西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

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[FONT=黑体]20种回答HOW ARE YOU的方式[/FONT]
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[FONT=黑体]http://photo.blog.sina.com.cn/showp.../s13.sinaimg.cn/orignal/5b3567b4ga288bbc917bc

我感觉自己就像百万富翁哈哈。
If you must know I feel terrible
Actually I’m a bit under the weather
I’m hanging on
Been better
Mustn’t grumble
Can’t complain
Not bad
So-so
Fair to middling
I’m better than I deserve
I’m OK and you?
Fine, thank you for asking
Fit as a fiddle
Right as rain
I’m much better now that you are here
Better than ever
I’m great, feeling on top of the world
Never felt better
I feel like a million bucks
I’m just wonderful
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机场登机常用口语


很多人出国旅行前会对英语口语有些担心，怕多年不用英语，临时反应不过来。这篇文章总结了出国旅行时在机场常听到的一些句子，一起来学习一下吧！

　　1. How many luggages are you checking in?
　　有多少件托运行李？
　　旅游英语：机场登机
　　2. Do you have a carry-on?
　　有手提行李没？
　　3. Can you place your baggage up here?
　　请把行李放上来(传送带上)。
　　4. Your luggage is overweight。
　　您的行李超重了。
　　5. Single or return?
　　您想要单程的还是往返的票？
　　6. Do you prefer window or aisle?
　　您想要靠窗还是靠走廊的座位？
　　7. We do not have any aisle seats remaining. Is a window seat ok with you or would you prefer a middle seat?
　　靠走廊的座位卖完了，您想要靠窗的还是中间的座位？
　　8. Do you have a seat next to the emergency exit?
　　有靠近紧急出口的座位吗？
　　9. Here are your tickets. The gate number is on the bottom of the ticket。
　　给您机票，登机口号在机票底部写着。
　　10. They will start boarding 20 minutes before the departure time. You should report to gate C2 by then。
　　您需要在起飞前20分钟登机，到时候请您去C2登机口登机。

 

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如何夸别人打扮得“靓毙了”

　天气变热了，身边不少人换上了美美的夏装，很是惊艳。今天我们就来学习一个夸赞别人打扮得漂亮的美国习惯用语：dressed to kill。
　　这个习惯用语的意思当然不是穿上蒙面的紧身衣去干杀人的勾当；它是指“打扮得漂亮入时、夺人眼球”。
　　人们说某人dressed to kill时，通常是指这人精心打扮以吸引异性的注意。例：
　　Pete usually wears jeans and a T-shirt. But last night it was hard to recognize him -- he was dressed to kill because he finally got a date with that blond he's admired for so long。
　　皮特平时老穿牛仔裤和T恤，但是昨晚我简直没认出他来。他打扮得帅极了，因为他倾心已久的那位金发美女终于同意跟他出去约会了。
　　我们再看一个用到dressed to kill的例子，这个例子说的是个女孩，说话人的妹妹玛丽为参加毕业舞会而精心打扮：
　　It took Mary two hours to get ready, but it was worth it -- she was dressed to killand the center of attention. Everyone was saying she was the most beautiful woman at the prom。
　　玛丽为参加毕业舞会花了两个钟头打扮。不过倒也挺值的，她穿戴得美丽动人，成为了舞会的焦点。大家都说她是毕业舞会上最漂亮的女孩。

 

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[FONT=黑体]潮人MM潮语示范[/FONT]
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http://photo.blog.sina.com.cn/showp...//s2.sinaimg.cn/orignal/486c0f67ta13bc333aa21 ​

都说女性的语言要比男性丰富很多，不知道你承不承认。不过，咱们今天要说的这些句子可都是句句经典，绝对出自潮人MM之口。
1. Damn-it boy 该死的男孩。
女孩子总有一堆话来称呼男孩。例如，"Damn-it boy." 就是常常可以听到的一个。另外我记得的还有, "You fool." (你这个笨蛋), "You cheese head" (你这个没有大脑的家伙或是 "Youstupid." (你这个愚蠢的家伙)，当然可以听出来打情骂俏的成份远多于真正责备的成份。
2. He is not my type. 他不是我喜欢的类型。
当二个女人聚在一起总是免不了会对周遭的男生品头论足，"He is not my type." 是常用的一个句子，就相当于他跟我不适合啦。他不是我想要的那个类型。有时候也会用“He is not my cup oftea.”来表示。
3. He is a muscle man. 他是个有肌肉的男人。
有些美国女孩子很欣赏那些肌肉很多的男人，她们称之为 muscular type或是可以说 a muscleman，或是 "He is beefy"。
4. I saw a girl throw herself on him. 我看到有一个女孩对他投怀送抱。
这个throw herself on him 用的真是好啊…这就是指女生做小鸟依人状，把整个人靠在男生身上。
5. There is a big hole in my head. 我什么也不记得了。
说错话怎么办？就装傻吧…这个句子意思是我的脑袋里有一个洞，很多原来贮存在这个区域的记忆都不见了。比如我问你昨天是不是跟某某人出去了啊？要是你不想回答这个问题，你就可以说, "Oh! There is a big hole in my head." 有趣吧。
6. My aunt Flo is visiting. 我的芙洛姑妈来拜访我了。
这里的 Flo 是 Florence 的缩写，但其实 Flo 这里暗指 flow 的意思，所以大家应该不难猜到，所谓的 "My aunt Flo is visiting" 就是相当于中文里的”我的大姨妈来了。“
7. I am not gossipy. 我才不会长舌呢。
似乎爱说话是全世界女人的通病，在美国也不例外。八卦在英语里面就叫gossip，它可以指八卦新闻或是指爱说八卦的人。这个词的形容词gossipy也是很常用的，不过多数情况只是此地无银三百两而已。
“爱讲话的”除了 gossipy 之外，你也可以用 talkative、 chatty 或是loquacious.。例如"You are sotalkative. I can't put up with you anymore."（你太能说了，我再也受不了你了。）

 

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回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

在日常工作和生活中，有时会因为某种原因打扰别人、影响别人，或是给别人带来某种不便，在这些情况下，我们需要向人表示歉意。今天我们一起来学习一下道歉的英文说法吧！

　　1. Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you。
　　请原谅，我不是有意惹您生气。
　　2. I can't tell you how sorry I am。
　　我真的是很抱歉。
　　3. I didn't mean it that way。
　　事情闹成这样并非我的本意。
　　4. Sorry to be a pest。
　　不好意思打扰你。
　　5. I don't know how that could have happened。
　　我不知道怎么会发生那样的事情。
　　6. Sorry to be a bother。
　　不好意思打扰你。
　　7. I hope you will excuse me。
　　希望你能原谅我。
　　8. Words cannot describe how sorry I am。
　　语言无法描述我对你的歉意。
　　9. My mistake. It won't happen again。
　　是我的错。以后不会再发生类似的事情了。
　　10. Please accept my sincere apology。
　　请接受我诚心诚意的道歉。
　　11. I owe you an apology for what I did last night。
　　我应该为昨晚的事向你道歉。
　　12. I really feel bad about it。
　　我真的感到很内疚。
　　13. I should have asked you first。
　　我应该先征得你的同意。
　　14. It's all my fault. I'll try to make it up to you。
　　这事儿全怪我，我会尽力补救。
　　15. I'm sorry to have caused you so much inconvenience。
　　给您造成诸多不便，我很抱歉。
　　16. I'm awfully sorry。
　　非常抱歉。
　　17. I'm sorry, I spoke out of turn。
　　对不起，我说错话了。

