ワードアップ英会話 WORD UP ENGLISH CLASS | 日記 | Idioms: "No spoilers!"

The literal meaning of the word "spoil" is when food goes bad because it gets old, like when apples change from red to brown. We can then say that food is spoiled, or rotten.

Another meaning is to ruin or destroy. So for example, if two friends at a party get angry at each other and have a loud argument, then the next day they might apologize to their friends and say, "We're sorry we spoiled the party," meaning they're sorry that their friends couldn't enjoy it because of the fight.

But when it comes to movies, TV shows and books, to spoil something means to tell people the secrets of the story before they have seen or read it.

So, for example:

Trey: I just saw the new Star Wars movie!
Mike: Wait, no spoilers! Don't tell me anything about it - I haven't seen it yet!

Posts on Twitter, Facebook, or other web sites or message boards will often contain expressions like:

"No spoilers!" (Please don't say anything about the story!)

"Spoiler warning!" (Don't continue reading if you don't want to know anything.)

"Minor spoilers ahead!" (The big secrets of the story will not be revealed, but some more minor story points may be discussed.)

"Spoiler-free review" (The reviewers will give their opinions without discussing the storyy details.)


So, let's try not to be like Homer Simpson when he spoiled The Empire Strikes Back, and let's give everyone the chance to experience the stories on their own!