AEE 2435: This is an Awesome Episode! Take Our Word for It

Summary

All Ears English Podcast Episode 2435 Summary: "This is an Awesome Episode! Take Our Word for It"

In Episode 2435 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Michelle Kaplan and Aubrey Carter delve into the nuanced expression "I'll take your word for it," exploring its meanings, usages, and cultural implications. This engaging episode is packed with practical examples, role-playing scenarios, and insightful discussions aimed at enhancing listeners' conversational English skills.

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1. Hosts' Favorite Words

The episode kicks off with a light-hearted exchange where Michelle and Aubrey share their favorite words, setting a friendly and inviting tone.

• Aubrey Carter reveals his favorite word is "sesquipedalian", delighting in its humor and complexity. He explains at [02:30]:

  "It's such a big word. And it's funny because it means you unnecessarily using big words to impress."

  This choice highlights Aubrey's appreciation for playful and descriptive language.

• Michelle Kaplan selects "perturbed" as her favorite word, appreciating its expressive sound and meaning. At [03:22], she states:

  "It sounds kind of like what it means."

  Michelle's choice underscores her interest in words that convey emotions effectively.

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2. Exploring the Expression: "I'll Take Your Word for It"

Transitioning from favorite words, Michelle introduces the episode's main focus: the expression "I'll take your word for it."

At [03:28], Lindsay (Michelle's co-host) emphasizes the importance of this phrase in fostering connections over striving for perfection in language use:

"Today, Aubrey, we're going to be talking about an important and really useful expression with the word word. And this is: 'I'll take your word for it.'"

Meaning and Usage:

• Aubrey Carter elaborates on the phrase's meaning at [03:45]:

  "It means I'll believe you, but sort of like, I don't know for sure. I'm not sure if I believe you, but I'm going to trust that you're right."

• They discuss how the phrase can be used both sincerely and sarcastically, depending on the context. Aubrey provides an example of using it sarcastically when concluding a disagreement:

  "It's another way of saying like, okay, agree to disagree."

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3. Role-Playing Scenarios

To illustrate the practical application of "I'll take your word for it," Michelle and Aubrey engage in several role-playing exercises.

Example 1: Discussing Pizza Preferences

• Aubrey: "Trust me, I know you hate deep dish pizza, but this is amazing."
• Michelle: "I'll take your word for it, right?" [05:00]

This exchange demonstrates how the phrase can convey trust even when personal interest is lacking.

Example 2: Long Flights

• Michelle: "Japan is such an amazing place to visit."
• Aubrey: "I'll take your word for it. I am not going because I really hate long flights." [06:23]

Here, Aubrey uses the phrase to express belief without personal intention to experience the suggestion.

Orchestra Concert Scenario

• Aubrey: "Listen to those violins. Beautiful, don't you think?"
• Michelle: "I'll take your word for it. I just don't know anything about music." [13:52]

This scenario highlights using the phrase to support someone else's expertise or passion despite lacking personal knowledge.

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4. Discussion on Long Flights

A significant portion of the episode revolves around listeners' feelings about long flights, sparked by personal anecdotes.

• Aubrey shares his experience with lengthy travel at [07:05]:

  "I don't mind being on the plane for a while. I like, just kind of, there's nothing you can do to, you just kind of have to be on the plane."

• Michelle relates by discussing the challenges of flying with children:

  "I flew with my kids. This was the hardest one I've ever done." [07:43]

Their conversation underscores the varying perspectives on long flights based on personal circumstances, such as traveling alone versus with family.

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5. Listener Engagement: Spotify Poll

Engaging with their audience, Michelle announces a Spotify poll at [15:53]:

"If you're listening on Spotify, you can fill this out. We were talking about long flights, Aubrey. So the question for today is how do you feel about long flights? Love them, hate them or you feel indifferent?"

This interactive element encourages listeners to share their experiences and opinions, fostering a sense of community.

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6. Key Takeaways

Towards the episode's conclusion, Michelle and Aubrey summarize the main points, emphasizing the practical utility of "I'll take your word for it" as a conversational tool.

• Aubrey highlights the phrase's role in connecting with others, especially when lacking common interests or knowledge:

  "This is a great connection skill, especially if you don't have something in common or don't share common knowledge."

