Hangry

Feifei Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei and joining me is Sian.

Sian
Hi everyone.

Feifei
Are you OK Sian?

Sian Yes, of course I am! Can we just get on with the programme?!

Feifei Um Sian, have you had your breakfast today?

Sian No I haven’t. I overslept and then the bus was late and, uh, it’s just not been a good day so far!

Feifei Hmmm, maybe we should do the programme once you’ve eaten something. Here have this chocolate bar.

Sian Oh I’m sorry, I know I’m a bit hangry this morning. I do tend to get moody when I don’t eat. My husband’s always complaining about it!

Feifei Hangry? Don’t you mean ‘angry’?

Sian No, ‘hangry’. ‘Hangry’ describes someone who is angry - or irritable - as a result of being hungry. Like me today - I’m feeling a bit annoyed because I haven’t eaten breakfast!

Feifei You certainly are! So ‘hangry’ is a combination of ‘angry’ and ‘hungry’?

Sian Yes, that’s right. Let’s hear a few examples.

Examples A: This food is taking forever to arrive. I’m not coming to this restaurant again. B: Oh dear, someone’s getting hangry! Let’s get you some food quickly!

My boyfriend is a nightmare whenever he misses a meal; he gets so hangry!

People tend to get a bit hangry when their blood sugar level drops.

Feifei Interesting. You wouldn’t catch me getting ‘hangry’ though, I’m always very chilled.

Sian Is that right Feifei? You know, I’m feeling much happier after eating that chocolate bar. Shall we do the programme again? I feel ready now.

Feifei No! come on that will do. I’m starving!

Sian Oh dear, it seems like you’re a bit hangry too Feifei! Let’s get you to the cafe now.

Feifei
Good idea! Let’s go.