AEE: Whaddaya Know? A Smooth Way to Ask Questions in English

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Ears English Podcast

Episode: AEE: Whaddaya Know? A Smooth Way to Ask Questions in English

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: November 21, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the natural, connected-speech ways that American English speakers ask questions in daily conversation—especially variations like “What do you think?”, “Whaddaya want?”, “What do you say?”, and “Whaddaya know?” Lindsay and Michelle highlight why mastering these expressions can help English learners sound more fluent and connect better with native speakers. The episode walks through pronunciation, usage, and cultural nuance, topped off with relatable role plays and a fun poll on dipping sauces for fries.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Connected Speech: “Whaddaya”

(03:01 – 04:26)

• The hosts notice how naturally “whaddaya” (for “what do you”) slips into native conversation, often without learners noticing.
• Lindsay explains:

  “This is connected speech … We make it ‘whaddaya’. W-H-A-D-D-A-Y-A.” (03:06)

• Such reductions are key to sounding natural and native, especially in spoken (not written) English.

2. Texting vs Speaking: Would You Ever Write “Whaddaya”?

(03:47 – 04:26)

• Michelle searches her texts and admits,

  “I actually don’t see it in there.”
  Both agree it's rare to write “whaddaya”; people usually write the full form or use “ya” in casual cases, but even that feels a bit informal.

• Lindsay:

  “Some people write ya for you. I don’t … It just feels a little tacky, personally.” (04:16)

3. Common Everyday Uses: Practical Examples

(05:01 – 06:55)

• Several common phrases highlighted:
  • “What do you think?” to ask for someone’s opinion or agreement.
  • “What do you want?” when taking coffee orders or, humorously, dealing with persistent kids.
    Michelle:

    “…my kids are like, ‘Mom, Mom, can I have a snack?’ … I might just say, ‘What do you want?’” (05:44)

  • “What do you say?” as an invitation or for agreement:
    Lindsay:

    “I think you’ll feel better if you come with me to get ice cream. What do you say?” (06:38)

Nuance:

• “What do you want?” can shift tone based on context—either casual or slightly annoyed.

4. Surprise Expressions: “Whaddaya Know?”

(10:27 – 11:29)

• “What do you know?” is less about requesting information and more about expressing surprise or delight.
  Michelle:

  “This is not actually saying what do you know. … it’s more an expression of surprise.” (10:31)

• Example:

  “I thought I was in for a day at home and what do you know—my friend invited me to a party.” (10:43)

5. Why Use These? Connection and Fluency

(12:20 – 13:12)

• Using such chunks exhibits confidence, casual fluency, and connection.
• Michelle:

  “To me, this shows a level of confidence. It’s very native sounding … you’re casual.” (12:23)

• Lindsay adds:

  "You're comfortable with yourself, with your observations in life. … Maybe you’re not as self-conscious when you use these.” (12:44)

6. Role Play: Practicing the Expressions

(13:14 – 16:46)

• Scenario: Friends at a fast food restaurant using “What do you say?”, “What do you know?”, and “What do you mean?”
  • Illustrates real-life usage:
    • “Should we share our fries? What do you say?” (13:26)
    • “What do you know? They gave us extra fries!” (13:34)
    • “What do you mean, no ketchup?” (13:44)

7. Cultural Sidebar: Dipping Sauces for Fries

(15:41 – 16:23)

• Fun discussion about regional and international preferences for fry condiments.
• Leads to a listener poll:

  “What do you dip your french fries in? Ketchup, mayo, vinegar, or hot sauce?” (15:56)

8. Final Takeaway for Learners

(17:45 – 18:16)

• Lindsay emphasizes:

  “The more we can kind of adopt these natural chunks, the more we’re going to feel comfortable in English … Try to adopt—even if they feel phony—at first.” (17:45)

• Michelle:

  “Yeah, absolutely. … That’s a really good way to leave our listeners for today.” (18:16)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Almost never … do we say ‘what do you think?’ Instead, it’s ‘What d’ya think?’” – Lindsay (04:39)
• “What do you mean, no ketchup? That’s a deal breaker.” – Lindsay, on the importance of ketchup with fries (17:13)
• “You’re kind of loosey-goosey, like you’re not stiff.” – Michelle, describing the vibe these expressions create (13:00)
• “Ketchup is possibly the single best food ever invented.” – Lindsay (14:17)
• “If you can call it a food … it’s a condiment where you really feel its absence if it’s not there.” – Michelle (14:41)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:01 – Connected speech: “whaddaya” explained
• 05:01 – Everyday “whaddaya” phrases
• 06:22 – Usage of “what do you say?” as invitation
• 10:27 – “What do you know?” as surprise
• 13:14 – Role play with all expressions
• 15:41 – Fry condiments and the poll
• 17:45 – Takeaway for improving fluency and comfort

