A barrel of laughs

Hello, this is The English We Speak with me Feifei.

And me Rob. Hello!

So Rob, what’s that thing you’ve got there?

Oh this? It’s a barrel.

A barrel?! I see.

Yep, and do you want to know what’s inside the barrel?

Not really.

OK - well, if I just open the lid here. You’ll be able to hear. Funny, isn’t it?!

You have ‘a barrel of laughs - hmm, and that is supposed to be funny?

Yes it is. It’s supposed to illustrate today’s piece of authentic real English. It’s hilarious, isn’t it? And do you know what - the phrase ‘a barrel of laughs’ can be used to describe me - someone who is fun and always joking around.

Really? Someone who is funny is ‘a barrel of laughs’? But this doesn’t describe you Rob - you’re not funny.

Oh? What?! I think we’d better hear some examples of this phrase in action - and I’ll show you how funny I really am.

I shall miss having John in the office. He was a such a barrel of laughs.

What a barrel of laughs that bus driver was. He made the long journey much more fun with his funny announcements!

Since I split up with my boyfriend, life hasn’t been a barrel of laughs.

So if someone is a ‘barrel of laughs’, they are fun - and an enjoyable person to be around.

Yeah, exactly - the phrase can also describe a thing such as a TV show. But come on Feifei, you have to agree, this barrel full of laughs is so funny! Listen to this!

Hmm, it’s a cheap joke but it’s not funny. I know what you can do if you want to make me laugh.

Oh yes - go on then, what is it?

Why don’t you see if you can fit inside the barrel?

Oh, right, OK. Well, that sounds like a laugh. OK, then, here goes. Alright, I’m in.

Wow Rob - you actually fit in the barrel! That’s so funny!

Hey Feifei what are you doing?

Making you into a real life ‘barrel of laughs’.

That’s not funny.

It’s hilarious! See you later.

The English we speak, from bbclearningenglish.com