• They also note its effectiveness in diffusing potential conflicts, akin to saying "agree to disagree."

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7. Final Remarks

The episode wraps up with Michelle encouraging listeners to apply the discussed phrases in their conversations and to explore previous episodes for further learning. Aubrey and Michelle express appreciation for each other's company, reinforcing the podcast's friendly and collaborative atmosphere.

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Notable Quotes:

• Aubrey Carter on "sesquipedalian" at [02:30]:

  "It's such a big word. And it's funny because it means you unnecessarily using big words to impress."

• Michelle Kaplan on "perturbed" at [03:22]:

  "It sounds kind of like what it means."

• Aubrey Carter explaining the main expression at [03:45]:

  "It means I'll believe you, but sort of like, I don't know for sure."

• Michelle Kaplan introducing the Spotify poll at [15:53]:

  "How do you feel about long flights? Love them, hate them, or you feel indifferent?"

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Conclusion

Episode 2435 of the All Ears English Podcast offers valuable insights into the expression "I'll take your word for it," enhancing listeners' ability to navigate conversations with confidence and cultural awareness. Through engaging discussions and relatable examples, Michelle Kaplan and Aubrey Carter provide practical tools for English learners to connect more naturally and effectively in American English settings.

Transcript

[Aubrey Carter]

This is the Allers English podcast, episode 2435. This is an awesome episode. Take our word for it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection. With your American host, Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, and Aubrey Carter, the IELTS whiz, coming to you from Arizona and New York City, usa. To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the All Ears English app for iOS and Android. Start your seven day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward/app.

[Lindsay]

What can you say if you and a friend don't have interest, experience or knowledge today? Learn three phrases to connect about differences in English. If you're a natural introvert, speaking out in a conversation in English can be stressful. Maybe at work you're unsure if people will understand you or you're worried they'll ask you to repeat so you stay quiet. Let's finally get over this challenge in 2025. Start by taking our free fluency score quiz to find out your level and then get an action plan to get fluent. Go to allearsenglish.comfluencyscore One more time, go to allearsenglish.comflu e n c Y S C O R E.

[Aubrey Carter]

Hello, Michelle. How are you?

[Lindsay]

Hey, Aubry. I'm good. How are you?

[Aubrey Carter]

Excellent. Lindsay's out of town this week, so Michelle and I are recording together and it's so fun. I love recording with you.

[Lindsay]

Yes, we are having a good time. We definitely miss Lindsay. She'll be back soon, guys. Don't you worry. But it is fun to record with Aubry. Absolutely. But, Aubry, I have a question for you.

[Aubrey Carter]

Okay.

[Lindsay]

Do you have a favorite word?

[Aubrey Carter]

I do. My favorite word is sesquipedalian. Oh, here's why.

[Lindsay]

What?

[Aubrey Carter]

Such a fun word. I know. It's such a big word. And it's funny because it means you unnecessarily using big words to impress.

[Lindsay]

Oh, that's hilarious. What an ironic word.

[Aubrey Carter]

I know. That's what I love about it. And so if people are using big words that either I don't know or the average person won't know, then I call them sesquipedalian and they never know what it means. And it's so funny.

[Lindsay]

That's amazing. I love that. That's great. So that is not my favorite word, but maybe it will be now. But my. I always say that my favorite word is the word perturbed. Because word, it's just such a ridiculous sounding word. Perturbed. Right. That means bothered. Right? I'm perturbed and people don't use it. Yeah, it is perturbed. It sound. Because it sounds kind of like what it means. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

It has some of that onomatopoeia. It's sort of like you sort of sound bothered when you say perturbed.

[Lindsay]

Yes. Well, that's awesome. But today, Aubrey, we're going to be talking about an important and really useful expression with the word word. And this is. I'll take your word for it. Yeah. So what does that mean and do you use it, Aubrey?

[Aubrey Carter]

I do. I love this expression. It means I'll believe you, but sort of like, I don't know for sure. I'm not sure if I believe you, but I'm going to trust that you're right.

[Lindsay]

Right, exactly. You're just gonna kind of go for it and believe that person. It can be used also in a little bit of a sarcastic way. Aubrey, when might you use this?

