Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
first-world problem

first-world problem

Date: Sep 15 2016

Themes: Celebrity, Pop Culture, Travel

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

My jet lag is getting a bit ridiculous. But, you know, it’s first-world problems. It’s a wonderful problem, “Oh I have to travel around the world; how awful.”

—Actress Margot Robbie, speaking about having to travel for film roles. (instyle.co.uk)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

small problem or annoyance that is not that big compared to what other people in the world may be experiencing

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

Do you hate it when someone spells your name incorrectly on a coffee cup? Do you feel like crying when you get the wrong dish at a restaurant? Do you fly into a rage when your phone can’t connect to a wireless network? Little frustrations like this can ruin your day, it’s true! But when you look at them from a different perspective, they seem like first-world problems.

A first-world problem is a small, irritating problem that people in wealthy or developed countries may encounter. First-world problems usually don’t ruin your life or take away any of your basic needs. In fact, people who are poor or hungry would probably much rather deal with a first-world problem. You are probably living a pretty good life if the only thing you have to worry about is not always being able to find free Wi-Fi! Actress Margot Robbie jokes that her jet lag is a first-world problem. After all, traveling the world to film movies is a problem a lot of us would love to have!

Do you experience a lot of first-world problems?

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

Go Super to Listen Go Super!

“I know it’s such a first-world problem, but I hate it when I can’t find a parking spot.”

“My phone screen is cracked, so it’s hard to see the apps! I know, first-world problems.”

“My brother always complains that the rent is too high, but I think it’s a first-world problem. I mean, he has a beautiful studio apartment in New York!”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Comments

Log in to Comment

Sergijko

Sergijko

Ukraine

In my opinion, people deem any issues as first-world problems because of lack of patience. When something unpleasant happens people get angry and express negative frastrative emotions. By the way, during my travel to Dubai I had not faced jet lag.


12:04 PM Feb 14 2017 |

MissC

Germany

Interesting lesson, i think there is alot of first world problems today.

04:49 PM Sep 16 2016 |

Likes (7):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast

More English Lessons