This is the All Ears English podcast, the many ways to have a moment in English.
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What do weighted vests, Wicked and Taylor Swift have in common?
They are all having a moment.
Today, learn four useful ways to use this phrase to comment on life and bring you closer to the person you're talking to.
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Hey, Lindsay, how are you?
Great, Michelle.
How are you doing?
I'm good, thanks.
Lindsay, would you say Taylor Swift is having a moment?
I would say that would be safe to say yes, Michelle, but a very long moment.
I feel like she's been having a moment for the last like 10 years or something like a triple, quadruple moment.
Yeah.
And now she just came out with a new CD.
So she's definitely, and now she's having a moment again.
She had a moment with her tour.
Now she's having a moment with the new CD and being engaged.
And she got engaged in that.
That right there was a mini moment within the moment, you know?
Oh my gosh.
I can't believe how many moments she has.
But yeah Lindsay, what is something else that is having a moment?
Maybe like a piece of workout equipment or something like that?
Well, I've noticed that weighted vests for women, and I guess for men too, actually are having a moment.
So I'll see in my neighborhood, I'll see people all of a sudden they came out of nowhere.
People are strapping on weight onto their as a vest.
And you know you could.
I suppose you can swap in how much weight you have on your vest, and Is that right, Michelle?
Are you into this trend?
I don't know.
Well, so I do have one, but I've only used it a couple times.
I wouldn't say it's like my big thing, but it's okay.
You do want one?
Kind of.
Well, I think weightlifting is probably having a moment right now for women.
I think we're gaining more understanding of how important it is if we're a woman in our 30s and 40s maybe 50s even to gain muscle mass like super important for the body's health.
So I think that's where it's coming from.
Right?
Yep.
Yep.
Exactly.
Oh, here's another thing.
Ozempic.
That's having a moment.
Absolutely.
I mean, it's everywhere.
Things are always having moments.
And that really, what does that mean then, Michelle?
Like if something's having a moment?
Yeah.
Right.
It's getting the spotlight, right?
I mean, there are many ways we can use this expression.
And that's what we're talking about today to have a moment.
So we'll talk more about this in just a second.
But make sure that you hit the follow button wherever you're listening to the All Ears English podcast, because we teach you about a lot of different things that are currently having a moment right.
Different ways, different expressions, different cultural phenomena.
So definitely hit follow to learn about all these moments.
Yeah.
I mean if you observe someone wearing a certain fashion trend.
I mean, I think fanny packs are having a moment.
Maybe they're coming out of it now.
Maybe it was just the last few years.
But I know I remember my aunt used to wear fanny packs back in the 80s.
And I think she wore them her whole life.
And we used to make fun of her.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And now wearing a fanny pack back in the 80s and then they became really popular.
So they're having a moment again.
And when we say having a moment, you know it's, it's.
It's not just that people are participating in it.
People are also making commentary on it, let's say, on Instagram.
Right.
On Instagram, on social media.
So people are doing the thing, talking about the thing and making content about the thing.
Yeah, it's everywhere.
It's kind of like you can't go two seconds without hearing about it.
Exactly.
So our listeners need a way to talk about this thing, right?
Yeah.
Yeah.
So to have a moment.
So yeah, the way.
So we're going to talk about this expression in a few different ways, because there are different ways to use it that are all very common.
And so, but this first one that we're talking about again, it's about getting the spotlight, attention and success.
So Taylor Swift.
Right.
There's a lot of people.
People are talking about her.
People are listening to her music.
People, you know, just she's everywhere.
You cannot go, you know, a day without hearing about Taylor Swift.
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Another example would be Wicked.
The play, the movie was or still is having a big moment in the last couple of years.
Everyone was seeing the movie.
Everyone was seeing the play, right?
Wicked.
So yeah, you could say Wicked is having a moment.
It's everywhere.
Mm-hmm.
Or Stitch the movie is having a moment.
It's everywhere.
Yeah.
Stitch.
Yep.
That's it.
Cause they came out with a live action version and now they're going to come out with a Moana one.
It's yeah.
Okay.
Let's say that.
Yeah.
Live action movies are having like Disney movies are having a moment.
So interesting.
Yeah.
There's always, you know, it, it, I was just thinking about that yesterday, how it's so funny that we just have this desire to, uh, recreate with real people it's like i don't you know yeah interesting i mean what is what are fidget spinners what do you don't know no i don't even know what that is oh there are these um there are these things, they're kind of shaped, they, you put your fingers in the middle and you like twirl them around and it's just supposed to help with, you know, fidgeting.
So they really had a moment a few years ago.
It just, all these kids were carrying them around.
And so you could say fidget spinners had a moment.
Um, yeah, lots of, I mean, yeah, toys.
I mean, Lindsay, if you think of that from when we were kids, Tamagotchis and sure.
Or, you know, you know, Beanie Babies.
