AEE: You Name It, We've Got It: How to Talk to a Shop Owner in English

Summary

All Ears English Podcast Summary
Episode Title: You Name It, We've Got It: How to Talk to a Shop Owner in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan
Release Date: April 26, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the practical usage of the popular English phrase "You name it, we've got it." Aimed at intermediate to advanced English learners, the episode explores the contexts in which this expression is commonly used, providing listeners with valuable insights into everyday American English conversation.

Understanding the Phrase: "You Name It, We've Got It"

The episode begins with Lindsay introducing the topic through a listener's question:

Lindsay McMahon [02:58]: "Hi, Lindsay and Michelle. I love your podcast a lot and the way both of you explain the natural expressions. Recently, I've come across an idiom called 'you name it, we've got it,' and was wondering if there's a common daily natural expression. If this is a common, natural expression in conversation, could you please make a video and explain about it?"

Michelle enthusiastically acknowledges the phrase, associating it immediately with diners—a cultural staple on the East Coast:

Michelle Kaplan [03:45]: "Yeah, that is a great question. I love it. Yeah, definitely. Now that you're saying it, definitely makes me think of diners 100%."

Common Places to Hear the Phrase

The hosts discuss various establishments where the phrase "You name it, we've got it" is typically heard. Lindsay suggests big-box stores like Walmart and Kmart as primary venues:

Lindsay McMahon [04:07]: "This feels like something you'd hear from someone in the '90s, like spinning a sign outside of a dollar store or something, you know, trying to get people in there."

Michelle reminisces about the prevalence of diners in New Jersey, emphasizing their extensive menus and all-night availability:

Michelle Kaplan [02:17]: "A diner is the place where you can go and get pretty much anything. When I think of a restaurant where I could get anything, usually they have huge menus and they're open all night."

Role-Play Scenarios

To provide practical examples, Lindsay and Michelle engage in role-playing different shopping scenarios where the phrase is aptly used.

a. Coffee Shop

In a coffee shop setting, Lindsay demonstrates how a barista might assure a customer of variety:

Lindsay McMahon [06:08]: "Almond milk? Cashew milk, soy, 2%, half and half. You name it, we've got it."

Michelle adds a humorous twist by choosing to drink black coffee, highlighting that despite the offerings, personal preferences vary:

Michelle Kaplan [06:35]: "Well, you don't get any milk, right, because you drink it black."

b. Shoe Store

Switching to a shoe store scenario, they illustrate how sales staff might use the phrase to indicate a wide range of sizes:

Michelle Kaplan [06:47]: "Do you have a size 7?"

Lindsay McMahon [06:52]: "Yep. You name it, we've got it."

They discuss how this phrase conveys both a friendly approach and a business's extensive inventory.

c. Flower Shop

In a flower shop role-play, the phrase underscores the breadth of available options:

Lindsay McMahon [13:20]: "Hi. Do you have Aelas?"

Michelle Kaplan [13:23]: "Yes. We have a giant selection. Feel free to take a look around."

Lindsay McMahon [13:34]: "I see. Oh, and do you have tulips? Yellow tulips?"

Michelle Kaplan [13:39]: "Oh, yes. You name it, we've got it right over there in that corner."

Nuances and Contexts

Lindsay and Michelle explore the nuances of the phrase, discussing its commercial undertones and versatility:

Lindsay McMahon [07:16]: "It just depends on what kind of store you're in. It just reminds me of a heavily commercial environment."

Michelle Kaplan [16:30]: "It's about buying things and how we express that in different contexts. It can be used in a car salesman type of way, but also your local barista could say it as well."

They contrast the commercial usage with more casual contexts, such as conversations about health:

Michelle Kaplan [08:20]: "You name it, we got it. Stomach bug, flu, all of it."

This showcases the phrase's adaptability beyond retail environments.