[Aubrey Carter]

Do you think I might use it sarcastically? Right. If maybe even I know someone's wrong, but I'm. It's not worth arguing. Be like, oh, I'll take your word for it. Maybe you've let them know, like you have disagreed. You've even shared some evidence and they're still digging in. Be like, well, just have to take your word for it. Right. You're sort of being funny at that point. It's another way of saying like, okay, agree to disagree.

[Lindsay]

Yeah, right, right. Right. Very good. I don't even think I had specifically had that example in there. But you're so right. I love how you use that. But yeah, you could also use it when someone is trying to convince someone else of something. And yeah, you don't necessarily believe them, but you just also kind of want to be done with it. Right. Or maybe you won't experience something, but you trust what someone else says. So like, you aren't going to have this experience. You haven' had it yet. So you just kind of trust what the person.

[Aubrey Carter]

Maybe you have a friend who's able to go to space like they're rich, they go on, you know, one of these SpaceX flights and they're telling you how amazing it is. You're like, I'll just have to take.

[Lindsay]

Your word for it.

[Aubrey Carter]

I'm never going. I'll never know what that is like, right?

[Lindsay]

Yeah, exactly. Or someone is an expert at someone and you don't Understand it. You're just kind of missing that piece. So you're just trusting the person. Or Aubrey has that other context of just kind of. Okay, sure. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

I've said this to my friend who is a. An aerospace engineer. So he's a rocket scientist. And I'll ask him, you know, about his job, and he'll share something that I don't understand at all. I might be like, all right, I'll take your word for it. Right. I have no experience, no education about that. But I believe him. He knows what he's talking about.

[Lindsay]

Right, right, Exactly. So let's do a little role play here about pizza.

[Aubrey Carter]

All right? Trust me, I know you hate deep dish pizza, but this is amazing.

[Lindsay]

I' your word for it, right?

[Aubrey Carter]

So that's a great example. You don't want to try it. You have no interest. And I'm, like, trying to convince you you're still not going to try it. So you're saying, like, no, I trust you, that it's delicious.

[Lindsay]

Sure, sure. Whatever. You. You enjoy what you enjoy. Right. And I'm not gonna. Right. Or here's another one. Japan is such an amazing place to visit.

[Aubrey Carter]

H. I'll take your word for it. I am not going because I really hate long flights.

[Lindsay]

Okay.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. This is a great example. Right. I'm just telling, like, I. I believe you, I trust you, that it's great, but for some reason, I'm not going to go. So I'll say, I'll just take your word for it. Or sometimes I'll say, I'll just have to take your word for it.

[Lindsay]

Yeah. And Aubry, I want to let our listeners know if you're listening on Spotify. We are going to do a Spotify key poll at the end of this episode. So, Aubry, guys, we have a lot of fun with these polls. We're going to share the results in a future episode. But still, stay tuned to the end to hear what the poll will be. But, Aubrey, I mean, do you. How do you feel about long flights?

[Aubrey Carter]

I actually don't mind a long flight as long as I don't have my children with me. I actually, not long ago, I had to go to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and I had the option of a direct flight that was quite pricey or a flight that went, like, north eight hours out of the way. It, like, went to Montana and then to Mexico City and then to Puerto Vallarta. And it. It ended up taking, like, a full day of travel, but for, like, eighth of the price. And it was just Me being my. By myself, no children. So I was like, I'll take it. I don't even mind. I'll have my AirPods. I could get some work done. I'll read a book. But if I had my kids with me, that would be a different story. It's difficult on flights. Kids.

[Lindsay]

Yeah. I flew with my kids. And just the. I don't know. This was the hardest one I've ever done. I've flown with them alone before, but in the beginning of the year, I was with them, and, man, it was tough. So I. I get it. I actually, yeah, I don't mind being on the plane for a while. I like, just kind of. There's nothing you can do to. You just kind of have to be on the plane. And so, yeah, I think especially as a mom.

[Aubrey Carter]

Sounds pretty nice right now that we can watch films. Like there's in flight media, usually where we're watching newer movies, or we can listen to podcasts, read a book. I remember the first flight I took that was, you know, to Europe when I was an exchange student at age 16. There were no movies, there were no ipods. Right. I just read a book the whole time. That was the only option, and that was a little bit harder. Right now the time flies when you can, like, watch movies and listen to podcasts.

