
Find out how to connect around someone's interests in English
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Lindsey McMahon
This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2455.
Michelle Kaplan
Should you poke fun at someone's niche interests? 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 hosts.
Listener
Listen.
Michelle Kaplan
Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming.
Lindsey McMahon
To you from Colorado and New York City, usa.
Michelle Kaplan
To get real time transcripts right on your phone and create your personalized vocabulary list, try the Allears English app for iOS and Android. Start your 7 day free trial@allearsenglish.com.
Listener
In this episode, we answer a listener question about the phrase get a life. Who can you use this with? What does it mean? And how can you use it about yourself to reveal your nerdy interests? Listen in today.
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Listener
Hey, Lindsay, how are you?
Lindsey McMahon
Good, Michelle.
Michelle Kaplan
How are you?
Lindsey McMahon
What's shaken? What's going on?
Listener
Yeah, I'm good, thanks. Lindsay, did you ever play the game Life as a kid?
Lindsey McMahon
Of course. I used to love Life. I remember I liked it more than Monopoly or really any other game. Yeah, the game of Life.
Listener
Yeah. Tell us a little bit. Do you even remember? Because I. I can't. It's hard for me to remember, but I know that it was fun. And you got to have your little pieces and put them in the car, right?
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, there was a car. It was kind of chugging along. Right. That's all I remember about it. But I mean, what is this really? How does this relate to today's topic?
Listener
Well, today, well, it doesn't, but. No, the word life does.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah.
Listener
So today. Because today we actually have a listener question dealing with the word life, a question about expression that people say. And we're gonna really get into that. That's gonna be very interesting. But, Lindsay, guys, we. First, we want to remind you that the Very best place to listen to the All Ears English podcast is in our app. Right, Lindsay?
Lindsey McMahon
A hundred percent, 100%. That is the place to go to have the full Allers English experience. So when you are a premium user in the app, you get to say, tap on keywords that we've selected for you to see their meanings, to see sample sentences, and to save them in your keyword. Your personal power list is what we call it, which means you have your personal bank of Allers English words, words you've learned on this show. So you don't have to write them down, put them in a notebook, lose the notebook, pages are flying all over the place. No, we don't want to do any of that. Right, Michelle?
Listener
No, no, no, no, we don't. So yeah. Oh my gosh. And yeah, I really love those real time transcripts. Those are amazing. So guys, to get that app, go to allearsenglish.com yes.
Lindsey McMahon
Excellent. Go over there, guys. Now let's get into today's topic. Michelle, this question comes from. Wow. But I have a hard time pronouncing the first name. Koda Box. Osaini. Right. Should I read the question?
Listener
Sure.
Lindsey McMahon
All right. Special hello to the great hosts of Allers English. Well, hello back to you. This is Kodo Box from Afghanistan, and I've been listening to your podcast for more than six, seven months. I'm really enthusiastic about it. Oh, that is wonderful.
Listener
Thank you. That means a lot to us. Appreciate that.
Lindsey McMahon
It absolutely does. In fact, your podcast is very helpful and effective. By the way, I have some questions for you. My question is, what is the meaning of the phrase to get a life? I look forward to hearing from you. It's a great question.
Listener
This is a great question. And this listener also asked another question, but we are going to see if we can get to that at a later date. But thank you for both of those questions. So, yeah, get a life.
Lindsey McMahon
Oo, you know what? For some reason the first thing that comes to mind is the show the Simpsons and how rude that show was. Yeah, like Bart Simpson was the rudest. I wasn't even allowed to watch the Simpsons in the 90s. Like it was one of those forbidden TV shows for me because it was so rude. I could imagine him saying that to. What is it? Lisa. Right?
Listener
His little sister.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
Listener
That's true. I could see that. I'm sure he did. So yeah, I mean, Lindsay, when you hear Get a life, how does that sound? Lindsay, get a life.
Lindsey McMahon
Extremely rude. Yeah, we would never say that to each other. I mean, this is something, honestly, kids say. Teenagers say to each other.