Also during the pandemic a lot of things had a moment, like adult coloring books.
I think had a moment in the pandemic.
I think you might have had one, Michelle.
I did.
I did.
There's like two pages colored.
Yeah, that's right.
You shared that with us on the show.
But people did because people were kind of losing their minds, right?
Having to stay home and COVID and stuff.
But now I don't think they're as popular.
I'm not sure.
So these tend to be things that are trendy, maybe have a peak at a certain time, maybe based on conditions going on in the world right,
Like COVID, or just I don't know the weather or something, or just based on the mood of the population right,
Yeah.
Yeah, exactly.
So, but there are other ways that you can use something as having a moment.
So we're going to get into these as well.
So this is, it can also mean that you're really connecting with someone, right?
Okay.
So it could be maybe a bit romantic sounding, but not necessarily.
It just depends on the context.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So here's an example.
Don't disturb the kids.
They're having a moment.
I can't believe they're getting along.
Yeah.
And that could be right there.
So in the case of the non-romantic example, like just siblings, right?
They hate each other most of the time.
My brother and I hated each other most of the time, but that occasionally we would get along.
And so you're like, don't interfere.
Right.
Right.
Yeah.
Let them have their moment.
Right.
Like yesterday, my kids were I don't even, it was wild.
My son was going to have a friend come over and we were waiting for that friend to arrive.
And so they wanted to turn on the TV.
And I said, no, you're about to have a friend.
I'm not turning on the TV.
So then they were just I was just on the kitchen floor just like wrestling, and it was very loud and I just kind of I just sat there because there was nothing I could do and I just kind of sat there with this like glazed look on my face because even though it was loud, they were getting along so I can say they're having a moment.
It's like I'll take it if, as long as they're not, you know, fighting with each other, they're wrestling but not fighting.
So it's funny, I can say they're, they're having a moment, you know.
Or sometimes there are these sweet moments where then it'll be like oh, he's reading to her and you're like oh, my god, look at this, they're having a moment.
Yeah yeah, that's nice.
So it's kind of when something special is happening between two people, whether it's just siblings or whether it is like a bride and a groom.
So here's an example of a romantic example the bride and groom were having a moment at their table and we didn't want to ask them or we didn't want to interfere right, Yeah?
And I know when you're, when you get married, like they like to build in moments where you the, the couple, can go off and just be alone.
Right.
If you have a wedding planner or day of planner, they'll try to get you those moments, because it is a very intense day.
Right.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yep.
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Alright, Michelle, we are back.
So okay, this is cool.
So there's two ways so far that we've talked about having a moment.
Is there a third?
Yeah.
Yeah, these are really fun.
So It could also just mean you're feeling strong emotions, right?
So maybe you're sentimental, could be happy, could be sad, whatever it is.
So for example, you could say, oh, I'm having a moment.
These pictures really bring me back.
Right.
Or on a few episodes ago, we talked about how we both cry at weddings, no matter what, even though we don't think we're going to.
Having a sentimental moment or don't talk now.
This is my song.
I'm having a moment.
Right.
So maybe that means like memories are flooding back to you.
You're just really happy to hear this song come on the radio.
Yeah, exactly.
Well, that reminds me.
There's an episode of Seinfeld where there's like somebody who has a like I think Elaine is dating this guy and the song always comes on and he kind of goes into this trance whenever he hears it.
And um Yeah, there are definitely.
Do you have any songs like that, where you hear it and it just really hits you?
I feel like a lot.
I have a lot of songs like that because they remind me of time periods you know like from the 80s and the 90s.
But no specific one.
Maybe some Creedence Clearwater brings back specific memories.
But yeah, what about you, Michelle?
Do you have a song that brings you a moment every time it comes on the radio?
Yeah, well, definitely...
Absolutely.
One that I think of just off the top of my head is that, do you know Gavin DeGraw?
Yeah.
Oh, I think I know the Chariot song.
Yes, you remember.
Yeah.
So that definitely, like it brings me back to and you notice, usually the songs you're having a moment about are songs from like when you were, like When you were maybe a teenager, early 20s.
You know, that brings me back to just this happy moment I had driving in my car with the windows down.
I had the music turned up.
The other one is Have It All by Jason Mraz.
When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I heard that for the first time and I just bawled.
Oh, even then yesterday.
Sorry.
Well, one more is the song candy cane lane.
It's by Sia.
It's a Christmas song and I heard it yesterday and I almost cried because it brought me back to when my son was born and we would always.
It was around that time of year that Christmas music was playing and I just Oh God it's.
I was having a moment.
Oh yeah.
Yep.
This is great because every single one of our listeners listening today is has a has a song and evokes a moment and now you guys have the language to explain like maybe you want to stop talking to the person you're talking to right yeah maybe you just want some quiet or you just want to be present with a song all the feels right yeah so that's good or you don't want them to change the radio station in the car let's say Right.
