流行美语

chubbycat

流行美语第150课

    　


            这是星期天的早晨。李华和Larry正在星巴克咖啡馆里喝咖啡。今天李华会学到两个常用语：on the spot和schmooze.

            LL: I'm dreading my Chinese exam tomorrow. The teacher will give us a topic and she expects us to talk about the topic for two minutes on the spot.

            LH: 你明天要考中文呀？老师给每个学生一个题目，让你们当场就这个题目讲两分钟。这是好难。不过Larry，别担心，你可以先跟我练习啊！对了，你刚才说on the spot，那是什么意思?

            LL: Oh, to do something "on the spot" is to do it immediately - right then and there.

            LH: On the spot就是立刻，当场的意思。所以你刚才的意思就是教授在考试的时候当场给题目，你就得立即上台讲两分钟。

            LL: Exactly. It's always nice to have time to prepare, but sometimes doing something on the spot can be fun.

            LH: 有充份时间做准备那当然好呀。但是，我可想不出有什么事情马上要做而能让我感到有意思的。你给我举个例子好不好。

            LL: Well, we can decide right here - on the spot - to go to the movies. That would be fun, right?

            LH: 嗯，我们现在就决定去看电影，那当然好玩呀。可是我们不知道看哪部电影，到哪里去看哪。

            LL: That's a problem. Where can we find the newspaper or a computer on the spot!.

            LH: 就是嘛，我们既不能上网，也没有报纸可以查电影时间表。而且你明天不是有中文考试吗？你现在应该在家里背单字嘛！

            LL: I should. If I don't study the vocabulary, then I won't be able to come up with a speech on the spot.

            LH: 对，要当场发表两分钟讲话，不熟悉有用的词汇是不行的。

            LL: No, it's more like a good strategy for failing my test. Hey, why don't you help me study?

            LH: 一点没错，要是你不多记住一些单词，那你肯定会考砸的。你要我就在这里帮你复习功课？On the spot？

            LL: Why not? I brought my Chinese book with me.

            ******

            LH: 我真不敢相信，咖啡馆的那个女服务员居然会送你一杯免费的咖啡！

            LL: Well, it helps that I schmoozed her a little bit.

            LH: Larry，你对那个女服务员怎么啦？Schmooze是什么意思啊?

            LL: To schmooze means that someone is extra nice to him or her, usually in the hope that you'll get something in return.

            LH: 噢，schmooze就是对某人特别好，希望能得到一些回报。那不是“讨好、献殷勤”吗？你想让服务员对你客气一点，所以你就对她特别好啊？

            LL: Well, no. I was actually hoping to get her to go out on a date with me, but I'll settle for free coffee.

            LH: 原来你是想约那个女孩出去，现在喝了一杯免费咖啡就满足了。哎呀，你呀，你还不如去schmooze你的中文老师，让她明天评分的时候对你客气点。这不是更实际吗！

            LL: Hopefully, I won't need to schmooze my teacher in order to get a good grade.

            LH: 不讨好老师也能得好分数，你怎么一下子变得那么信心十足了呢。不过，你要我帮你复习功课，那至少也该schmooze我这个义务家教吧！

            LL: Hey, you're my friend, you're supposed to do things out of friendship, not because you want something.

            LH: 我知道啦。我是跟你开玩笑的！不过，你要是想对我好一点，schmooze我一下，我也不会反对的！

            LL: I'm always nice to you - and it's not because I'm trying to schmooze you.

            LH: 那倒是，你一向对我不错，算得上是我最好的朋友喽！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是on the spot，就是即刻，当场，马上的意思。另一个常用语是schmooze，这是指讨好某人，对某人献殷勤，通常是想得到回报。

chubbycat

流行美语第151课

    　


            Larry到李华住的地方去接她出去吃晚餐，可是发现李华正焦急地到处找什么东西。今天李华会学到两个常用语：downer和baby.

            LH: Larry，我的钱包不见了。找了半天也没找到。我肯定是放在家里的，你说现在怎么办呢？

            LL: That's a real downer. Let me help you look for it. What does it look like?

            LH: 嗯，我的钱包是红颜色的，上面还镶有蓝色的边。你刚才说downer，那是什么意思？

            LL: Oh, a "downer" is something that makes you feel "down" or depressed. Losing your wallet is definitely a downer.

            LH: Downer就是让人不高兴的事情。嗯，丢钱包真的是很倒霉。丢了钱还不算，还得重新申请驾驶执照、身份证件，还得打电话给信用卡公司取消我的信用卡，想到这些我就头疼。

            LH: Hey, don't get all upset yet. We still haven't finished looking for it.

            LL: 我知道。这样吧，我到厨房去找，你帮我找一找沙发底下。

            LL: Sure. Hey, you know what else is a downer? Julia can't go out with us tonight. Her boyfriend is sick and she went over to his house to take care of him.

            LH: 噢，Julia今晚不能和我们去吃饭啦？真让人失望。That is a downer! 自从她交了男朋友以后，我已经好久没见到她了。

            LL: I know what you mean. I haven't seen her in at least two months.

            LH: 我找到了！我找到我的钱包了。你看，在冰箱下面，一定是今天早上我买菜回来时掉下去的。

            LL: Great! Let's go. I'm so hungry that I can eat a whole horse. It would be a real downer if we have to wait for a table at the restaurant.

            LH: 餐厅里等不到位子，那还不是什么大问题。我要是真找不到我的钱包，那才真是a real downer。

            LL: Yeah, then I'd have to pay!

            ******

            LH: (Whiny) 什么！还得等一个小时才有座位啊？啊，我不行了，我快要饿死了！

            LL: Oh, don't be such a big baby. You'll survive. Besides, it might not take that long.

            LH: Larry, 你说我像个baby 。Baby 就是婴儿，娃娃。我饿了还不行吗？大人也会肚子饿哪！

            LL: Well, then don't act so immature and whiny. You're too old to whine like a baby.

            LH: 你说我表现得象个孩子一样，所以叫我baby。我饿了还不能说呀？

            LL: Saying that you're going to starve to death is a little dramatic, don't you think?

            LH: 我说快要饿死了。这是强调，夸张！为了找钱包，我中午饭都没有来得及吃。所以我真的是很饿啊！

            LL: All right, don't get so upset. I was just teasing you. You don't need to be such a big baby about it.

            LH: 你怎么你又叫我baby了！

            LL: I'm sorry. It's just fun to tease you.

            LH: 噢，你就喜欢逗我。你觉得这样很好玩啊？好啊！你不也是经常抱怨没有时间看球赛，没有时间出去玩吗。那下回我也叫你a big baby!

            LL: I really was just kidding, Li Hua. You're not a big baby. You don't need to start thinking of ways to get even with me.

            LH: 你惹急了我就说是开玩笑。我当然要想办法报复了。

            LL：Hey, look our table's ready.

            LH：谢天谢地。我们终于等到位子了。现在你再叫我big baby， 我也无所谓了。吃饭要紧，快点菜吧。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是downer, 就是指让人非常失望，非常不高兴的事。另一个常用语是baby, 是形容一个人表现得像小孩一样幼稚。

chubbycat

流行美语第152课

    　


            今天早上Larry和李华和一对朋友Charles and Lisa约好一起打网球。李华会学到两个常用语：pumped和iffy.

            LL: I'm really pumped about today's tennis match. How about you, Li Hua?

            LH: 你对今天的比赛怎么啦？Pumped？你是不是在说你很紧张？

            LL: No, I'm not nervous. Pumped means energized and excited. I'm looking forward to today's game because I think it will be a lot of fun.

            LH: 原来pumped是很兴奋。对了，pump不是也有打气的意思吗？你是说你打足了气，跃跃欲试的意思。

            LL: That's right! What about you? Aren't you pumped about the game?

            LH: 嗯，我是很期待这场比赛，不过，我可不敢说我像你那样pumped. 我对体育没有象你那样感兴趣。

            LL: Yeah, I guess I get particularly pumped about sports. If sports don't get you all that pumped up, then what does?

            LH: 我呀，我是一谈起旅行就特别兴奋。I'm pumped about travel。只要想到要去旅行，我就非常兴奋。明年暑假，我计划要到温哥华去玩一个星期。

            LL: You're pumped about going to Vancouver? What is there to do in Vancouver?

            LH: 到那儿去干什么？ 温哥华有很多美丽的高山。景色一定很壮观。还有那里的野生动物！我一想到有机会看到野生麋鹿我就特别兴奋。Yes, I'm pumped about going to Vancouver.

            LL: Well, I guess people get pumped about different things. Personally, I don't get very excited about mountains and wild animals.

            LH: 我知道，高山美景和野生动物对你来说没有太大吸引力。还不如在网球场上打球来得过瘾。

            LL: Hey, tennis is fun and it's good exercise.

            ******

            LH: Larry，刚才跟Charles和Lisa一起打网球挺过瘾的。对了，我差一点忘了问你，这个周末在麦迪逊广场花园有一场职业网球赛。你想去看吗？

            LL: I don't know. It's iffy that we'll even be able to get tickets. Tickets for things like that sell out very quickly.

            LH: 那倒也是，像这种热门球赛的票八成已经卖完了，所以你刚才说iffy，就是指我们“不太可能”买到票，是吗？Iffy肯定是从if 这个词来的。

            LL: That's right. If something is "iffy"，that means that it is uncertain or even a little unlikely.

            LH: 要是用iffy这个词来形容什么事的话，那就是不肯定，不太可能。不过，Larry，我们还是可以试一试吗。没准运气好，还有票呢！

            LL: Yeah, but even if I can get tickets, it's iffy that we'll be able to afford them. Tickets for games like that tend to be expensive, too.

            LH: 你说门票可能很贵，我们可能买不起啊？Larry，也许他们有半价的学生票呢。我们试试看嘛，好不好？

            LL: Sure, I'll call the ticket vendor this afternoon. But it's iffy that they have half-priced tickets for students.

            LH: 没关系，如果真的买不到票，我们可以做别的事啊！如果我们不能去看职业选手打球，我们还可以找朋友去打嘛！

            LL: Speaking of which, wasn't that last game fun? Do you think Charles and Lisa would play with us again?

            LH: 对，跟Charles和Lisa打的最后一场是真好玩！

            LL: But it's iffy that they'll want to play against us again.

            LH：他们不一定再想跟我们打球。那是为什么呀？

            LL：Can't you see? They were defeated by us every round. It's really iffy that they had any fun this morning.

            LH：对了。老是输球的话恐怕是没有什么好玩。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是pumped，是形容很兴奋，很有活力的样子。另一个常用语是iffy，是指某件事情不太可能。

chubbycat

流行美语第153课

    　


            今天李华和Larry在纽约市中央公园附近散步。路边有许多小贩在卖仿名牌的手提包和围巾等东西。今天李华会学到两个常用语：knock-off和running on empty.

            LL: Li Hua, don't bother buying any of those. They're just cheap knock-offs.

            LH: 可是这个手提包真漂亮！你看，上面还有名牌古姿的标记呢！你说这些都是便宜的knock-offs。是不是说它们都不是真货？

            LL: Yeah. A "knock-off" is a fake, an imitation of the real thing.

            LH: 你瞧。我一猜就猜对了，knock-off就是指假的，仿冒的东西。这些皮包当然不可能是真的啦！一个真的古姿皮包可是要上百美元呢！我根本就买不起！

            LL: Well, if you can't afford the real thing, why would you want to buy a cheap knock-off?

            LH: 买不起真货的人才买假冒品嘛！有的假冒品做的非常好，你不仔细看还分不出是真是假呢！你看，这个皮包还是很漂亮，而且也很实用呢！

            LL: Well, it's your decision whether you want to buy a knock-off.

            LH: 我很喜欢这个皮包。不过我现在还不需要。算了吧！我想还是别买了。

            LL: Hey, look that vendor is selling knock-offs of famous paintings. Some of them are pretty good.

            LH: 真的耶！这些仿冒的艺术画看起来和真品一样，模仿得真像！ 不知道是不是那个卖画的人自己画的。

            LL: It's possible. He might be an art student and practices his skill by making knock-offs of famous masterpieces.

            LH: 在中国也有很多学艺术专业的学生，他们会临摹一些名画，顺便练习自己的绘画技巧。所以你经常可以找到一些假的中国名画呢。

            LL: I know. When I was in China, I bought several and brought them back to my friends as gifts.

            LH: 你在中国买这样的仿冒品带回来送人啊？不过很多美国人都不太懂中国的画，说不定他们还以为你送给他们的是真品呢！

            LL: The important thing is not whether the paintings were knock-offs but rather that they made my friends happy.

            ******

            LL: Wow, Li Hua. I'm really running on empty. Do you mind if we go back home now?

            LH: Running-on-empty? 什么是“running on empty"? 你不舒服，想回家了？

            LL: No, "running on empty" means that I'm exhausted and I don't have any energy. I feel like a car whose gas tank is empty.

