What is “Life Alert” in American English?
Paramedics Respond To An Awkward False Alarm
A2 English listening practice · American English · Picked for people who know a little
Life Alert is a small button on a necklace or wristband that older Americans wear at home. If they fall or have an emergency, they press the button and a helper or 911 is called automatically. The brand has been around since 1987, and its old TV ad, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”, became one of the most-quoted American TV lines of the 1990s. People still use the phrase as a joke.
In this clip, paramedics show up at a home, but it’s a false alarm: a woman set off her pendant by accident during exercise. They politely tell her to take the necklace off next time she works out.
How common are the words?
How common are the words in this A2 English listening practice video?
How common in written English
How common in spoken English
Source: wordfreq 3.1.1 (general) · SUBTLEX-US 2012 (spoken). These numbers are close, not perfect.
- ▸In American TV shows about senior life (The Golden Girls, Grace and Frankie)
- ▸In American comedy referencing the 1990s ad (Saturday Night Live sketches)
- ▸In American paramedic and ER documentaries (Live Rescue, Paramedics)
- ▸In American family conversations about elderly parents
- ▸In American TV commercials for Life Alert and competing brands (Medical Guardian)