AEE 2615: The Math Isn't Mathing!

Summary

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Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Episode 2615: "The Math Isn't Mathing!"

Release Date: May 12, 2026
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon ("The English Adventurer") & Michelle Kaplan ("The New York Radio Girl")

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Main Theme

This episode introduces listeners to the playful and increasingly popular American English expression, “the math isn’t mathing.” Lindsay and Michelle explore the meaning, usage, and cultural popularity of the phrase, offering insights into how it reflects creative, informal ways of speaking. They discuss why playful language helps build connections—echoing the show's philosophy of "Connection NOT Perfection"—and offer related expressions with plenty of real-life examples.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of the Expression: "The Math Isn’t Mathing"

• Definition: Used when something doesn’t make sense or add up, not limited to literal math situations.
• Current Popularity: The hosts note hearing it frequently on news discussions, social media, and in everyday conversation.
  • Michelle: "Sometimes I’ll hear it twice in one day. Yes, it’s really common. I might hear it on the news." (03:29)

2. How to Use It

• Grammatically Playful: Not standard grammar, but that's part of its appeal.
  • Lindsay: “It’s not technically correct grammar, but who cares, right? We’re having fun here. It’s playful grammar, so we’ll take that because it builds connection.” (04:43)
• Variations: Sometimes used as “the math ain’t mathing” for an even more relaxed, colloquial feel. (05:02)
• Not Limited to Math: Applies to any situation where facts, logic, or explanations don’t align.

3. Examples in Context

• Literal Use: When actual math or measurements are off, e.g., kitchen cabinets not fitting during renovations.
  • Lindsay: “The math isn’t mathing in terms of the measurements... it doesn’t work. It doesn’t fit in the kitchen. It’s a disaster.” (03:56)
• Figurative Use:
  • “Wait, he said he can’t come to the dinner, but he’s making other plans. The math isn’t mathing on this one.” (06:15)
  • “You borrowed $20, but you’re giving me back $10. The math isn’t mathing.” (06:46)

4. Similar Expressions

• "Something doesn’t add up"
  • Michelle: "This also sounds like a math expression. So it’s something doesn’t add up." (07:35)
  • Used when something seems suspicious or illogical, e.g., “Something doesn’t add up with this person.” (08:10)
• "It doesn’t make sense"
  • A direct phrase for confusion or doubt. (08:20)
• "Something is off"
  • Another neutral alternative, less playful. (09:51)
• "The numbers aren’t numbering"
  • A creative, parallel construction. (10:18)

5. Playing with Language: Creative Structures

• The phrase can be adapted by turning nouns into verbs: "The numbers aren’t numbering", or even "We have to get them to number."
  • Michelle: "You can play with it and stick other verbs in there... This is part of the fun of language.” (10:48)
  • Lindsay: "We're giving you a little bit of a creative license here, guys, to make some things up." (11:21)
• Adding "here" at the end for specificity: "The math isn't mathing here." (11:53)

6. Where to Use (and Where Not To)

• Great for informal situations, language play, and non-serious critiques.
• Not for formal contexts: E.g., accountants probably shouldn’t use it in financial reports.
  • Lindsay: "If you’re literally presenting the P&L to the boss, maybe don’t use this." (12:41)

7. Role Play & Real-Life Practice

• Vacation Planning Scenario
  • Michelle: “Okay, so the site says our room will be... wait a second. That’s so expensive.” (13:02)
  • Lindsay: “That doesn’t seem right. The math isn’t mathing. Wait, Michelle, you clicked that we need three rooms.” (13:10)
  • Both hosts build on the joke, turning “number” into a verb for comic effect.
• Concert Prices Example
  • Lindsay: “The math just isn’t mathing. The price is a thousand dollars a ticket... it’s crazy.” (15:20)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Playfulness and Connection:

  • Michelle: “To me, this expression really conveys confidence... it’s honest. It’s saying something isn’t quite right.” (06:56)
  • Lindsay: “If you’re saying something’s not right, but you want to say it in a more indirect, fun, playful way... this is a good one to use.” (07:10)

• On Breaking Grammar Rules:

  • Lindsay: "If we have to break the rules, if we have to go around the dictionary, be creative, that gets us to connection. It’s totally worth it. And it’s fun, right? Have fun." (16:36)

• On Creativity:

  • Michelle: “You can do something that’s a little bit off-beat... I mean, now I’m making a joke, things are really light and funny.” (16:08)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction of Expression: 03:16 – 03:56
• Usage in Real Life (Kitchen Example): 03:56 – 04:29
• Grammar Commentary: 04:33 – 05:16
• Definition and Broader Usage: 05:53 – 06:32
• Non-literal Examples: 06:15 – 06:46
• Similar Expressions: 07:35 – 08:10
• Creative Variations: 10:18 – 11:21
• Workplace Advice: 12:13 – 12:51
• Role Play Example: 12:56 – 14:44
• Concert Prices Example: 15:20 – 15:54
• Language and Connection Takeaways: 16:08 – 16:36

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Takeaways

• Have Fun with English: The episode encourages learners to embrace playful, non-standard expressions to build more authentic connections.
• Don’t Fear Breaking the Rules: As long as context is appropriate (i.e., informal), breaking grammar rules can enhance connection and expressiveness.
• Creative License: Learners are empowered to play with structure—turning nouns into verbs, mimicking patterns (“the numbers aren’t numbering”), and using humor.
• Focus on Connection, Not Perfection: As always, the podcast stresses confident, natural usage over textbook accuracy for real-world communication.

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Recommended Episode for Further Listening:

• Episode 2601: Subtle Ways to End a Gathering (Mentioned at 15:54)

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Final Quotes:

• Michelle: “Have fun with the language... you can play with the language like this.” (16:08)
• Lindsay: “This is where we want to be when it comes to English because remember, it’s about connection... it’s totally worth it.” (16:36)

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For more playful English expressions and real-life American culture tips, keep tuning in to All Ears English!

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

This is an All Ears English podcast. Episode 26:15 the math isn't mathing. 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 on Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl coming to you from Colorado 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 7 day free trial at allearsenglish.com forward/app

[Michelle Kaplan]

are the numbers numbering when it comes to your English learning today, find out just how common this expression is becoming and how to use it.

[Advertiser/Announcer]

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[Michelle Kaplan]

Foreign.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Hey there, Michelle. How's it going today?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Everything is good. Lindsay, what was your favorite subject in school? Was it math by any chance? Oh, my gosh.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Absolutely not, Michelle. It was not math. It was not math. It was probably. I always was interested in when I got older, anthropology and cultures, that kind of thing, which makes sense. What about you?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Were you a math girl, you know, in middle school? I I there. I, I'm not saying that I'm, I think now it's been so long I'm really bad at math, but growing up I actually didn't mind math.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So, but it was not my favorite subject. I mean, I always like, I mean I'm like you. Right? I like like the, the learning about cultures and. Yeah, I mean like you know, in, in, in grade school of the reading and anything, anything liberal artsy.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I like. Yes, yes. So on today's show, we're going to talk a little bit about a unique and fun expression that Michelle, you and I have both been hearing a lot lately. So we decided that this must be covered on the show.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right? I mean, definitely. Yes. So what is the expression for today?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Let's just not leave our listeners in the lurch it is. The math isn't mathing. The math isn't mathing. Michelle, what was the last time you heard this? Like, did you hear it over the weekend or anything?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, I think in, like, the last week. I. I mean, sometimes I'll hear it twice in one day. Yes, it's. It's really common. I might hear it on the news.

[Lindsay McMahon]

On the news. Okay. Yeah, Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I might hear on the news. I might hear it on, like. Like, more like talking heads news.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Sure.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. Than just like a straight up. Oh, this is what happened.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Not investigative reporting, probably.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, Right. So, but what about you? You said you heard it over the weekend.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think I heard. So we are having currently a disaster. We're renovating our kitchen. We're renovating our whole house. Everything's up in. Up in the air right now, Michelle. In my life. But we. So we had the construction company measure our kitchen, and then. So a lot of mistakes were made. And what's happening is the cabinets don't fit. Like, they've all been unboxed, halfway installed. And the math isn't mathing in terms of the measurements. It doesn't work. It doesn't fit in the kitchen. It's a disaster.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And literally.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. So I've. I've heard this a lot.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, definitely. So. But I mean, grammatically, what? Like, it's like, that's not a thing. Why are we. That's not correct grammar. Math.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's not technically correct grammar, but who cares, right? We're having fun here. It's playful grammar, so we'll take that because it builds connection. It's for the sake of the expression. It's fun. It's unique. It makes the expression playful. Bouncy, Bouncy, fun. Interesting, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Or sometime. Sometimes I even hear the math ain't

[Lindsay McMahon]

mathing, which is even taking it further.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Another step further. Yeah. So we're gonna talk about what this expression actually means in a second, but first we want to say thank you so much to our reviewers.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Huge thank you to Sima Shri, a Zargo car, and a big thank you to Danika.