            LH: 噢，你用汽车没有油来比喻，我就知道了。Running on empty就是很累，一点劲儿都没有了。或许我们可以找点东西吃。你可以补充一下体力。

            LL: That might help a little, but I really need to go home and get some rest.

            LH: 对了，你前两天感冒刚好，所以才会觉得running on empty。好吧，那我们就买点东西吃。休息一下，然后就回家。

            LL: That sounds like a good idea to me. When I'm running on empty, food and sleep are always the best remedies.

            LH: 我也是呀！我一累，只要吃饱睡足，马上就能恢复体力。我们这两天都够忙的。真是该好好休息一下。

            LL: It's kind of difficult to enjoy the park when you're running on empty.

            LH: 没错。人一累，再好玩的事都提不起劲来。

            LL: Hopefully, by tomorrow, I won't be running on empty anymore and we can enjoy a nice walk in the park.

            LH: 今天你回家好好睡一觉，多吃点有营养的东西，我保证你明天就会有精神了。如果你还想来公园散步，我一定奉陪！走吧！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是knock-off，是指假的，仿冒的东西。另一个常用语是running on empty，是形容一个人很累，体力不足。

chubbycat

流行美语第154课

    　


            Larry和李华刚刚看完电影。李华在问Larry她没看懂的地方。今天李华会学到两个常用语：copycat和wacky。

            LH: Larry，我特别喜欢看这种侦探片，最后把坏人抓住，特痛快。对了，刚才那电影里的侦探说，那杀人凶手是个copycat。那是什么意思啊？

            LL: A copycat is someone who imitates someone else. The murderer in the movie imitated other famous murderers, so he was copycat killer.

            LH: 嗯，copycat就是指模仿别人的人。噢，现在我懂了。那个侦探是说那个杀人犯是模仿其他杀人犯的作案方法。哎呀，怪不得我看电影的时候有些地方弄不懂。对了，Larry，这个copycat还可以用在其他的地方吗？

            LL: Sure. For instance, my younger sister used to imitate me a lot when she was a kid. She would repeat whatever I said, so I caller her my little copycat.

            LH: 你叫你小妹妹little copycat。你妹妹一定很可爱。她一定很崇拜你，所以才模仿你的一举一动，重复你说的话！

            LL: Yeah, it was kind of cute, but it got annoying after a while.

            LH: 小妹妹学你的样有什么讨厌的？

            LL: Kids are great copycats and they always manage to copy things that they shouldn't. If I said a bad word, my sister always repeated. My mother thought I was teaching her bad words on purpose.

            LH: 所以大人要给小孩树立好的榜样嘛！ 你不要你妹妹说粗话，那你就不该说粗话。不过，你妈妈以为你故意教坏妹妹，那肯定让你很不好受。对不对？

            LL: That's right. It got me into a lot of trouble. Hey, I also remember that when I was a kid, it was common for kids to accuse each other of being a "copycat."

            LH: 没错，小孩子最喜欢说别人学自己，好象自己很聪敏，别人就只会模仿。

            LL: You're right. To call someone a copycat means that the other person isn't original and was just imitating what someone else was doing.

            LH: Larry，你说的这句话不是跟我刚才说的意思一样吗？ You're a copycat!

            LL: Not entirely the same!

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, did you ever do any wacky things when you were a kid?

            LH: 对不起，Larry，你刚才说什么。我没听懂，你问我小时候做过什么wacky的事，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: Wacky means crazy or silly. Kids tend to do wacky things. For instance, when I was a kid, I tried to play Tarzan with our living room curtains.

            LH: Wacky就是指疯疯颠颠或犯傻。对，小孩子往往会做一些傻事。不过，像你小时候想学泰山而把窗帘当树枝爬上去，这也太危险了。

            LL: Yeah, I had just seen the movie, Tarzan, and I decided to climb the curtains and swing from them the way Tarzan swung from the vines. Pretty wacky, huh?

            LH: 我想也是，你肯定是看了泰山这电影后才那么wacky的。 不过说到wacky，我小时候也不见得比你差，也做了不少wacky的事呢！

            LL: Such as?

            LH: 嗯，比方说，我8岁那年，我爬上邻居家的一棵树，上去了，却不知道该怎么下来呢。

            LL: That's wacky! So what did you do?

            LH: 我挂在树上，还能怎么办？只好大叫，请人来救我喽！后来有人拿了张梯子，把我给救下来了。

            LL: That's funny. Hey, how's your cat doing? Has she done anything wacky lately?

            LH: 嗨，说到我的猫小雪球，它做的wacky 事那才多呢！昨天我在看电视上一个介绍大自然的节目，小雪球看到银幕里的小鸟就一直想扑上去和它玩。那个模样真逗！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是copycat，是指模仿别人的人。另一个常用语是wacky，意思就是疯疯颠颠，犯傻的。

chubbycat

流行美语第155课

    　


            Larry和李华正在学校体育馆里打篮球。今天李华会学到两个常用语：butterfingers和klutz。

            LL: Here, Li Hua, catch!

            LH: 嘿！Larry，你不要那么用力嘛！你这么用力我接不住啊！

            LL: Don't blame the fact that you're a butterfingers on me. I don't think it's my fault that you keep dropping the ball.

            LH: 对，我老是接不住球，可我没有怪你呀！我只是让你别使那么大劲儿。你说我是什么来着 ? Butterfingers? 你肯定又在损我，是不是？

            LL: A butterfingers is someone who is clumsy and tends to drop things.

            LH: 噢，我知道了，butter是黄油，fingers是手指，butterfingers就好像手上抹黄油，油腻腻的抓不住东西。也就是指那些笨手笨脚，经常会把东西掉在地上的人。Larry，我才不是呢，都是你扔球太用力，所以我才接不住！

            LL: Okay, butterfingers, you can keep trying to blame this on me, but I know the truth.

            LH: 别再叫我butterfingers了。来吧，再丢一次，只是别那么用力了！

            LL: All right, but I don't think it's going to help.

            LH: 你看。我这不是接住了吗？I'm not a butterfingers！

            LL: That was just luck. Don't feel too bad, though, my sister's much more of a butterfingers than you are.

            LH: 你妹妹比我还糟糕？怎么说啊？

            LL: She used to try out for the softball team every year in high school, but she never made the team because she couldn't catch the ball.

            LH: 啊，她念中学的时候每年都参加垒球队选拔，从来没有被接纳呀！就是因为她老接不到球！看来她真的是个butterfingers。

            LL: My sister's tough, though, she never let the fact that she's a genuine butterfingers stop her from trying.

            ******

            LH: Larry，你怎么摔倒了，没事吧？

            LL: Yeah, I'm all right. I just tripped over that rock. I'm such a klutz!

            LH: 噢，一块石头把你绊倒了？嗨，你说你是什么来啦？Klutz？那是什么意思？

            LL: A klutz is someone who is very clumsy and falls, trips, and bumps into things very easily.

            LH: Klutz就是指那种经常会撞上什么东西，经常会跌倒的人。Larry，我可从来没有见你摔倒过。这还是第一次，所以你还算不上是个klutz。

            LL: Thank you, Li Hua. I appreciate it. However, I assure you that I can be a real klutz sometimes. Fortunately, I usually do klutzy things when no one else is looking.

            LH: Larry，你真有意思。你怎么知道你笨手笨脚的时候没有人看见？不久前你好象告诉我你撞到什么东西。我听了也忘了。

            LL: Oh, that's a few months ago. One day, I wasn't paying attention and I walked into a street sign. Some girls saw me and they started laughing. I felt ridiculous!

            LH: 光听你这么说，我就觉得好笑，没听说有人走在路上会撞上路标的。我可以想像，你当时一定显得很傻，a real klutz!

            LL: Well, that's the only time people saw me being a klutz. I don't plan on doing a repeat performance.

            LH: 就这一次给人看见？ 以后不再会这样傻了？别太自信了！

            LL：You mean once a klutz, always a klutz?

            LH：我不是说你做了一次傻事，以后永远做傻事。我是说你还有可能做傻事。

            LL：Well, let's see!

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是butterfingers，是指抓不稳东西，手里拿的东西经常会掉到地上去。另一个常用语是klutz，是形容一个人经常跌倒，或撞到东西，笨手笨脚的。

chubbycat

流行美语第156课

    　


            Larry和李华到学校附近一家新开的墨西哥快餐店吃饭。今天李华会学到两个常用语：cash cow和tickled pink。

            LL: Wow! This place is a real cash cow! Look how crowded it is!

            LH: Cash cow？ 什么是cash cow？ 我知道cash就是钱，现金；cow是一头牛。噢，我懂了，cash cow就是一头很有钱的牛。意思就是，这里生意这么兴隆，钱赚很多。对不对？

            LL: That is right! A cash cow is a business that is very profitable. This is obviously a popular place, so they must be making a lot of money.

            LH: 没错，这家餐厅一定很赚钱。你看，要是这里每小时来200个客人，每人平均消费7美元，那就不得了了！

            LL: That's $1,400 an hour! This place is definitely a cash cow. I wish I owned a business like this.

            LH: 嗯，我也希望自己能有这样一个赚钱的摇钱树呢。

            LL: You know what? The new movie theater that they just opened by campus is another real cash cow.

            LH: 对耶！学校旁边那家新开的电影院，是这附近唯一的一家，所以大家都上那儿去看电影。他们肯定也很赚钱。

            LL: Tickets are really expensive, too, but we don't have a choice because there aren't any other movie theaters nearby.

            LH: 真没办法，就因为这是这儿唯一的一家电影院，尽管票价贵，大家也别无选择！他们变成了赚钱的影院，a cash cow!可苦了我们这些穷学生！

            LL: At least they give student discounts on weekdays. That makes it a little bit easier on us.

            LH: 看来，我们最好在星期一到星期五之间去看电影。这样可以享受优惠价。不过这对戏院本身也有好处么！这样一来，学生就愿意在生意比较清淡的时间去看电影喽！

            LL: You should be a businesswoman, Li Hua. It seems like you really understand these things. If you own a business, I'm sure it will turn out to be a cash cow.

            LH: 也不见得啦！我其实对做生意没太大兴趣。

            ******

            LL: I'm tickled pink with the food here. What do you think, Li Hua? Do you like Mexican food?

            LH: 我很喜欢墨西哥菜，好吃极了。你说你tickled pink ？Tickle是搔痒的意思，pink是粉红色，你是说这道菜太辣了？

            LL: No, I mean that I really like the food. To be tickled pink by something is to be really pleased by it.

            LH: 噢，原来，tickled pink是指非常高兴，很满意的意思。嗯，我也很喜欢这里的菜。I am tickled pink too。

            LL: Oh, I almost forgot to tell you: I got a really good job for the summer. I'm really tickled pink about it.

            LH: 你找到一份非常好的暑期工？那太好了。我真替你高兴。那你什么时候开始工作呢？

            LL: I'll take a couple of weeks off after exams and then start work at the beginning of June. I told my mom and she was tickled pink too.

            LH: 考完试休息几个星期再工作。这安排真是不错。别说你妈听了高兴，谁听了都会替你高兴。我还不知道暑期干什么呢！

            LL: Aren't you going to visit Vancouver?

            LH: 对，我是要去温哥华看我哥哥，但是我得先打工，赚了钱才能去呀！听说学校图书馆有暑期工作。

            LL: That sounds good. You could sit in the air-conditioned library all summer and read and play on the Internet. You should be tickled pink to get a job like that!

            LH: 对，要是他们要我的话，我可以一个暑期坐在有空调的图书馆里看书，玩互联网。有那么一个工作，我当然高兴啦！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是cash cow，这是指非常赚钱的生意。也就是摇钱树。另一个常用语是tickled pink，是让人非常高兴，非常愉快的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第157课

    　


            Larry和李华正在为他们的朋友Laura担心。他们两人都觉得Laura好像有什么心事。今天李华会学到两个常用语：clam up和to tank。

            LL: Laura has been acting really strange lately, but every time I try to ask her what's bothering her, she just clams up.

            LH: 我也注意到了，Laura最近是有点怪怪的。我也问过她怎么回事，她就是不肯说....对了，Larry，你刚才说clam up，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: To clam up is to become silent and refuse to talk about something.

            LH: To clam up就是闭紧了嘴巴，不肯把心里的事告诉别人。可是Larry，clam不是一种蛤蜊吗？这跟说不说话有什么关系？

            LL: Yes, in fact, that's where the expression comes from. Clams can close their shells very tightly. If a person refuses to talk, his lips are closed just like a clam's shell.

            LH: 噢，对了。一个人嘴巴闭得紧紧的时候，就好像蛤蜊闭上壳，怎么也不打开。这个说法太形象了！

            LH: The problem is that Laura has clammed up about whatever is bothering her, which means that we have no way of helping her out.

            LH: 那倒也是。她要不说，我们又怎么能帮她。也许我们应该让她一个人静一静，等她想说的时候自然会告诉我们到底是怎么回事。

            LL: That's probably the only thing we can do.

            LH: 其实我爸爸也是一样。心里如果有事，从来不肯说。有的时候把我妈急的一直生气。

            LL: A lot of people clam up when something is bothering them. I tend to clam up when I'm really nervous.