 

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回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华在公园里散步，今天我们要学两个常用语： on the bright side和no-brainer.
LH: Larry, 周末在公园里走走，真舒服啊!
L: Normally I would agree with you Lihua, but when it's 100 degrees out like it is today, I might prefer my air-conditioned apartment.
LH: 天是够热的。不过你知足吧，起码今天公园里人不多，难得这么清静!
L: That's true. It may be hot, but if we look on the bright side, the park isn't crowded at all.
LH: Look on the bright side? 这是什么意思？
L: Lihua, when you look on the bright side, you try to see something good in a bad situation.
LH: 哦，on the bright side就是从好的方面讲。你是说，虽然今天天气很热，但是从好的方面看，正因为天热，人们都不愿意出来，所以公园里才会这么清静。
L: Right! Here is another example. There is supposed to be a big rain storm later today, but looking on the bright side, that will help cool down the weather.
LH:哦，今天晚上可能会下大雨，可是从好的方面看，这可以让气温降下来，天气能凉快些!
L: You got it!
LH: 对了，Larry，天这么热，你干嘛穿长衣长裤啊？
L: Yeah, I am pretty hot in these clothes. But on the bright side, I won't get a sunburn.
LH: 老土! 你不知道世界上有种东西叫防晒霜么？
L: Very funny. Yes I do, but on the bright side, I can save a little money by wearing long clothes instead.
LH: 可是Larry, 你们美国人不是喜欢把皮肤晒得黑黑的么？你干嘛要把自己捂起来呢？
L: Yes, lots of Americans like to get a tan in the summer, but there is a really big downside: skin cancer.
LH: A downside?
L: That's right. If you want to point out something bad about a situation, you can tell people to consider the downside.
LH: 明白了，downside就是“缺点”，不好的方面。和the bright side正好相反。Larry，你看那只小狗，正在和主人玩儿接飞盘的游戏，真好玩儿！我真希望自己也有条小狗！
L: Yeah, dogs are a lot of fun, but there is a big downside: you have to spend lots of time and money taking care of them.
LH: 那倒是，那养只猫咪怎么样？
L: Well, I don't think cats are as much fun to play with as dogs. But on the bright side, they are much more independent.
LH: Larry, 我们今天除了散步还要干点什么呢？玩儿扔飞盘怎么样？
L: Lihua, if I do any running around in the sun today, you're going to have to take me to the hospital with heat stroke.
LH: 这倒也是。这么大热的天，我们还是不要跑跑跳跳的了。
L: Yeah, that's a no-brainer.
LH: A no-brainer? 什么意思啊？
L: When you think something is really obvious, you can say that it's a no-brainer.
LH: 哦，no-brainer就是不用动脑子就知道的事，也就是明摆着的事情。你是说，天气这么热，明摆着，咱们不能跑跑跳跳。
L: Exactly! Here is another example. Some people don't like to buckle their seatbelt in the car, but to me, that's a no brainer.
LH: 是啊，坐车系安全带，这是一定要的啊。就跟在户外要防晒一样。没什么可说的。
L: Yeah, you would have to be really stupid to risk getting skin cancer.
LH: 哎， Larry, 看样子马上就会下雨了，咱们赶快走吧，省得挨浇。
L: Of course, Lihua, that's a no-brainer. We definitely wouldn't want to stay outside in a thunderstorm!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是on the bright side 表示“从好的方面讲”。另一是no-brainer, 意思是“明摆着的事情”。

 

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生活口语对话：学习急救

日常生活中，意外伤害很难避免。如果我们不及时救治或者操作不当的话，很可能会对自身或者他人的身体造成伤害，所以，掌握一些急救常识非常必要。下面我们来看一段关于学习急救的对话！

　　A: Hey, Joe! Where have you been these past few days?
　　A: 嗨，乔，这些天去哪儿了？
　　B: I've been busy with a first aid course that I started about a week ago at the Red Cross。
　　B: 我一周前在红十字会那里参加了一个急救课程，现在在学呢。
　　A: Cool! I've always wanted to do something like that! Have you learned anything useful?
　　A: 真酷，我也一直想做点那样的事。你学到什么有用的东西了吗？
　　B: For sure! I mean we've learned how to apply pressure to stop bleeding, how to check for a pulse, and even how to apply CPR!
　　B: 当然。我学会了如何通过按压来止血，如何来检查脉搏，还学了如何用心肺复苏法。
　　A: Have you treated any real emergencies?
　　A: 你处理过实际的紧急事故吗？
　　B: Well, they took us along with some paramedics. There was this guy who fell off his motorcycle and suffered a concussion as well as a couple of compound fractures. His wounds were pretty serious so they had to rush him to the hospital. It was intense!
　　B: 他们让一些护理人员带我们去处理过。有一个人从摩托上摔下来，他有点脑震荡，还有几处复合骨折。他伤得很严重，所以他们必须飞速将他送往医院，真是很紧急。
　　A: I can imagine! I tend to faint when I see blood, so I think I won't be taking up a course like that anytime soon!
　　A: 我能想象得到，但是我一看到血就晕，所以我想我近期应该不会去参加那样的课的。

 