Takeaways

The hosts summarize the key insights, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context to grasp the phrase's intended meaning fully. They highlight that while "You name it, we've got it" often signifies a wide selection in commercial settings, it can also be employed in everyday conversations to express comprehensiveness.

Michelle Kaplan [16:30]: "We've talked today a lot about really commercialism and you know, buying things and how we experience express that in different contexts."

Lindsay McMahon [16:56]: "And it's important to know if someone says this, they're not trying to push things on you most of the time. Right. And unless you are in a salesy situation."

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Lindsay and Michelle encourage listeners to apply this phrase in various scenarios to enhance their conversational English skills. They also promote related podcast episodes for further learning.

Michelle Kaplan [16:30]: "Good to know. And yeah, I love it."

Lindsay McMahon [17:13]: "And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything."

By providing relatable examples and interactive role-plays, this episode equips English learners with the confidence to use "You name it, we've got it" naturally in their conversations, bridging the gap between textbook knowledge and real-world application.

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Notable Quotes:

• Lindsay McMahon [02:58]: "If you take our free quiz, we'll tell you what level you're stuck at and how to reach your next English Milestone."

• Michelle Kaplan [03:45]: "We’re gonna get into this today. Great question, guys."

• Lindsay McMahon [04:07]: "It feels like something you'd hear from someone in the '90s, like spinning a sign outside of a dollar store."

• Michelle Kaplan [06:47]: "Do you have a size 7? Yep. You name it, we've got it."

• Lindsay McMahon [13:34]: "I see. Oh, and do you have tulips? Yellow tulips?"

• Michelle Kaplan [16:30]: "There are great candidates out there, but they tend to get hired fast. That's why speed matters." (Note: This appears to be part of an advertisement and may have been transcribed incorrectly)

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Additional Resources:

• YouTube Channel: For listeners who prefer video, the hosts recommend subscribing to their YouTube channel to watch episodes, including the role-play segments demonstrated in this episode.

• Related Episodes:

  • Episode 2385: "Order in the Court: Everyday Courtroom English" – Explores legal terminology and scenarios in American English.

• Take the English Level Quiz: Assess your proficiency by visiting allearsenglish.com/fluencyscore.

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This comprehensive episode not only demystifies a common English expression but also provides practical applications, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their conversational skills in American English.

Transcript

[Michelle Kaplan]

This is an All Ears English podcast. You name it, we've got it. How to talk to a shop owner in English.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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, Lindsay McMahon, the English adventurer, and Michelle Kaplan, the New York radio girl, coming to you from Colorado and New York City, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe have you ever walked into a store and someone said to you, you name it, we've got it. What does this phrase mean and where might you hear listen in today? Are you feeling stuck at your English level? Are you sure what your real English level is? If you take our free quiz, we'll tell you what level you're stuck at and how to reach your next English Milestone. Go to allersenglish.comfluencyscore now that's fluencyscore. One word. Allearsenglish.com fluent fluency score.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Hey, Lindsay, how are you?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I'm doing fantastic, Michelle. How's everything in your world today?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Everything is good, Lindsay. Do you have any stores near you that have just everything you could possibly want or a restaurant, something that you just know there's everything there?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, my gosh. Well, usually that's a diner for me. But you know what, Michelle? Diners are not really a thing out here. Yeah, really. Sadly, it's really an East Coast. I think the diner was invented on the East Coast. I have a feeling, I feel like I've read that it was invented in Jersey, but I'm not sure. Our listeners will have to research that.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I have a feeling it's Jersey because Jersey, Jersey is like the diner state. Yeah, I, I, there's a lot of diners here.

[Lindsay McMahon]

A lot.

[Michelle Kaplan]

But yeah. Okay. What is a diner?