            LH: 我也是耶！我只要一紧张，就不说话了。每个人不一样，我妹妹一生气就可以几天不说话。别人也不知道她在生什么气。

            LL: That's like my mother. She could clam up for days when she is angry with my father.

            LH: 你妈妈跟你爸爸生气几天不说话。那你爸爸怎么办哪？

            LL：Whenever my mother clams up, he clams up too.

            ******

            LL: I found out what was bothering Laura. She was upset because the last play she wrote tanked. Everyone criticized it.

            LH: 大家都批评她最近写的剧本。为什么？你说她写的那个剧本tanked，那是什么意思？Tank， 不就是打仗用的坦克吗？

            LL: No, this has nothing to do with the tank used in war. This "tank" is a verb. When something "tanks" that means that it is a complete failure.

            LH: 噢，这个tank 和军用坦克毫无关系。这里说的tank是个动词。意思是完全失败。所有的剧评家都批评Laura的舞台剧。那真是太惨了。可怜的Laura!

            LL: Yeah, no wonder she clammed up. I wouldn't want to talk about it if one of my projects tanked, either.

            LH: 就是啊，自己的成果被别人这样批评，心情一定不好受。对了，Larry，为什么大家不喜欢Laura的剧本呢？

            LL: I have no idea. I haven't seen or read her play, so I have no way of judging her work. Laura is a good playwright, I don't understand why her work tanked.

            LH: 嗯，没有看过她的剧本是很难判断。不过，Laura确实是一个很好的剧作家。也许我们应该去看看她写的舞台剧，说不定没有这么糟么。

            LL: Even if the play really is terrible, we could at least show our support by going to see it.

            LH: 你说的对，不管是好是坏，我们去看就代表我们对Laura的支持。好！我去问她在哪儿可以买票。Larry，那你什么时候有空去看呢？

            LL: Let's go this Friday. Originally, I had planned to see a movie this Friday, but the movie I wanted to see tanked, so I might as well go and see Laura's play.

            LH: 怎么就那么巧呢？你要看的电影也失败了。好，就这么说定了。我去买票，星期五我们就去看Laura的舞台剧喽！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是clam up，是指一个人不肯把心里的话告诉别人。另一个常用语是to tank，也就是失败的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第158课

    　


            Larry和李华今天晚上约好和朋友碰面，可是当Larry到李华家接她时，李华还在梳妆打扮。今天李华会学到两个常用语：dilly-dally和dis。

            LL: Come on, Li Hua. Aren't you ready yet?

            LH: 再等一下，我头发还没弄好呢。

            LL: Come on, already. Stop dilly-dallying and let's go!

            LH: Larry，你在说什么啊，什么是dilly-dally啊？

            LL: To dilly-dally is to waste time doing pointless things. Right now, you're dilly-dallying with your hair when our friend is waiting for us.

            LH: Dilly-dally就是拖拖拉拉。噢，你是说我们的朋友在等着，而我在这儿浪费时间。整理头发是浪费时间？我总不能披头散发地出门吧。 你不有的时候也爱拖拖拉拉，- dilly-dally嘛。

            LL: Me? Dilly-dally? Tell me, when have I ever dilly-dallied?

            LH: 瞧你说得，好像你自己从来没有拖拖拉拉过？两天前，我们约好晚上七点吃晚饭，结果你在家打电话跟朋友聊天，到了七点半才来！ 这不是Dilly-dally吗? 你忘啦？

            LL: Oh, I forgot about that. Yeah, I guess I do dilly-dally sometimes. I really felt sorry for making you wait.

            LH：还有一次我在家里开party，我让你早点来帮忙，结果客人都到齐了，你还没有到，原来你是去买牙膏，在商店里逛得忘了时间。

            LL：Hey, Li Hua, you do have a good memory. I already forgot about it. But, I am sorry for dilly-dallying.

            LH：我倒不是要你道歉，你早就道歉过了。我只是要提醒你，你也有拖拖拉拉的时候。也就是：dilly-dally，对不对？

            LL：You're right. But at least you've learned how to use "dilly-dally".

            LH: 不过说真的，现在是5点半，我们和John的约会是6点，真的得赶快走了。

            LL: Well, because of your dilly-dallying, we're really going to have to hurry.

            ******

            LH: Larry，你的上衣和裤子根本就不搭配，你是关着灯穿衣服还是怎么着？

            LL: Don't dis my clothes! I may not have great fashion sense, but at least I don't waste a lot of time dilly-dallying with my hair.

            LH: 哎，我是在说你的衣服，你怎么又扯上我的头发。你说我dis你的衣服。那是什么意思？

            LL: To "dis" something is to criticize something or make a negative comment about it. I think dis is short for "disrespect."

            LH: 原来dis就是disrespect这个词的简称，disrespect就是不尊重。你说：※Don't dis my clothes" 就是让我别批评你的衣服。我不是批评你的衣服，只是搭配得不好么。

            LL: That doesn't make me feel any better, Li Hua. It's not nice to dis your friends or their clothes.

            LH: 我以为朋友之间应该坦率，我说你衣服搭配得不好，你也不高兴，还说我这样说是不礼貌的。你不觉得你这样批评我也是不对的吗？

            LL: Oh, please, you started the whole thing by dissing my clothes.

            LH: 好啦，好啦，我以后不说就行啦。

            LL: All right, I promise not to dis you if you promise not to dis me or my clothes, deal?

            LH: Deal。以后你不批评我，我也不再批评你穿衣服的品味。我们就这么说定了。 Larry，已经六点了，怎么John还没有来呢？

            LL: Yeah, I wonder where he is? I hate people dilly-dallying.

            LH: 也许John正在哪里闲晃，根本就忘记时间了！

            今天李华学到两个常用语，第一个是dilly-dally，是说拖拖拉拉把时间浪费在不重要的事情上。另一个常用语是dis，是批评或给予负面评价。

chubbycat

流行美语第159课

    　


            经过一个星期的紧张考试，学期结束了，Larry和李华正在很轻松地吃午饭。今天李华会学到两个常用语：flying colors和to butter up。

            LL: Well, Li Hua, how do you think you did on your English exam? I'd be willing to bet that you passed it with flying colors.

            LH: 我想我英语考试考得还可以。你刚才说你敢打赌我一定会通过，但是with flying colors是什么意思啊？ Flying就是飞; colors是颜色, flying colors，我可不懂。

            LL: Oh, to pass a test or an exam with flying colors means that you did a really great job.

            LH: 噢，flying colors就是非常出色。你的意思是我英语考试一定考得非常出色。是不是出色，我可不知道，其实只要及格，我就很高兴了。

            LL: Come on, you had me for a tutor. I'm sure you did well!

            LH: 你辅导我英语，我就一定会考得成绩优异？你真的对自己的辅导这么有信心啊？

            LL: That's not a very appreciative attitude, Li Hua. Whether or not you pass the exam with flying colors, I still put in a lot of time helping you.

            LH: 跟你开个玩笑嘛！我知道你花了很多时间和心血来辅导我的英语。我怎么会不感谢你呢！不管我考的好不好，我都应该谢谢你呀。

            LL: You helped me a lot, too. I'm not sure if I passed my Chinese exam with flying colors, but I'm sure that I got at least a B+.

            LH: 你肯定你的中文考试能得个B+? 那已经算是很出色了。对了，你刚才是怎么说来啦？ 噢，我想起来，flying colors。好了，现在一切都结束了。暑期里，你不需要再苦苦地读中文了！

            LL: I know, I'm so glad this semester is over.

            LH: 就是啊。学期结束真让我感到轻松。 这个星期我什么也不想做了。

            LL: We both deserve a break. Even if we didn't pass all our courses with flying colors, we both worked really hard all semester.

            LH: 我同意，尽管我们不见得每门功课都成绩优异，我们都已经尽最大的努力了，应该休息一下！

            ******

            LH: 嗨，Larry，你看起来好帅！是不是今晚有约会啊？

            LL: No, I don't have a date tonight. Why are you being so nice? Are you trying to butter me up for something?

            LH: 说你帅，还要问我为什么对你这么好？你真是疑神疑鬼的。还说我想什么来啦？Butter up, butter不是黄油吗？什么意思呀？

            LL: To butter someone up is to be really nice to him so that you can ask him for something.

            LH: 其实，我猜到了，to butter up就是为了得到好处而拍人马屁的意思。哼，我才不会那么做呢！

            LL: I know you weren't trying to butter me up, Li Hua. I was just joking with you.

            LH: 好吧，只要你知道，我是诚心诚意的赞美你，不是另有企图，别有用心就好了。

            LL: I know you're not like that, but there's a girl in my Chinese class who is.

            LH: 真的啊？你的中文班里有个女孩就是这样的人？她怎么啦？

            LL: She was really nice to me one day. She offered to help me with my homework and everything. It turns out, she was just buttering me up so that she could ask me to help her move to a new apartment.

            LH: 原来她是想让你帮忙搬家啊！其实她没有必要帮你做任何事，直接了当请你帮忙不就行了嘛！也许她不好意思。

            LL: I guess, but what bothers me is that she ignored me until she needed my help with something. She was only nice to me when she was buttering me up to ask for help.

            LH: 原来如此。她过去从来不理你，到了要你帮忙的时候才来拍马屁。那她也真是太会利用人了。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是flying colors，这是指的是什么事情做得很出色。另一个常用语是to butter up，这是指为了得到好处而拍人马屁。

chubbycat

流行美语第160课

    　


            Larry已经开始在一家公司做暑期工作。他正在向李华抱怨工作上的问题。今天李华会学到两个常用语：swamped和to get axed。

            LL: I've only been working there two days and I'm already totally swamped with work! It's unbelievable!

            LH: Larry，你说 swamped with work，是不是说你不知道怎么做这份工作？

            LL: No, I know how to do the work. It's just that there is too much of it. To be swamped means to have too much work to do.

            LH: 噢，我懂了，swamp一般是沼泽地的意思，你说swamped with work就是工作太多，好象陷进了沼泽地一样，让你觉得喘不过气。那他们到底给你什么样的工作？

            LL: It's all relatively simple stuff like filing, typing, copying. It's just that there are piles of it and everyone wants it finished right now.

            LH: 啊！归档、打字、复印都是很简单的事，可要是办公室每个人都要你做这些事，每个人都要你马上给他做，这确实难以对付。Larry，也许你该建议他们再多雇个人来帮你啊！

            LL: I doubt that. Besides, I don't want them to think I'm lazy. I guess I just have to accept the fact that I'll be swamped with work for the rest of the summer.

            LH: 真是的。一个暑假就陷在这些繁琐的工作里，太没劲了。我只想在暑假里轻松轻松。

            LL: I was hoping to relax a little, too, but it doesn't look as though that's going to happen.

            LH: 不过Larry，虽然你白天在公司里工作很忙，可是你晚上回到家可以轻松一下啦，因为你不必像学期当中忙于写作业或交报告！

            LL: That's true, but I'm so tired by the time I get home from being swamped all day that I don't have the energy to do anything fun.

            LH: 这你就跟我不一样了。我呀，再累也没有关系，只要一听到玩，我就精神百倍了。不过，Larry，我真希望能帮你一点忙。

            LL: Oh, it's not your fault, Li Hua. I'm sorry for complaining like this.

            ******

            LH: 嗨！Larry！你的暑期工作现在怎么样了！还是很忙吗？

            LL: It's even worse than ever! The management just axed one of the other employees and now they're giving me all of his work!

            LH: Ax不是斧头吗？你说你公司把那个雇员怎么啦？Axed？不是把他砍了吧？听起来好吓人的！

            LL: To ax someone is to fire them. The other guy was really unreliable so management decided to ax him.

            LH: 噢，我明白了，to ax someone就是把某人开除的意思。你真倒霉。公司把那个不可靠的人开除了，他的工作也就落在你头上。你们公司有没有考虑雇用新人来接替他的工作？

            LL: I have no idea. In the mean time, I have so much work that I'm running around all day long.

            LH: 你真可伶，每天忙得晕头转向的。也许你可以问问他们什么时候会雇用一个新人啊？

            LL: I want to ask, but I'm afraid of getting axed, too.

            LH: 你不过问问而已嘛！他们为什么要开除你呢？

            LL: Well, I guess they wouldn't fire me, because I've been doing a good job although I'm swamped with work. I just don't want them to think that I'm lazy or that I'm complaining.

            LH: 我肯定他们不会开除你。他们也不傻，知道你做很多工作，而且还做得很好。你要不说，他们绝对不会再顾一个人。这样不是省钱嘛！

            LL: I guess you are right. I'm more likely to get axed for messing up rather than telling them I'm overworked.

            LH: 没错。老老实实地告诉他们你太忙，总比你忙不过来，把事情搞砸了要好。

            LL：Li Hua, you're so smart!