[Lindsay]

Yeah, exactly. So. All right, but, Aubrey, so another thing. And I noticed you saying this at the beginning, and I wanted to highlight it. Sometimes we say, I'll take your word for it. Sometimes we actually say, I'll have to take your word for it. I'll have to take your word for it. I don't know much about music, but this seems okay to me. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah. I feel like I say it that way more often. Not sure why. I don't know what the difference is. They're very interchangeable, you guys. They mean the same thing. I don't know why. Why do you think we add that extra word? Do you feel like it changes the meaning at all? I'll have to take your word for it.

[Lindsay]

I'll have to take your. I'll take your word for it. I don't know that it does. I think it just kind of flows maybe a little bit more naturally, but I don't.

[Aubrey Carter]

Almost. A little more playful maybe to be like, oh, right, right.

[Lindsay]

It's a little less rigid, so. But does it ever mean that you actually don't believe someone? I mean, that kind of goes back to what we were talking about in the beginning.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, I think so. I think sometimes I will Use it. If I haven't researched something, so I don't know for sure, I can't say one way or another. And so I'm like, I'll just have to take your word for it. I'm saying, like, maybe you're right, but I'm not going to believe it based on what you're saying. I would have to do some research before I really decided. Right.

[Lindsay]

Exactly. Exactly. All right.

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[Lindsay]

Okay, Aubry, so is there a time that you can think of where you might use this in your life? I'm. Because I'm thinking about how our kids use. Like, I'm thinking of our kids and the lingo that they might use as teenagers. Right. I'm sure you experience this. Right. You might not understand it. Maybe they try and explain it to you and say, oh, I'll have to take your word for it. I'm not gonna absolutely use this. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

I use this that way because often they'll be describing like a tick tock video.

[Lindsay]

Yeah.

[Aubrey Carter]

And they'll say, here, watch it and I don't want to watch it. Right. They've already described, like, I don't want to watch that video. Right. Or maybe it's long. Sometimes they're like, long, you know, and so I'll say, you know what? I'll just take your word for saying, I believe you, that it's funny or it's interesting. I don't have time to watch it. I don't want to watch it. I'll take your word.

[Lindsay]

Yeah, that's a. That's good. I like that. Yeah, good point. I mean. I mean, sometimes it's just if we don't. Yeah. Like you said, you don't plan on experiencing something, so you're just. Okay, whatever.

[Aubrey Carter]

Maybe like skydiving. Lind or Michelle. I'm sc. Lindsay. Like, if someone were telling me they had gone skydiving and I have to try it, I have no interest in skydiving. So I would probably say it's like, I'LL just take your word for it. It's awesome. No, thank. Would you go skydiving, Michelle?

[Lindsay]

I would not. I feel I actually still had to just look in the plans because I feel like I just wrote something about skydiving for an episode. But, no, it's not in this one.

[Aubrey Carter]

So it'd be great for this because that's one of the things. If someone were trying to convince me to do it and be like, I'll just take your word for it, I could believe it's exciting. I believe it's interesting, but it's just too scary for me. I couldn't do it for me.

[Lindsay]

Yeah, yeah. You could also say, like, oh, not for me. Not for me. But let's share a couple similar things you could say and talk about if they sound. If it sounds like you actually trust the person or if it's more sarcastic. So the first one is I believe you.

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, yeah. Okay. I use this as well. Let's do a little role play here.

[Lindsay]

All right, here we go. The editing in this movie is incredible.

[Aubrey Carter]

I believe you. I just don't know anything about editing.

[Lindsay]

Okay, so this one's more genuine. Right. You actually don't know about it, so you're just saying, yeah, I believe you. Right.

[Aubrey Carter]

Like, I feel like every movie is edited. Well, I wouldn't know if it's. And this. This is for me. Someone will be like, wow, the editing or something will get, like, an Academy Award for editing. And I'm like, okay, I feel like that looks the same as every movie's editing. I don't know.

[Lindsay]

It's really funny. No, I agree. I agree. But you could use it in a more sarcastic way, right? Oh, yeah, I believe you. Right. But here we used it more genuinely. Or what's another one?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, I'll buy it. Or I'll buy that for sure. And we might say, the attention to detail on this painting is exquisite.