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Tone & Language

• Extremely friendly, informal, supportive, and enthusiastic.
• Focuses on connection, not perfection—encouraging learners to take risks and sound more native.
• Frequent use of real-life anecdotes, humor, and playful banter.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode is a mini-masterclass on some of the most natural ways to ask questions and express surprise in American English, focusing heavily on the power of connected speech (“whaddaya”). Lindsay and Michelle walk listeners through pronunciation, context, and cultural nuances, reminding everyone that using these natural chunks leads to better connection and comfort in English. Listeners are encouraged to practice—even if it feels unnatural at first—and to participate in the community poll about favorite fry condiments!

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Learn, Connect, and Have Fun—the All Ears English Way!

Transcript

[A]

This is the All Ears English podcast. What do you know? A smooth way to ask questions in English. 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, Lindsey 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 seven day free [e-mail].

[B]

Want to learn a new way to ask questions? What do you say? Today, get a glimpse into native English and connection using this key technique.

[C]

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[A]

Hey, Michelle. How's everything going?

[B]

Everything is good over here, Lindsay. Now that it's getting colder, I was thinking of trying skiing for the first time this weekend. What do you think? When, when did you learn to ski? What do you think about Michelle?

[A]

That will be a real adventure. I always encourage it. Getting outdoors, getting on skis. It's great because you can't really look at your phone. You can't be on your phone when you're skiing. But I'm gonna, I'm not gonna lie. Learning to ski as an adult is challenging.

[B]

Oh, is it one of those things where it's easier when you're a kid?

[A]

Yeah. Because you're not afraid. You're not afraid as.

[B]

Right, right.

[A]

Skiing's a dangerous sport. I mean, like I said, try it, go for it. But, like, you got to find a way to work through the fear.

[B]

Yeah, Yeah, I. I'll have a lot of fear.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm not even really doing that, Lindsay. That was just for the purpose of the episode, but maybe one day it really. Maybe one day. So, Lindsay, today we're going to talk about a fun way to ask someone a question.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And so we, we actually got this episode, this idea from another episode. So it's really used and very common. So we wanted to highlight it today.

[A]

Yeah, just. It felt so incredibly natural. I don't even know if our listeners even noticed it because it was so native and natural. What you said, you said, what do you think what do you.

[B]

What do you. What?

[A]

Yeah, and I love when we have these episodes that are just teaching something that is so incredibly natural. Right?

[B]

Yeah. Yep. Huh. So exactly. We are talking today about what?

[A]

Ya.

[B]

So what in the world is Wadia, Lindsay?

[A]

Well, this is connected speech, which is actually part of our pronunciation course, which is live now. It is available now. It's a brand new course, guys. Go to allersenglish.com pronunciation to check it out. But yeah, it is connected speech for what do you. What do you. We make it. What do ya.

[B]

Right. So how would you spell this? If you like, let's say you wanted to spell it. How would you spell it?

[A]

Yeah, it looks kind of weird. You'd probably never write it right, but you would basically spell it. W, H, A, D, D, A, Y, A. What do you.

[B]

What do you. Yeah, it's really funny. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. But do you. Okay, here's a question though. When you, when you mean to say this, would you text this or would you actually text. What do you think?

[B]

So I am actually going to look in my text messages right now and do a search for what? A. Yeah, so.

[A]

Yeah, I don.

[B]

Would.

[A]

I don't know. I think it just. Yeah. Depends on who you're texting, right?

[B]

Yeah, I actually don't see it in there.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah, I think it, but I also. I had the feeling like I write it, but I guess I don't. Yeah, interesting.

[A]

So maybe texting is a little bit more formal. Some people will write ya for you. I don't even do that. I just feel like it's a little tacky, personally. But that's just.

[B]

I mostly write out that. No, I also write out you. Yeah, so, but, yeah, but for, for purposes speaking, we absolutely use it. We don't always say, Lindsay, what do you think?

[A]

No, Almost never. Right? Almost never. So, guys, you are getting the secrets of native English connected speech here today. So hit follow if you want more of this. You know, we're going to talk about pronunciation this year because we've got this brand new course. There's a lot to know that other courses are not teaching you. Other programs are kind of missing that we go into. So, guys, hit the follow button. All right.

[B]

All right, Perfect. So let's talk about some ways you might hear this. So I asked Lindsay this at first. Instead of what do you think? I said, what do you think? What do you think?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So for example, I'm in the mood for pasta tonight. What do you think? And so you're. You're saying, do you agree? Like, are you also in the mood for pasta? Right?