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如何快速融入陌生环境

很多人在刚到一个陌生的环境之后，会觉得浑身不自在，需要一段时间来适应。今天我们来学几个跟这种情况相关的表达。

　　第一个是trying to find my feet，意为“我正在努力适应新环境”。其它类似说法还有：
　　I'm trying to orientatemyself。
　　我在尽力适应。
　　I'm trying to settle in。
　　我在努力习惯(新工作/新居等)
　　I'm learning the ropes。
　　我正在学习掌握窍门。
　　下面我们来看一个关于适应新环境的对话，注意里面的习语：
　　Gordon:US 8, UK 42. Ferrare Cavallo. Heel…(Lying on couch &examining a pair of shoes)
　　戈登：美国码8号、英国码42号、意大利真皮、鞋后跟……(躺在沙发上，反复观看一双皮鞋)
　　Katherine:Hurry up! You'll be late for work. What are you doing?
　　凯瑟琳：快点！你快迟到了，你在干什么？
　　Gordon:I'm a little bit worried about my new job. I'm trying to find my feet。
　　戈登：我只是有点担心新工作，我正尝试适应新环境。
　　Katherine:That's the trouble then. You deserve the boot。
　　凯瑟琳：问题就在这里，你真该被解雇。
　　Gordon:Why?
　　戈登：为什么？
　　Katherine:You work in a shoe shop and if you don't even know where your feet are, then there's no future for you there. Now get a move on before I put my foot in your mouth。
　　凯瑟琳：你在鞋店工作，但居然不知自己脚踏何地，我觉得你在鞋店也不会有什么前途。你再不动身，别怪我不客气了。
　　Gordon:Alright, alright, I'm leaving。
　　戈登：好的，好的，我马上出门。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华一起去逛街，给Larry的朋友Tom买生日礼物。今天我们要学两个常用语： right on the money和crapshoot
LH: Larry, Tom平时有什么爱好啊？
L: Tom really enjoys sports, especially skiing. But he also loves video games too.
LH: 他喜欢滑雪和电子游戏？现在天气这么热，没法带他去滑雪...对了！ 我们给他买一个滑雪的电子游戏，这样他在家里就能滑了!
L: You want to buy him a skiing video game? I think you're right on the money. Great idea!
LH: Right on the money? 什么意思？你让我付钱买礼物么？
L: Actually, when you say that something is right on the money, that means it is exactly right.
LH: 哦，right on the money就是“完全正确”的意思。你是说，我提出给Tom买滑雪游戏是个特别好的主意，对不对？
L: Exactly. Here is another example. When Erica went to visit Karen she wasn't sure which apartment number was hers. Luckily her guess was right on the money.
LH: 我明白了。Erica不肯定Karen家的门牌号码，可是她一猜就猜中了，这就叫right on the money.
L: Exactly! You're right on the money.
LH: 那可不！咱们去电器商场买游戏吧！对了，那家店在哪儿来着？是在14街上么？
L: Yup, you're right on the money. There is a big electronics store there.
LH: 那我们怎么去呢？
L: There is a metro station nearby, so I think that will be the most convenient way.
LH: 对，附近是有地铁。是地铁的哪条线来着？绿线么？
L: Yup, you're right on the money again. It's the green line.
L: Larry, 这种滑雪游戏好像是新上市的，会不会很贵啊？得50块钱吧？
LH: Wow Lihua, good guess! You're right on the money. The most popular skiing video game is $49.99.
L: 哈！我今天怎么猜什么都那么准啊! 那我再猜猜，你买这个游戏给Tom, 其实是想和他一起玩儿吧？
LH: Actually, Lihua, you're right on the money!
Larry和李华正在商场的电子游戏区选游戏。
LH: Larry， 这里至少有10种滑雪游戏！咱们买哪个啊？
L: Hmmm ... I don't know. Maybe we could ask a store employee to recommend one.
LH: 找店员问？他肯定给你推荐最贵的， 而且还不一定好！
L: I guess you're right. Since we don't have any idea which games are good, it's really just a crapshoot.
LH: A crapshoot? 什么意思？
L: A crapshoot is something that depends totally on luck.
LH: 哦，crapshoot就是完全靠运气的事情。
L: Exactly. For example, becoming a movie star is extremely competitive. Even if you're a good actor, it's still mostly a crapshoot.
LH: 对，想成为电影明星很难，即使你有表演天赋，这也基本上是撞大运的事儿。
L: You got it.
LH: Larry，这里的游戏都好贵啊，要不咱们去别的店看看，也许有便宜点的？
L: Maybe, but there isn't any way to know which store would be cheaper. It would really be just a crapshoot.
LH: 这倒也是。对了，Tom家的游戏机是什么牌子的啊？任天堂？索尼？还是X-Box?
L: Hmm ... I have no idea.
LH: 啊？你不知道牌子，那怎么买游戏啊。万一型号对不上，就没法玩儿啦。
L: Well, we will just have to guess. It will be a crapshoot, but he can always exchange it later.
LH: 那多麻烦。要不我们送给Tom一张购物券吧，让他自己随便买点什么。反正我们也不是很确定他会喜欢滑雪游戏。
L: Well, it's not a total crapshoot. We know he likes skiing and video games, so it's likely he will like this gift.
LH: 我说 Larry, 你对Tom的生日礼物可真上心啊! 我猜，等到给我买生日礼物的时候，你一定会花更多的心思！
L: Of course, Lihua. You're right on the money!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是right on the money表示完全正确。另一是crapshoot, 意思是全凭运气的事。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华在公园里散步，今天我们要学两个常用语： on the bright side和no-brainer.
LH: Larry, 周末在公园里走走，真舒服啊!
L: Normally I would agree with you Lihua, but when it's 100 degrees out like it is today, I might prefer my air-conditioned apartment.
LH: 天是够热的。不过你知足吧，起码今天公园里人不多，难得这么清静!
L: That's true. It may be hot, but if we look on the bright side, the park isn't crowded at all.
LH: Look on the bright side? 这是什么意思？
L: Lihua, when you look on the bright side, you try to see something good in a bad situation.
LH: 哦，on the bright side就是从好的方面讲。你是说，虽然今天天气很热，但是从好的方面看，正因为天热，人们都不愿意出来，所以公园里才会这么清静。
L: Right! Here is another example. There is supposed to be a big rain storm later today, but looking on the bright side, that will help cool down the weather.
LH:哦，今天晚上可能会下大雨，可是从好的方面看，这可以让气温降下来，天气能凉快些!
L: You got it!
LH: 对了，Larry，天这么热，你干嘛穿长衣长裤啊？
L: Yeah, I am pretty hot in these clothes. But on the bright side, I won't get a sunburn.
LH: 老土! 你不知道世界上有种东西叫防晒霜么？
L: Very funny. Yes I do, but on the bright side, I can save a little money by wearing long clothes instead.
LH: 可是Larry, 你们美国人不是喜欢把皮肤晒得黑黑的么？你干嘛要把自己捂起来呢？
L: Yes, lots of Americans like to get a tan in the summer, but there is a really big downside: skin cancer.
LH: A downside?
L: That's right. If you want to point out something bad about a situation, you can tell people to consider the downside.
LH: 明白了，downside就是“缺点”，不好的方面。和the bright side正好相反。Larry，你看那只小狗，正在和主人玩儿接飞盘的游戏，真好玩儿！我真希望自己也有条小狗！
L: Yeah, dogs are a lot of fun, but there is a big downside: you have to spend lots of time and money taking care of them.
LH: 那倒是，那养只猫咪怎么样？
L: Well, I don't think cats are as much fun to play with as dogs. But on the bright side, they are much more independent.
LH: Larry, 我们今天除了散步还要干点什么呢？玩儿扔飞盘怎么样？
L: Lihua, if I do any running around in the sun today, you're going to have to take me to the hospital with heat stroke.
LH: 这倒也是。这么大热的天，我们还是不要跑跑跳跳的了。
L: Yeah, that's a no-brainer.
LH: A no-brainer? 什么意思啊？
L: When you think something is really obvious, you can say that it's a no-brainer.
LH: 哦，no-brainer就是不用动脑子就知道的事，也就是明摆着的事情。你是说，天气这么热，明摆着，咱们不能跑跑跳跳。
L: Exactly! Here is another example. Some people don't like to buckle their seatbelt in the car, but to me, that's a no brainer.