[Michelle Kaplan]

888.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Danika from the US says thank you for your podcast. They help so many people, and I listen to them all the time on different platforms. That's amazing, Michelle. Amazing. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Thank you so much.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Thank you. Thank you. It makes our day when we see your reviews of the show. So go on over, leave a review wherever you listen. Apple podcasts, Spotify, the app, iOS, Android. We'll do our best to read your name out loud on the show. All right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. Yes. All right. So, Lindsay, So the math isn't mathing. It means something isn't right. Something doesn't make sense.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, there is.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And it doesn't have to only be about math. Like your example with the measurements. That is about math. But it doesn't have to be about math.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It doesn't have to be right. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So let's do some examples.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. So you could say, wait, he said he can't come to the dinner, but he's making other plans. The math isn't mathing on this one. So that has nothing to do with math. It's about his dinner plans. His plans. But it's saying something isn't lining up. Something doesn't make sense.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Something doesn't make sense. Yep. Or the math isn't mathing. Why would he drop his car off here before the event instead of after? So logistics. Right. We're saying what. What's going on here? Right? Yep.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Or you borrowed $20, but are giving me back 10. The math isn't mathing. Sor.

[Narrator/Host]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Calling people out a little bit here, Right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. Could be used for that. I mean, to me, this expression really conveys confidence. You know, it's I. And I think it's good for connection because it's. It's honest. It's saying something isn't quite right. What do you think, Lindsay?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I think that's an important point. It is connection, because anytime we can. Because like I said. So I said calling someone out. But if. If you're saying something's not right, but you want to say it in a more indirect fashion, fun, playful way where you're not necessarily accusing them of creating a problem. Yeah, but you're saying something's not lining up again. Yeah. This is a good one to use. So it does build or maintain the connection, I think.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. Yes, exactly. So I really love this. And we also have a lot of other expressions that are similar to this one. This also sounds like math, a math expression. So it's. Something doesn't add up. Yeah. Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

H. Something doesn't add up. Why do we have to be there early when we aren't even setting up the room?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Yes. And this one comes up a lot of times when something's off. If we feel like. With that gut. Gut reaction, like if we're in danger, sometimes this one will be used too.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Something doesn't add up with this person. Like what? Like he's doing something strange. And I feel like I might be in danger that also can veer into that world.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right. Like suspicious.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Listening to our intuition. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Or it doesn't make sense. This would have been the more straightforward thing to say. Right. The more common. That doesn't make sense. We should ask her what she means.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

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[Lindsay McMahon]

Or you could say, Michelle, Something is off, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Something is off here. Can we clarify this? So, you know, you can just see these are a little bit more neutral. Right. They're not as playful except. But, yeah, not. Not quite as playful. The math isn't. Mathing is kind of. When you want to add a little bit extra personality in here.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

So I saw. Have you ever heard someone say the numbers aren't numbering?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I haven't, but I think it makes total sense because they're just modeling what we do with the math. Isn't mathing right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. It's the same structure, it's different words, but the same idea. But I did see when I was researching this episode that sometimes that can be used as. Well, I haven't heard that one, but you might hear it. But you might hear like, yeah, I can't get this calculation right. The numbers aren't numbering. And.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Michelle Kaplan]

You can. This is an interesting. Because this is a known expression. You can play with it and stick other verbs in there. I. I'm not sure what you would. I. I didn't put too much thought into this part of the episode about adding in other things. But, you know, if you come across something where you can use, okay, the same verb, the same word.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

The math, like as a noun, and then make it into a verb, you know, you can. You can play with it. And this is. This is part of the fun of. Of language.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. This is the kind of episode I love because we're giving you a little bit of a creative license here, guys, to make some things up. Right? So how fun is that? That is. That is where we want to be when it comes to learning English and connecting the other piece. Michell is adding here. So the math isn't mathing here, right? All my cabinets don't fit. Like, they just don't. It doesn't work. The math isn't mathing here. That's an option, right? I mean, we gave that in a few examples above we just talked about. How does it change it when we add here at the end, though?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I think. I think you're being a little bit more specific.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

