流行美语

chubbycat

流行美语第210课

    　




            Larry和李华一起出去买东西， Larry说他肚子饿了。李华会学到两个常用语：grub和hustle。

            LL: Li Hua, I am so hungry. We need to find some grub quick.

            LH: 你怎么又饿了？你想吃什么？Grub？ Grub是什么？

            LL: Grub is food, and right now I need to get some grub; otherwise, I am going to start eating the shoes I bought.

            LH: 原来Grub就是食物。你也太过分了， 你再饿也不至于吃你刚买的鞋子啊。 你要是真的啃鞋子， 我就要给精神病医院打电话了。

            LL: Oh, I see a place up ahead called Ranchero. They've got pretty good grub there.

            LH: 我也看见了那家叫Ranchero的餐馆。你说他们的饭菜很好， 真的吗？这家饭馆是什么风味的呀？

            LL: It is a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food is some of my favorite grub.

            LH: 你喜欢吃墨西哥饭？ 我怎么不知道。 对不起，我可不喜欢吃墨西哥饭。我们能不能去别的餐馆呢？

            LL: Well, I am pretty hungry. But I suppose we can spend a little more time looking for a place with grub we both like.

            LH: 对，找个我们俩都喜欢吃的地方。这附近有个叫汉宫的中餐馆，他们的菜很好吃。我们去汉宫，怎么样？

            LL: Actually, a friend told me that the grub at China Garden is not so good. It isn't very authentic...

            LH: 汉宫的中国饭不地道？你听谁说的呀？我觉得还是不错的，当然不能算是第一流的。

            LL: But another friend said that the grub at China Garden was much better than he thought.

            LH: 每个人的口味不一样嘛。有的人觉得不正宗，这个朋友又觉得比他想象的更好。我看，你呀， 这么饿就别挑剔了。有什么就吃什么吧！

            LL：You're right. I guess at this point I am so hungry I can't be too picky.

            LH：说实话，Larry，哪儿的菜都比不上我妈妈做的。

            LL：Of course, the grub you get at any restaurant is never as good as home cooking. Come on, Li Hua, let's go to China Garden.

            ******

            LL: We better hustle, Li Hua!

            LH: Hustle ？那不是一种跳舞的步伐吗？你想去跳舞？

            LL: The hustle *was* a dance popular in the U.S. in the 1970s. But I'm not talking about old dance moves. I mean we better hurry.

            LH: 我明白了， 你的意思是我们要赶快，hustle跟70年代流行的舞步毫无关系。可是我们要付了账才可以走啊。这位服务生的动作怎么这么慢呢。

            LL: You are right， he isn't very fast, is he? We need to let him know we need to hustle.

            LH: 好， 你去告诉他我们需要赶紧走。我呢，去用一下洗手间。

            LL: But you have to hustle right back, Li Hua; otherwise, we won't make the bus.

            LH: 你放心，我马上就回来。我知道我们要赶六点的汽车呢，晚了就赶不上了。

            LL：No, Li Hua, I think we need to hustle out of here right now. Otherwise we won't be able to make it.

            LH: 有那么紧张吗？ 现在不走就赶不上车啦？

            LL：Yes, I'll just leave the money on the table. Let's go!

            LH: Larry, 好主意，把钱放在桌子上， 可别忘了给小费。

            LL: Yes, I have included the tip。

            (sound of opening the door and running)

            LL: Oh, no, Li Hua! There is the bus. We aren't going to make it!

            LH: 跑得我都气喘不上来了，结果还是没有赶上。真倒霉。Larry，你要是真有急事的话，我们就去坐出租车吧。

            LL: That's a good idea, Li Hua.

            LH: 对了，Larry，你这么急着回家，到底有什么事呀？

            LL: The season finale of my favorite TV show is on at eight P.M.. I really can't miss it.

            LH: 原来你要在八点前赶回去看你爱看的电视剧！我的天啊， 我还以为你有什么急事呢。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是grub，意思是食物。还有一个是hustle，意思是赶快。

chubbycat

流行美语第211课

    　




            Larry和李华在一家咖啡店里聊天， Larry在告诉李华的办公室里最近发生的事。李华今天会学到两个常用语：head honcho和slam dunk。

            LL: So, Li Hua， yesterday the head honcho of the company I work for came into the office.

            LH: 谁到你们的办公室来？公司的head honcho？ head是头脑， honcho是什么呀？

            LL: A Head honcho is the person with the highest position in a company or organization. I think "honcho" actually comes from a Japanese word meaning leader.

