B2 Video: English Delivery Driver...Didn't Expect This In Scotland | Watch With English Teacher
- Derek Newton
- Jan 24
- 9 min read
Watch With English Teacher: How This Lesson Works
In this Watch With English Teacher lesson, we follow an English delivery driver as he works his very first job in Scotland.
The video is real, unscripted, and full of the kind of everyday British English learners often struggle with.
As we watch together, I pause the video at key moments to explain useful vocabulary, pronunciation, and natural expressions.
If you prefer to watch the original video without my comments, you can use the vocabulary guide below to help you understand.
Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrs62Ck6epY
Accents
Modern RP/London: 49%
West of Scotland (Derek): 49%
Edinburgh: 1%
Vocabulary & Pronuncation Guide
00:30 – put something off (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To delay doing something until a later time.
Example: I kept putting off calling the dentist.
00:49 – get an order in (verb phrase)
Meaning: To receive an order, especially in work or business.
Example: We’ve finally got an order in from a new customer.
01:20 – go right around (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To go all the way around something.
Example: You need to go right around the building to find the entrance.
01:38 – put something through its paces (idiom)
Meaning: To test something thoroughly to see how well it works.
Example: The company put the new app through its paces before launching it.
01:54 – me neither (fixed expression)
Meaning: Used to say you also do not do or feel something.
Example: “I don’t like olives.” — “Me neither.”
02:06 – pick up (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To collect something, often an order or item.
Example: I’ll pick up the food on my way home.
03:15 – up a street / down a street (directional usage)
Meaning: Common but flexible expressions for movement along a street.
Example: Walk down the street and turn left at the corner.
03:57 – gonna (connected speech)
Meaning: Informal spoken form of “going to.”
Example: I’m gonna call him later.
04:40 – naïve (adjective)
Meaning: Lacking experience or knowledge; too trusting.
Example: It was naïve to think the trip would be easy without planning.
05:18 – glow / glowing (verb / adjective)
Meaning: To give off soft light or look bright and healthy.
Example: The city lights were glowing in the distance.
06:19 – there we go (spoken phrase)
Meaning: Said when finishing an action or handing something over.
Example: There we go — that should fix the problem.
06:54 – workout (noun)
Meaning: A session of physical exercise.
Example: Cycling uphill is a serious workout.
07:02 – get up / get to (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To arrive somewhere, often with difficulty.
Example: It took ages to get up to the flat.
07:42 – because → ’cause / cos / cuz (connected speech)
Meaning: Reduced pronunciation of “because” in fast speech.
Example: I stayed home ’cause it was raining.
08:16 – drop off (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To deliver something or take it to a place.
Example: I’ll drop the package off this afternoon.
09:42 – cobbles / cobbled street (noun / adjective)
Meaning: Small rounded stones used to make a road surface.
Example: The old town has narrow cobbled streets.
10:32 – got/have my name written all over it (idiom)
Meaning: Something suits you perfectly or strongly attracts you.
Example: That job’s got your name written all over it.
11:09 – hefty (adjective)
Meaning: Big, heavy, or solid.
Example: He carried a hefty backpack up the hill.
11:58 – be off (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To leave or be on the way somewhere.
Example: Right, I’m off — see you later.
12:19 – stag do (noun, British English)
Meaning: A party for a man before his wedding.
Example: He went to Prague for his stag do.
13:16 – hen do (noun, British English)
Meaning: A party for a woman before her wedding.
Example: She’s going to Ibiza for her hen do.
13:47 – plonk (verb)
Meaning: To drop or put something down heavily or suddenly.
Example: He plonked himself on the sofa.
14:04 – hold up (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To remain good or unchanged over time.
Example: The weather’s holding up nicely today.
15:32 – it is what it is (fixed expression)
Meaning: Used to accept a situation that can’t be changed.
Example: The bus is late — it is what it is.
15:47 – dodgy (adjective, informal British)
Meaning: Risky, suspicious, or potentially dangerous.
Example: That street looks a bit dodgy at night.
16:06 – spooky (adjective)
Meaning: Strange or scary, often linked to ghosts or darkness.
Example: The graveyard felt spooky after dark.