[Lindsay McMahon]

A diner is the place where you can go and get pretty much anything. When I think of a restaurant where I could get anything, usually they have huge. Well, in New York and New Jersey, they're often open all night, which is very cool. You get a huge menu and it's got tons of things on it. Usually the food is not necessarily outstanding, but it's good enough for, you know, a midnight snack or a nice breakfast with your friends. And it's just a true experience. Cultural experience.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, exactly. Exactly. Yeah. So, yeah, we love diners here in New Jersey. So today, today we are going to answer a really fun question. Question from aid that came to us on YouTube.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I love it. And here is the question. By the way, guys, don't forget that we have an entire YouTube channel for Allers English. So if you'd rather watch this episode, which some people prefer to listen, some people prefer to watch, go over to YouTube and hit the subscribe button today so you don't miss a single episode. We put all five episodes over there on Allers English and you.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, so here's Omit's question. Hi, Lindsay and Michelle. I love your podcast a lot and the way both of you explain the natural expressions. Recently, I've come across an idiom called you name it, we've got it, and was wondering if there's a common daily natural expression. If this is a common, natural expression in conversation, could you please make a video and explain about it? Thanks so much. I love you all. Omid from Iran. Beautiful.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right. Yeah, that is a great question. I love it. Yeah, definitely. Now that you're saying it, definitely makes me think of diners 100%. We're. We. We're gonna get into this today. Great question, guys. Remember to hit the follow button wherever you listen, to all ears English. So, Lindsay, do you hear people say this? You name it, we've got it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

This feels like something you'd hear from someone in the 90s, like spinning a sign outside of a dollar store or something, you know, trying to get people in there. I don't know, it just. It feels like a. Something from an age of, like, heavy commercialism. Right. But yeah, you might hear it especially in, like, a Walmart, a big box store. Gone now. I think Kmart's gone, isn't it? Kmart? Do you remember Kmart?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Of course. Yeah. No, I do remember Kmart. But yeah, I actually. Yeah, now that you think of it, I know there was one in New York that closed down. I think they're closed, but I didn't realize they were all gone. Yeah, I don't. Haven't seen a Kmart in a while.

[Lindsay McMahon]

No, there might be more. They're just. There might still be a few. It's a competitor, Walmart, but Walmart kind of won out in the end. But essentially, these big box stores are kind of common in the United States. Right. We can walk in. We can buy pretty much anything in that store.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, I think we did a whole episode about Costco, didn't we?

[Lindsay McMahon]

We did Costco for sure. The Costco effect.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes, the Costco effect. That's right. So, yeah, I mean, you would hear this. You might Hear it at a store, like a big box store, restaurant, cafe. I mean, I was also thinking some sort of client service, like a party planner, a florist, something like that. Anywhere where you're getting something from a selection of items. And who might say this? Who. Who's going to be the person who says this?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I think certainly the owner of the business, if they're present on the floor of the store or the restaurant. The barista may be just a floor manager, someone who's in charge of selling, maybe. Or signs. I think more often you'd see this on a sign, actually.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Ah. Could be that, too. Yeah. I mean, and the. If you're the one doing the buying, you could say it. I mean, let's say you're recommending a store to someone. You could say, oh, you name it, they've got it. Right. But let's do some examples here. Here we're at the coffee shop.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, perfect. Here we go. Let's do it, Michelle.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right. What kind of milk do you have?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Almond milk? Cashew milk, soy, 2%, half and half. You name it, we've got it.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Great.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I guess your local barista might say that too, right? Though I find that often these. These trendy cafes tend to have just one. One thing, like they might have almond milk and then that's it. Maybe almond milk and skim milk. They usually don't have the whole gamut of options, from what I've seen, at least.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It really depends. Well, you don't get any milk, right, because you drink it black.