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是swamped，是指陷入大量工作，或其他什么事。另一个常用语是to get axed，就是被开除的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第161课

    　


            李华打电话问Larry，想不想到动物园参观新的熊猫展览。今天李华会学到两个常用语：to putz around和worrywart。

            LH: 嘿，Larry，你在做什么？忙不忙？

            LL: Not really. I was just putzing around the apartment, cleaning up a little and putting some things away. Why? What do you have in mind?

            LH: 噢，你在家打扫，整理东西。你还在家干什么啦？什么是putzing around？那是什么意思？

            LL: To putz around is to behave idly, without anything very urgent or important to do. I don't have anything special to do, so I'm just putzing around doing minor things.

            LH: To putz around就是没有什么迫切或重要的事做，只是在家东晃晃，西摸摸。嗨，既然你没什么重要事做，要不要一块儿去动物园。我想去看新来的熊猫。

            LL: Sure. We can putz around the zoo and look at the animals. The weather is beautiful today, so it will be nice to go outside.

            LH: 就是啊，今天天气这么好，待在家里太可惜了，还不如到动物园去逛逛，看看动物。

            LL: Yeah, it's much better to putz around outside in the sunshine. It's so great to have time to relax.

            LH: 没错。前一阵子我忙得连睡觉的时间都没有，更别说四处闲晃了。说实话，我还真喜欢闲逛，I like to putz around。

            LL: When do you want to leave?

            LH: 嗯，你半小时内能出门吗？我听说熊猫在下午的时候比较活跃，这时候去最有意思！

            LL: Sure. I'll meet you at the university gate in half an hour.

            LH: 没问题！一会儿见！

            ******

            LH: Larry，快点！我怕我们会错过这班公共汽车，太晚了我们就看不到熊猫了！

            LL: Calm down, Li Hua. Don't be such a worrywart. We have plenty of time to catch the bus and the pandas aren't going anywhere.

            LH: 嘿！你又说我什么了？什么是worrywart？

            LL: A worrywart, very simply, is a person who worries too much.

            LH: A Worrywart，就是指一个人不是担心这事，就是担心那事，而这些都是一些微不足道的事情。那不就是我们中文里说的“杞人忧天”吗？Larry，我真的是这样的人吗？

            LL: Sometimes, you can be a worrywart. For instance, you worry a lot about your grades.

            LH: 可是，担心成绩不好。这很正常啊！很多人都会担心他们的成绩，学习成绩可不是什么微不足道的事呢！

            LL: Most people worry about their grades, but you worry more than most people.

            LH: 我比别人担心更多！我才不信呢。你自己也不是老担心工作，老担心你老板和同事对你印象不好。

            LL: I don't worry too much about work! I have a healthy concern for what my boss and my co-workers think, but I don't think I'm a worrywart.

            LH: 噢，我担心就是过份。你担心就是正常的！你自己想想，你应该8点上班，可上星期你每天早上5点就起床，就怕迟到。这不是过份么？

            LL: Yeah, I guess that is a little extreme. I think I'll get more relaxed at work once I've gotten more settled in. I'm still new.

            LH: 我知道。你是刚到那家公司去工作，所以特别紧张。等到你习惯以后就会放松一些的。得了，我们还是好好享受今天这么棒的天气，去看熊猫喽！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是to putz around，就是四处闲晃，无所事事的意思。另外一个常用语是worrywart，是指一个人担心个没完，就像中文里所说的“杞人忧天”。

chubbycat

流行美语第162课

    　


            李华在房门上发现一张纸条，可是字体写的很潦草，看不清写的是什么，也不知道是谁写的。今天李华会学到两个常用语：gibberish和google。

            LH: Larry，你能不能帮我看看这张字条上到底写些什么？

            LL: I can't read it, either. It looks like gibberish to me. Are you sure someone didn't leave it as a joke?

            LH: 为什么有人要跟我开玩笑留这张字条？你说这看来像gibberish。那是什么语言？

            LL: Gibberish means language that doesn't make any sense.

            LH: Gibberish就是写得乱七八糟，没有人看得懂的意思。那不就是胡言乱语吗？为什么有人要写这张奇怪的字条，还放在我门上呢？

            LL: I don't know. That doesn't make any sense to me.

            LH: 我想这字条应该很重要，不然这个人不会千里迢迢到我的楼里，在我门上留下这张字条。

            LL: Well, it wasn't important enough for them to write in plain English. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

            LH: 那倒也是，要是很重要，这个人应该写清楚一点嘛！我只希望这个留字条的人不要认为我没礼貌，不给他回复。

            LL: Hey, it's not your fault that the note was all gibberish. Besides, if it's really important, whoever it is will try to contact you again.

            LH: 没错，如果真有什么重要的事，这个人会再和我联系的。对了，Larry，你知道我还在哪里见过这种写得乱七八糟的东西吗？

            LL: No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.

            LH: 一些美国人喜欢在身上刺中文刺青或穿带有中文字的衣服。可是有时候这些中文根本就不对，看不清是什么字。所以也算是gibberish。

            LL: Yeah, I've seen people do that, too. But the truth is, I saw the same thing in China: People would wear clothes with English writing on them that was pure gibberish.

            LH: 嘿嘿，这真有意思。我想都是因为大家对外国语言似懂非懂吧？

            ******

            LH: Larry，又有人在我门上留条了，不过这一次，还有个公司商标在上面。你听说过一个叫West的公司吗？

            LL: No, I've never heard of it, but you can find out what sort of company it is by googling it.

            LH: 你要我做什么？Google？那是什么意思？

            LL: You know that there is an internet search engine called Google, right?

            LH: 我当然知道因特网的搜索引擎Google。中文叫古狗网站，我经常用。

            LL: Well, people use it so often, that now it has become a verb meaning to do an internet search using Google.

            LH: 噢，因为大家经常用古狗网来查询，所以现在google已经成了一个动词，意思是上网用古狗网查资料或信息！你是要我上网去google一下，查查这家公司？

            LL: That's my advice. It will only take a minute. Googling stuff is so convenient. I can't imagine what life was like before Google.

            LH: 就是啊，要是从前找一家公司，不知道要花多少时间翻电话本，现在只要上网，一下子就找到了。

            LL: Sometimes when you google something, you get a lot of unnecessary information, but you can look through it relatively quickly.

            LH: 没错，我刚开始google的时候，我总觉得不到点上。现在我看谁都得google，因为它实在是很方便。好，我现在就上网来看看这家West公司到底是做什么的。

            LL: Good luck. I hope you get an answer to the question of who has been leaving mysterious notes full of gibberish on your door.

            LH：嗨，Larry，要是我google碰到问题，我还得请你帮忙呐！

            LL：Oh, google is so easy, you won't have any problems.

            今天李华学到两个常用语，第一个是gibberish，就是写的乱七八糟，看不清的字，或者是胡言乱语，让人听不懂得话。另一个常用语是google，是指上网查某个信息或资料。

chubbycat

流行美语第163课

    　


            Larry和李华正在纽约苏活区吃午饭。两人聊起了自己的暑期工作。今天李华会学到两个常用语：bang for the buck和number crunchers。

            LL: Did I tell you that my boss has decided to advertise his business online? He says newspaper advertisements are too expensive and believes the Internet will reach more people.

            LH: 你老板的主意很好啊。在因特网上登广告当然比在报纸上登广告要便宜，而且看到的人还会多很多呢。

            LL: Yes it does. He figures that for a fraction of the cost, he will get more bang for his buck!

            LH: 花一点点钱就能怎么啦？More bang for his buck?那是什么意思呀？

            LL: More bang for your buck... Bang for the buck is when someone gets more value for the money they put into something. "Buck" is another way of saying dollars or money.

            LH: 我懂了！Bang for the buck就是※花最少钱取得最大效果§。也就是成本低，收效高，很合算的意思啦。就像我们现在吃的自助餐，每人只要4美元，就可以吃到各式各样的菜色，还有可口的点心，像冰淇淋、蛋糕等等。

            LL: That's right Li Hua, by paying less and eating more you are getting more bang for your buck.

            LH: 这么说来，昨天我到艾尔加油站去加油，也是很合算的。I got more bang for my buck!

            LL: How's that?

            LH: 那个加油站昨天在大促销啊！一加仑汽油只要1块5美元呢！

            LL: US$1.50 a gallon! That's incredible! Prices at most stations now are as high as US$2.70 a gallon. You definitely got more bang for your buck!

            LH：没错，有的加油站都快要三美元一加仑了。你好象没有听说过艾尔加油站。我明天带你去，so that you can get more bang for you buck too!

            LL：That sounds good!

            ******

            LH: 对了，Larry，你还没说你老板决定在那个网站上登广告？

            LL: He says he would like to put his advertisement on the Website for the New York Times. Of course, that really depends on what his number cruncher says about the idea.

            LH: 你老板想把广告登在纽约时报的网站上。不过，什么是number cruncher？那是什么意思？

            LL: A number cruncher is someone who is good with numbers, like an accountant.

            LH: 等，等。Number就是数字；cruncher这个词来自crunch，就是在嘴巴里咀嚼，crunch后面加上e, r, 就成了咀嚼的人。咀嚼数字...？噢，我知道了，a number cruncher就是会摆弄数字的人，也就是象会计那样会算帐的人。你的老板一定很信任公司的会计。

            LL: Who happens to be his wife.

            LH：原来你们公司的会计就是你老板的太太呀？

            LL：When he and his wife first started their business he was in charge of the finances. That didn't last long. When they found themselves $10,000 in debt they knew something had to change.

            LH: 公司开办时，你的老板管帐，结果一下就亏了一万美元呀！所以后来才让他太太来管帐的。

            LL: Yes. In six months, she helped turn the business around and now they are making as much as $10,000 a month in profit.

            LH: 哟， 你老板的太太真厉害。她不但扭转了亏损，现在一个月就能赢利一万美元哪！我可最怕数字的。

            LL：I am not a number cruncher either. She's a real number cruncher。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是bang for the buck，意思是花最少钱得到最大的效果，也就是合算，划算的意思。另一个常用语是number cruncher，这是指对数字很在行，很能算计的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第164课

    　


            Larry和李华正在中央公园等着听音乐。那里举行的户外摇滚乐演唱会马上就要开始。今天李华会学到两个常用语：Boss和Mob scene。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, I can't wait for the band to start playing. The last concert I went to by this band was totally boss.

            LH: 你说上回去听这个乐队演出怎么啦？Boss？那不是指监督工作的老板吗？

            LL: Right, but when I said the concert was boss, I meant it was really great.

            LH: 啊？Boss在这里是形容演唱会很棒的意思，可是Boss跟很棒有什么关系呀？

            LH: You know how a boss is above his employees and tells them what to do? Something that is boss is above the others. And better than the rest.

            LH: 噢，因为老板，也就是boss比其他人更能干，指挥手下人干活，所以就是棒！那我很喜欢星际大战电影里的特效，我能不能说they were boss?

            LL: The special effects in the new Star Wars movie were boss. They were much better than in the older Star Wars movies.

            LH: 对，我同意。新的星际大战里面的特效比以前的星际大战更棒。Larry，你看到Rick 买的新车吗？

            LL: Yeah, it is nice, isn't it? Fire engine red with leather seats and a sunroof. That is definitely one boss car.

            LH: 我可不喜欢那大红颜色，象救火车。可是皮座垫和天窗我倒很喜欢。Larry，要是我认为一样东西不太棒，那该怎么说呀？

            LL: If you don't think something is that great, you can say something is not so boss.

            LH: 要是今天的演出很棒，我就可以说：They are boss! 但是上星期的表演不怎么样，那就是：They weren't so boss.

            LL: You are right, in fact. Last week's act wasn't so boss. I was there.

            LH: 嘿！你看！乐团出来了。哇！他们的服装好棒噢！So boss!

            LL: And wait until you hear the lead guitarist start playing. I think you'll find he is pretty boss, too.

            LH: 你说那吉他手很棒呀？那他肯定很有名，是吗？嘘！要开场了。别说话了！

            ******

            LL: What a mob scene! The concert is over and now there are people everywhere.

            LH: 就是，演唱会一结束，大家都抢着要回家，你瞧这人群哪！哎，Larry, 什么是mob scene?

            LL: Well, a mob scene, is a big group of people, who are acting in a random and disorderly way.

            LH: 噢，mob scene就是指乱糟糟的一大群人。上星期我去看星际大战电影的首映，买票的人排着队打闹说笑，有票的人在门口等着开场。That was a real mob scene.

            LL: Yes, the theaters were mobbed for the opening of Star Wars. I am going to wait a few weeks to see it when the lines will be shorter.

            LH: 早知道首映的时候会那么多人，我也该象你这样等几个星期再去看，就不必排那么长的队了。Larry, 我们该往哪儿走呀？我们得脱离这个mob scene才行，不然我们什么时候才能到家呀！

            LL: Well, the subway will probably also be mobbed. It will be just as much of a mob scene on the train as it is here.

            LH: 啊？连地铁也会象这里一样挤满人啊？那我们别去和人挤了。我们先走一段路吧！

            LL: Okay, Li Hua, I've got an idea about how to get away from this mob. Follow me. I know a shortcut!

