[00:01.44]Hello, I'm Helen and I'm here today to co-present The English We Speak and the presenter is Rosie. Where is she?
[00:17.23]Hi, I'm Rosie. Hi Helen. I'm sorry I'm late. The traffic, you know?
[00:22.56]Is it that bad? I live in North London, like you, and I've managed to be here on time. Maybe you should take a different route so you wouldn't be late anymore.
[00:34.80]Yesterday you were a bit late too. And the day before. I saw when you arrived in the middle of an important meeting. This is not good.
[00:44.94]I know. The boss was not pleased and he called me afterwards into his office. He says he will throw the book at me.
[00:52.24]Oh, that's bad. That's very bad.
[00:56.34]Yes, it is. I'm very concerned now. I know that I should be more careful.
[01:01.61] They are very big. Have you seen these massive encyclopaedias he keeps on the dark wooden shelves behind his desk?
[01:11.31]He's not into electronic books and neither into those so-called paperbacks. The man likes heavy leather cover traditional books and old collectors' antiques and furniture.
[01:25.50]I know he likes antiques, that does not bother me.
[01:28.72]He's going to throw the book at me, Helen. He said it yesterday. He sounded very angry, very crossed and he said,
[01:36.96]"Rosie, it's happening too often now. You're always late for meetings, for programmes, you have been absent frequently and I'm going to throw the book at you."
[01:47.56]That's what he said, Helen.
[01:49.14]Oh, the books are heavy and you might get seriously hurt. He's a strong man, maybe he will throw the other things too.
[01:58.22]Oh, I don't like to see him angry. He is a good boss but he's got a temper.
[02:04.98]There's that Queen Victoria bust from the 19th century he loves. It's an antique too, if you get him angry enough he might even throw the bust on you.
[02:15.73]Queen Victoria's bust? Eh what are you talking about?
[02:20.93]Helen, in English, to throw the book at somebody means to impose the maximum penalty on somebody who has been breaking the rules.
[02:29.70]The book is supposed to be the list of rules and regulations and the expression is used by people in a position of authority. Let's listen to some examples.
[02:40.40]Mr Jones, I'm tired of seeing you in my courtroom! If you don't stop trying to steal cars I'm going to throw the book at you. You'll face a long prison sentence.
[02:51.80]I'm sorry, Judge. I think I've learnt my lesson now and will behave properly.
[02:57.30]I'm your teacher. Pay attention to what I'm saying. If you continue cheating in your exams I'm going to throw the book at you.
[03:06.61]Oh, I see. So he will not actually pick up that heavy Encyclopaedia Britannica and throw it in your direction and hurt you.
[03:16.47]Of course not. He probably will send me a formal letter and start disciplinary procedures with the human resources department and might end up sacking me.
[03:26.37]But at least you will not be hurt and the book will be preserved. I like that book, you know.
[03:33.10]When I was a child I used to enjoy looking up things in encyclopaedias, they're very interesting. This was before the internet was so accessible.
[03:42.23]It doesn't matter what happens to his old books, Helen. This is serious. It might not hurt me but it will hurt my pocket. No job, no money.
[03:53.80]Well, if you don't want him to sack you, then buy a watch and don't come late anymore. Follow the rules.
[04:00.57]And I don't want to finish the programme late. Nobody will throw the book at me. Goodbye.
[04:07.94]I will buy a new watch. Thank you for the advice. Bye.