            LH: Head honcho就是一个公司，或一个机构的最高领导人。Honcho这个词原来是来自日文， 意思是领导人。Honcho听起来是像日文。听起来，你好像挺高兴看见你们公司的head honcho。

            LL: Yes, indeed. I was very happy to meet the company president. I had never met the head honcho before.

            LH: 你和他从来没有见过面？ 难怪他来了你们都好像有点受宠若惊一样。那这位高高在上的主管为什么会突然到你们办公室去呢？

            LL: Well, some of my co-workers have said that someone in our office is being considered for a promotion, but they don't know who. They think the head honcho came by to see the candidate for himself.

            LH: 你的同事说他是来看看他们领导想提拔的那个人，可是提拔谁呢，你们又不知道。他要提拔的人他还不认识呀？

            LL: You know how head honchos are. He works in the company's main office across town, and he doesn't always personally meet everyone that is hired.

            LH: 那倒也是，这个head honcho在公司总部上班，而总部又不在你们大楼里。说实话， 即使是在同一个办公楼里，老板也不一定认识所有的雇员呀。我们大学的校长我也只是在大会上见过。

            LL: But, Professor Jones is the head honcho of the East Asian Studies Department, and you know him.

            LH: 是啊， 东亚研究系的琼斯教授倒是和我很熟。 你们公司总裁是不是来看你的。他们想提拔的就是你吧？

            LL: I don' t know, Li Hua. He did chat with me for a few minutes about my work. Maybe the head honcho IS thinking about me for the promotion.

            LH: 他跟你聊了几分钟有关你工作的事？我看他很可能是想提拔你！Larry，你将来也许会成为一个head honcho!

            ******

            LL: I really don't think the promotion is a slam dunk, Li Hua.

            LH: Slam dunk? Slam dunk不就是我们在打篮球的时候常说的灌篮吗？

            LL: That' s right. A slam dunk is a shot taken by a basketball player that can't be missed. The player is usually right by the hoop and is literally shoving it right in the basket.

            LH: 灌篮得分应当是十拿九稳。 人就在栏板下面， 一伸手就把球灌进去了。Larry，我知道公司是否提拔你并不像灌篮那么十拿九稳。可是Larry，你的确很出色呀！

            LL: The company president DID talk to several other people in the office, so I have to say it is too early to think of the promotion as a slam dunk.

            LH: 我看也是，我们不要过于乐观， 毕竟跟公司总裁谈话的不止你一个人。不过，什么时候才知道the head honcho看中的到底是谁呢？

            LL: I don't think I will know. Say, what about you, Li Hua? I remember you applied for a fellowship for next year. I'd say for you that is a slam dunk!

            LH: 我是申请了奖学金， 可是现在还没有消息呢。 对我来说， 这也不是十拿九稳的， I don't think it is a slam dunk.

            LL: How could it not be a slam dunk? You are honestly one of the hardest working students I know. I can't imagine any one else getting the fellowship.

            LH: Thanks, Larry。 我是很努力， 可是用功的学生很多呀。 不过听到你这么赞扬我， 我还是很高兴。

            LL: Well, let's talk about something that is a slam dunk!

            LH: 什么事情是slam dunk，一定会发生呢？

            LL: I'd say it is a slam dunk that after we finish our coffee, you are going to go home and study.

            LH: 喝完了咖啡，我就要回家去做作业了。这是肯定的，That is a real slam dunk, Larry.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是head honcho，意思是公司或组织的最高主管。还有一个是slam dunk，指的是很有把握，肯定会发生的事情。

chubbycat

流行美语第212课

    　




            Larry和李华在学校的食堂里吃晚饭。李华今天会学到两个常用语；to down和to chug。

            LL: You know, Li Hua, I think I can down this entire hamburger in a single bite. I am that hungry.

            LH: 听你的意思，我猜你是说你可以一口就把这个汉堡包吃下去， 对不对？

            LL: You're right, my friend! The hamburger will go down to my stomach.

            LH: 你看我没猜错吧！ Down就是吃的意思。Larry，你说一口就能吃下去这有点夸张吧。 人又不是蛇， 要噎住了怎么办呢？

            LL: Well, maybe I was exaggerating a little, but down means to eat something all at once and really fast.

            LH: 我明白了，down不仅是吃，而且是狼吞虎咽。我记得在电视上看过 吃热狗比赛，有个人在12分钟内吃了50个热狗，He downed 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes! Larry，你能吃这么多吗？

            LL: No, I can't. I'm pretty hungry right now, but I think I would get sick after downing so many hot dogs in so little time.