            LH：哟，你还知道小路呐。你早说呀！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是boss，这是很棒，很好的意思。另一个常用语是mob scene，这是指人很多的场面。

chubbycat

流行美语第165课

    　


            李华请Larry到家来帮她修理堵塞的澡盆。今天李华会学到两个常用语：gross和in a pinch。

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, look at the hair clogging your drain. How gross!

            LH: 我知道是头发把澡盆给堵死了。不过， Gross是什么意思哪? 你是说这里有很多头发啊？

            LL: No, I'm not referring to the quantity. I mean it is disgusting and sickening!

            LH: 原来gross在这里是指让人看到难受，令人恶心，不舒服的意思。堵住下水道的东西当然都是很脏的，看见了让人恶心。不过，上回我在你家看到你的冰箱，那才叫恶心呢！

            LL: What do you mean?

            LH: 我是说，你冰箱里的食物有的已经发霉了。That was gross!

            LL: I've cleaned out my refrigerator since then, and I don't think it is that gross any more.

            LH: 你清理过你的冰箱啦？过两天我去看看。还有，你把脏衣服到处乱丢，that's gross, too!

            LL: All right, Li Hua, I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best housekeeper. I've been so busy lately, that my whole apartment is pretty gross right now, to tell you the truth.

            LH: 你能老实承认自己不会理家。那还算不错的。一般男生都不会整理家。这样吧！Larry，过两天我去你家帮你打扫干净，作为对你今天的帮忙表示感谢。请人来修要花好多钱哪！

            LL: Yeah, the amount the plumber will charge you will be pretty gross, I am sure. What tools do you have?

            LH: 让我看看，工具可能都在水槽下的柜子里。Ooh, gross! 有只大蜘蛛！

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, it is a tiny spider, and I think it is cute. I don't think it is gross at all.

            LH：哎哟，你还说那只大蜘蛛看起来挺好玩呐！It is gross， Larry。

            ******

            LH: Larry, 我找到那个通马桶的工具了！用这个来清除这些头发行吗？

            LL: It will have to do in a pinch.

            LH: In a pinch? 那是什么意思？

            LL: You know, a pinch is a tight spot in which you can't move around or a difficult situation in which you don't have many options.

            LH: Pinch就是很小的地方，没有什么周转余地，或者是处于困难的情况下，没什么选择余地。我的厕所是很小，可是也足够你站在里面修澡盆呀！

            LL: I meant that we don't really have a choice about whether or not I use the plunger. I'll either have to use your plunger, or call the plumber.

            LH: 噢，原来你说的in a pinch是指我们别无选择的意思，要就用这个工具，否则就得请人来修。那你就用这个工具试试看哪！

            LL: Well, then let me try to get us out of the pinch we're in. Let me use the plunger.

            LH: 对，用这个工具试试，没准你能解决这个难题！

            LL: Yes, it is working. The tub is draining now.

            LH: 水开始流啦？哇！太棒。太谢谢你了，帮我解决了这个大麻烦。You really get me out of this pinch!

            LL: It is my pleasure. I am always glad to help a friend in a pinch.

            LH: 我们都知道你是乐于帮助朋友解决困难的。好，现在要想办法解决你的问题了。

            LL: Yes, if I don't get that apartment cleaned before my parents come to visit, I am going to be in a real pinch.

            LH: 你要在你爸妈来之前打扫干净你的公寓，否则你也只好让他们看到你那肮脏恶心的家了。

            LL: Exactly, so now it is your turn to help me out of the pinch I am in.

            LH：我一定帮你打扫干净。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是gross，这是指看到的东西让人感到很恶心，很不舒服。另一个常用语是in a pinch，这是指陷入困境，没有选择余地。

chubbycat

流行美语第166课

    　


            Larry和一个朋友约好碰面，但眼看自己就要迟到了。他向李华借手机打电话让他朋友等一会儿。今天李华会学到两个常用语：cell和the 411。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua can I borrow your cell?

            LH: 你要借我的什么来着，cell？

            LL: You know your cell. Your cell phone.

            LH: 噢，原来cell就是cell phone手机的简称。你当然可以借用我的手机。拿去！

            LL: Thanks. Having a cell is so convenient. I just need to give Rick a call and let him know I am going to be late to meet him.

            LH: 手机是很方便。你看，你现在快要迟到了，有手机就可以打个电话告诉Rick，否则他会以为你不来了呢！

            LL: (Larry makes phone call) Hey, Rick, it's Larry. I'm running a bit late. I'll meet you at the library in about half an hour. OK? See you then, Bye! Thanks, Li Hua, here's your cell back.

            LH: 你半小时就能到图书馆见Rick? 那你就快走吧！对了，Larry，你不自己也有手机吗？

            LL: I am embarrassed to say my apartment is such a mess that I can't find my cell. I am sure it is there somewhere under a pile of clothes.

            LH: 你找不到你的手机啦？没错，肯定是埋在那堆衣服里了。没问题，今晚我给你手机打个电话，你听到铃声就知道手机在哪里了。

            LL: Right, when my cell starts ringing, I'll be able to find it. I'll just follow the sound of the ring. Good idea!

            LH: 好，那你把你手机的号码给我，我输入我的手机里，今晚就可以给你打电话。

            LL: Okay, it is 5-5-5-2-3-4-5. I already have your cell number programmed into my phone, Li Hua.

            LH: Larry，我得用一下我的手机，Mary给我留了话，不知道她找我做什么？

            ******

            LL: So, what was the call about? Give me the 411.

            LH: 你在说什么奇怪的东西啊？什么是give me the 411?

            LL: You know you dial 411 to reach the information operator, right? Well, when I said to "give me the 411," I meant for you to give me information just like the operator gives you the number you are looking for.

            LH: 对呀，要查电话号码就打411，然后他们就会把你要的号码告诉你。所以，你说“give me the 411”，意思就是要我告诉你Mary打电话给我有什么事。Mary是问我想不想参加明天晚上在她家举行的读书会。

            LL: Hmmm....I don't know Mary. What is the 411 on her?

            LH: 噢，你要知道有关Mary的情况？Mary她人很好，也很用功。你想不想跟我去参加明天的读书会。这样你就能见到Mary了！

            LL: I'd really like to meet Mary, but I've been invited to a party tomorrow evening.

            LH: 你明晚要参加一个party？什么party， give me the 411?

            LL: One of the guys I work with - Fred - has been given a big promotion. He has invited several of us from work to meet him at a pub to celebrate.

            LH: 噢，你的朋友被提升要请你们去庆祝。这个party听起来很棒耶！Larry，我能跟你一起去吗？

            LL: Sorry, Li Hua. According to the 411 I have, this is a co-workers only event. Fred wants to express his thanks to the people that have helped him at work.

            LH: 哼，只有同事才能参加啊。好吧。对了，这个Fred是个什么样的人？What is the 411 on Fred?

            LL: He's a great guy. Oh, Li Hua, I've got to go! I've got to meet Rick at the library. I'll give you more 411 on Fred some other time.

            LH：你下回可别忘了告诉我有关Fred 的情况。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是cell，也就是cell phone 手机的简称。另一个常用语是the 411，意思是有关某人或某件事的信息。今天的流行美语就播送到这里。谢谢大家收听，我们下次节目再见！

chubbycat

流行美语第167课

    　


            Larry和李华在海滩享受温暖的阳光。不过李华有点心事，因为她的朋友Joe向她借了钱，却一直没还。今天李华会学到两个常用语：deadbeat和cool it。

            (Ambience sound on the beach)

            LL: Li Hua, relax and enjoy the day. Joe isn't a deadbeat. He'll pay you back as soon as he can.

            LH: 我也希望Joe会还我钱。你说Joe不是一个deadbeat，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: A deadbeat is someone who does not pay his/her debts or fulfill his/her obligations. Joe is not a deadbeat. He always pays people back.

            LH: A deadbeat就是一个故意赖帐的人。你说Joe不是那样的人，可要是他一直不还我钱，那我该怎么跟他提这件事，又不伤他的自尊心呢？这事真麻烦！

            LL: You're right; money is an awkward subject. I usually just avoid lending people money altogether. That way I don't have to worry about deadbeats.

            LH: 唉，我也不喜欢借钱给别人，可我是真的想帮他忙。

            LL: Yeah, I know what you mean. Just be careful who you help in the future: there are a lot of deadbeats out there.

            LH: 我知道，下回我再要借钱给别人，一定会格外小心，因为借钱不还的人还是有的。对了，Larry，我还听过别人说deadbeat dads。那是什么意思啊？

            LL: Well, after a divorce, a man is supposed to send money to his ex-wife to help her support their children. A man who doesn't send money is a "deadbeat dad."

            LH: 噢，我懂了，A deadbeat dad就是离婚后不肯负担孩子抚养费的父亲。

            LL: Exactly. I know a guy whose father was a deadbeat dad. The poor guy's mother had to work three jobs to support her children.

            LH: 这个妈妈要做三份工来抚养她的孩子，就是因为爸爸不肯抚养孩子。难道法律都不惩罚这些不负责任的父亲吗？

            LL: Well, the courts can tell a deadbeat dad that he needs to pay child support, but that doesn't mean that he actually will.

            LH: 什么！法庭告诉他们要付钱，他们不付也没事呀？唉，真是糟糕！

            ******

            LL: Wow! Those kids over there are really loud. I wish they'd cool it.

            LH: 那些孩子是挺吵的。你要他们怎么着，cool it？什么意思呀？

            LL: I wish they would "cool it" means calm down. It can also mean to stop what one is doing.

            LH: 噢，cool it就是安静下来，或者停止做某件事的意思。你的意思是要这些孩子别再吵了。

            LL: Exactly. I wonder where their parents are? I'm surprised that their parents haven't told them to cool it yet.

            LH: 就是啊，那些孩子在那里鬼吼鬼叫好一会儿了。他们的爸妈到底听见了没？怎么不好好管教自己的孩子呢？

            LL: It's hard to enjoy the day with such noisy kids around. I'm considering going over there myself and telling them to "cool it."

            LH: 啊？你想自己过去叫那些孩子安静一点？我不知道这样做好不好呢。

            LL: Why not? Their parents obviously aren't going to do it and those kids are ruining the day for a lot of people.

            LH: Larry，也许你该冷静一点，cool it，别跟那些孩子一般见识了。不然，我们可以搬到远一点的地方坐。

            LL: Yeah, that's probably a good idea.

            LH: 来吧，我们把东西收一收，搬到海滩的另一边去好了。

            LL: Okay, let's go.

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是deadbeat，是指借钱不还，故意赖帐的人。另一个常用语是cool it，是指安静下来，或停止做某件事。

chubbycat

流行美语第168课

    　


            Larry和李华正在讨论星期六要干什么。李华要去逛街，但是Larry想去打篮球。今天李华会学到两个常用语：whatever floats your boat和up a creek。

            LH: Larry，我真的很想去逛街嘛！这个周末在购物中心有大特卖耶！

            LL: I don't understand why you like shopping so much, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

            LH: Boat？你在说什么啊？我是想去逛街买衣服，不是要去乘船玩啦！

            LL: No, "whatever floats your boat" is an expression. Whatever floats your boat means that you should do whatever you like doing. It also implies that everyone likes to do different things.

            LH: 噢，whatever floats your boat就是说你爱干什么就干什，而且还有每个人爱好不同的意思。好，那我星期六去逛街！

            LL: Fine then. You should do whatever floats your boat. However, I think I'll go play basketball instead.

            LH: 行，你想去打篮球，那就去吧！ Whatever floats your boat!

            LL: I guess we won't be spending Saturday together. We could still meet for dinner, though.

            LH: 没问题，晚上一起吃晚饭，那你想去哪里吃饭呢？

            LL: I don't have any preferences. Whatever floats your boat is fine with me.

            LH: 真的吗？由我来决定去哪儿吃饭啊？

            LL: Yep, the decision is yours.

            LH: 嗯... 这样啊，我们能不能去学校附近那家新开的泰国餐厅？我朋友告诉我，他们的菜很好吃！

            LL: If that's what floats your boat, then it's fine with me.

            LH: 好，没问题。那我们星期六晚上6点半在餐厅见喽！

            LL: Okay, I'll see you then.

            ******

            LH: 怎么啦？Larry，出了什么事吗？

            LL: I lost my keys when I went to play basketball today. Now, I'm really up a creek.

            LH: 你把钥匙弄丢了？哎呀，那可真是麻烦了。不过，这跟a creek有什么关系哪？ Creek那不就是小溪吗？

            LL: If someone is "up a creek" it means that he or she is stuck in a bad situation without an obvious solution.

            LH: 噢，我懂了，up a creek就是说一个人碰上难题，而且还没有办法来解决。也就是我们中文里说的“陷入困境”。唉，你现在真的是碰上大难题了。那你打算怎么办呢？

            LL: I don't know. I can't get into my apartment or my car without my keys.

