Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Laughter is said to be one of the best medicines. But what if you don’t understand what’s so funny? Even worse, what if everyone is laughing at you?
It’s never fun to be in a room full of people where everyone except you is laughing hysterically. When you ask to be clued in to the joke, people ignore you or maybe just laugh harder. You’re probably the object of some inside jokes, and it’s not a very nice position to be in.
While inside jokes may be funny to the people who are part of a particular clique, they are discriminating against those on the outside. When people make jokes about other people, they will likely hurt another person’s feelings. Not only are inside jokes rude, but they are also harmful. If you want to make others laugh, make sure it’s not at the expense of your friends.
Marni is feeling hurt and left out. Find out who’s been telling inside jokes in this English lesson.
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.
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Marni: Amanda, I was recently hanging out with some friends, and I just felt left out. I felt like they had all these inside jokes that I just wasn’t a part of.
Amanda: Well they probably did. I actually really enjoy inside jokes because it’s kind of alienating to everybody else in the room.
Marni: You like that aspect of it? You don’t feel like you’re discriminating against people?
Amanda: That’s exactly what you’re doing. You have cliques. You surround yourself with people of like mind and like values and then you kind of chuckle about things that only you know. I’m sorry if your feelings were hurt.
Marni: Do you think that strengthens the bonds of your friendship?
Amanda: I guess of my friendship within my clique, but with me and you not so much. I’m sorry.
Marni: I have a good sense of humor and everything, but inside jokes… I didn’t get them. I was feeling left out.
Amanda: Sounds like someone needs to lighten up a little bit. It’s just a joke.
Marni: I guess, but it’s so alienating. I don’t know.
Amanda: I have an idea.
Marni: Yeah?
Amanda: Why don’t you and I come up with an inside joke?
Marni: OK!
Amanda: OK? Cool.
Grammar Point
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Discussion
Marni tells Amanda she is feeling hurt because she didn’t understand the inside jokes people were making recently. She wasn’t part of it, so she felt left out.
Amanda doesn’t offer Marni any sympathy, though. In fact, Amanda says she enjoys inside jokes. It helps her feel close to people in her small group and keeps other people far away.
Amanda tells Marni to lighten up, but Marni’s mood doesn’t improve. She’s still not sure about inside jokes. Then Amanda has an idea: she and Marni can make an inside joke together!
What’s your opinion on inside jokes? Can inside jokes make friendships stronger? Do inside jokes do more harm than good?
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