            LH: 一下子吃这么多热狗，你当然受不了。不过， 人都有狼吞虎咽的时候。象我，回国探亲的时，有时候一顿饭能吃好几十个饺子呢。

            LL: But steamed dumplings are so small, I bet you can down fifty of those and still feel okay.

            LH: 五十个饺子，那可不少啊。 我只要吃上二十个就已经很饱了。

            LL: Well, one of my favorite things to eat is chocolate chip cookies. When I was a kid my Mom would bake them, and I would down a whole plate of cookies just like that.

            LH: 带巧克力的饼干我也爱吃。大多数美国妇女都会烤这种饼干。可是，你妈怎么会让你把烤出来的一盘全吃了呢？你们美国人可真能吃。

            LL: But I know you like ice cream, Li Hua. I've seen you down an ice cream cone in just a few seconds.

            LH: 你说对了，我的确喜欢冰淇淋。 其实我现在就想吃。 I'd like to down an ice cream cone right now.

            LL: Well, you go get your ice cream cone - and I am going to finish downing this burger.

            LH: 好吧，Larry，我去拿冰淇淋， 你把这汉堡吃完，我一会儿就回来。

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, after downing that burger, now I really need to chug a big glass of soda.

            LH: Chug，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: You know how you down a hamburger by eating it very quickly? You chug a soda by drinking it really fast and all at once.

            LH: 我刚才就猜是这个意思， chug就是很快地一下子喝光。Chug听起来好像是个像声字。

            LL: Well, listen to me chug this soda and tell me what you hear.

            (Sound of drinking)

            LH: 听到了， 你喝起来有咕嘟咕嘟的声音。

            LL: Yeah, chug comes from the sound you make when you drink something quickly and all at one time.

            LH: 只有在喝冷饮的时候才能够咕嘟咕嘟地快喝。你要喝茶可就不行了。一杯热茶，最好慢慢品尝。 再说， 喝快了也会烫嗓子呀。

            LL: I guess you can't really chug a cup of hot tea, but what about a bottle of cool water?

            LH: 冷的水当然可以了。只要不是热的，其他饮料都可以一饮而尽嘛。

            LL: For me, there is nothing better than chugging a glass of milk right after eating a plate of my mom's chocolate chip cookies.

            LH: 瞧把你给谗得！吃完巧克力饼干，你要再喝一大杯牛奶，听起来是真过瘾。

            LL: Oh, I love to chug milk! Sometimes I chug milk right out of the bottle in the fridge.

            LH: 你从冰箱里拿出装奶的瓶子就喝？连杯子都不用呀？

            LL: That's right. But don't tell my mom. She wouldn't be very happy to know I was chugging milk from the bottle in the fridge.

            LH: 你真够呛！还让我不要告诉你妈妈。谁看见了都不会高兴的。你这么喝，那别人要喝怎么办呐！Larry, 快把你的饮料喝了吧。 我得去上课了。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是down，意思是狼吞虎咽。还有一个是chug，意思是大口大口地喝，一饮而尽。

chubbycat

流行美语第213课

    　




            Larry和李华在谈李华教中文的事。李华会学到两个常用语：dumb down和win-win。

            LL: So, when you teach first year Chinese you must really have to dumb down the material for the students.

            LH: 什么？Dumb down? 这是什么意思呀？

            LL: Yeah. To dumb down is to take something difficult and make it easy.

            LH：噢，To dumb down就是把难学的教材简化，让学生容易学一点。是啊， 一年级的学生都刚开始学中文， 我必须用简单一些的教材。Larry，dumb就是苯；down就是下降，dumb down这说法是不是有贬义呀？

            LL: Well, sometimes you dumb something down because it is really hard, and in those cases, to dumb down doesn't really have a negative sense to it.

            LH: 那倒是。把过分复杂的内容简化一些是好的，所以在这种情况下，dumb down确实不应该属于贬义。

            LL: Sometimes the person you are trying to teach isn't very smart - and you have to dumb it down so they can begin to understand. In that case, it does have a negative meaning.

            LH: 这我太清楚了。有的学生就是教不会，脑子不太聪明，遇到这种情况你也只好一点一点教，从最简单的开始。

            LL: Of course - and at work, when I explain the software to people who have never used it, I generally dumb down my instructions so they don't get confused.

            LH: 那我跟你办公室的同事差不多。你要教我用新的电脑软件，你非得讲得简单易懂，否则我会糊涂的。就像我教那些脑子不太快的学生一样。

            LL: So, you don't have to dumb it down for those bright students?