LH: 是啊，坐车系安全带，这是一定要的啊。就跟在户外要防晒一样。没什么可说的。
L: Yeah, you would have to be really stupid to risk getting skin cancer.
LH: 哎， Larry, 看样子马上就会下雨了，咱们赶快走吧，省得挨浇。
L: Of course, Lihua, that's a no-brainer. We definitely wouldn't want to stay outside in a thunderstorm!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是on the bright side 表示“从好的方面讲”。另一是no-brainer, 意思是“明摆着的事情”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华一起去看职业棒球赛。今天我们要学两个常用语：a drop in the bucket和a flash in the pan.
LH: Larry, 世界杯结束了，咱们该看棒球了吧？我估计，棒球比赛肯定没有世界杯那么紧张。
L: I agree. Baseball games are much slower, and each game isn't very important.
LH: 对。每个队一年要打162场比赛，所以输个一两场的没什么问题。不像世界杯，输一场比赛就被淘汰！
L: You're exactly right. Each game is just a drop in the bucket.
LH: A drop in the bucket? 这是什么意思？
L; You can say that something is just a drop in the bucket if it is only a very small or insignificant part of something else.
LH: 哦，a drop in the bucket就好比一桶水里的一个水滴，指无关紧要。我们中文里把这个叫沧海一粟。
L: Right! Here is another example. Joe donated $20 to help people in Haiti after the earthquake, even though $20 was just a drop in the bucket.
LH: 海地地震后，Joe给灾民捐了20美元，尽管这只是很小的一笔钱。
L: Exactly. So Lihua, you're going to support the Nationals, right? They've got a great new pitcher named Stephen Strasburg.
LH: 我听说这个新投手特别棒! 不过 Larry, the Nationals去年打得那么差，换个新投手真能管用么？
L: Yeah, he is probably just a drop in the bucket, but if the Nationals can get some more good players they might be better in a couple years.
LH: 这么说，我们买票的钱就可以被用来聘请优秀的棒球队员喽？
L: I guess that's true, but of course, the price we paid for our tickets is just a drop in the bucket.
LH: 可不是么。The Nationals要想签下身价几百万美元的球星，可不能只靠咱俩这门票钱。哎？为了在经济上支持他们，你给我买一件有他们队标的T恤衫吧!
L: Well sure! But you have so many clothes, one more shirt is just going to be a drop in the bucket.
比赛结束了，Larry和Lihua从棒球场往外走。
LH: Larry, 这个新的投手可真棒!
L: Yeah, he played really well. If he keeps pitching like that, he is going to have an amazing career. I sure hope he's not just a flash in the pan.
LH: A flash in the pan? 什么意思？
L: A flash in the pan is something that starts out really well, but lasts for only a very short amount of time.
LH: 哦，就是昙花一现！你是说，你希望这个新投手不要在开始的时候表现很出色，但很快就默默无闻了。
L: Right. Here is another example. The new author's first book got a lot of praise from critics, but he turned out to be a flash in the pan because his other books were terrible.
LH: 我明白了。这位作家的第一本书一鸣惊人，可这只是昙花一现，因为他后来写的几本书都很差。
L: That's right.
LH: Larry， 你注意到了么？这片地方自从盖了新棒球场以来，漂亮多了！饭馆、商场什么的都多起来了！
L: Yeah, a lot of people thought it would be a flash in the pan, but there is still a lot of development even a few years later.
LH: 是啊，这个地区的发展可不是昙花一现，而是持续下来的。虽然现在经济不景气，但我还是希望他们能坚持下去。
L: Well, there were some signs that the economy was improving a few months ago. But unfortunately, it looks like they may have just been a flash in the pan.
LH: 是啊，当时那些经济指标似乎都挺鼓舞人心的，谁知没过多久情况又变坏了。
L: Well spending $5 on dinner will only be a drop in the bucket for the economy. But a hamburger does sound great.
LH: 好啊！咱们虽然不能改善全国的经济，但总可以先满足一下自己的胃吧！
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是a drop in the bucket，表示无关紧要，沧海一粟。另一是a flash in the pan，意思是昙花一现。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华一起过美国独立日。今天我们要学两个常用语：go all out和give someone some pointers.
LH: Larry, 看你这身打扮，红上衣，白短裤，篮袜子，再加上这顶美国国旗图案的帽子，你简直就是一面大星条旗！
L: Thanks, Lihua. You know that it's Independence Day, so I wanted to dress up for the occasion.
LH: 你还在脸上画了一面国旗？！这是不是有点过头了？
L: Well Lihua, I just love the Fourth of July, so I wanted to go all out.
LH: go out? 出去玩就出去玩吧，干嘛还要go ALL out? 这是什么意思？
L: When you go all out, you make the biggest effort possible.
LH: 哦，go all out就是全力以赴的意思。你是说，你特别喜欢7月4号独立日，所以一到这一天，你就要加劲儿地打扮！
L: Right! Here is another example. There is a really important project due for work this Friday, so everyone at the office is going all out this week.
LH: 哦，你们公司这星期五必须做完一个非常重要的项目，所以同事们这个礼拜都开足马力工作！对了，Larry, 今天晚上是不是能看到烟火表演啊？
L: Yeah, usually the fireworks are really good. Washington DC really goes all out for the fireworks show.
LH: 对，每年独立日，首都华盛顿都会倾尽全力办一场大型烟火表演！不过，Larry, 说实话，美国独立日的烟火真比不上北京奥运会开幕式的烟花。
L: Well that's true. China really went all out for the Olympics, so the fireworks display in Beijing was really amazing.
LH: 那Larry, 美国人在独立纪念日这一天，都喜欢做些什么呢？
L: Most people like to barbeque on Independence Day.
LH: 烧烤？我喜欢！我们今天也要去烧烤么？
L: Oh yeah, we're going all out. I bought so much delicious food that it's going to take us a week to finish it all!
LH: 太好了，咱们要甩开腮帮子大吃一顿！等等，咱们没有烧烤架啊!
L: No problem, I went to the store yesterday and got a fancy new grill.
LH: 你专门买了一个烧烤架？
L: Yeah, I went all out and bought the nicest grill they had.
LH: 你这次荷包大出血，买了最棒的烧烤架？ 太好了！咱们现在就开始准备烤肉吧！
L: Sounds good!
晚上，Larry和李华一起来到华盛顿市中心，观看烟火表演。
LH: Larry, 这烟火挺漂亮的。不过，我总觉得自己去放花更过瘾！
L: I guess that's true, but it's dangerous.
LH: Larry， 你别怕，我可是放花的专家！明年咱们不来这里看了，自己在后院放！
L: Well alright. If you're really a fireworks expert, next year we can do them at home and you can give me some pointers.
LH: I can give you some pointers? 这是什么意思？
L: When you give someone some pointers, you give him or her small pieces of advice.
LH: 哦，give someone some pointers就是给人出些点子。你是说，明年咱们自己放花时，让我教教你。
L: Exactly! Here is another example. Eric really wanted to join the soccer team at school, so he found a coach to give him some pointers before the tryouts.
LH: Eric想加入学校足球队，所以在参加选拔之前，找了一个教练，指点指点他。 Larry, 我有点饿了。
L: Should we go to a restaurant?
LH: 不用了。你看，那边不是有个卖热狗的摊子么？咱们去买个热狗吧！
L: Let me give you a pointer, Lihua. Never eat street vendor food!
LH: 这倒是，街边的东西可能不干净。咱们还是坐地铁去个正经饭馆吃吧。
L: Here's another pointer for you, Lihua. The metro will be really crowded tonight, so it will actually be faster to walk to the restaurant.
LH: 对，今天这么多人来看烟火，地铁上肯定挤死了。
L: But Lihua, how can you possibly be hungry after we went all out on that barbeque just a few hours ago.
LH: Larry, I'm going to give you a quick pointer: 不要小看我的饭量!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是go all out表示全力以赴。另一是give someone some pointers, 意思是点拨，出点子

