Feifei
Hello and [bad word] to The English We Speak with me Feifei…
Rob
…and me Rob. Hello. So Feifei have you heard the news?
Feifei
The news? What news?
Rob
We're all going to get a big pay rise!
Feifei
pay rise? But Rob are you sure? I haven't heard anyone else talk about it.
Rob
Yes, yes, I'm sure. Look at this leaflet here… it says it there in black and white.
Feifei
In black and white? But it's in colour – look, it says 'ten per cent' in red letters.
Rob
I don't mean it's printed in black and white – if someone says it's 'in black and white' they
mean it's official – it's been printed or written down – so there is no dispute!
Feifei
So you're saying it's not gossip – it's [bad word] 
Rob
Yes, yes – I have proof of the pay rise on this piece of paper here.
Feifei
OK, well let me read it while we hear some more examples of this phrase… 
The English We Speak ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2015 [bad word] Page 2 of 2
Examples
I have it here in black and white – I've got the job!
I'm not going to start celebrating until I've seen the deal in black and white.
We didn't believe the bank's offer of a loan until we saw it in black and white.
Feifei
So, when something is in black and white it is clearly written down so it is believed to be [bad word]  But why in 'black and white' and not in 'red and blue' for example?
Rob
Well, [bad word] from the early days of printing when news and information was printed in
black ink on white paper. Once something was printed it was official.
Feifei
OK – but hold on Rob – I've read this leaflet and it doesn't say we're getting a 10% pay rise –
it just says we deserve a 10% pay rise – so no pay rise for us Rob.
Rob
What? Are you sure?
Feifei
Yes – look, it says it there – at the top – in black and white!
Rob
Oh I didn't see that.
Feifei
It just shows you – even if something is in black and white – you need to be able to read it
first!
Both
Bye!