            LH: 对，你没有钥匙就进不了家，也进不了你的车。那你能不能打电话问你房东，或许他有多一把钥匙。

            LL: My landlord is out of town for the weekend, so I'm up a creek until he gets back on Monday.

            LH: 什么？你的房东出远门，要到星期一才会回来？那可真麻烦了。也许你可以找个锁匠来开锁？

            LL: I think that might be my only solution, but it's going to be expensive.

            LH: 我知道请锁匠来开锁，可能要花一点钱，可是那总比你一个周末被关在家门外，不得其门而入要好吧？

            LL: Yeah, you're right. I have no idea what to do about my car keys, though. They're a little bit more difficult to replace.

            LH: 不好意思，我不开车，所以不知道上哪儿能找到新的车钥匙。看来你真是up a creek, 陷入困境了。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是whatever floats your boat，意思就是你爱干什么就干什。另一个常用语是up a creek。这是形容一个人陷入困境。

chubbycat

流行美语第169课

    　


            李华的教授刚添了个女儿。李华和Larry准备去拜访这位教授，向他们表示祝贺。今天李华会学到两个常用语：wiped out和cutie-pie。

            LH: 嘿！Larry，我想去看琼斯教授和他太太。他们的女儿Sarah现在也应该有几个星期大了！

            LL: Aren't you worried they are too wiped out to have company?

            LH: Wiped out？你说琼斯教授他们怎么样了？

            LL: Too wiped out means they must be really tired. I am sure they haven't gotten much sleep with a new baby in the house.

            LH: 噢，Wiped-out就是很疲乏的意思。添了小宝宝他们俩可能都睡不好。不过我想，我们早一点去拜访他们，坐一会儿就走，应该没问题吧。我听说baby Sarah真的很可爱呢！

            LL: OK, That sounds good, but we should call before we go. You know, I am amazed Professor Jones is still teaching classes considering how wiped out he must be.

            LH: 就是啊，虽然很累，琼斯教授还来上课呢！真是让人佩服！我啊，只要想到去上课都会累，更何况我还没有小宝宝呢。

            LL: You're right! Just going to work every day wipes me out. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to get up so many times in the middle of the night to feed the baby and change diapers.

            LH: 没错，半夜里要起来好几次喂奶，换尿布，真是难以想象。我可受不了。

            LL：Wait until you have your own baby, you wouldn't mind to be wiped out.

            LH：我想是这样，有了自己的孩子再累也不在乎。 好吧，那我们就给琼斯教授打个电话，看他们什么时候方便让我们过去，顺便看看小宝宝。

            LL: And before we go we probably should stop somewhere and get a card and present for the baby. You aren't too wiped out to do a little shopping first, are you?

            LH: 说到逛街买礼物，我才不会觉得累呢！特别是买那些可爱的小宝宝衣服。我再累也愿意去！

            LL: I should have known!

            LH: 好，那我现在给琼斯教授打电话！

            ******

            LH: Larry，你觉得baby Sarah是不是真的好可爱？

            LL: She was indeed. She was a real cutie-pie!

            LH: A cutie-WHAT? 你怎么说她是个派？Pie那不是一种点心吗？

            LL: Well, a "cutie-pie" isn't actually a pie like the desert, but means someone who is very cute.

            LH: 原来如此，cutie-pie不是指点心，而是指人长的很可爱。小宝宝Sarah眼睛大大的，再加上圆圆的脸蛋，真可爱！She is certainly a cutie-pie!

            LL: And little Sarah certainly takes after her mother. Professor Jones's wife is a cutie-pie, too!

            LH: 哎，Larry，琼斯教授的太太可是已婚妇女噢！就算你觉得她长的可爱，恐怕也没机会了。我劝你啊，还是多注意身边是不是还有其他可爱的女孩吧！

            LL: Do you have any one in mind?

            LH: 说起来，我还真有几个长的很可爱的女朋友，或许可以给你介绍一个，让你们出去吃个饭或看电影什么的。

            LL: Well, you would be a real sweetie-pie if you would give one of them a call and say nice things about me.

            LH: 哎。等等，我以为你刚才教我的是cutie-pie, 怎么你现在又说我是个sweetie-pie?

            LL: Sweetie-pie just means you are a very nice person. "Cutie-pie" and "sweetie-pie" are both often used to describe young children.

            LH: Sweetie-pie和cutie-pie往往是形容小孩。那我是不是可以叫你"oldy-pie"？因为你可不年轻了。

            LL: Sorry, Li Hua, it is just "sweetie-pie" or "cutie-pie." That's it.

            LH: 我知道，跟你开个玩笑而已，而且你也不老。Larry，你这么热心教我英语，真是个sweetie-pie。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是wiped out，是形容一个人很疲乏。另一个常用语是cutie-pie，是形容一个人长的很可爱。Sweetie-pie则是指一个人心地善良，热心助人。

chubbycat

流行美语第170课

    　


            Larry在告诉李华关于他们的一个同学最近和女朋友闹别扭的事。今天李华会学到两个常用语：high maintenance和dating 101。

            LL: You know, Li Hua, I feel bad for Tom. His girlfriend is so high maintenance.

            LH: 什么？High maintenance不就是指一些需要精心维护的机器吗？

            LL: Exactly. And in this case, Rachel is very complicated, and Tom needs to put a lot of efforts into maintaining his relationship with her.

            LH: 嗨，把high maintenance这个说法用在人的身上！不过也有道理，要是一个人需要high maintenance，那不就是很难伺候嘛！我和Rachel不熟，但是她看起来好象是个很好的人啊！为什么你认为她很难伺候呢？

            LL: Well, she gets upset if Tom doesn't call her every day. If he takes her out to eat, it has to be to a very expensive restaurant or she'll complain. It is hard for Tom to keep her happy.

            LH: 真没想到她那么难伺候。不每天给她打电话，不去高级餐馆就要生气。听起来倒是和我的朋友美玲很像。美玲也是个需要high maintenance的人。

            LL: Yeah, Meiling is a high maintenance friend. I know she doesn't like it when you spend time with me and not her.

            LH: 就是。她经常抱怨我花太多时间和你一起。我得经常向她解释我是在跟你学英语，还得跟她道歉。对了，Larry，你觉得我会不会像他们一样很难伺候？

            LL: Of course not, Li Hua, you are a very relaxed and easy-going person. In fact, as friends go, you are pretty low maintenance.

            LH: Low maintenance，你是说，和我交朋友，你不需要为了避免我生气而费尽心思。那就好。我可不想变成朋友心目中很难搞的人呢。

            ******

            LL: Well, Li Hua, I just talked to Tom. Rachel just broke up with him. It is back to Dating 101 for Tom.

            LH: Tom和Rachel分手啦？！你说Tom需要上约会101的课？我怎么没听说学校有开这门课呢？

            LL: Of course the university doesn't offer such a class! But it does offer History 101, English 101, and Chinese 101. These are all basic classes.

            LH: 噢，像历史101，英语101都是指一些基本课程，所以dating 101就是指学习有关约会的一切，就好像他到学校里修一门基础课学习怎样约会。

            LL: Right. And Tom isn't the only one who needs to take Dating 101. I haven't had a date in a long time.

            LH: 嘿！Larry，说到约会，你还记得我很喜欢的那个男孩，上星期我和他出去一次。我们去一家气氛不错的餐厅，可是他的话实在不多。

            LL: Sounds like he needs to enroll in Conversation 101. He should at least be able to keep a conversation going through dinner.

            LH: 没错，看来他的确需要修一门对话101的课程。不过他人是真的很好，就是非常害羞。

            LL: Then maybe what he needs is Confidence-Building 101, instead.

            LH: Larry，你真有意思，居然说他该上一门建立自信的基础课，Confidence-Building101！

            LL: And as for you Li Hua, you could use a little Relaxation 101. You are always so worried about your grades.

            LH: 没错，我是很担心学习成绩，所以你建议我修一门学会放松的基础课，Relaxation 101。你呀！我看你应该修一门有关整理家务的101课，看你的房间乱得那样。

            LL: Well, as you probably guessed, I failed Housekeeping 101. Dating 101 is a lot more fun.

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是high maintenance。这是形容一个人需要别人小心谨慎来对待，否则就会不高兴，也就是很难伺候的意思。另一个常用语是dating101。这是指有关约会的最基本知识。

chubbycat

流行美语第171课

    　


            Larry和李华正在吃午饭。Larry好像心情不太好。今天李华会学到两个常用语：crummy和sack out。

            LH: Larry，怎么啦？你好像不太开心，是什么事惹你不高兴？

            LL: Oh, I'm just having a really crummy day. My crummy computer crashed again and my crummy air conditioner isn't working.

            LH: 你的电脑坏了，连你的空调也坏了。你可真倒霉耶！不过，你说了好几个crummy，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: When you're talking about a situation, crummy means miserable. When you're talking about an object, crummy means cheap and poor quality.

            LH: 噢，crummy形容一个情况，是指非常难受、很惨。要是形容一个东西，就是指这个东西很次，质量很差。Larry，你真可怜，有没有什么我能帮忙的？

            LL: Not unless you can fix my crummy computer and my crummy air conditioner.

            LH: 抱歉，我真希望我能帮忙，可是我既不会修电脑，也不会修空调。你有没有通知你的房东，要他来修空调呢？

            LL: Yeah, but he's not a very good landlord. He takes forever to fix anything, and even when he finally fixes something, he usually does a crummy job.

            LH: 嗨，这样的房东！要就不给你修，就是修也修得不怎么样。这可真糟糕呢！What a crummy situation!

            LL: You said it. I brought my computer to the repair shop and they say that they will have to keep for a week and it will cost $100 to fix.

            LH: 什么！要在修理的店里放一个星期，还要一百美元？

            LL: Yes, I hope they don't do a crummy job of fixing it. Well, if they do a crummy job the first time, then they should fix it the second time for free.

            LH: 当然喽，如果一次没修好，他们当然得免费再帮你修。不过如果他们修理的技术太差，要我的话，可不想再回去找他们。

            LL: That's understandable. Well, hopefully, they'll do a good job.

            ******

            LL: I think part of the reason I'm having a crummy day is because I'm tired. I think I'll go home and sack out for an hour or two.

            LH: 你累了？可你要回家做什么？什么是sack out?

            LL: To sack out is to go to sleep. I want to go home and sleep for a while.

            LH: 噢，原来to sack out就是睡觉。那不就和hit the sack意思一样嘛？

            LL: That's right. If I sack out for a couple of hours, then I should wake up in a better mood.

            LH: 对了，Larry，你怎么会这么累啊？

            LL: Well, I didn't sack out until around 2 this morning because I was trying to fix my crummy computer.

            LH: 哇！修电脑修到清晨两点，怪不得你那么累！你真应该早点休息！

            LL: I know. It was so hard to get out of bed and go to work this morning.

            LH: 那当然啦，半夜两点才睡觉，早上肯定不想起床。如果你现在回家睡觉，那你今晚还睡得着吗？

            LL: I'm so tired that I don't think it will be a problem. I could probably sack out now and not wake up until tomorrow morning.

            LH: 你累到这种程度呀？现在回家睡觉，可以一觉睡到明天早上？看你这个样子，你再要这样熬夜早晚得生病的！

            LL：I don't believe you sack out at regular hour every night. You stay late too.

            LH：嗯，我有必要时当然也会开夜车，但没有象你这么经常呀！你得自己注意身体嘛。

            LL：You're right! I'll try not to sack out too late.

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是crummy, 可以指情况很糟糕，也可以指一样东西质量很差。另一个常用语是sack out，就是睡觉的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第172课
    (MP3下载)

    　


            Larry和李华今天去逛街买衣服。Larry看到李华买了一大包衣服，简直吃惊。今天李华会学到两个常用语：clotheshorse和shell out。

            LL: Wow, Li Hua! How many clothes do you need? You're a real clotheshorse, aren't you?

            LH: 哎哟！这些衣服都在大减价，不买可惜耶！对了，你又在说我什么啦？什么是clotheshorse?

            LL: A clotheshorse is someone who is concerned about fashion and likes to collect a lot of clothes.

            LH: Clotheshorse就是指爱时髦，喜欢买很多衣服的人。我不觉得我是clotheshorse啊！我来美国念书后，胖了很多，旧衣服已经穿不下了，所以我才需要买些新衣服嘛！

            LL: I think that's just an excuse to go shopping! You don't look like you've gained weight to me.

            LH: Larry，是真的，我没有骗你，我真的胖了不少！

            LL: I guess I'll take your word for it. Are you sure you're not a clotheshorse? Didn't you just go shopping a few weeks ago?

            LH: 我几个星期前去买衣服了？ 你弄错了人吧。我已经有一年多没有买衣服了！再说，我也不是什么追求时髦的人，你怎么能说我是个clotheshorse？

            LL: I'm just teasing you. My mother is a true clotheshorse. She has a huge, walk-in closet and it is completely filled with clothes. She loves to buy clothes.