Listener
I don't even know if that's true because they could say a totally different slang right now.
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, you're right. Yeah. No, who are we to be teaching teenagers right now? That's a.
Listener
We should have, like, some teenagers on. We should.
Lindsey McMahon
I think we have some teenage listeners, probably, but, I mean, guests. Sure. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. For sure. And learn. Learn the teenager slang right now.
Listener
Yeah.
Lindsey McMahon
Yes.
Listener
I love it.
Lindsey McMahon
Let's say this is something teenagers said to each other in the 90s, let's say.
Listener
Right. Exactly. Exactly. So, you know, we're gonna. But, okay. We don't shy away from topics. We don't shy away from something just because we say. Oh, people don't really, you know, that's not a great thing to say. That's not a nice thing to say. We want to teach you everything. The good, the bad, the ugly, the everything.
Lindsey McMahon
Yes. Right.
Listener
So we. Yeah, so we're going to go into it. I mean, Lindsay, what does it mean if someone says, get a life?
Lindsey McMahon
It basically means that someone is maybe spending too much time thinking about something or doing something that the other person, the person saying it deems to be useless or unimportant or boring or lame. Maybe it's basically judgy and it's saying, like, what you're spending your time on is. Is not important.
Listener
Right. And sometimes just in an argument with somebody, they. It might not even have to do with anything. They might just say, get a life. Right. It's not even necessarily about anything. It's just. It's just an insult.
Lindsey McMahon
It's just kind of an insult. Yeah. An immature. Let's say it's an immature insult. And also, you know, even if our listeners don't. I, I, you know, I know a lot of our listeners personally, I don't see them using this. Right. But they also watch movies where they might hear this. Right, Right.
Listener
Exactly. So it's good to know what it means and that you should pretty much avoid it, but we'll. We'll talk about it. So let's do. Let's. We're gonna do two role plays to start us out to show how this could be used. All right, so here we go. All right. Yes. Did you hear the latest celeb gossip, Lindsay?
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, Michelle, Get a life. That stuff doesn't matter.
Listener
Yeah.
Lindsey McMahon
Okay, so I'm saying that you're spending too much time and energy paying attention to celebrities. And I. I'm judging that, and I'm saying that's irrelevant.
Listener
Right? Not right, not important. All right. Now if we're good friends and we, you, you can say this in a joking way. Yeah, I believe. But you have to be really careful and you have to kind of have that rapport with that person already. Like, I wouldn't whip that out with a new friend. Right. I mean, but you could. I mean if we're just ah, get a life, you know. But if you're. It just really, it kind of depends on your intent and how you think what you know about that other person. Can they take a joke? Are they going to be offended by that? We have to think about all these things. So it is definitely not something that I would say. Oh, this is something you really have to introduce to your vocabulary right away. Put this in the conversation. This is, this is like a very, we don't know what's gonna happen with this one.
Lindsey McMahon
So I, I, and I would say even more so like a brother, sister, like, could you see yourself. I know you said you joke around with your brother a lot. You have a really like humor based relationship. Joking. Could you see yourself saying that to him if he makes a joke and yes. You know, a comeback. It's your comeback or something, right?
Listener
100%. 100%. Yeah. So with that kind of person, you know those people in your life that. Lindsay, do you have anybody that you can think of that's like you just kind of like kind of throwing jobs and.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, for sure. I have a few people that I would, you know, it's like things are a little softer. There's more playfulness around your connection.
Listener
Right?
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah.
Listener
So definitely my brother. It needs to get a life. Okay, There you go. There you go. There we go.
Lindsey McMahon
Let's do another role play, shall we?
Listener
Okay.
Lindsey McMahon
I just think it's so amazing to look through all the museum websites and decide what to do.
Listener
Lindsay, get a life. That sounds so boring.