[Lindsay McMahon]

No, I don't. That's right. But usually, like, I'll hear, you know, if someone I'm with asks for it or something. Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Awesome. All right, so here we go. Here's another one. Now we're at the shoe store. All right. Do you have a size 7?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yep. You name it, we've got it. Nice. All right. Well, I. I would hope they would have all this side. But not always, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

No, not. Not always at all. But, yeah, let's. I mean. So how does this feel to you? You've kind of touched on it. Seems to you, like, to me, I felt it's kind of casual, cool and breezy. But to you, the way you're talking about it, sounds like you have a different impression of it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

No, I mean, I think it's common. I think it's. It sounds. It just depends on what kind of store you're in. It just reminds me of just a heavily commercial environment. Right. Where people there's just a lot of buying happening. Right. We have everything you could possibly want.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, right, right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Reminds me of a bygone era, you know?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I think it's. It's generally positive. I mean, the, like, the, the only other context I could think of, it is totally different. I mean, like, talking about sickness. So, for example. Let's do this, Lindsay. Well, I'll ask you, did you get a lot of the typical winter illnesses this year?

[Lindsay McMahon]

No, not really. I actually don't think I got a head cold this year. What about you, Michelle? Did you stay healthy or did you catch something?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, I. I definitely had a few colds, but I'm like, I'm scared to say anything because it was a really. Everybody on the east coast was super sick this whole, whole winter. But yeah, you might hear something like this. Oh, it's been such a rough winter. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, gosh. Did you get the flu?

[Michelle Kaplan]

You name it, we got it. Stomach bug, flu, all of it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. So that's another good example. Or, or I guess another scenario could be if you have a friend over to your house and they're not feeling well, maybe like aspirin. You have all the kinds of aspirin. Tylenol, Advil, whatever it is. Then you open your medicine cabinet, you name it, we've got it. What do you need?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right, yeah, right, right, right, exactly.

[Lindsay McMahon]

But generally you would hear this more in a commercial sense. You go to a store, it's really about buying things.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah. Yep. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yep.

[Lindsay McMahon]

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[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Love it. Michelle, what are some other things that we might say? Because we don't want to always be saying the same thing, especially if we work on the floor of a, of a store, a big box store. What else could we say?

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, well, you could say anything and everything.

[Lindsay McMahon]

For example, check, check out our candy selection. We have anything and everything you could think of. Oh, nice.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep. Also, you could say we've got it all. So you could say, yes, we do have a ton of stickers. We've got it all. Dinosaur stickers, stars, princesses. All of it. Yes.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I love it. So this is good before listing things or after listing things. Right. For example, we have a giant selection. So this is maybe more direct, more commercial sounding. We have a giant selection of gift wrap here. So take a look around.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, and you could also do something, use it to recommend something to someone. Right. So if you want to talk about a place's inventory, you name it, they've got it right. So like, you know, Target. Oh, head on over to Target if you're looking for xyz, you name it, they've got it right. I mean, Lindsay, do you shop at any, like, what's your, what's your big box store of choice? Not really.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, I think it's Amazon, Michelle. Yeah, that's the way we're all going, right? I mean, if I need toilet paper or just like printer paper for my, my printer, I will usually just go to Amazon. Yeah. So that's what I do. What about you, Michelle? Do you go to Target?

[Michelle Kaplan]

I, I will go to Target, but not. I, I, I make the mistake of going with my kids to these places. I'm like, oh, let's do it. Let's go.

[Lindsay McMahon]

It's horrible.

[Michelle Kaplan]

I mean, it is just, it is a nightmare.

[Lindsay McMahon]

They see something they want, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

