All Ears English Podcast
Episode 2511: Got a Boatload of Work? How to Share in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: November 11, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives into creative, emphatic ways to express having “a lot of work” or responsibilities in English—particularly for intermediate to advanced ESL learners. Lindsay and Michelle break down colorful idioms, compare their usage, and explain how sharing these feelings can help you connect with others in work and life.
Key Discussion Points & Linguistic Insights
Why Talk About Having a Lot of Work?
- Both hosts share periods when their lives become particularly busy with professional and personal responsibilities.
- Michelle: “Yeah, I do. Right now I feel… there’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of changes with my kids and with school schedules. … I have a lot of things to do to help with my husband’s business.” (03:20)
- Expressing being busy is not just small talk; it’s a way to “commiserate” and connect with people experiencing the same thing.
The Word "Slew" – Definition and Usage
- Introduced as a less common, personality-filled way to say “a lot” or “many.”
- Michelle: “Slew is a lot, right? …But I would say it’s just more emphatic and with more personality.” (04:17)
- Spelling confusion: S-L-E-W, not “slou” or similar variants. (04:40)
- Examples:
- “A slew of phone calls came in.” (06:10)
- “We got a slew of RSVPs for my daughter's birthday party. Most are yeses, so a whole bunch came in.” (06:28)
Tone & Frequency of “Slew”
- Not an everyday word, but one you’ll hear from time to time—especially related to work or responsibilities.
- Lindsay: “It’s common when I start to talk about workload, especially like a large onslaught of work. Then it’s very handy.” (06:03)
- Not typically used for physical items like “a slew of grapes”—unless being playful. Mainly for abstract nouns or tasks.
- “Slew” is a noun in this context: “a slew of something.” Not to be confused with other meanings or as a verb (“slew” as past tense of “slay”). (08:56)
Practice Exercise: Using "Slew"
- Michelle prompts Lindsay: “When is your busiest time of year?”
- Lindsay: “Honestly, I think it’s right now. We have a whole slew of work to do to prepare for exciting events like Black Friday…” (09:37)
- Lindsay to Michelle: “What was it like moving last year?”
- Michelle: “Oh boy. …I had a whole slew of boxes. More than a slew. And I still have a slew of boxes that need to be unpacked.” (10:03)
Expanding Vocabulary: Other Colorful Ways to Say “A Lot”
List of Alternatives (with Examples)
- A boatload (of X)
- Fun, informal; “I have a boatload of contacts I can introduce you to.” (12:40)
- Oodles (of X)
- Playful and even less common; “Check out my collection. Oodles of sneakers. I’m a sneaker head.” (13:08)
- Can be used for physical objects and food.
- A mountain (of X)
- “I have a mountain of worries right now.” (13:34)
- A stack (of X)
- Often literal; “I have a huge stack of paper on my desk that I need to get through before I go home.” (13:41)
Preferences and Playful Challenges
- Lindsay: “I like a boatload. That’s fun. I never use it—I should more often.” (14:15)
Role Play (Sample Dialogue)
(How these expressions fit into real conversation:)
- Michelle: “Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time as I thought. I just got a stack of papers to fill out for my boss.”
- Lindsay: “Oh, no, that doesn’t sound fun. I had a boatload of work yesterday that somehow I finished in time. Sometimes it feels like my boss gives me a mountain of responsibilities.”
- Michelle: “On a Friday.”
- Lindsay: “Oh, yeah. Fridays are when a slew of assignments come in.”
- Michelle: “Oodles!”
- Lindsay: “Yes, oodles.” (14:47–16:17)
Memorable Quote
- Michelle (on repeating Oodles): “Kind of lightening the mood, actually. ... You’re trying to connect, right?” (16:29–16:32)
Practical Application and Social Insight
- Using these creative phrases can inject personality and warmth into your English.
- Sharing that you have “a boatload of work” lets others open up; it’s “kind of like commiserating … which can build connection.” (17:48)
- These aren’t for daily use, but they add variety, color, and show you can speak beyond textbook English.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:10 – Hosts discuss current responsibilities, setting context
- 04:00 – Introduction & deep dive into the word “slew”
- 06:10 – Example sentences using “slew”
- 08:00 – Tone, frequency, and grammatical usage of “slew”
- 09:20 – On-air language exercise, applying “slew”
- 12:37 – Alternative expressions: “boatload,” “oodles,” “mountain,” “stack”
- 14:44 – Role play incorporating new vocabulary
- 16:29 – Discussion on connection, mood, and affirmation through language
- 17:48 – Takeaway: connection, commiseration, and linguistic creativity
Notable Quotes
- Michelle: “Slew is a lot, right? ... But I would say it’s just more emphatic and with more personality.” (04:17)
- Lindsay: “It’s common when I start to talk about workload, especially like a large onslaught of work. Then it’s very handy.” (06:03)
- Michelle: “It’s a very human thing to have seasons of your life when you are just really under a pile ... of papers. Right?” (17:32)
Takeaways
- Slew, boatload, oodles, mountain, and stack are all creative ways to describe “a lot,” especially in work contexts.
- Sprinkling in these phrases makes your English more vibrant and natural and helps you build connections.
- Letting others know you’re busy encourages them to share, creating camaraderie and connection in social or work environments.
For More:
Check out Episode 2502: “Does Don’t Ask Really Mean Don’t Ask?” for another deep dive into everyday American expressions. (16:40)
Theme:
Connection, Not Perfection—using personality-filled English to connect and communicate honestly.