Jack-of-all-trades

Feifei Hello I’m Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

Neil And hello, I’m Neil. Today Feifei, I’m going to teach you a piece of authentic English that describes me. Any guesses what it might be?

Feifei Hmmm… ‘Lazy-bones’?

Neil Ha! No, one that describes my many talents.

Feifei Err… ‘Full of yourself’?

Neil No Feifei - think about my skills - all the things I do in the office, for example.

Feifei Sorry Neil - I have no idea.

Neil It’s jack-of-all-trades .

Feifei But your name’s not Jack!

Neil It doesn’t have to be for this phrase. A jack-of-all-trades is someone who can do many kinds of jobs - you could say they’re multi-skilled.

Feifei Ok. Yes, I know this phrase but it just doesn’t describe you!

Neil Look, let me tell you what I can do, while we hear some more examples. OK?!

Examples If you need any work doing to your house, get my Dad round - he’s a jack-of-all-trades !

Jane’s got a great business - she runs a cafe where she makes and sells the cakes, she does the marketing and her own accounting - she really is a jack-of-all-trades .

Feifei So that’s jack-of-all-trades - a phrase that describes someone - a man or a woman - who can do many different types of work. We could call them an all-rounder. But sorry Neil - making the tea and presenting The English We Speak does not make you a jack-of-all-trades .

Neil So you think I am a jack-of-some-trades? Don’t forget I wrote this script, I can edit, I can make coffee as well as tea.

Feifei But some people say ‘ jack-of-all-trades , master of none’ - which means you can do many things but you’re not an expert in any of them! A real jack-of-all-trades can do many different jobs - all to a good standard.

Neil Well… Right, well I’m off.

Feifei Where are you going?

Neil To find this guy Jack - to see if he really exists.

Feifei Oh dear. Bye!

Neil Bye.