And then they, yeah, everyone, we all, they all walk out with toys. I don't think I bought anything for myself in a year. I don't know. I like, oh, can I look and no, no, we just have to go to Costco a couple times because we had my daughter's birthday party. Oh, yeah, Yeah, I love that. Yeah. So we were there and then it's, yeah, it's, it's an experience, guys, you should listen to. We just did an episode about saying experience. So definitely head on over and listen to that one. But yeah, so let's do another role play. We've done a few mini ones. Let's do one more before we go.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right. And this time we're in a flower shop. I love being in flower shops, Michelle. It's just, I want to smell everything, you know, it's just, it's an awesome experience. So here. You work at a flower shop. Lucky you. That sounds like a dream retirement plan. Yes. And I am looking for, for flowers. Okay.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Okay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Hi. Do you have Aelas?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. We have a giant selection. Feel free to take a look around.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Oh, thanks. Oh, wow, you've got it all. Look at these.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yep, thanks. Yep. Anything and everything.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I see. Oh, and do you have tulips? Yellow tulips?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, yes. You name it. We've got it right over there in that corner.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Excellent. Nice, nice. So, yeah, I, I, I definitely, I agree that it's friendly. It's kind of showing good service at the same time. But what I was saying earlier, broadly, it points to, like, a massive amount of selection in commercial. In, you know, in a commercial market, you know, so it's kind of both, like, the person on the floor is being friendly, but also there are a ton of options, which I don't think is true everywhere.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Right.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Like, there's just a lot of things you could buy because our economy is so dependent on buying.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah, right. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. Do you buy flowers for your home?

[Lindsay McMahon]

I wish I did more often. I wish I did, you know, because when I do, I think, oh, this was a great thing to do. I do. It just brightens up the kitchen. Do you, I think you told me once you did do that a lot.

[Michelle Kaplan]

That's really funny that you remember that. Yeah, I used to, I, I used to. I, I always get into it. I'm like, oh, I'm gonna start buying flowers every week. And then it never, never happens. My friend gave me some flowers recently because she is, was going on vacation, and she's like, these flowers are just gonna die, so you might as well enjoy them for a little. Beautiful. So, yeah, so I have some tulips. They're all dying, but that's. Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Well, I think especially in the springtime, it's really nice to bring spring. Like, tulips are a spring flower. Right. Bring or no, they're a winter. Spring. Winter.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Know anything about flowers?

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay, we'll change the subject quickly. Let's go back to the.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Anyway, let's talk about. I don't know anything about.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Let's talk about.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Boy Bands of the early 2000s.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Okay. That is your wheelhouse. I love it. All right, good stuff. Stuff. Next time, next episode.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

All right, so here I asked you, do you have Aelas? And you said, yes, we have a giant selection, right?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yep. And then he said, oh, wow, you've got it all. Look at all these. I mean, this sounds like an amazing shop.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yeah, totally. Exactly. So. And then you said, yep, thanks. Anything and everything, right? Anything and everything, as you said. And then you said, what, Michelle?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Well, you asked me, do you have yellow tulips? And I said, yes, you name it, we've got it right over there in that corner.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Right, Exactly. Very friendly salesperson on the floor. Love it. Love it. And Michelle, is there another episode that we could check out today? Just as we're finishing up today's episode.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yes. This was really fun. I loved this episode. We had a good time with this one.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Really good one.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Check out episode 2385. That was order in the court. Everyday courtroom English.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Yes. Order in the court. That was one of my favorite episodes. It is so cool when we take these, I don't know, these fields, these industries, these areas of life and we bring it into English. Yeah, right.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

I love that kind of episode. Yeah.

[Michelle Kaplan]

Yeah.

[Lindsay McMahon]

So Michelle, what's the takeaway for today?

[Michelle Kaplan]

Oh, man. Well, we've talked today a lot about really commercialism and you know, buying things and how we experience express that in different contexts. It can be used in kind of a Carl car salesman type of way, like anything and everything. But at the same time your local barista could say it as well. So you will hear this. Good to know. And yeah, I love it.

[Lindsay McMahon]

And, and it's important to know if someone says this, they're not trying to push things on you most of the time. Right. And unless you are in a salesy situation, maybe like a car, car buying situation, they're just trying to be friendly. So love stuff, Michelle. And you have a good day. I'll see you very soon.

[Michelle Kaplan]

All right, thanks, Lindsay.

[Lindsay McMahon]

Bye. All right, take care. Bye. 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 you don't miss anything. See you next time.

[Michelle Kaplan]

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[Lindsay McMahon]

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