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, that reminds me of something that my partner and I did on my birthday a couple years ago. This is the nerdiest, but it's the funnest thing to do. So we went down to the public library. It was a really hot August 3rd in like 2023. And we went into the microfiche Michelle and We looked up August 3rd of, of all these different years to see what was happening like in 8, you know, 1899, like all these little newspapers to get like, I don't know, it's sort of like a historical context.
Listener
Interesting.
Lindsey McMahon
It's a real nerdy. But I could see someone saying, lindsay, get a Life. That is so lame. You spent your birthday in a library looking at microfiche. I mean, what is.
Listener
That's really funny. Well, but it's true. So that something like that. When you say it like that, it's humorous, right?
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah.
Listener
If somebody, if somebody said that to you, who you were close with.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah.
Listener
You'd probably laugh. Right. Because you're also acknowledging to yourself that that's like, oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, like kind of, you know. But I actually think that that's really cool. Does anything stand out?
Lindsey McMahon
It's more. And I was actually thinking I should do some episodes on what I found. Just the way vocabulary has changed and sentence structure is dramatic. Dramatic. The way things are phrased. The words that. So in some ways things sounded really crass because there are words we don't use anymore, you know, and in other ways they sounded very like formal and. Yeah, it's really weird. Maybe I'll go back and get micro again this year.
Listener
And I think that's a cool thing to do. Why not? So, okay. But yeah, a very good example. But yeah, again, it can be used to tease if you know someone. Well, like, here's. Here's another example of how it could be used in kind of a fun. Like a fun loving way. So here we go. Here we are sisters. And I am known for being obsessed with baking.
Lindsey McMahon
Okay. Yeah. Baking again.
Listener
I'm just trying to separate these egg whites.
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, Michelle, get a life already.
Listener
Ha.
Lindsey McMahon
Right? Yeah. So you're really. And it's true. You know, I think it's cool to be obsessed with things. I think it's cool to have niche talents and interests. Right. These days especially, everything is niche now. Yeah, we're all obsessed with something. Baking. Making bread in the, in the pandemic. Everyone was so obsessed with baking the bread. Right. Yeah.
Listener
Well, my. We just bought a pasta making machine. Well, like one of those ones that you crank.
Lindsey McMahon
Huh? I've seen them on tv. Yeah.
Listener
So we. So we started making pasta. But it's. But we realized very quickly that we don't necessarily have time for that. But we. But we have done it and we've already done it twice. And it's fun. So. Yeah, there's always something, you know, that you. That you get into like these little. These phases or maybe longer than a phase.
Lindsey McMahon
Sure, absolutely. Gardening people are really into gardening. A lot of people. And so. But I sort of teased you. Right. And we must. Again, we're sisters. So this is. I do kind of have a license to do this, probably. And I said, oh, Michelle, get a life already. And what about that as a bonus? Michelle already. Oh, that one deserves another episode.
Listener
I think I'm gonna write that down. Okay.
Lindsey McMahon
All right, guys, hit the follow button. We'll come back to that in another episode. That's a really important one for our listeners to understand. Yes, yes.
Listener
Or let's do another little that we're full of role plays today. So. And, and that's good because it signifies how this is such a back and forth.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah.
Listener
So here we are, childhood friends and we do have that sarcastic relationship. Okay, so, okay. I'm trying to get to watch every Star wars movie before the weekend ends.
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, man.
Michelle Kaplan
Get a life.
Lindsey McMahon
Okay. Yeah, this is another. Sorry, I didn't see the nest over. Yes, that's another niche, right. Interest some people might call nerdy or very specific. And another great example, right?
Listener
Yes.
Lindsey McMahon
Yes.
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Lindsey McMahon
All right. And now Michelle, I mentioned, we mentioned earlier with the microfiche example, people might use this in a self deprecating way to themselves. They might say something like, I need to get a life. Like I need to get a life. Why would I spend a beautiful sunny day on my birthday in a library looking at microfiche?