So this is what you could say.
So really good.
But there is another meaning still.
This phrase just keeps on giving.
It's really a good phrase.
You know what I was thinking?
I thought having a moment is having a moment.
This expression.
But yeah, the last way we're going to talk about today is to say you're having a moment.
It could be that you're flustered or you're acting unusual.
So, for example, you could say, sorry, I'm having a moment.
I can't find my keys anywhere and I'm freaking out.
So it's not always necessarily a good thing.
You just need to pay attention to the context, the tone of voice, the vocabulary.
Right.
Or you could say to someone, OK, you're having a moment.
Don't get mad at me.
Right.
So where you're just asking the person to back off and you can see that they're having their own thing.
Right.
Yes.
Sometimes we create our own storms of emotion.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Lindsay, so these are so just to review, you know, we had we had four.
So the first one is something's getting attention the spotlight, the weighted vest, the fidget spinner, the Taylor Swift wicked.
Then what's the other way?
Another way.
So when people connect right connecting whether it's like siblings or friends, or romantically bride and groom, that kind of thing.
Then we had the strong emotions, meaning when your song comes on the radio, we have something to say now.
Yep.
And then the last one could just be feeling flustered.
You're acting unusual.
I'm having a moment.
I need to think.
Right.
Do you feel that any of these uh are like you use most in your life, which one like feels most natural to you?
Which context do you think?
For me it's probably commenting on trends, you know, like adult coloring books or having a moment, you know, that kind of thing.
I like to observe society and trends and like, why is something trendy at different times?
You know like slap bracelets had a moment back in the nineties.
You know they were cool, but why did that go away?
Or what were like, what was that about?
Yep.
Yep yeah exactly, i think so too.
It's just a great way to comment on society.
What's going on, the trends, i mean?
I even think about um like, have you heard of k-pop demon hunters?
Yeah yeah, that's what i mean having a moment.
I've never watched it, but it's like every kid for halloween you would go around and see everyone was dressed like a k-pop demon hunter.
Yeah, that's so funny.
So yeah, i think i think that usage is definitely having a moment.
But um, Let's do some role plays here.
We're not going to use every single context, but we're going to do two short role plays.
All right.
So here in the first one, we are trying to set up our friends at a party.
And what do we mean by set up?
See if they will date.
Because we think maybe they'll be interested in each other romantically.
We think we have a match, right?
Okay.
Oh, my gosh.
They're talking.
I'm having a moment.
Look at them.
This is totally going to work.
Oh my gosh.
It looks like they're having a real moment.
Yes.
Okay.
So this is funny.
This is interesting because I was not participating in that connection, right?
We were just on the side.
We were observing.
So why did I say I'm having a moment? because you were like excited about it.
Maybe you're, you're just like Ooh, I mean it's, it's always, it's always exciting if you set someone up and things look, are looking good.
Yeah.
And just to, you know, we always like to look at body language too.
If you're on YouTube, you can see when I said that I put my hand on my chest, right?
Like you're seeing, you've maybe created something you know and you're excited about it, and there's emotion there too.
So there you go.
And then you said it looks like they're having a real moment.
Right.
Yeah.
So this would be the second context there.
They're really connecting.
So, yeah, that would be that context there.
So let's do one more and then we'll start to head out for today.
So here we are, colleagues.
OK.
All right.
OK.
So we have to recognize that our cartoon ads are doing really well.
Yes.
All of a sudden, they're having a moment.
Now, this is definitely the trend meaning, Michelle, right?
Yep.
Yep.
The weighted vest, the coloring books, the cartoon ads, right?
They are trending.
They are trending.
I love it.
So, yeah.
This is just... You can see this one phrase has so many different ways to use it.
And they're all... they're all fun.
I mean, they're all, they all are pretty emotional.
There's emotion behind them.
Yeah.
I agree.
And they can all kind of lead to more connection too.
A hundred percent.
Yeah.
Because I think, anytime that we have words to describe an emotion we're experiencing or you know I don't know that you see a lot of people getting into something, for example, that leads to connection right.
Anytime we observe an emotional phenomenon going on, that's connection right there.
So we have the words to do it now.
Guys, go on over now for your next step.
Go listen to 2522.
What to say when you lose your train of thought.
I loved how authentic and human that episode was, Michelle.
Yes, absolutely.
I think that was you and Aubrey.
So that is just excellent.
And guys, head on over and listen to that one.
Yeah.
Anything before we go?
I think we've discussed it all, really.
I think this is it.
That's it right there.
I mean, observe life.
And if you make these observations, you articulate what's going on in your mind, what you're seeing in the world.
That brings you closer to the person next to you, Michelle.
Right?
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
All right, Lindsay, this was a lot of fun.
Glad we talked about this today.
And guys, let us know how you end up using it.
Excellent.
Talk soon.
Bye.
All right.
Bye.
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