Gatekeep

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain words and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie. How are you?

I'm very well, thank you, Feifei. And your hair is looking incredibly shiny today. Have you been using a new product or something?

Well, thank you Georgie! Yes, I have… but that secret stays with me.

What?! Come on Feifei. Don't gatekeep!

OK fine. I've been putting coconut oil on it. Apparently, it helps to moisturise!

Oh wow, I've never heard of that. Maybe I'll try it tonight. So, Feifei, what are we learning in this programme?

You just used an interesting word - 'gatekeep', so let's learn that.

Great. Well, gatekeep is a verb which means you control access to something. Now, it comes from the idea of a closed gate blocking access, but it's used mostly in a metaphorical sense. It means you deliberately stop someone from understanding something or joining in.

Yes, so when I wouldn't tell you what I used on my hair, I was gatekeeping the secret. This word is often used on the internet.

It is. For example, I've seen lots of beauty influencers using it. They'll say things like, 'I've been using this amazing cream that makes my skin so soft, and don't worry! I don't gatekeep.' And then they'll reveal the product.

Gatekeeping is seen as quite negative. It's often used to keep others out of a community or fandom. Let's hear some examples.

My friend wouldn't let my other friends play a board game with lots of rules because they're beginners, and I told him to stop gatekeeping. My friend's talking about this amazing restaurant she went to, but she won't tell me where it is. She's gatekeeping it. My family's always asking me for my secret roast chicken recipe, but I'm gatekeeping that. That's my secret.

So, gatekeeping is a word, often used on the internet, to criticise people for withholding information. Georgie, how do we use it?

Well, gatekeep is a typical verb. It can be used on its own, for example, 'Don't gatekeep'. It can be followed by a noun - 'She's gatekeeping the recipe', and in the gerund form - 'Stop gatekeeping'.

OK, let's recap. We learnt the word 'gatekeep', which means control access to something by keeping others out.

Thanks for joining us. Goodbye!

Bye bye!