            LH: 你妈妈这么喜欢买衣服啊？难怪她总是打扮的很漂亮，而且她的衣服看来都很新。

            LL: It's funny, but my sister didn't inherit my mother's tendencies. She's not a clotheshorse at all.

            LH: 你妹妹不喜欢买衣服吗？ 女孩子不喜欢买衣服，那可不多。

            LL: My sister hates going shopping. She would be happy if she could wear the same t-shirt and jeans every day of the year.

            LH: 真的？你妹妹宁可每天穿同样的T恤和牛仔裤？看来，不是每个女人都是clotheshorse。

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, how much money did you shell out to buy clothes today?

            LH: Shell out？那是什么意思？

            LL: To shell out money means to pay for something.

            LH: 噢，to shell out money就是花钱的意思，你是问我今天花了多少钱买这些衣服？其实每件衣服都打了折扣，所以我没花太多钱。

            LL: I'm just curious how much you have to shell out to fill up that huge shopping bag with women's clothing.

            LH: 你好奇？这可奇怪了，你怎么会突然间对女人衣服的价钱感兴趣？你也想买一些啊？

            LL: No! I'm just curious, that's all. I've heard that women's clothes are more expensive than men's clothes.

            LH: 你只是想知道女装是不是比男装贵。其实只要你懂得怎么找减价的衣服，你并不需要花大笔钱买衣服啊！

            LL: Next time I have to buy clothes, I'll ask you for help. I never bother to look for sales and I always end up shelling out more than I should.

            LH: 没问题！买衣服，找折扣品，我最在行了，我一定帮你！

            LL: Well, while we're at the mall, why don't you help me find a good deal on a pair of jeans.

            LH: 找牛仔裤？没问题！你通常都花多少钱买一件牛仔裤？

            LL: I usually shell out around $40.00.

            LH: 40块啊？我能帮你找到一件20块的牛仔裤，怎么样？

            LL: That's awesome!

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是clotheshorse，是形容一个讲究穿着，喜欢买衣服的人。另一个常用语是shell out，也就是“付出”，尤其指付钱买东西的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第173课

    　


            Larry和李华刚看完一部最新的恐怖片，两人在离开戏院时还在讨论这部电影。今天李华会学到两个常用语：go overboard和guzzle。

            LH: 这电影好恐怖，真吓人噢！

            LL: Actually, I think it was kind of disappointing. I think the director went a little overboard with some of the special effects.

            LH: 你是在说导演和电影里的特效，但是你说的“went a little overboard"，我可不懂。那是什么意思？

            LL: To go overboard with something is to go too far with it or use too much of it. I think the director relied too much on special effects.

            LH: 噢，原来to go overboard就是做得过头了，太过份了。所以你刚才是说这部电影的导演用了太多特效，对吗？

            LL: Exactly. I think the writers went a little overboard, too.

            LH: 啊？连编剧都做过头了，为什么呀？

            LL: Well, the writers created a main character who is a pilot, a linguist, a professor, and an expert in martial arts. That sounds a little overboard to me!

            LH: 那倒也是。他们把主角写成是一个飞行员、语言学家兼教授、而且还是武术高手，是有点太夸张了！一个角色有这么多才能，好像有点不真实了。

            LL: Yup. Of course, maybe I'm going a little overboard by analyzing a movie so much. After all, it is just a movie.

            LH: 你觉得你对这部电影的分析太过份啦？我倒没有这种感觉。是的，这只不过是一部电影。但是看完电影大家不是都讨论分析吗？

            LL: Aaaagh?

            LH: Larry，你怎么啦？

            LL: My stomach hurts. I think I went overboard with the popcorn.

            LH: 我刚才就告诉你别吃那么多爆米花，你看，现在胃开始疼了吧？

            ******

            LL: Aaaagh (groan).

            LH: Larry，怎么啦，你的胃还在疼呀？

            LL: Well, I pigged out on popcorn and then I was really thirsty, so I guzzled a large soda. Now, I'm really uncomfortable.

            LH: Guzzle a large soda? 你是说你喝了一大杯汽水，是这个意思吗？

            LL: Yeah, to guzzle something is to drink it quickly. The salt in the popcorn made me really thirsty, so I guzzled a bunch of soda.

            LH: Guzzle就是很快喝下去的意思。我知道，那就是说，你大口大口地喝了好多汽水。哼，你吃了那么多爆米花，那玩意儿又干又咸的，你口渴了就往下灌汽水。这么吃胃不疼才怪呢！

            LL: I know. I know. I'm suffering the consequences of my actions.

            LH: 对了，你毫无克制地吃爆米花，接着大口地喝汽水。你现在知道这么做的后果，吃苦头了吧！你真是自作自受！

            LL: Yes, I know. Usually I don't guzzle soda like that.

            LH: 是呀，我从来没有见你喝过那么多汽水 - guzzle so much soda。

            LL：Yes, I've never done that before. I just suffered a temporary lapse in judgment.

            LH：我看也是，你真是一时糊涂。好啦，看你这么难受，我们赶快回家，让你吃点药，看能不能好一些。

            LL: That's a good idea. I have some Pepto Bismol in my medicine cabinet. That should make me feel better.

            LH: Larry，你家里老有这种叫Pepto Bismol的药呀？我知道那是胃不舒服的时候吃的药。听我的劝，Larry，下回再口渴，还是喝白水好！

            LL：You're right!

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是go overboard，就是指做什么事做得太过头，太过火的意思。另一个常用语是guzzle，是指很快喝下什么饮料。

chubbycat

流行美语第174课

    　


            李华看到报上登出的有关公寓的广告，租金比较便宜，于是她和Larry一起去看那公寓。今天李华会学到两个常用语：dump和ham。

            LL: Oh my God! This place is a dump! You couldn't possibly live here!

            LH: 这地方真够糟的！Larry，你说这是个dump，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: "Dump" as in "garbage dump." I mean that this place is far too dirty and poorly maintained for you to live in it.

            LH: 所以dump就是指像垃圾堆一样，很脏，各种条件都很差....哎呀！有一只大蟑螂刚跑过去。这地方真的是个dump，怪不得租金这么便宜。

            LL: The paint is peeling off of the walls, the ceiling leaks, and the refrigerator looks 50 years old. I don't think I've ever seen such a dump.

            LH: 你说的没错，这里墙上的油漆都剥落了，天花板在漏水，冰箱看起来又旧又脏。算了算了，我们还是走吧！别在这儿浪费时间，我可不想住在这种地方。 It's really a dump。

            LL: Are there any other apartments that you were planning to go and see today?

            LH: 还有一个地方我想去看，离这儿只有几条街，但愿那个地方不像这里那么差劲。

            LL: I don't know, Li Hua. This really isn't a very good area of the city. Maybe you should look at apartments somewhere else.

            LH: 这个区域不好，我想也是，否则这里的公寓租金不会这么便宜！ 不过，要是到别处去找，那租金可能比我现在付的更高。

            LL: That's possible. In that case, I think that maybe you should stay in your current apartment.

            LH: 是吗？你认为我该继续住在我现在的公寓里？也许你说的对，我的公寓租金其实也不算太贵，而且也很舒服呢。

            LL: Your apartment is a palace compared to this dump.

            LH: 那倒是，和这里比起来，我的公寓可算是皇宫了。我还是打消搬家的念头吧！

            LL: That's a good idea.

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, are those pictures from the party last weekend?

            LH: 没错，这些是上礼拜开party时照的照片，昨天才刚洗出来。嘿！你看，Sally真会抢镜头，几乎每张照片都有她。

            LL: Yeah, Sally's a real ham. She loves attention.

            LH: She's a ham? Ham不是火腿吗？那是一种猪肉嘛！噢！你是说Sally像一只猪啊？

            LL: (Laughing) No, I'm not saying she looks like a pig. Ham is slang for someone who loves attention. People who are hams especially love being videotaped or having their picture taken.

            LH: 噢！Ham在这里是指一个喜欢吸引别人注意的人。这种人特别喜欢录像，照像。照这么说，Sally绝对是个ham，她特喜欢别人给她照相。

            LL: If we videotape the party, I'm sure she would have played a starring role.

            LH: 没错，要是那天我们录像的话，她肯定会象个明星一样，到处都是她了。对了，Larry，你知道还有谁也可以算是个ham吗？

            LL: I think Jane is a real ham. She'd do anything to attract people's attention.

            LH：对，Jane也特别喜欢照像。她也可以说是个ham。你再猜猜谁是个ham?

            LL：No. Who?

            LH: 你没有注意到呀？我那猫咪小雪球啊！她也想尽办法让别人注意她。只要有人走进来，她立刻会冲上去，要别人看看她，摸摸她。

            LL: My parents' dog is a real ham, too. He won't leave you alone until you pet him and give him his fare share of attention.

            LH：这些小动物都要别人注意它们。我的朋友说，要是她出门时间长了，她的小狗会很不高兴的。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是dump，是指一个像垃圾堆，很脏，条件很差的地方。另一个常用语是ham，是指一个很喜欢别人注意，喜欢抢风头的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第175课

    　


            Larry下课后在校园里碰到李华。他问李华需不需要去邮局。今天李华会学到两个常用语：fixing to do something和tricked-out。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, I'm fixing to go to the post office to mail a package. Do you need to buy stamps or mail something?

            LH: Larry，你要去邮局寄包裹。这和修理东西有什么关系？为什么你说fixing to go to the post office？是不是你去邮局前，要先修什么东西啊？

            LL: No. Fixing to do something means that you are getting ready to do it. "I'm fixing to go to the post office" means that I'm getting ready to go to the post office.

            LH: 啊！我懂了，fixing to do something就是准备要做什么事。Larry，我从来没听过这种说法。

            LL: It's used all over the U.S., but it's more commonly used in the southern states.

            LH: 原来这是在美国南方常用的说法。Larry，我很想和你一块儿去邮局，不过我准备去图书馆，我想在晚饭前看点书。I am fixing to go to the library to study before dinner. Larry，我这么说对吗？

            LL: Absolutely! Hey, did you notice how tired Professor Smith looked in class today? He looked as though he was fixing to fall asleep in the middle of his lecture.

            LH: 是呀，今天Smith教授看起来好累，在课堂上讲课时好想要睡着一样。不过你知道吗？他正在为下个月参加马拉松赛跑作准备，也许他锻炼过度，所以才这么累。

            LL: I didn't know that he's fixing to compete in a marathon? Wow, that's impressive.

            LH: 就是啊！我真难以想像他怎么能在上课之余还能找出时间来锻炼呢。

            LL: No wonder he's tired. I'd be exhausted.

            LH: 嗯，对了，我得去图书馆了，一会儿见！

            LL: Yeah, I'm going to go and mail this package before post office closes. They should be fixing to close up soon, so I had better hurry.

            LH：那就快走吧！ 否则邮局关门了。你这包裹就寄不出去了。

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua. On the way to the post office, I saw Bob's new car. It's awesome! It's totally tricked-out with every accessory you can imagine.

            LH: What? 你说Bob的新车怎么样？什么是tricked-out？

            LL: If a car, or boat, or other machine is "tricked-out", it means that it has all kinds of luxury accessories.

            LH: 噢，tricked-out就是说汽车、船、或其他任何机器有各式各样的豪华设备。所以你刚才是说Bob的新车有各种新式的装置，很酷，是吧？

            LL: Exactly. It has a satellite radio system, big speakers, special wheels, and an amazing paint job. It has a super turbo-charged engine, too.

            LH: 哇，车上有卫星收音系统、大的扩音器、特殊的轮子....啊呀，我可不懂这些东西，但是听起来真的很酷！Bob's new car really is "tricked-out."

            LL: I can't imagine what he paid for it. It must have been really expensive. I can't wait until I can afford such a tricked-out car.

            LH: 嗯，肯定是很贵。你想要这样的车呀？我可不一定想买这种豪华车。我比较喜欢实用的车子，价钱比较便宜，问题可能也比较少。

            LL: A simple car would be less expensive than a tricked-out one. But why do you think it would have fewer problems?

            LH: 当然啦！你车上的装置越多，就越容易出故障，修理起来一定也很贵。 这是必然的。

            LL: That's true. It's probably more expensive to maintain a really tricked-out car because there are more things that could go wrong with it.

            LH: 对呀，要维护一辆高级车肯定是很贵的。我的要求是价钱便宜，问题要少。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是fixing to do something, 就是准备要做某件事。另一个常用语是tricked-out，是形容一样东西很豪华，有各种新式的装置。

chubbycat

流行美语第176课

    　


            今天是星期一，Larry和李华约好上完课一块儿吃午饭。Larry告诉李华他周末做了些什么事。今天李华会学到两个常用语：set of wheels和the pits。

            LL: Bob gave me a ride in his new set of wheels on Saturday. That car is so awesome. It rides like a dream!

            LH: 你说Bob让你坐他新的什么？Set of wheels？你是在说Bob的新车吧？

            LL: Yeah. "Set of wheels" or just "wheels" is a slang term for car. Or you can just say wheels. Bob's new wheels are really cool.