17:10 – close (noun, Scottish English)
Meaning: The shared entrance or stairwell of a building.
Example: The flat is just inside the close.
17:31 – hiya (informal greeting)
Meaning: A friendly, casual way to say “hello.”
Example: Hiya! How’s it going?
19:09 – chippy / chipper (noun)
Meaning: A shop that sells fish and chips.
Example: Let’s grab dinner from the chippy.
19:57 – urban myth (noun)
Meaning: A widely believed story that is probably not true.
Example: The deep-fried Mars bar is mostly an urban myth.
21:49 – be a pro (informal expression)
Meaning: To be very skilled or confident at something.
Example: After a few weeks, you’ll be a pro at understanding the accent.
22:17 – fare (noun)
Definition: The price you pay for a journey or delivery.
Example: The train fare was cheaper than I expected.
22:36 – tip (noun)
Definition: Extra money you give someone for good service.
Example: I left a small tip for the delivery driver.
24:10 – cheers (expression)
Definition: An informal way to say “thank you” in British English.
Example: Cheers for helping me carry that.
26:16 – in three minds (expression)
Definition: Unable to decide between three options (stronger than “in two minds”).
Example: I’m in three minds about which job to accept.
26:34 – quid (noun, informal)
Definition: Informal British word for a pound (£).
Example: The book cost ten quid.
27:47 – didn’t forget about ya (pronunciation)
Definition: Informal pronunciation of “you”, common in spoken English.
Example: Don’t worry — I didn’t forget about ya.
28:12 – put in a shift (expression)
Definition: To work for a period of time, often hard work.
Example: He put in a long shift at the restaurant.
28:41 – struggling (verb)
Definition: Finding something very difficult.
Example: I’m struggling to understand his accent.
28:57 – bumpy (adjective)
Definition: Not smooth; full of small bumps.
Example: It was a bumpy ride on the old road.
29:49 – have a good one (expression)
Definition: A flexible phrase meaning “have a good day / night / time”.
Example: See you tomorrow, have a good one.
31:43 – it goes to show (expression)
Definition: Used to say something proves a point.
Example: It just goes to show that practice really helps.
32:36 – waffle (verb)
Definition: To talk too much without getting to the point.
Example: He waffles a lot before answering the question.
33:12 – sick (adjective, slang)
Definition: Informal American slang meaning very good or impressive.
Example: That view looks sick!
35:46 – to crack jokes (expression)
Definition: To tell jokes.
Example: He was cracking jokes to relax everyone.
36:17 – turn something down (phrasal verb)
Definition: To refuse or reject an offer.
Example: She turned down the job because of the hours.
37:21 – figure out (phrasal verb)
Definition: To understand or solve something.
Example: I’m trying to figure out how this works.
37:40 – steep (adjective)
Definition: Having a sharp angle; difficult to climb.
Example: That hill is too steep to cycle up.
38:01 – tuck in / tuck yourself up (phrasal verb)
Definition: To put clothes neatly in, or to make yourself warm and comfortable.
Example: Tuck yourself up — it’s cold tonight.
38:38 – arse (noun, British, informal)
Definition: British informal word for “buttocks”.
Example: I slipped and landed on my arse.
39:10 – jumper (noun, UK)
Definition: A warm piece of clothing worn over a T-shirt; a sweater.
Example: Bring a jumper — it gets cold at night.
39:48 – pet / hen (terms of address)
Definition: Informal, friendly words used in parts of the UK, especially Scotland.
Example: Are you alright, hen?
40:40 – be up to (expression)
Definition: Asking what someone is doing.
Example: What are you up to this weekend?
41:58 - to come off (phrasal verb)
Meaning: To give a certain impression. Used to describe how someone or something seems to other people, often without meaning to.
Example: I don’t want to come off too excited in the email, so I’ll keep it short.
42:38 – brush over (phrasal verb)
Definition: To avoid talking about something in detail.
Example: He brushed over the mistake and changed the topic.
43:29 – fumble (verb)
Definition: To make a small mistake, often by being confused or clumsy.
Example: I fumbled my words during the presentation.
44:06 – way (adverb, intensifier)
Definition: Used to make a comparative stronger.