[Lindsay]

I'll buy it. I'm completely dense when it comes to art.

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, this is interesting because depending on the intonation, if you're speaking with someone, they might misunderstand and think you're saying that you're going to buy the painting. Right. Painting is amazing. I'll buy it. Oh, my gosh. I believe you. That it's beautiful.

[Lindsay]

That's really funny. That's so true. Yep. You got to be careful with that. Right? Interesting.

[Aubrey Carter]

I think I would be more likely to say, I'll buy that. I'll buy that. I'm saying, like, I believe you. I don't really know, But I believe you. I'll buy that.

[Lindsay]

Yeah, you could say that, too. For sure. All right, let's do a role play. So here we are, friends, and we are at an orchestra concert.

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, fun. Okay, I'll start us out. Listen to those violins. Beautiful, don't you think?

[Lindsay]

I believe you. I just don't know anything about music.

[Aubrey Carter]

But you can hear it, right? Listen to the emotion they play with.

[Lindsay]

I believe you.

[Aubrey Carter]

Oh, Michelle, you have to learn more about music.

[Lindsay]

It's okay. It's okay. I'll take your word for it. I know they're talented.

[Aubrey Carter]

Nice. This is a really great example of somewhere where this happens, right? And this is a great connection skill, because some. Sometimes someone will be really knowledgeable and interested in something like orchestral music. It's a good example, and you might be there, and you really don't know much about it. You need these phrases to be able to say like that you. You're expressing that you appreciate their knowledge and expertise. You believe them. You'll take their word for it, even if you don't really understand, you know, how much talent is actually being showcased.

[Lindsay]

And I actually. I didn't mean to have two. I believes you in there. I probably meant to. I believe yous in there.

[Aubrey Carter]

I probably buy that. Yeah, okay. I'll buy it.

[Lindsay]

I'll buy it. So you said, listen to the. You're clearly very into it, and you say, listen to those violins. Beautiful, don't you think? And I said, I believe you. I just know nothing about music.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, this is interesting. And this. This will happen where it's tricky when this can hurt connection sometimes when you do have very different interests, very different hobbies, and you're somewhere and you want to, you know, support someone's interests. You want. You certainly don't want to criticize it here, but you also can't pretend that you're an expert and you know about. Right. So I think this is a great way to do that. Be like, I believe you. This is so. I'll take your word for it.

[Lindsay]

Right? And then you said, listen to the emotion they play with. And then I meant to say, oh, I'll buy it. Right? So I could say that.

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, that would work, right? Just saying, like, yeah, I get it. I believe you. I don't really know. And then at the end you said, I'll take your word for it. I know they're talented. Right? You believe, like, the music sounds good. You believe they're talented. So you'll take. You'll take my word for it? Yes.

[Lindsay]

Yes, exactly. Guys, we mentioned that we were going to do a Spotify poll for today. So if you're listening on Spotify, you can fill this out. We were talking about long flights, Aubrey. So the question for today is how do you feel about long flights? Love them, hate them or you feel indifferent?

[Aubrey Carter]

So the assumption here is a long flight by yourself or maybe by yourself.

[Lindsay]

Yes, exactly.

[Aubrey Carter]

Because I feel like the answer would be very different for those who have children. If you have kids with you.

[Lindsay]

Very, very true. All right, guys, also check out episode 2427 a few episodes ago that was make your English magical. Aubrey, any ideas for takeaway for today? What do we want to leave our listeners with?

[Aubrey Carter]

Yeah, this is a great connection skill, especially if you don't have something in common or don't share common knowledge. You need expressions for that as well. Right? How to say like I believe you, I. I trust you. I'll take your word for it even if you don't know. And it's also a good way to diffuse if there is a controversial convers. Yeah, you're really not seeing eye to eye. We've taught before. Agree to disagree. This is another good one. I'll take your word for it and then move on to a new conversation.

[Lindsay]

All right, Aubry, thank you so much for hanging out today. This was really fun. And guys, yeah. Give this a, give this a try in your conversations.

[Aubrey Carter]

Absolutely. Awesome. We'll see you next time, Michelle. All right.

[Lindsay]

Bye, Aubry.

[Aubrey Carter]

Bye.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Thanks for listening. To all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our 2 minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com fluencyscore and if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.