            LH: 噢，所以set of wheels或者wheels都可以用来指汽车。对了，Bob有没有告诉你，他花了多少钱买那辆新车？

            LL: He didn't say and I thought it would be rude to ask; but I know that a car like that costs at least $35,000.

            LH: 那样的车至少要三万五千美元？那可真是一大笔钱哪！

            LL: I suppose it's worth it if you have that much money to spend. For people like us, who are still studying, it seems like a lot of money.

            LH: 是啊，像我们这种穷学生，对这么贵的车，可是想都不敢想。不过，Bob有一份好工作，钱赚的多，所以才能买这么贵的车。

            LL: Just imagine, in a few years, you and I will be able to afford wheels like that.

            LH: 嗯，就算以后我能赚这么多钱，我大概也不会用来买那样的车。

            LL: Why not? I'd buy a set of wheels like that if I had enough money.

            LH: 我认为你不必花那么多钱就能买辆不错的汽车，而且你还可以把剩下的钱买别的东西，像是买房子啊！

            LL: That's true. I guess it depends on your priorities. If it's really important to you to have a fancy set of wheels, then it seems worth it.

            LH: 每个人的优先考虑都不一样，如果有一辆豪华车对你来说是重要的，那就值得。我呀，宁可把钱存起来，或用在其他东西上。

            ******

            LL: Bob got into an accident and ruined his new car. Isn't that the pits?

            LH: 啊！Bob撞车啦！好可怕， 那他受伤了吗？

            LL: He had minor infuries, but he'll be okay.

            LH: 噢，受了轻伤，那倒还算好。Larry，你刚才说the pits，那是什么意思？

            LL: If something or someplace is "the pits" it means it is the worst situation or place imaginable.

            LH: 噢，the pits，是指最糟糕，最差劲的意思。就是啊，Bob那么贵的新车就这样撞烂了，真是太糟糕了！还好他受的伤并不严重。

            LL: I visited him yesterday and he's kind of depressed. Fortunately, his insurance will pay for a new car.

            LH: 你昨天去看他啦？他情绪低是可以想象的。不过，保险公司会出钱帮他买新车，那太好了！那Bob什么时候可以拿到新车？

            LL: He has to special order another car like his and it will take several months. Until then, he won't have a car to drive.

            LH: 他为什么要定做一辆和他一样的车呢？这不但要等上好几个月，而且几个月没有车开。That's the pits! 要是我，换一辆车不就行了吗？

            LL: I know. His injuries won't allow him to walk very well and now he doesn't have a car to drive either. That really IS the pits.

            LH: 真可怜。Larry，我们可以带Bob去吃晚饭，让他开心一点啊！我们可以去学校附近那家新餐馆。

            LL: No, I tried that place last week and it's really the pits. Let's take him somewhere a bit nicer.

            LH: 你说那家餐馆很差劲。好吧，那我们就让Bob自己决定上哪儿吃饭喽！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是set of wheels，就是指汽车，你也可以说wheels。另一个常用语是the pits，是指最糟糕，最差劲的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第177课

    　


            Larry在告诉李华这个星期他办公室发生的一场争论。今天李华会学到两个常用语：to have a beef with someone和hit pay dirt。

            LL: The boss still wants to fire Jim because they had a beef over the last sales report.

            LH: 老板要开除Jim，因为他们有什么？A beef？你是说他们为了一些牛肉在吵架？

            LL: No (laughing), not beef as in the beef that you eat. To have a beef with someone means to have a disagreement. The boss and Jim had a disagreement over the sales report.

            LH: 噢，哈哈，原来have a beef with someone就是和某人有争执。这和我们吃的牛肉一点关系也没有。你老板为什么会和Jim吵架呢？

            LL: Well, the boss felt that Jim had done a really bad job of preparing the report and Jim felt that the boss did not give him enough time to do the report properly.

            LH: 噢，老板觉得Jim写的报告太差，而Jim觉得老板没给他足够的时间，所以两人就这么吵起来啦？Jim had a beef with the boss。我说得对吗？

            LL: Yep. Now, the boss is making everyone else miserable because of his beef with Jim.

            LH: 他是和Jim闹不开心，这跟其他人有什么关系呢？

            LL: He's just been in a really bad mood and he's being tough on everyone. It's not fair. His beef is with Jim, not the rest of the people in the office.

            LH: 他不高兴就对办公室里每个人都特别厉害。这是很不公平。他是跟Jim吵架，又不是和全办公室吵架。

            LL: Exactly. I'm worried that the situation will go too far and there will be major problems in our office.

            LH: 你怕情况发展下去办公室会出大问题呀？你们为什么不让Jim向老板道个歉。这不就完了吗？

            LL: I don't think he'll do that.

            LH: 他不会道歉？啊呀，你劝劝他嘛。关键在他身上， 道了欠紧张气氛就化解了，对大家都有好处。

            LL: It's worth a try. Maybe Jim will be willing to sacrifice his own interests and resolve his beef with the boss.

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, you really hit pay dirt with that suggestion you made. Jim apologized to the boss and everybody is happy now.

            LH: Jim和你们老板道歉啦？那太好了！不过，Larry，你说hit pay dirt是什么意思，我听不懂耶！

            LL: To hit pay dirt means that you found something that turned out to be profitable or beneficial.

            LH: To hit pay dirt就是发现了很有好处的东西。所以你刚才的意思是我的建议非常有用。不过，这三个词hit, pay, dirt合在一起挺怪的。这说法是从哪里来的？

            LL: When miners would dig for gold, they would say that they had hit pay dirt when they found dirt that contained gold.

            LH: 噢，原来是采金矿的工人在挖到含黄金的矿石时，他们就会说hit pay dirt，这样一解释，我就懂了。

            LL: They sometimes say "strike pay dirt". Anyway, LI Hua, I also hit pay dirt today.

            LH: 你今天也挖到宝啦？怎么说？

            LL: I got a job offer for after I graduate.

            LH: 你已经找到毕业后的工作啦！那太好了！是哪家公司要雇你呢？

            LL: Actually, the office I'm working in offered me the job.

            LH: 真的？就是你现在打工的这家公司？不过你真的想在那儿工作吗？

            LL: At first, I wasn't that interested, but when they told me what my salary would be, I realized that I'd really hit pay dirt.

            LH: 哇，太棒了，你很快就能把你的破车卖了，买一辆高级车，a nice set of wheels。我们一块儿出去庆祝庆祝吧！

            今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是have a beef with someone，就是和某人争吵，关系紧张的意思。另一个常用语hit pay dirt，也可以说strike pay dirt，就是指发现了有价值的东西。

chubbycat

流行美语第178课

    　


            Larry和李华正准备出门，到Larry父母家去过周末。今天李华会学到两个常用语：hit the road和have a hissy fit。

            (Knock on door)

            LL: Come on, Li Hua. It's time to hit the road! We've got a long drive ahead of us.

            LH: 进来，进来，着什么急呀！对了，你说It's time to hit the road? Hit是打的意思，我们为什么要打马路？

            LL: To hit the road means to leave. It's time for us to leave.

            LH: 噢，to hit the road就是出发，上路的意思。哎呀，我的包还没装好耶!

            LL: Li Hua, I told you that we need to hit the road by 9:00 am if we're going to make it to my parents' house before dark.

            LH: 我知道！你说过要在天黑以前到，9点前就必须出发。我再有几分钟就好了。

            LL: All right, but please hurry up. I hate driving on country roads after dark. It can be dangerous.

            LH: 好啦，好啦，别催我啦! 对了。 Larry，我们可不可以先去吃个早餐？

            LL: I don't want to stop right after we hit the road. You can have a snack now and then we'll stop for lunch.

            LH: 什么？你要我先吃点零食，等到中午才吃午饭啊？可是我现在好饿噢！而且我家里什么吃的都没有。

            LL: How about this: If you can be ready to hit the road in five minutes, then we can stop for breakfast. Otherwise, you're just going to have to wait until lunch.

            LH: 你怎么还要讲条件呐！五分钟内出发我就能吃早饭，否则就得等到中午再吃饭。没问题，我只要三分钟就够了。

            LL: Are you sure you have everything you need?

            LH: 嗯，我想应该都带齐了吧。好啦，我们走吧！Let's hit the road!

            LL: It's about time! I'll go and put your bag in the car.

            LH: 你去把我的包放到车里呀？那就麻烦你了。别忘了，breakfast before we hit the road！

            ******

            LH: Larry，你开过麦当劳啦！不是说好了先去吃早餐的吗？

            LL: Sorry, I missed the turn. We can turn around and go back. There's no need to have a hissy fit.

            LH: 你在说什么？Have a hissy fit？那是什么意思？

            LL: To have a hissy fit means to get really upset about something and throw a tantrum.

            LH: To have a hissy fit就是发脾气的意思。我没有生气，我只是以为你是故意不去麦当劳的。

            LL: Well, look, I'm going to stop. See? You're going to get what you want, so there is no need to have a hissy fit.

            LH: 我跟你说了，我没有生气嘛！你干嘛一直这样说我啊？

            LL: Oh great. Now, you're going to have a hissy fit because I asked you not to have a hissy fit.

            LH: 等等，等等，你说什么？我发脾气是因为你叫我别发脾气？你都把我搞糊涂了。

            LL: Yeah, let's just forget about the whole thing and go get some breakfast. I'm actually a little hungry, too.

            LH: 就是啊，别再说什么生气不生气了。我好饿噢，快坐下来吃早餐吧！

            LL：Hey Li Hua, look at that little boy. He's having a hissy fit!

            LH: 那个孩子呀？噢，那边那个男孩。我们进来的时候他就已经在闹了。也许他没有拿到麦当劳的玩具。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是hit the road,就是出发，上路的意思。另一个常用语是to have a hissy fit，就是发脾气的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第179课

    　


            Larry正开车和李华一起到他父母家过周末。两人在车上讨论这个周末的活动。今天李华会学到两个常用语：have a ball和tizzy。

            (Highway traffic)

            LH: 我希望你妈妈会喜欢和我一块儿去逛街。

            LL: Oh, I'm sure that the two of you will have a ball if you go shopping together. You both love to shop.

            LH: Have a ball? 哎，我是要和你妈逛街，不是和她去打球?

            LL: To have a ball means to have a lot of fun. I think you and my mother would have a lot of fun shopping together.

            LH: 噢，原来如此。To have a ball就是玩的非常开心，所以，Larry你的意思是我和你妈会逛的很开心。嗯，我也这么觉的。

            LL: I plan on watching some football with my dad and playing baseball with my cousins. That's my idea of having a ball.

            LH: 和你爸爸看球赛，又和你表弟打球，这些对你来说就是玩得过瘾啦！不过啊，我是一点兴趣也没有。

            LL: While I'm doing that, you and my mom can go and have a ball shopping. It works out perfectly.

            LH: 对了，Larry，你家有游泳池，对吧？

            LL: Yep, they have a big pool in the backyard. My cousins have a ball splashing around in it.

            LH: 嗯，我想我和你的表兄妹一样，一定会在游泳池里玩的很开心！我已经有好久好久都没有游泳了！

            LL: Yeah, I wouldn't mind going swimming either. This hot weather is great for hanging out in the pool.

            LH: 啊，我觉得这个周末一定会玩的很开心！

            LL: Yep, everybody is going to have a ball.

            LH: 我们还有多久才会到呢？

            LL: Another three or four hours.

            ******

            (Cell phone ringing)

            LH: Larry，你妈怎么一直打你的手机呢？她有什么急事吗？

            LL: Oh, she's in a tizzy because she's excited that we're coming home for a visit. She misses me while I'm away.

            LH: 我知道你妈盼望着你回家。我也知道她很想你，可是她怎么啦？She's in a what? Tizzy? 那是什么意思啊？

            LL: A tizzy is a state of nervous excitement. My mom is excited about us coming home, but she's nervous because she wants to make sure everything is ready for us.

            LH: 所以tizzy就是指很紧张，很兴奋。你妈妈知道你要回家，所以她很兴奋，我妈也是这样，每次我要回家，她都会把家里打扫的一尘不染，还买一大堆我喜欢吃的东西。

            LL: My mom does the same thing. Be prepared to eat a lot this weekend. My mom gets in such a tizzy that she cooks enough to feed an army.

            LH: 哇，你妈妈一兴奋就会作好多饭菜啊？她做的菜好吃吗？

            LL: My mom is a great cook! You're going to have some old-fashioned American food.

            LH: 嗯，听起来好诱惑人噢！我快等不及了。说真的，我也有点tizzy，兴奋又紧张了。

            LL: Why are you in a tizzy?

            LH: 我很兴奋因为可以到一个美国人的家庭过周末，吃道地的美国菜。可是我又很紧张，因为我想让你家人对我有好印象啊！

            LL: Don't worry about that! You know my family thinks you're great!

            LH：你们家的人都对我很好。这我知道。

            今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是to have a ball，就是玩的很痛快，很开心。另一个常用语是tizzy，这是形容一个人很紧张，很兴奋。