– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

ADULT SHELDON: When you're three foot ten

and in high school,

getting from point "A"

to point "B" can be a harrowing experience.

♪ Oh, yeah

♪ We are the youth gone wild ♪

♪ Whoa

♪ Whoa...

ADULT SHELDON: But it's worth it when point "B" is...

(exhales)

...the library.

Home to the original information superhighway,

the Dewey Decimal System.

MS. HUTCHINS: Hey there, Sheldon.

What can I get for you today?

Chemistry?

Quantum mechanics? Astronomy?

No, nothing fun today.

I need to learn how to make a friend.

Aw, honey, you having a hard time

adjusting to high school?

I'm having a hard time adjusting to Earth.

Yeah. You and me both.

Try this, it’s been around awhile but it’s still quite popular

Unlike me,

who's just been around a while.

"How to Win Friends

and Influence People."

This might do it.

"Principle one.

Don't criticize, condemn or complain."

ADULT SHELDON: The three sharpest arrows

in my quiver.

Thus began the greatest challenge

of my young life.

Hello, George.

What?

I do admire your thick head of hair...

George.

Thanks.

What's going on?

Well, I'm practicing the principles in this book.

-Why? -Well, I know Mom is concerned

that I don't have any friends,

so I'm determined to remedy the situation.

Oh.

George.

Well, good for you.

Do you feel complimented

when I say your name, George?

The book says you should. George.

I suppose.

Kind of overdoing it a little.

-Sheldon. -Well, thank you

for your criticism.

It also says I should praise

any improvements that you've made.

Okay.

I'll get back to you.

George.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
harrowing /ˈhær.oʊ.ɪŋ/ C1	adjective - causing great distress or fear
youth /juːθ/ B1	noun - the period of being young; young people collectively
library /ˈlaɪ.brer.i/ A2	noun - a building or room where books and other media are kept for public use
superhighway /ˈsuː.pɚˈhaɪ.weɪ/ B2	noun - a major, high‑speed road; metaphorically, a fast information network
Dewey /ˈduːi/ B2	noun - surname of Melvil Dewey, creator of the Dewey Decimal Classification system
decimal /ˈdɛsɪməl/ B2	adjective - relating to a system based on ten units
quantum /ˈkwɒn.təm/ C1	adjective - relating to the smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently
astronomy /əˈstrɒn.ə.mi/ C1	noun - the scientific study of celestial objects and the universe
adjusting /əˈdʒʌs.tɪŋ/ B1	verb - to change or adapt something to suit a new condition
criticize /ˈkrɪt.ɪ.saɪz/ B2	verb - to express disapproval of someone or something
condemn /kənˈdɛm/ C1	verb - to declare something to be wrong or evil, often publicly
complain /kəmˈpleɪn/ B1	verb - to express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something
sharpest /ˈʃɑːrp.ɪst/ B2	adjective - most acute or keen; having the highest degree of sharpness
challenge /ˈtʃæl.ɪndʒ/ B1	noun - a difficult task or situation that tests someone's abilities
remedy /ˈrem.ɪ.di/ C1	verb - to correct or improve a problem or undesirable situation
complimented /ˈkɒm.plɪˌmɛntɪd/ B2	verb - to express praise or admiration toward someone
improvements /ɪmˈpruːv.mənts/ B1	noun - the process of making something better; enhancements
praise /preɪz/ B2	verb - to express warm approval or admiration of someone or something
principle /ˈprɪn.sɪ.pəl/ B2	noun - a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior
friend /frɛnd/ A1	noun - a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations

Key Grammar Structures

• When you're three foot ten and in high school, getting from point "A" to point "B" can be a harrowing experience.

  ➔ Zero conditional (present simple)

  ➔ The clause "When you're three foot ten and in high school" uses the present simple to talk about a general situation.

• I need to learn how to make a friend.

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose after verb *need*

  ➔ The phrase "to learn" is a **to‑infinitive** that expresses the purpose of *need*.

• I'm having a hard time adjusting to Earth.

  ➔ Hard time + gerund

  ➔ "adjusting" is a **gerund** that follows the phrase "hard time" to describe the difficulty.

• Try this, it’s been around awhile but it’s still quite popular.

  ➔ Present perfect (have/has + past participle)

  ➔ The clause "it’s **been** around awhile" uses the **present perfect** to talk about an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

• Unlike me, who's just been around a while.

  ➔ Present perfect continuous (has/have been + -ing)

  ➔ "who's **just been** around a while" combines **has + been** + **‑ing** to stress an action that started recently and is still ongoing.

• What can I get for you today?

  ➔ Modal verb *can* for ability/request

  ➔ "**can** I get" uses the modal **can** to ask politely about a possible service.

• I do admire your thick head of hair...

  ➔ Emphatic *do* + base verb

  ➔ The word "**do**" adds emphasis to the verb "admire", making the statement stronger.

• Do you feel complimented when I say your name, George?

  ➔ Present simple + passive voice

  ➔ "feel **complimented**" uses the **passive** adjective "complimented" after the verb "feel".

• The book says you should praise any improvements that you've made.

  ➔ Reported speech + modal *should* + infinitive + relative clause

  ➔ "**should** praise" is a modal verb expressing recommendation, and "that you've **made**" is a **relative clause** describing "improvements".