[B]

Yep. Yeah. Yep. Or you might hear, what do you want? Right? Yeah. So I'm grabbing coffee now. I'll pick you up a cup. What do you want?

[A]

Oh, yeah, very common. If you're making a coffee run to the coffee shop and you're gonna take orders, maybe you're doing this at work too, right? Co workers picking up coffee for them. Yeah.

[B]

Or what do you want? Could also be if you're like, slightly annoyed. Like, somebody keeps on. If, like, for me, maybe my kids are like, mom, Mom, I. Can I have a snack? Can I have a snack? Which is every day. And I might just. If they say Mom, I might say, what do you want? Right?

[A]

Y. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Like, why are you bothering me? Right? Yeah. Or what do you say? I like this one. It's so natural. This is a little different. It's. It's suggesting something. So I. I would suggest something and then I would say, do you say yes? Do you agree? Right.

[B]

Right. So it's not. It's not actually about saying something. I mean, it, it.

[A]

It's.

[B]

It is asking someone for an answer, but that's mostly the focus. It's not like, like, it's not. Oh, what do you say? Like, I don't know, it's a little bit more unique, I think.

[A]

Yeah. It's asking for an answer, right? It's like, yeah, what are you gonna say to this? Right. So, for example, I think you'll feel better if you come with me to get ice cream. What do you say? Right. Invitation. Right?

[B]

An invitation. Or I really think you're the right person for this project. So what do you say?

[A]

Yeah. So it's kind of like when we're trying to invite someone to do something and we want to know their opinion. Do you agree? Will you?

[B]

Right, Exactly.

[A]

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[A]

And then what do you know is another common one. What do you know?

[B]

What do you know? Yeah, so this is not actually saying what do you know. Right. The meaning here to me is more an expression of surprise. Don't you think, Lindsay?

[A]

Yeah, for sure. So for example, I thought I was in for a day at home and what do you know? My friend invited me to a party. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, that's. That's the story of my life is I. I think, okay, I'm just gonna kind of relax that Dan and I joke that we don't stop, right? Well, you know, if something comes up, we're there.

[A]

That's nice.

[B]

Yeah, we're like, oh, okay. It's a six on a Sunday and somebody said, oh, come for. Come by for dinner. And we're in. We should just say, no, we should get ready for the week. But we're like, oh, yes, we're very social beings.

[A]

That's good. That's good. Yeah, I love that. What it's like. Yeah. Expressing surprise. What would be another example, Michelle?

[B]

Right, so. Oh, wow, that sweater's on sale. What do you know?

[A]

Right? What do you know? Surprise, Right? You're surprised. You did not expect that. Right?

[B]

Love it. And it's, it's, it's interesting because these expressions don't always trans. Directly translate to what they are. So, like, what do you know? It's more about surprise. It's not. Lindsay, what do you know? I mean, yeah, I guess. I guess I could say, oh, Lindsay, what do you know about the airplane industry? I could. But here we're saying more of this express. So it, so it could be. But. So some of them are more just kind of chunks and have a different meaning. And some of them are more basic. What do you want? What do you mean? What are you doing? But some do have those chunks.

[A]

Yes. I love it. I love it. So we want to know what each chunk means and just understand kind of the cultural context for it here.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Why are these good for connection? Michelle, would you say.

[B]

Yeah. To me, this shows a level of confidence. It's very native sounding and it shows, you know, it shows you're not intimidated, you're casual.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

You're kind of smooth and cool. I'm not, I don't know about cool, but you're kind of. You're, you're flowing.

[A]

You're flowing, you're flowing. I love it. I love it. Yeah. I mean, you're. You're comfortable with yourself, with your observations in life. Right. Maybe you're not as self conscious when you use these. Right. Something like that.

[B]

Right. You're kind of. You're kind of loosey goosey Lucy goosey. Like you're not stiff.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love that. And that's how we want to be. That's what creates connection. Right? That what. That's what makes us available to connect.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

So, Michelle, what are we doing? Let's do a role play and show our.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Let's use some of these in a role play. So here we go. We are friends waiting for our fast food order.

[A]

All right, here we go.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I'm starving. Should we share our fries? What do you say?

[A]

Sure. We can Share. I'll try yours, and you can try my burger.

[B]

Oh, okay. Here it is. This looks good. What do you know? They gave us extra fries.

[A]

Amazing. Where's the ketchup?

[B]

Oh, no ketchup.

[A]

What do you mean, no ketchup?