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华一起去逛街，给Larry的朋友Tom买生日礼物。今天我们要学两个常用语： right on the money和crapshoot
LH: Larry, Tom平时有什么爱好啊？
L: Tom really enjoys sports, especially skiing. But he also loves video games too.
LH: 他喜欢滑雪和电子游戏？现在天气这么热，没法带他去滑雪...对了！ 我们给他买一个滑雪的电子游戏，这样他在家里就能滑了!
L: You want to buy him a skiing video game? I think you're right on the money. Great idea!
LH: Right on the money? 什么意思？你让我付钱买礼物么？
L: Actually, when you say that something is right on the money, that means it is exactly right.
LH: 哦，right on the money就是“完全正确”的意思。你是说，我提出给Tom买滑雪游戏是个特别好的主意，对不对？
L: Exactly. Here is another example. When Erica went to visit Karen she wasn't sure which apartment number was hers. Luckily her guess was right on the money.
LH: 我明白了。Erica不肯定Karen家的门牌号码，可是她一猜就猜中了，这就叫right on the money.
L: Exactly! You're right on the money.
LH: 那可不！咱们去电器商场买游戏吧！对了，那家店在哪儿来着？是在14街上么？
L: Yup, you're right on the money. There is a big electronics store there.
LH: 那我们怎么去呢？
L: There is a metro station nearby, so I think that will be the most convenient way.
LH: 对，附近是有地铁。是地铁的哪条线来着？绿线么？
L: Yup, you're right on the money again. It's the green line.
L: Larry, 这种滑雪游戏好像是新上市的，会不会很贵啊？得50块钱吧？
LH: Wow Lihua, good guess! You're right on the money. The most popular skiing video game is $49.99.
L: 哈！我今天怎么猜什么都那么准啊! 那我再猜猜，你买这个游戏给Tom, 其实是想和他一起玩儿吧？
LH: Actually, Lihua, you're right on the money!
Larry和李华正在商场的电子游戏区选游戏。
LH: Larry， 这里至少有10种滑雪游戏！咱们买哪个啊？
L: Hmmm ... I don't know. Maybe we could ask a store employee to recommend one.
LH: 找店员问？他肯定给你推荐最贵的， 而且还不一定好！
L: I guess you're right. Since we don't have any idea which games are good, it's really just a crapshoot.
LH: A crapshoot? 什么意思？
L: A crapshoot is something that depends totally on luck.
LH: 哦，crapshoot就是完全靠运气的事情。
L: Exactly. For example, becoming a movie star is extremely competitive. Even if you're a good actor, it's still mostly a crapshoot.
LH: 对，想成为电影明星很难，即使你有表演天赋，这也基本上是撞大运的事儿。
L: You got it.
LH: Larry，这里的游戏都好贵啊，要不咱们去别的店看看，也许有便宜点的？
L: Maybe, but there isn't any way to know which store would be cheaper. It would really be just a crapshoot.
LH: 这倒也是。对了，Tom家的游戏机是什么牌子的啊？任天堂？索尼？还是X-Box?
L: Hmm ... I have no idea.
LH: 啊？你不知道牌子，那怎么买游戏啊。万一型号对不上，就没法玩儿啦。
L: Well, we will just have to guess. It will be a crapshoot, but he can always exchange it later.
LH: 那多麻烦。要不我们送给Tom一张购物券吧，让他自己随便买点什么。反正我们也不是很确定他会喜欢滑雪游戏。
L: Well, it's not a total crapshoot. We know he likes skiing and video games, so it's likely he will like this gift.
LH: 我说 Larry, 你对Tom的生日礼物可真上心啊! 我猜，等到给我买生日礼物的时候，你一定会花更多的心思！
L: Of course, Lihua. You're right on the money!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是right on the money表示完全正确。另一是crapshoot, 意思是全凭运气的事。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华在公园里散步，今天我们要学两个常用语： on the bright side和no-brainer.
LH: Larry, 周末在公园里走走，真舒服啊!
L: Normally I would agree with you Lihua, but when it's 100 degrees out like it is today, I might prefer my air-conditioned apartment.
LH: 天是够热的。不过你知足吧，起码今天公园里人不多，难得这么清静!
L: That's true. It may be hot, but if we look on the bright side, the park isn't crowded at all.
LH: Look on the bright side? 这是什么意思？
L: Lihua, when you look on the bright side, you try to see something good in a bad situation.
LH: 哦，on the bright side就是从好的方面讲。你是说，虽然今天天气很热，但是从好的方面看，正因为天热，人们都不愿意出来，所以公园里才会这么清静。
L: Right! Here is another example. There is supposed to be a big rain storm later today, but looking on the bright side, that will help cool down the weather.
LH:哦，今天晚上可能会下大雨，可是从好的方面看，这可以让气温降下来，天气能凉快些!
L: You got it!
LH: 对了，Larry，天这么热，你干嘛穿长衣长裤啊？
L: Yeah, I am pretty hot in these clothes. But on the bright side, I won't get a sunburn.
LH: 老土! 你不知道世界上有种东西叫防晒霜么？
L: Very funny. Yes I do, but on the bright side, I can save a little money by wearing long clothes instead.
LH: 可是Larry, 你们美国人不是喜欢把皮肤晒得黑黑的么？你干嘛要把自己捂起来呢？
L: Yes, lots of Americans like to get a tan in the summer, but there is a really big downside: skin cancer.
LH: A downside?
L: That's right. If you want to point out something bad about a situation, you can tell people to consider the downside.
LH: 明白了，downside就是“缺点”，不好的方面。和the bright side正好相反。Larry，你看那只小狗，正在和主人玩儿接飞盘的游戏，真好玩儿！我真希望自己也有条小狗！
L: Yeah, dogs are a lot of fun, but there is a big downside: you have to spend lots of time and money taking care of them.
LH: 那倒是，那养只猫咪怎么样？
L: Well, I don't think cats are as much fun to play with as dogs. But on the bright side, they are much more independent.
LH: Larry, 我们今天除了散步还要干点什么呢？玩儿扔飞盘怎么样？
L: Lihua, if I do any running around in the sun today, you're going to have to take me to the hospital with heat stroke.
LH: 这倒也是。这么大热的天，我们还是不要跑跑跳跳的了。
L: Yeah, that's a no-brainer.
LH: A no-brainer? 什么意思啊？
L: When you think something is really obvious, you can say that it's a no-brainer.
LH: 哦，no-brainer就是不用动脑子就知道的事，也就是明摆着的事情。你是说，天气这么热，明摆着，咱们不能跑跑跳跳。
