Expression: Handy
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Are you handy? Yes, this little expression is connected to hands and your ability to use yours well. Handy can be used to talk about a person or thing, but it is used a little bit differently. It is very handy to know many English expressions, so listen to this episode to learn another one!
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Robin: OK, so for example if someone can build a house or can fix things, repair things around the house they can be a very handy person?
Jessie: Exactly. For example, if someone knows how to fix a toilet if it stops working, you would say they are a very handy person.
Robin: OK, so they are handy because we need to use the toilet and if they can fix it so it’s working, they are handy.
Jessie: Right, so usually when we fix things around the house, little jobs that you are using your hands. So in my mind that makes sense why you are calling the person handy.
Robin: OK, so someone who is very good with their hands and very useful, we can actually call them a handyman.
Jessie: Exactly. For example, if someone knows how to fix a toilet if it stops working, you would say they are a very handy person.
Robin: OK, so they are handy because we need to use the toilet and if they can fix it so it’s working, they are handy.
Jessie: Right, so usually when we fix things around the house, little jobs that you are using your hands. So in my mind that makes sense why you are calling the person handy.
Robin: OK, so someone who is very good with their hands and very useful, we can actually call them a handyman.
Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Windell Oskay
Of all the podcasts with 'real world' English examples, I like yours the best. Maybe its the fun you put into the lessons. The students can here that in your voices. And they also feel your dedication to what you are doing - it's just not a job you do, but a gift you give to everyone who listens. And while the students like the Lipservice PDFs for all the information it contains, as a teacher I am impressed by the professional effort put into making them. I give the Culips podcast and the Culips crew my highest recommendation, both as a teacher, and a listener. 
10/6/2009 - 3:53 am
Hi Culips, I’ve heard this word from TV show “The HomeImprovement”.Hank the Handy man!
Thanks always for your great help.
Cheers from Tokyo!
10/9/2009 - 12:30 am
Great job guyz! keep going!
10/9/2009 - 5:56 pm
Thank you so much ^__^
10/10/2009 - 12:19 pm
We love those caches words,you are wonderful, Thanks a lot
10/10/2009 - 12:47 pm
Hi Maura, Robin and Jessie, Culips. I found you and your great podcasts. Really enjoying funny talks and slang words. You help me a lot in understanding other side of English. Thank you so much and Keep doing!
12/26/2009 - 7:21 am
This site is really useful!
01/9/2010 - 12:09 am
oh ya I saw this expression when i watch dexter which is drama. Dexter pretended as neighbor to find any clue. He broked blender in the kitchen on purpose and repair it. Then woman said “you are so handy. thank you” I can’t forget that expression. It means I’ve known that expression by watching drama
01/9/2010 - 2:52 am
DEXTER* broke*
01/13/2010 - 11:42 pm
It’s great when you hear a new word or expression in an interesting context. It helps us remember it!
And thanks to everyone else for the nice comments!