We Speak with me, Feifei...

Rob: ...and me, Rob. Hey, Feifei. I have

a little challenge for you.

Feifei: Oh, good. I like a challenge.

Rob: Right. Well. Can you name a bird

that has bright feathers?

Feifei: A parrot?

Rob: No. It has big colourful feathers that

it sticks up when it's showing off

and trying

to attract a mate.

Feifei: Got it! A peacock.

Why are you asking?

Rob: Well, it's a clue for this

authentic English phrase.

Can you think of an expression

which describes someone

showing off to attract attention?

Feifei: Yes, Rob. It's 'peacocking' ...

I often use it to describe you!

But, Rob, peacocking

never impresses me!

Rob: Well, Feifei, you are hard

to impress ... but maybe these

examples of 'peacocking' will...

Why does Dev have to wear

that bright shirt and walk

around the office talking and laughing

loudly? It's obvious that he's peacocking,

but to me, he's just annoying.

When we first met, I was impressed

by John's flashy clothes

and constant jokes. But he was

obviously peacocking because

now he just wears jeans and

never says anything funny!

I thought my peacocking skills

would work wonders on our

blind date. Unfortunately,

she told me I was just showing off,

and I just needed to be myself.

I don't think I'll be

seeing her again.

Feifei: You're listening to The English

We Speak from BBC Learning English.

We're talking about

'peacocking', which describes someone

showing off to attract attention

and impress people.

Rob: Originally, it described

an extreme and over-the-top way

a man might dress and the arrogant way

he might behave to attract a woman.

Feifei: Yes, I can see why you would have

been good at that, Rob!

Rob: Well, women do it now too, Feifei,

for example, by bragging

on Instagram about the

amazing things they've done.

Feifei: OK, it seems like anyone can be

guilty of peacocking these days.

Rob: Well, you'd never find me peacocking,

Feifei - I'm not the sort of person to show

off, I hate to attract attention.

Feifei: What do you mean, Rob?!

You're always centre of attention.

Rob: Thanks!

Feifei: Bye!

Rob: Bye bye!