What do you think?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think maybe. Geez. I guess it kind of just roots. It maybe makes it a little even more casual. What does it do more specific? Geez. I think it's just. It's. It's. It's an option. It's just an option. You know, our listeners have options here.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah. Yes, exactly. So remember, you can use these about actual math. I think you can use them at work. What do you think?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think so. Absolutely. You know, I mean, if you're an accountant and your job is the numbers, then it might be a little too much. Just because you're expected to know why the math isn't mathing. Right. Yeah. Do you know what I mean? If you're literally, like, presumably presenting the p L to the boss, maybe don't use this.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Because you're the one who should know. This is more for people who are further away from the numbers and they're kind of. They're having fun. Yeah, right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Exactly. Exactly. And further away. Yeah, that makes sense to me. So should we do a role play?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. So here, Michelle, we are, friends, planning a vacation. Vacay time. All right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay, good. All right. Okay. So the site says our room will be. Wait a second. That's so expensive.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, that doesn't seem right. This math isn't. The math isn't mathing. Wait, Michelle, you clicked that. We need three rooms.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, my goodness. I knew something was off.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, but look over here. There's a resort fee. Something doesn't add up. Maybe I'll call them.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, this doesn't make sense.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. The numbers aren't numbering.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Well, we have to get them to number.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Nice. Good one. Okay, we gotta explain this for our listeners here. So first I, we dropped the phrase of the day, which is the math isn't mathing. When you got this huge bill and it just. It doesn't feel right. Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, exactly. Yeah. You imagine we're on one of those sites and you know it's showing. Do you ever do that, Lindsay? If you're going to buy something and then you realize, oh, you accidentally put that you need two of.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It happens all the time.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. Yeah, yeah. You're like. So you said, wait. You said the math isn't mathing. Wait, you clicked that. We need three rooms. So I said, oh, my goodness. I knew something off.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I knew something was off. Another way of saying something wasn't right. And then another way here. I said, hm, something doesn't add up. Right. So you're gonna make a call. And then you agreed with me. You said, yeah, that doesn't make sense.

[Michelle Kaplan]

And then you got a little bit more playful. You said, yep, the numbers aren't numbering.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. So now we're really having fun here. And now you're responding. You're just like kind of mirroring what I've just said with the same function of the word. You're saying, well, we have to get them to number. And you make that a verb.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

We have to get them to number. Nice.

[Michelle Kaplan]

This is totally playing with it.

[Narrator/Host]

Right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I'm just being playful back. Right. I'm saying we have to get them to number. What do I mean by that?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, yeah. You're saying we have to get them to make sense.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Guys, don't get us wrong. You're not going to find this in the dictionary.

[Michelle Kaplan]

No.

[Lindsay McMahon]

If you look up the dictionary to number something, it's. It's more like put 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. It's the literal meaning of this. Michelle is using this in a creative way in response to what I said.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

You are reinventing the meaning of to number. Kind of.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

For this scenario.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Really creative. Creative episode today. I was just listening to the podcast today. Explain where they were talking about the price of concerts going sky high after the pandemic. And this is another place where I feel like this could. This could fit in. You know, the math just isn't mathing. The price is thousand dollars a ticket is what people are, you know, are paying to see these great artists. But it's like, it's crazy. And they were asking the question, when are people gonna stop paying that amount? You know?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So the math isn't mathing when it comes to concerts anymore.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So, guys, check out episode 2601. That was. I'm so glad we did this. Subtle ways to end a gathering. That was a fun one too. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Any final takeaway for our listeners today?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Have fun with the language. I think that's what this is all about. You know, you can, you know, you can do something that's a little bit off beat. I mean, especially like at the end. Oh, well, we have to get them to number. I mean, now I'm making a joke right now. Making it like things are really light and funny. And so I think that's what this comes down to is, you know, having that confidence and learning enough so that you can, you know, play with the language like this.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I totally agree. This is where we want to be when it comes to English because remember, it's about connection. And that last response you made helped us connect Michelle in that conversation. Right. So if we have to break the rules, if we have to go around the dictionary, be creative, that gets us to connection. It's totally worth it. And it's fun, right? Have fun. Yeah, definitely. All right, guys, don't forget to leave us a rating and review and we will do our best to read your name out loud on the show. All right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, guys, thanks for listening. Lindsay, thanks for chatting about this with me today and we'll talk to you soon.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Bye, Michelle. See ya.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Bye.

[Narrator/Host]

Thanks for listening to all ears.

[Lindsay McMahon]

English.

[Narrator/Host]

Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz, go to allearsenglish.com forward/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.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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[Lindsay McMahon]

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