L: Exactly! Here is another example. Some people don't like to buckle their seatbelt in the car, but to me, that's a no brainer.
LH: 是啊，坐车系安全带，这是一定要的啊。就跟在户外要防晒一样。没什么可说的。
L: Yeah, you would have to be really stupid to risk getting skin cancer.
LH: 哎， Larry, 看样子马上就会下雨了，咱们赶快走吧，省得挨浇。
L: Of course, Lihua, that's a no-brainer. We definitely wouldn't want to stay outside in a thunderstorm!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是on the bright side 表示“从好的方面讲”。另一是no-brainer, 意思是“明摆着的事情”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry和李华一起去参观艺术博物馆。他们会用到两个常用语：Overkill和write something off.
LH: Larry, 听我的对了吧。逛艺术博物馆比看电影强多了！
L: Well I agree. But the art museum would be even better if it served popcorn too!
LH: 这倒也是，要是博物馆里也卖爆米花、热狗、啤酒，边逛边吃，那该有多舒服啊!
L: Hot dogs and beer? I don't know, Lihua. I think that might be overkill.
LH: Overkill是什么意思？
L: When you think that an idea goes too far, you can say that it is overkill.
LH: 哦，overkill就是过份的想法或行为。你是说，在博物馆里卖爆米花似乎还不错，可如果连热狗和啤酒都一起卖就太夸张了。
L: That's right! Here is another example. Elliot's boss thought about firing him for being an hour late to work, but then decided that would be overkill.
LH: 哦，Elliot迟到了一个小时，老板本来想因为这个而炒他的鱿鱼，不过后来觉得，这么做太过份了。对了，Larry, 博物馆这么好，我们天天来这里逛如何？
L: Lihua, I really enjoy the art gallery, but coming here every single day would definitely be overkill.
LH: 什么过份，你真没有艺术细胞! 我的艺术气质比你浓多了，我看，我干脆去读个艺术史的博士好了！
L: Lihua, it's fine to enjoy art as a hobby, but I think getting a PhD in art history would really be overkill.
LH: 呵呵，我开玩笑的。对了Larry, 你还记得上次咱们去华盛顿看兵马俑展览么？
L: I sure do! That was one of my favorites.
LH: 就是，多好看啊。可惜展出的只是一部分，要是所有兵马俑都到美国来展览就好了！
L; I don't know ... I was satisfied seeing just a few. I think bringing the entire collection here would be overkill.
LH: 才不会呢! 要看就得看全的！那个气势，肯定不一样! 我给你买张机票，你去中国看吧！
L: Lihua, it's nice that you're encouraging me to see the Teracotta Warriors, but buying me a plane ticket to China is definitely overkill!
LH: Larry, 你喜欢什么流派的艺术啊？现实主义还是抽象主义？
L: I definitely prefer the realistic kind. Anybody can make abstract art!
LH: 人人都能创作抽象派艺术作品？那好，你创作一个给我看看!
L: Er ... I guess you're right. I shouldn't write off abstract artists so quickly.
LH: Write them off? 这是什么意思？
L: When you write something off, that means you decide that it isn't important.
LH: 哦，就是小看，不看好的意思。你是说，你不该小瞧抽象派艺术家。
L: Right! Here is another example. In high school most people had written Jack off as an actor, so they were really surprised when he became a movie star years later.
LH: 我明白了。高中时大家都觉得Jack肯定当不了演员，可后来他成了电影明星，所以大家都很吃惊。
L: That's right!
LH: 对了Larry, 你说这些艺术品的创作者一定都很有钱吧？他们的作品都卖得好贵哦！
L: Actually I don't think so. Many great artists were written off in their own time, and people only started to appreciate them many years later.
LH: 也是，好多艺术家在世的时候不被世人重视，总是死了之后才得到人们的认可，真可惜！哎， Larry, 你喜不喜欢画画？
L: I thought of being an artist when I was a little kid, but I wrote that dream off a long time ago when I realized I was bad at drawing.
LH: 哦，你发现自己画画不行，就放弃了当画家的梦想。
L: Yeah, but I still like to draw as a hobby. Even though I can't be a professional artist, giving it up even as a hobby would have been overkill.
LH: 要不这样吧，Larry, 把你最近画的大作拿来，跟我五岁时画的儿童简笔画比比，看看你有没有达到我五岁时的水平？
L: Very funny, Lihua. I'll write that off as a joke!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是overkill，表示过份的想法或行为。另一是write something off, 意思是“小看，不看好”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry在学校书店，陪李华买新学期要用的书。他们会用到两个常用语： bite your tongue和stoop down to someone's level。
LH: 啊呀，怎么这么多人都选今天来买书!
Larry: Well, classes do start on Monday. Everyone is getting ready for school to start.
LH: Larry，刚才我结帐的时候，你听见那个收款员嘲笑我了么？他看我买这本书，说什么：“呦，你还上这门课哪？有什么用啊这种课!”他怎么能这样呢？! 气得我够呛!
Larry: Yea, I almost said something to him, but I just wanted to get out of there. Sometimes it's just better to bite your tongue and walk away.
LH: Bite your tongue? Larry你咬舌头啦？ 疼不疼啊？
Larry: No, Lihua. My tongue is fine. Biting your tongue is a phrase that means you force yourself to keep quiet - Like you have to bite your tongue to keep it from talking.
LH: 哦，to bite your tongue意思就是忍着不说话。你是说，你本想说那店员两句，可不想引起争执，所以就忍着没作声。
Larry: That's right, Lihua, and saying something mean back to that rude cashier just wouldn't be worth it. Better to bite my tongue and walk away.
LH: 这倒是。我真希望刚才那个收银员也知道什么时候闭嘴，bite his tongue，不要对客人说这么没礼貌的话。
Larry: He was probably just having a bad day. When someone gets frustrated, it's easier for them to forget to bite their tongue when they should...Like last Friday when my boss asked me to work late...
LH: 啊？老板让你加班，你说什么啦？
Larry: Well I wanted to tell him to get lost, but, of course, I bit my tongue instead.
LH: 幸好你忍住了！对老板大发脾气可不是明智之举！
Larry: That sure would be a mistake. Another example of a good time to bite your tongue is when your teacher makes you angry in class.
LH: 没错！有时候我也想顶老师几句，可想想得罪老师的后果，我呀，还是bite my tongue，装哑巴算了!