Example: This version is way better than the last one.
44:47 – bougie (adjective, informal)
Definition: Describes something that feels rich, expensive, or upper-class.
Example: That café looks a bit bougie for a quick coffee.
46:54 – feel right at home (expression)
Definition: To feel comfortable, relaxed, and familiar in a place.
Example: I felt right at home in his house.
47:56 – during the week (expression)
Definition: From Monday to Friday.
Example: I work from home during the week.
48:18 – by all means (expression)
Definition: Used to give permission or encouragement.
Example: By all means, come and join us.
49:11 – ain’t (contraction, informal)
Definition: A very informal contraction used in spoken English instead of am not, isn’t, aren’t, haven’t, or hasn’t. It is common in casual speech but not correct in formal or written English.
Example: I ain’t got a clue what he’s talking about.
50.17 – glazing (verb, slang, informal)
Definiton: To praise someone too much or too uncritically, often to the point where it feels exaggerated, biased, or a bit embarrassing.
Example: He keeps glazing that footballer — every post is about how perfect he is.
Usage note:
Common in online speech and social media
Often used jokingly or critically
Implies excessive admiration, not neutral praise
Derek’s note: I had to look for this one on Urban Dictionary. A new word for me!
51:03 – slippers (noun)
Definition: Soft shoes worn indoors for comfort.
Example: I put my slippers on when I got home.
51:42 – dingy (adjective)
Definition: Dark, dull, and often a bit dirty.
Example: The room was small and dingy.
52:02 – sketchy (adjective, informal)
Definition: Slightly dangerous or suspicious.
Example: That street looks sketchy at night.
52:25 – wholesome (adjective)
Definition: Good, healthy, and morally positive.
Example: It’s a wholesome film for the whole family.
52:42 – air about someone (expression)
Definition: The general feeling or impression a person gives.
Example: He has a calm air about him.
53:00 – be a sucker for sth/sb (expression, informal)
Definition: To find something or someone hard to resist, even if you know you probably shouldn’t.
Example: I’m a sucker for good Christmas movies, even the cheesy ones.
53:25 – cosy (adjective, UK)
Definition: Small, comfortable, and warm.
Example: The flat is tiny but very cosy.
55:00 – plug (noun / verb, informal)
Definition: Promotion of a product, often inside content.
Example: He added a quick plug for his course.
55:28 – come in clutch (expression, slang)
Definition: To be very useful at the right moment.
Example: That spare charger really came in clutch.
55:52 – faff / faff around (verb, UK)
Definition: To waste time doing things inefficiently.
Example: Stop faffing around and get ready.
56:22 – clunky (adjective)
Definition: Big, awkward, and uncomfortable to use.
Example: The old phone felt clunky in my hand.
56:40 – it sports… (verb, formal/marketing)
Definition: It has or features something.
Example: The laptop sports a faster processor.
58:20 – bow (noun)
Definition: A decorative knot made with ribbon.
Example: She tied a red bow on the present.
58:56 – in and out job (expression, informal)
Definition: A task that involves quickly entering a place, doing one simple thing, and leaving again, with no delay or extra steps.
Example: I just need to drop the keys off—it should be an in and out job.
59:56 – not be having it (expression)
Definition: Refuse to accept something.
Example: He wasn’t having their excuses.
01:01:00 – nought (noun, UK)
Definition: British word for zero, often in decimals.
Example: The score was nought point five.
01:01:28 – get your bearings (expression)
Definition: To understand where you are or what’s happening.
Example: I needed a few minutes to get my bearings.
01:02:10 – spill (verb)
Definition: To accidentally let liquid come out of a container.
Example: I spilled coffee on my desk.
01:02:34 – to be stood (grammar note)
Definition: Informal British use of the past participle as an adjective.
Example: There was a man stood outside the shop.
01:04:21 – chunky (adjective)
Definition: Thick, heavy, or solid.
Example: The bike has chunky tyres.
01:04:36 – shifter / shift gear (noun / verb)
Definition: The part that changes gears; to change gears.
Example: I shifted gear going uphill.
02:05:05 – specs (noun, abbreviation)
Definition: Short for specifications.
Example: The specs look good for the price.
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