Listener
I mean, that's funny, right? It's funny to hear people kind of tease themselves, right? That so in, in a way, I would say that that's kind of the most fun way that you can actually use this expression that you know, when it's about yourself, that's the safest way to use it. Kind of teasing yourself you know, you don't want to do that all the time, but sometimes it is funny.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, definitely don't overdo that. Right. Don't lead with that all the time. Especially when you're getting to know someone new. But yeah, it's good to drop that to have some context, to know that what you're into might be a little nerdy in other people's perspective.
Listener
Okay, Right, right, right. So. Okay. It's for, for example, I've spent hours fixing these invitations. I need to get a life.
Lindsey McMahon
Oh, yeah. I bet some people feel that way when it comes to, you know, their wedding even.
Listener
Right.
Lindsey McMahon
There's so. It's so much work to plan and there's so many details that. Yes. Maybe you look back on it and you're like, I was really obsessed with everything. I needed to get a life at that time. But you have no choice because you plan your wedding. Yeah.
Listener
And that's what happen. Something happens, I think, in, well, some. I mean, in everybody's brain and a lot of people's brains when it's wedding, a switch flips and you become like, you know, obsessed with a chair, you know, and it's so, it's so funny to look back on it. It's like, I don't know what, like, why would I have care? I remember there were the basic chairs and then there were the really fancy chairs. And every website always had. I think they're called Chavari chairs.
Lindsey McMahon
Okay.
Listener
Every website. Yeah, everybody. And that was. And I was like, oh, my God, the chairs.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, yeah, the ones where you probably tie the little bow on the back.
Listener
Right? Yeah, like they're like, you know, with the. I don't know, they're. They're just the fancier looking ones there. So I was like, yeah, I know what you're so nervous about. The chairs. Anyway. Was there anything in your wedding, Lindsay, that you got.
Lindsey McMahon
Well, my, my partner was really excited about the seating charts, but that was something worth obsessing over because it was fun. It was actually really fun to figure out who do we put next to each other, who's single and we think might connect, you know, that sort of thing. So the seating charts were a big thing and my mother in law was really obsessed over the pies. I think she called every week to ask about the pies. The pies, the pies. It was really funny. It became a big joke. Can we talk about the pies?
Listener
Yeah, yeah, right. So you could say, I mean, I don't know your relationship with your mother in law, but you could even say, like, ah, come on, get a life, you know?
Lindsey McMahon
No, no. Yeah, no, it's great. My relationship with her is great. But it was pretty funny. Like, we did say. Okay, it's another call about the P. Swear.
Listener
Oh, gosh.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, I love it. What's another example?
Listener
All right, so why am I so obsessed with this magazine? I need to get a life, right? Maybe I have this magazine that every month I'm just staring at it. Maybe the celebrity gossip. I don't know. So, Lindsay, you already talked about. I mean, what. You know, like, is there anything that. Anything else that you would say this about for yourself? Something you do, Something you're interested in?
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, I mean, I would say. Well, sometimes I can get into. When I talk about meditation and my Buddhist practice with anyone that's not in it, it can get a little bit, like, out of context. People might get a little bored because you use phrases and words like the word suffering. We have another way of interpreting that phrase that's not mainstream. You know what I mean? Like, suffering to a Buddhist. Could be you have a hangnail and you're obsessing over it. And if. So, if I drop these words that are totally out of context to mainstream people, it can be weird.
Listener
So that's funny.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah. So someone today. Lindsay, get a life. Oh, my gosh. Come back.
Listener
Right.
Lindsey McMahon
Back to earth.
Listener
I love it. I mean, yeah, for me, it's. It can even be as simple as staying up too late on your phone, right? I can. I could. I could be getting ready to put my phone down and I'm trying to go to sleep, and I could say, oh, I need to get a life. Like, I could even say that to myself. So.
Lindsey McMahon
But I mean, another thing for me could be with my dog. I get really obsessive over him. And I just saw cute. Oh, he's so cute. But, like, I'm, like, just on my Instagram feed came up this thing where if dogs drink too much water, they can get really sick. And I was saying this this morning to my partner, and it was like, what is in your Instagram feed? Your. You know, you are a paranoid mother. You know, and it's. You know, and so anyways, moving on. But we all have our niche obsessions, right? Yeah. Yeah, exactly.