Larry: That's definitely the smart thing to do. You wouldn't want your teacher to be angry at you!
LH: 每个人在生活中都应该“三思而后言”，不能想到什么说什么。一想起刚才那个没礼貌的店员，我就来气！
Larry: It's alright, Lihua - there's nothing we can do about it now anyway. We would only be stooping down to his level if we returned the insult.
LH: "Stooping down to his level"“弯腰到他的水平”？这是什么意思？
Larry: To stoop down to his level would mean to be rude to him just like he was rude to us. Just because he is rude does not mean that we have to act the same way.
LH: 我明白了。stoop down to someone's level意思就是“跟某人一般见识”。如果别人对你没礼貌，而你也用粗鲁的语言去回敬他，那你就是把自己降低到和他一样的档次了。
Larry: Right. For example, if someone speeds past you while you're driving, it's better to let them go instead of trying to catch up and race them.
LH: 对，别人不守交通规则，咱不能跟他们一般见识，和他们一块儿违章开车。
Larry: Exactly. If they want to be unsafe, let them be unsafe by themselves.
LH: 对了，Larry, 刚才咱们排队的时候，后面一群女生在议论你的新鞋。
Larry: My shoes? What did they say??
LH: 呃....她们在嘲笑你的鞋子老土...不过没关系，我忍了，什么都没说，我不能跟她们一般见识，叽叽喳喳说人坏话，你说对吧？
Larry: My shoes? Out of style? That's so rude. I'm glad you didn't stoop down to their level. If I had heard them, I might not have been able to control myself. Why, I would......
LH: Larry! 你怎么啦？!咱们刚才不是才说么，不要想到什么就说什么!
Larry: You're right. I wouldn't want to stoop down to their level.
LH: 要不，咱们还是给你买双新鞋吧！
Larry: New shoes? What, you don't like these either?
LH: Um, I....
Larry: Yes?
LH: 我想我还是bite my tongue吧!
Larry: It doesn't work if I already know what you are going to say! (Sigh) OK. There's a shoe store. Let's hope the cashier there is having a better day.
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是bite your tongue，表示“忍着不说话”。另一个是stoop down to one's level, 意思是“跟某人一般见识”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry在家里和朋友们联网打游戏，李华则在书房里写作业，他们会用到两个常用语：epic fail和learn your lesson。
(网络游戏声音)
Larry: OK, guys. There are only two enemies left. Everybody stay calm! We almost have this round won.
LH: Larry，你在跟我说话么？
Larry: Oh wait, there's an enemy sneaking up behind Mike. Mike! Watch out! He's gonna kill you!! Noooooo!!!
LH: Larry!怎么啦？
Larry: Epic Fail. We almost won.
LH: Epic fail? 什么意思？
Larry: "Epic fail" means an unfortunate occurrence. People say that when something bad unexpectedly happens - especially in video games. In this case, we had almost beaten the other team, until someone sneaked up on my friend Mike at the last minute... it was such an epic fail.
LH: 哦，epic fail就是惨败。你是说，你和朋友们本来在游戏中要赢了，结果却遭到对方的突袭，结果惨败。 不过，你说话的声音太大了吧？我作业都写不下去了！
Larry: I'm sorry, Lihua. I just get so involved with these video games...
LH: (叹气) 算了，是我自己太紧张这篇论文了。要是明天交不上去，我就完了，it will be an epic fail!
Larry: Here, sit down. Let me show you one of my favorite websites. It's a collection of epic fails.
LH: 好吧，我也放松一下。
Larry: Look - here's a video of a guy trying to jump over a car on his bicycle. Look, there he goes...and at the last second, he misses the ramp and - (撞碎的声音) - he broke the car's window with his bike.
LH: 我的天！表演飞车最后却被车撞！还好这个人没有受重伤！
Larry: but I'm sure he's embarrassed after that epic fail.
LH:是啊，这么丢脸的失败，好窘啊! 为什么要干这么危险的事嘛！
*******
Larry: You would be surprised how many people are willing to try dangerous things like that. Hopefully, after that epic fail, he learned his lesson.
LH: Learned his lesson？你是说，他撞了车还要去上学？
Larry: No, not quite. I don't mean lesson as in something a teacher tells you at school. That phrase can also mean something you learn in life after making a mistake.
LH: 我明白了，learn his lesson就是吸取教训的意思。嗯，这个人的确应该长点记性，以后别干这种事儿了。我就不会像他一样，明知道最后结果是个epic fail，大失败，何必还要做呢？
Larry: Oh really? I can remember an epic fail you had just last week.
LH: 不会吧？
Larry: Remember last Friday when it was really windy outside and you were carrying that briefcase full of papers?
LH: 呵呵，那倒是，我公文包没锁好，结果里面的论文全飞出来，被风刮得满地都是，我当时都快疯了！这算是个epic fail! 大失策！
Larry: And did you learn your lesson?
LH: 那当然！ 我可是吸取教训了! 每次都会检查公文包锁好了没有。Larry， 你看! 网站上又有个视频，还是刚才那个飞车男! 这回他要骑车从房顶飞到游泳池里去！
Larry: Wow, looks like he didn't learn his lesson. I'm almost afraid to watch...
LH: 是啊! 哎呀! 游泳池旁边有堆树杈，他可别摔在那上面！(撞在树杈上的声音，水花飞溅的声音). 还是撞上了!
Larry: Yea. It was also an epic, epic fail. And look - this kid has 15 more videos!
LH: 啊？还有15个视频？I guess he'll never learn his lesson. 真是不长记性! 好了，我要回去写作业了!
Larry: Sounds good. I should get back into the game; my team is probably waiting for me. I'll try to be quieter this time.
LH: 没关系，我会戴着耳机，边听音乐边写。你不会吵到我的！
Larry: Smart idea. ...Hey, wait a minute. Where's my headphones? Lihua!
LH: Larry, 我把你的耳机拿走了，你就凑合一下，别用了。
Larry: No headphones? But then I won't be able to hear my teammates.
LH: 啊...不管，我先拿到的! 你就认倒霉吧! This is an epic fail for you, 你失算了， 哈哈!
Larry: An epic fail indeed.
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是epic fail，表示“惨败，非常失策”。另一个是learn your lesson, 意思是“吸取教训”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

