Speakeasy

What a rip-off!

We�ve all be tricked or cheated at some time by someone we trusted or by something we thought was worth buying. This week, we take a look at some words associated with this subject. Read the following conversations and the word definitions, then fill it in the blanks. Remember to try to use these words in your English conversations and watch out for them on TV and in the movies.

Photograph courtesy of Bangkok Post

Conversation 1

Joey:      Hi Jupe. What�s the matter? You    look upset.

Jupe:      Here�s a word of advice: Never go shopping on Silom Road.

Joey:      Why? There are so many neat things to see there.

Jupe:      A vendor  .................. me 500 baht for this useless designer watch that doesn�t work anymore.

Joey:      Well, it serves you right for buying fake stuff.

Conversation 2

Jupe:      How did you do on the exam?

Joey:      Terrible. I think I failed again.

Jupe:    Oh yeah? Ann seems pretty confident.

Joey:      I can believe it. She�s such a ............. . She was copying the paper of the person sitting in front of her.

Conversation 3

Joey:     I really can�t believe what sort of lows people will sink to these days.

Jupe:      Why�s that?

Joey:      Didn�t you hear? An old couple in my neighbourhood was ................. into buying phoney insurance policy by two well-dressed insurance salesmen.

Conversation 4

Joey:      Hi Jupe. Guess what? I�ve got a date tonight with Liz and I�m taking her to Toni�s restaurant.

Jupe:      Don�t take her there unless you�ve got wads of cash.

Joey:      Why not?

Jupe:    I went there last week and our meal was a complete .............. . The portions were very small and our bill came to 2,000 baht for two people.

Definitions

rip-off (n):  something that is more expensive than it should be
cheater (n): a person who tricks and deceives, especially in a game or exam
gyp (v): to cheat or trick somebody, especially by taking their money
con (v): to trick somebody, especially in order to get money from them or persuade them to do something for you

Vocabulary

neat (adj): simple but clever
vendor (n): a person who sells things
low (n): in this use, below the usual or expected standard of behaviour
phoney (adj): not real or true; false and trying to deceive people
wad (n): a thick pile of pieces of paper, paper money, etc. folded or rolled together
portion (n): an amount of food that is large enough for one person