yes i met one person, who was the best thing since sliced bread. but this, break that spell. i think, that person for me like a keeper))

ola33

Japan

Recently i came across such a great invention and discovery as rainbow loom braclets. My 6 year old son declaird tha wants a kit and will be eagerly making those bracelets. So, seeing such a phenomena that he got interested in something apart from his Ipad, I rushed to a store, bought a kit and here we go! My son and me! now are spending our time together weaving those magnificent braceletes. And I’m so grateful to the invention Youtube where you can learn that Art from the other enthusiasts willingly sharing their skills. I want to add as well, I’ve alway wanted to knit. I like the click of the knitting needles, I like the stiches, I like it totally psychologically and mentally. All those intricate patterns and what is most of the desirable is a ready made product in the shape of a scarf or hat or even I’m so thrilled to think of a sweater!! And this rainbow loom braclete art revived to life my interest to knitting as well. I open Youtube and was so glad to see so many nice women presenting their kniiting lessons. I’m so excited now. I’m so happy i had a glimps of old days which are still alive! when we’re were all could do something with hands – knitting, cooking, sewing, drawing (everything is s computer graphic now), building making a chair, a table, planting. It’s good for brain, believe me!