李华收到了妈妈从中国寄来的包裹，迫不及待地把里面的东西拿给Larry看。他们会用到两个常用语： tacky和swallow one's pride。
LH: Larry, 你看，这是我妈送你的礼物!
Larry: Interesting....Is....Is that a rug?
LH: 什么啊？这是毛衣! 多好看啊!
Larry: That's a sweater? Oh, my....
LH: 你看！我妈还在这儿别了张纸条，上面说，这是她亲手给你织的。我妈真有两下子，是不是啊Larry?
Larry: .....Oh my.
LH: 怎么？你不喜欢？
Larry: Umm...Look, Lihua. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but...It's just a little tacky for what I'd normally wear.
LH: Tacky? 什么意思？
Larry: Well...basically....not fashionable.
LH: 不时髦？俗气？这毛衣怎么俗气了？！
Larry: Well, look at this design...there are pine trees and little people knit into it.
LH: 那怎么了，有松树有小人儿就俗气？
Larry: Well, a little bit, no? And look at these colors...bright green and red on black? It's so tacky it almost hurts my eyes... and plus, look at the...
LH: 你还嫌颜色太鲜艳，俗气得让你眼睛难受？! 行了行了! I don't think they're tacky at all. 我觉得一点儿都不俗! 我妈亲手织的，看你敢不穿!
Larry: Listen, I know you like tacky clothing, and that's fine. But I'm not wearing it.
LH: 什么？你说我喜欢俗气的衣服？! 我哪有!
Larry: OK, for example, your pink Hello Kitty tennis shoes are quite tacky.
LH: 粉色的hello kitty网球鞋不是tacky，是可爱! 可爱!
Larry: They would be cute on an 8-year old girl, not a college-aged young woman...And how about that jacket you have with all the extra zippers all over it?
LH: 哼! 咱俩眼光不同，我不跟你争了。反正我妈的这件爱心毛衣，你非穿不可。
Larry: Lihua, I don't think you understand. There is no way I'm going out in public with that thing on!
LH: 你不穿我就要生气了!
Larry: Forget about it! (a second passes) Lihua, come on. Don't be angry. Lihua?
LH: 别理我。我正生气呢。
Larry: (Begrudgingly, sighs) OK, fine. I guess I'll have to swallow my pride and wear the sweater.
LH: Swallow your pride? 你说什么呢？
Larry: To swallow your pride means to begrudgingly do something that you are embarrassed to do.
LH: Swallow one's pride 就是忍气吞声，勉强去做不愿做的事儿。这么说......你是要穿这件毛衣喽？
Larry: Yes, if it will make you happy, I will swallow my pride and wear your mother's tacky sweater.
LH: OH YEAH! Larry你真好!
Larry: Well, it's only because I know you have to swallow your pride and do many things on my behalf as well.
LH: 啊？我也为了你忍气吞声过？
Larry: Well, remember when my boss accidentally called you his "Japanese friend"? You just smiled and nodded, but I'm sure you wanted to correct him.
LH: 哦，想起来了。那次，你老板的确把我当成了日本人，不过没关系啦，美国人把中国、韩国、日本人搞混是常事。我不介意，我们中国人也常常觉得只要金头发蓝眼睛就都是美国人！
Larry: Well, do you remember when you swallowed your pride last Halloween? I made you wear that tacky French maid costume to my friend's party!
LH: 对！那次万圣节，你非让我穿那件难看得要命的法国女仆装！
Larry: Right. And I want to thank you for swallowing your pride and wearing that tacky costume.
LH: 等等！你是说这件爱心毛衣和那件女仆装一样俗气难看？
Larry: Why not? I think the sweater is tacky, just like you thought the costume was tacky.
LH: 可是.....我穿的那件女仆装还特别曝露，别扭死了!
Larry: Oh, come on. Wearing a sexy costume is normal on Halloween!
LH: 可我不喜欢穿这种衣服！穿女仆装在你一大堆朋友前走来走去，I really had to swallow my pride! 我牺牲了多少自尊啊!
Larry: Gee, I didn't realize it was so embarrassing for you. You win, ok? I'll wear the tacky sweater. But that's all I can do.
LH:你想得美! 你看，这里还有一个 Hello Kitty的手套，也是我妈织给你的！戴上吧！
Larry: Oh good grief. How does your mother know how to make all of this stuff?
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是tacky，表示“俗气难看”。另一个是swallow one's pride, 意思是“忍气吞声”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Larry在咖啡馆里碰见了李华。他们会用到两个常用语：take someone under your wing和take someone for a ride.
(Sound of caf□door opening - chimes)
Larry: Hey, there you are, Lihua.
LH: (Sounding tired) Oh, hi Larry.
Larry: I haven't seen you since last weekend. What have you been up to? Don't tell me you're having midterms already.
LH: 我连看书的时间都没有! 尽忙着照顾我表妹了。她从中国来美国上高中，初来乍到，什么都不会，所以我这两天一直在帮她安顿。
Larry: I'm sure it's a very tough transition for both of you. But, it's so nice of you to take her under your wing.
LH: "Take her under my wing"? 这是什么意思？
Larry: To take someone under your wing means to give them a great deal of personal guidance and protection while they are learning something of which you have experience.
LH: 我明白了， to take someone under your wing，就是指导、保护和照料某人。我现在就是这样像母鸡带小鸡一样照顾着我表妹呢!
Larry: It takes time to learn how to cope with living in a totally new environment - it's only natural to need a little bit of help at first. As a matter of fact, I can remember a time not so long ago when I took a certain confused girl from China under my own wing...
LH: 你说你也曾这样帮助过一个女孩？ 你不是在说我吧？Larry, 虽然你给了我很多帮助，但这和我给我表妹的帮助是不同的。我要是不在她身边，她连出门买吃的都不敢!
Larry: But Lihua, you couldn't buy groceries on your own either when you first moved here. One time at the grocery store, your bill came to $7.50 and you pulled out a dollar bill, asking me if it was enough!
LH: Haha, 这个我记得。刚到美国时，每次需要跟美国人打交道我都会非常紧张，就算不说英语，还是觉得很恐怖。
Larry: Luckily, I was there to take you under my wing while you got used to living in the United States - just like how you're taking your cousin under your wing now!
LH: 哈，看来我们都是好心人! 最近我在帮我表妹找房子。她以前的房东欺负她是新来的，把房租提高了两倍!我表妹已经傻呼呼地交了一个月的钱!
Larry: Yeah, you have to be really careful. It sounds like that landlord was taking your cousin for a ride.
LH: Taking her for a ride? 开车带她出去？那个房东可没这么好心!
Larry: Um, I mean "taking her for a ride" as in, taking advantage of her situation - playing a trick on her for his own benefit.
LH: 哦! 原来to take someone for a ride还有欺负人，宰人的意思!
Larry: Yea, that's right. For example, when I went to New York City, my cab driver noticed that I had never been to New York before, and so he took a longer route to my hotel in order to run up my bill. This is a classic case of "taking someone for a ride."
LH: 啊？司机看你是第一次来纽约，就带着你绕远路，多收你的车费。这可真差劲，欺负人!
Larry: Unfortunately, some people will take advantage of other people like that.
LH: Larry, 咱们是愿意take others under our wings, 不遗余力地帮助别人，可这个房东和那个出租司机却会take people for a ride， 占别人便宜。所以这两个说法的意思正好相反嘛!
Larry: Yea, you could think of it like that. So, it's a great thing that you are taking your cousin under your wing! Otherwise, it would be easy for people to take her for a ride.
LH: 好吧，为了防止她受欺负，我就继续努力吧。
Larry: I'm sure your cousin is a smart girl. Before you know it, she'll be just as capable to live on her own in the United States as you are - and you won't have to worry about people trying to take her for a ride.
LH: (叹气) 不过，在她完全自立前，我可有的忙了，估计不能常和你见面了!
Larry: That's OK. Taking someone under your wing is a quite a full-time job!
今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是to take someone under your wing，意思是“照顾和帮助某人”。另一个是to take someone for a ride，意思是“占人便宜，欺负人”。

 

[故乡的云]

回复: 西方基本文化常识扫盲Hot

Heidi invited us to have a dinner, why?
1) I'll treat! = My treat! 我请客!
I want to invite you to dinner. I'll treat!