Listener
So another thing you could say that would be more, you know, maybe a nicer thing if somebody is focusing on something that really doesn't matter. You could say something. Something like, let's focus on what matters. Right. So it may be somebody's nervous about something or They're. They're obsessing over something little. Like. So, for example, with the chairs, somebody could say, michelle, let's focus on what matters. You are married. You are getting married to Dan. You know what I mean?
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's true. It is hard, though, because you are in charge of planning your own wedding, essentially. So you want to focus on the fact that you're getting married, but you're. You are in charge of all these details, right?
Listener
Yes, yes, exactly. Or another thing, if you wanted to change the topic, you know, you could say something like, let's take our minds off of this. Right? So.
Lindsey McMahon
And that could be good. You could rely on a good friend to do that. You know, let's take our minds off this. Let's not talk about the wedding tonight. Right?
Listener
Yeah, exactly. So, all right, let's do one more role play. And so here we go. So we are close friends, and I have been working on a puzzle every night for the past two weeks.
Lindsey McMahon
All right, here we go. Yeah. Puzzles are another one. Yeah.
Listener
All right, here we go. Okay, I think I'm almost done.
Michelle Kaplan
Michelle, you are obsessed with this.
Lindsey McMahon
Come out with me.
Listener
I have to finish this.
Lindsey McMahon
Get a life already.
Listener
Excuse you?
Lindsey McMahon
Sorry. I meant to say, let's take our minds off this puzzle and go enjoy some food.
Listener
Okay, fine.
Lindsey McMahon
And was it you and me that did the episode on Excuse you Excuse me, or was that me and Aubrey?
Listener
I never know that was me. No, no, I know. I think. I think it was me, but I'm trying to find the episode that it was.
Lindsey McMahon
And it was. But anyways, guys, go back into our, you know, the last month or so, and we did do a great episode on Excuse me and Excuse you, and you'll get the context for that, right?
Listener
Yes, exactly.
Lindsey McMahon
Love it. Let's go through the role play real quick, Michelle. So what did I say to you? You are into this puzzle. You're hooked into it. It.
Listener
Yes, exactly. And then I said. You said, come out with me, and I said, I have to finish this. So you said, get a life already, and there comes that already.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, get. All right. And again, guys, hit follow. We will revisit that phrase already. It's really specific how to use it. Okay. And then I said, sorry, I meant to say, let's take our minds off this puzzle and go enjoy some food. So I had to kind of tone it down with more respect. Right. And like, being more serious, being more explicit and. Yeah.
Listener
Yes, exactly.
Lindsey McMahon
So, Michelle, what's our takeaway for our listeners?
Listener
I mean. Yeah, I mean it's, it's very, the whole thing is very interesting because, you know, you have to have the right relationship with somebody where you can say something like this to them and it has to be light hearted. It has to be in a silly teasing way. This is not something you're gonna say to the barista who's, who has, you know, a lot of people pictures of their kid around, right? You're not.
Lindsey McMahon
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And on top of that, play around with using this to refer to yourself because I do think there's something kind of fun these days and trendy and cool about having niche interests and really being a bit of a nerd in one way or another. You're like making pasta at home, right? Or like baking or doing or micro fish or whatever it is you're nerding out on it, right? And so using this to refer to yourself. I know I need to get a life. When you're getting to know someone little by little might be kind of cool because they could see the real you, right?
Listener
Yes, exactly. All right, guys, well this was a lot of fun. Great question and yeah, guys, we'll see you on the next one.
Lindsey McMahon
All right, see you then, Michelle. Take care.
Listener
All right, bye.
Lindsey McMahon
Thanks for listening. To all ears. English.
Michelle Kaplan
Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score.
Lindsey McMahon
And if you believe in connection, not.
Michelle Kaplan
Perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.