[B]

There's no ketchup.

[A]

Oh, this is. This is a disaster. Last night, I was having a veggie burger at home, and I was at the very bottom of the ketchup bottle, and I was literally like, oh, no, get all the ketchup is like, the best food on earth.

[B]

I mean, I can't have a burger.

[A]

Of any sort without ketchup. You just can't. I just. I don't know.

[B]

I had ketchup last night, too. Oh, I had. I had, like, breaded cod, and I had. I. I was using ketchup with it.

[A]

Ketchup is possibly the single best food ever invented. I'm just a big fan. So.

[B]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd go that far, Lindsay, but.

[A]

Top 10. Top 10, Michelle.

[B]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd go that far, but it's a nice. It's a nice addition. And sometimes when you feel it's necessary, it's necessary. Yeah, Right. If you don't. And if you don't have it, I will say that it's a food where. If you can call it a food.

[A]

I will say, yeah, I don't know.

[B]

It's a condiment. Where you really feel its absence, it's not there.

[A]

And what restaurant that serves fries and doesn't have ketchup available? I mean, this is, like, a crime.

[B]

That's. That's a problem. I know some places they have, like, a ranch dressing. They'll have it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or like. Or mayo.

[A]

Like, they'll. Right. And that also depends on. Yeah, it depends on the region you're in, so. Right.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Right. I mean, I don't know. Is that common in. In, like, New York, New Jersey area, or is it more. Yeah, I guess. Like, white anything? No, let's say Thousand island mayo. Anything white, Right.

[B]

No, I think. I mean, I remember in Amsterdam, seeing it was. Have they served mayo with it? I think it may be a little more European, guys. Let us know.

[A]

Yeah, I guess fish and chips in. In the uk, they do salt and vinegar. I don't know what they do, actually. I mean. Yeah, so it just depends on where you are. In Colorado, you might get a salsa kind of thing, like, spicy things with the influence of the Southwest, so. Wow. A lot of options here, guys.

[B]

This is a Good poll question for today. I actually think this is. This is really fun. So, Lindsay, are you okay if we turn this into the Spotify poll?

[A]

Yeah, let's do it. Michelle, what's the poll?

[B]

All right, so the poll is, what do you dip your French fries in?

[A]

All right. Yes.

[B]

The options are ketchup, mayo. What? What else do we want to say?

[A]

Ketchup, mayo, vinegar. So ketchup, mayo, vinegar, or hot sauce? Let's do that.

[B]

Okay. Ketchup, mayo, vinegar, hot sauce. Guys, definitely check in if you're listening on Spotify.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

We're gonna post this, and we will read the results in the future.

[A]

Yes. Sounds good. All right. Excellent, Excellent. So, Michelle, let's go back over the role play real quick. Just to break down our. What? So you're saying you're starving, right? So. And you're asking to share fries. Should we share our fries? What do you say? This is an invitation. I'm asking for your opinion. What are you going to say as I'm asking you this? Right, right.

[B]

And then we get our order, and I said, oh, this looks good. And then I say, what do you know? They gave us extra fries. That's exciting.

[A]

It's just kind of expressing surprise and delight, I guess. What do you know is expressing delight? Essentially?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Y. And then you're saying, amazing. Where's the ketchup? Right. Oh, no ketchup. And then you're saying. I say, what do you mean, no ketchup? That's a deal breaker, right? Yeah.

[B]

You're very disturbed by this.

[A]

Yes. Yes. What do you mean, no ketchup? Right. Nice. I love it. So, guys, participate in the poll. It should be live as this episode goes live. So go ahead and let us know your vote. And yeah, I'm really interested in how this varies by region, by part of the world. Yep. Super interesting.

[B]

Yes, absolutely. All right, guys, check out episode. It was a Saturday episode, and it was how to connect over a twist in a movie. So that's a really good one. Lindsay, takeaway for today.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. The more we can kind of adopt these natural chunks, the more we're going to feel comfortable in English, like seeing ourselves as an English speaker, which is going to lead to connection. Right. So try to adopt. Even if they feel phony. Even if you feel phony if you're using them at first. Sometimes for me, in Spanish, I would feel a little weird using slang at times because I'd be like, oh, this is not natural for me. But it will become that way as you hear yourself. Saying it. And that's empowering. Okay?

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. I love that. That's a really good way to leave our listeners for today. And Lindsay, should we jump off the mic? What do you say?

[A]

Let's jump off the mic, Michelle. Let's do it. All right. Bye, guys. Have a good day. Take care. Bye.

[B]

See you too. Bye.

[A]

Thanks for listening. To all ears. English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.

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