            LH: 教聪敏的学生当然就不需要dumb down我的教材咯！有的学生可真聪敏，一教就会，而且还不需要我每次重复。

            LL: That is amazing! If you didn't have to dumb it down, you must be a really good teacher.

            LH: 那还用说呀！当然是教导有方了，严师出高徒嘛。 Larry, 我想请你帮个忙， 不知道你能不能教我使用刚买的绘画软件。

            LL: Sure, Li Hua, I'd be happy to.

            LH: 我刚才说了，我对电脑不太精通。 你可要用简单的词汇来讲解 - You are really going to have to dumb it down for me!

            ******

            LL: Hey, Li Hua. Speaking of teaching Chinese, I've got a proposal for you - and I think it is a real win-win situation.

            LH: 我知道，win-win situation就是双赢。也就是对双方都有好处。Win就是赢或输的赢。对了，Larry，你要给我提什么建议呀？

            LL: Oh, I met someone who studied Chinese years ago and wants to practice their Chinese. I thought you would be a perfect choice to help her out.

            LH: 你认识的这个人以前学过中文， 现在想练习中文， 我当然可以帮助她了。不过，如果只是我帮助她，这好像并不是双赢的局面呦。

            LL: Well, she is an editor for a magazine, and I thought she could help you by editing your dissertation - and you could help her practice her Chinese. It's a win-win situation for both of you.

            LH: 原来如此，她是一个杂志的编辑，可以帮我修改博士论文。 这样，我帮她练习中文，她帮我改论文，这真是一个win-win situation。 谢谢你，Larry， 你知道花钱请人修改论文是很贵的。

            LL: As can hiring a Chinese tutor. I am sure my friend will think it's win-win as well.

            LH: 当然，请人辅导中文也不便宜。 你把她的电话给我，我和她联系一下。Larry, 我也有一个双赢的建议给你。

            LL: Okay, just what is your win-win proposition?

            LH: 我刚才不是请你教我使用刚买的绘画软件吗？这个周末给你做顿中国饭怎么样？

            LL: Well, I like the idea! You are a great cook and I'm happy to buy the food, and you'll learn how to use the software. A perfect win-win partnership!

            LH: 你也是个很棒的双赢夥伴。可是，Larry， 吃完饭后别忘了洗碗。

            LL: Me do the dishes, too? That seems a little less win-win to me!

            LH：But it's a win-win to me!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dumb down，意思是把教材、讲解等简化，让学的人更容易懂。还有一个常用语是win-win，意思是双赢。

chubbycat

流行美语第214课

    　




            Larry和李华都对他们的朋友Dave感到很同情，因为Dave最近刚同他的女朋友分手。李华会学到两个常用语：get a life和happy camper。

            LL: Ever since Dave's girlfriend broke up with him, Dave has been staying in his apartment doing nothing but playing video games and eating pizza. He really needs to get a life!

            LH: 我也听说了，自从Dave同女朋友分手后他成天灾家里玩电子游戏，什么事也不做。不过，Larry, 你说Dave needs to get a life， 我不太懂，他不是还活着，有生命啊。

            LL: Well, when I said Dave needed to get a life I meant Dave needs to stop thinking about his old girlfriend and get on with his normal life.

            LH: 我明白了。 你的意思是说他现在的生活不正常，头不梳，脸不洗的，天天只吃pizza。他确实应当设法忘掉那女朋友，振作起来过正常的生活。

            LL: Yes. The other day I told one of my co-workers in the office to get a life, too.

            LH: 你怎么老是让人get a life? 你的同事又怎么了？

            LL: Well, this one person I work with complains all the time. No one ever does anything right, nothing is ever good enough, and she never has anything nice to say.

            LH: 这种人我见得多了！他们对什么事都不满意，总是发牢骚。要跟这种人接触多了，你也会被他弄得情绪低落的。

            LL: Yeah, she was upset because the chairs around the table in the meeting room were not pushed in. I couldn't believe she was bothered by something so minor, so I told her to get a life.

            LH: 椅子没放好， 她也不高兴。 这种人呀，算了吧。让她找点真正有意思的事做。 Larry，我有一个同学也需要get a life。他书不好好地念，可整天泡在酒巴里。

            LL: Well, Li Hua, at least we know that isn't going to happen to you. You study all the time.

            LH: 是啊， 我太用功了，只念书，不休息，也不娱乐， 或许我也应当平衡一下- get a life。

            LL: Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Li Hua. You are doing just fine. I don't think you need to get a life. Li Hua, how about some ice cream?