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All Ears English Podcast Episode 2455: Should You Poke Fun at Someone's Niche Interests?
Release Date: August 5, 2025
In Episode 2455 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the nuanced English phrase "get a life." Addressing its meaning, appropriate usage, and the social dynamics surrounding its use, the episode offers valuable insights for intermediate to advanced English learners aiming to master everyday American expressions.
The episode kicks off with a listener question from Kodo Box of Afghanistan, asking:
Kodo Box [04:19]: "What is the meaning of the phrase to get a life? I look forward to hearing from you."
(Timestamp: [04:19])
This question sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the phrase, its connotations, and its place in modern English vernacular.
Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan unpack the phrase, explaining that "get a life" is generally an insult implying that someone is overly fixated on something trivial or unimportant. It suggests that the person's interests are seen as boring, lame, or irrelevant by the speaker.
Lindsay McMahon [06:46]: "It basically means that someone is maybe spending too much time thinking about something or doing something that the other person deems to be useless or unimportant or boring or lame."
(Timestamp: [06:46])
They highlight that while it's often used among teenagers, the phrase can sometimes be heard in various social interactions, though it's typically considered immature.
To illustrate the application of "get a life," Lindsay and Michelle engage in several role-plays:
Teasing Among Friends
Self-Deprecating Use
These role-plays emphasize the importance of relationship dynamics and intent when using the phrase, underscoring that it should be reserved for contexts where rapport and humor are established.
The hosts discuss when it's appropriate or inappropriate to use "get a life."
Among Close Friends or Family: The phrase can be used playfully without causing offense, given the established rapport.
Michelle Kaplan [09:15]: "Yeah. So with that kind of person, you know those people in your life that..."
(Timestamp: [09:15])
Avoid with Strangers or Acquaintances: Using the phrase with someone you don't know well, such as a barista, is deemed inappropriate and can be offensive.
Lindsay McMahon [22:35]: "It's not something you're gonna say to the barista who's, who has, you know, a lot of people pictures of their kid around."
(Timestamp: [22:35])
The discussion highlights the necessity of gauging the relationship and context before employing such expressions to ensure they are received in the intended light-hearted manner.
Lindsay and Michelle explore how the phrase can be utilized in a self-deprecating manner, making light of one's own niche interests or hobbies. This approach fosters relatability and humor, allowing individuals to acknowledge their unique passions without alienating others.
Michelle Kaplan [15:57]: "When it's about yourself, that's the safest way to use it. Kind of teasing yourself you know, you don't want to do that all the time, but sometimes it is funny."
(Timestamp: [15:57])
Examples include confessing an obsession with baking, meditation, or even mundane tasks like fixing invitations, thereby humanizing one's quirks and making them more approachable.
The hosts suggest alternative, softer expressions to convey similar sentiments without the negative connotations:
These alternatives encourage redirecting attention towards more significant aspects of life and maintaining positive communication.
Michelle Kaplan [20:20]: "Let's focus on what matters. Right."
(Timestamp: [20:20])
Lindsay and Michelle conclude the episode by emphasizing the importance of relationship dynamics, intent, and context when using phrases like "get a life." They encourage listeners to use such expressions sparingly and primarily in settings where humor and mutual understanding are present.
Lindsay McMahon [23:35]: "Yeah, and on top of that, play around with using this to refer to yourself because I do think there's something kind of fun these days and trendy and cool about having niche interests and really being a bit of a nerd in one way or another."
(Timestamp: [23:35])
They also highlight the value of self-awareness and self-reflection in conversations, promoting a balanced approach to discussing one's passions and interests.
Episode 2455 of the All Ears English Podcast offers a comprehensive exploration of the phrase "get a life," blending linguistic analysis with relatable role-plays and personal anecdotes. Hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of when and how to use the phrase appropriately, enhancing their conversational English skills while fostering cultural and social awareness.
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This summary was crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of Episode 2455 for those who haven't listened, capturing all essential discussions, insights, and conclusions shared by the hosts.