            LH: 不行，我在减肥，不能吃冰淇淋。

            LL: Oh, come on, Li Hua, get a life!

            ******

            LL: Have you seen Dave lately, Li Hua? He sure is a happy camper!

            LH: 什么？Happy camper，快乐的露营者？

            LL: No, no. A happy camper is just someone who is really happy.

            LH: 噢，A happy camper指的是很快活的人。Dave现在很快活吗？

            LL: Dave got back together with his girlfriend. And ever since then he's been smiling and laughing.

            LH: 难怪Dave最近笑口常开，原来和女朋友言归于好了。 我真为他高兴。

            LL: I'm a happy camper, too. That woman who was always complaining at work got transferred to another office.

            LH: 你办公室那爱发牢骚的同事调走了啦？那太好了。 Larry ，看来你的运气也很不错。

            LL: But I feel bad for the people who will be working with her. When they find out how much she complains, they won't be happy campers.

            LH: 那倒是，这种人走到哪里，哪里的人就倒霉。我有的时候想，这种爱抱怨的人能不能改变，也成为happy campers。 Larry , 我真希望跟你们一样，也是个happy camper。可惜我有这么多作业要改，高兴不起来。

            LL: Hey, I've got an easy way to solve this problem. Just give all your students A's. Then they will all be happy campers.

            LH: Larry， 你别出馊主意了， 给每个学生都打满分，他们当然高兴。可是这是欺骗，也不公平，这不是害了他们吗？

            LL: Li Hua, what would make you a happy camper?

            LH: 那还不简单！就是不改作业。

            LL: Well, why don't you put the grading off for a while and let's go get some ice cream. I promise you'll be a happy camper.

            LH: 好吧，先不改作业，痛痛快快地吃一碗冰淇淋。.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。 一个是get a life， 意思是改变一下生活的态度或方式。 还有一个是happy camper, 意思是快乐的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第215课

    　




            Larry告诉李华他连续几天给他哥哥打电话，可是总也找不到他。 李华会学到两个常用语：phone tag和chit chat。

            LL: Argh! I just got my brother's answering machine AGAIN. I've been playing phone tag with him for days.

            LH: 你和你哥哥playing phone tag？那是玩什么？有电话有关的游戏吗？

            LL: Well, not exactly, but it is like a game of tag.

            LH: Game of tag不就是小孩子们玩的捉人游戏吗？就是，大家跑，一个人追。被追到的人再接着去追别人。我们小时候都玩过这个游戏的。

            LL: Right. I'll give you an example of how phone tag works. On Monday, I called my brother and left a message on his answering machine. On Monday night, he called me back, but I was out so HE left a message.

            LH: 我也碰到过这种情况，上星期我打电话给一个朋友，他不在，我就留了言。他给我回电话的时候，我又不在，所以他留了言。 这样互相留言好几次，谁也找不到对方， 真是像捉迷藏一样。Phone tag这个词太生动了。

            LL: Yes, and this game of phone tag with my brother has been going on for three days! I'm getting pretty tired of it.

            LH: 你们这样phone tag已经三天了， 你为什么不给他写email，发电子邮件呢？

            LL: I know, Li Hua. Next time I call, if I get his answering machine again, I am going to tell him exactly when I am at home. That should solve the phone tag problem.

            LH: 对，你告诉他你什么时候在家，让他到时候 打过来就行了。 你还可以给他写email发电子邮件呀。 这可比打电话要省事多了。

            LL: That is a good idea, but I like hearing his voice. It makes me feel closer to him, and I really don't mind the phone tag too much.

            LH: 那倒也是。通话和写信毕竟不一样。 我虽然也用email，可还是常给我爸爸妈妈打电话。

            LL: I guess it would be pretty frustrating and expensive to play a game of long distance phone tag from China.

            LH: 一般都是我每个星期在固定的时间打电话回家，因为从中国打到美国价钱比较贵。 So I don't play phone tag with my family.

            LL: Maybe I should try that with my brother. I'm sure he is tired of playing phone tag, too.

            *****

            LH: Larry， 你那么急着找你哥哥，有要紧的事吗?

            LL: No, not really. I just want to chit chat.

            LH: Chit chat是什么意思啊？

            LL: To Chit Chat is to talk about general things that aren't very important. I don't really have anything specific or urgent to talk about.

            LH: Chit Chat就是闲聊。那你和你哥哥平时都闲聊些什么呢？

            LL: We chit chat about what is going on at work, what we've been doing for fun lately, and even about the weather.

            LH: 嗯，聊工作，生活和天气，看来你们哥俩的关系很不错嘛。 我也喜欢和家人聊天，特别是和我妈妈。

            LL: Chit chatting can be pleasant, but some times it can be annoying.

            LH: 是啊，有时候聊天不仅没有乐趣反而令人烦恼，就好像昨天我正忙着写论文，我的朋友 Rachel 打电话来和我聊天。

            LL: So, did you tell her you didn't have time to chit chat?

            LH: 一开始我没好意思告诉他我很忙。 然后聊了一会儿以后我对她说我在忙着写论文呢。

            LL: I know Rachel. She really likes to chit chat. Did she get off the phone right away, when you told her you need to work?

            LH: Rachel的确很喜欢聊天。我说我要赶快写论文，她还是不挂电话。真拿她没办法。

            LL: Well, I have to say, Li Hua, I don't mind chit chatting with you.

            LH: 你也喜欢和我聊天？其实我也喜欢和朋友聊天。像现在这样，边喝茶边聊，很放松也很有意思。 当然要作功课的时候就不能chit chat了。

            LL: That's right! I think it's time for you to work on your paper, and I need to try to call my brother again.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是phone tag，意思是打电话找人，可是来回好几次，双方还是没讲上话。还有一个常用语是chit chat，意思是闲聊。

chubbycat

流行美语第216课

    　




            李华和Larry今天要和在他们的朋友Jenny一起去钓鱼。李华会学到两个常用语：go ballistic和get a move on。

            LH: Jenny怎么这么还不来啊。 我们已经等了20分钟了。 看见她我非和她算账不可。

            LL: Hey, calm down Li Hua. Don't go ballistic on Jenny when she gets here, there might be a good reason for her being late.

            LH: 你说不要对Jenny怎么样？Ballistic? 我就知道ballistic missile，弹道导弹。

            LL: That's different. I said, don't go ballistic. To go ballistic on someone means to get really angry, lose control and start screaming at this person.

            LH: 原来你是说不要对Jenny大发脾气， 我当然不会了。我确实讨厌别人迟到，但是我决不会对人大声嚷嚷，礼貌还是要的。

            LL: Oh really? What about that time you went ballistic on one of your students in Chinese class?

            LH: 那个学生作弊，我当然得训斥了他两句呀！但是，我也没有对他大发雷霆， I didn't go ballistic on him。 要是你，恐怕就会go ballistic了。

            LL: Ok, then, what about the time that guy almost hit you with his car, and you were so angry - you definitely went ballistic on him.

            LH: 那个人边开车边打电话，差点撞到我和一位老太太。我当然非常生气了。你可以说，我是发脾气了，I did go ballistic on him。 不过那是特别情况。我差一点命都没了。

            LL: Didn't you tell me before that you used to go ballistic on your old roommate all the time?

            LH: 没错，我以前常跟我的同屋发脾气。 可是你知道，每天我要作功课了，她总是大声放那种摇滚乐，我跟她说了还不听。过了一个月，我实在受不了才对她发脾气的。

            LL: Well, I definitely remember I heard you talking to someone in Chinese on the phone the other day, and it sounded to me like you really went ballistic on them.

            LH: 你听到我在电话上跟人发火了？那是我表姐。 不过我并没有跟她发脾气呀。你今天是怎么了， 你老是指责我，不断地翻老账。 你要是再没完没了，我就对你不客气了。 I'll be going ballistic on you.

            LL: I'm sorry, you're right, I shouldn't tease.

            LH: 什么？你这么一 本正经的，原来是在逗我呀。 真气死人了。

            ******

            LH: Larry， Jenny还没有来， 我们还要等多久啊？

            LL: I think we've waited long enough. She must have overslept. Oh well, let's get a move on.

            LH: 我肯定她睡过头了。一般她是很准时的。不过Larry，你说get a move on，那是什么意思啊？

            LL: To get a move on means to hurry up, to start going somewhere.

            LH: 我明白了。 To get a move on的意思是赶快走。昨天我在上课的路上遇见Jenny， 她说，We had better get a move on，or we'll be late。当时我还不太清楚什么是get a move on。现在才清楚她是让我赶快走，不然就要迟到了。

            LL: Right, OK, well, let's get a move on then, it's getting late.

            LH: 好吧，噢，Larry，对不起，我把防晒油忘在宿舍里了， 请你等一下。

            LL: Don't worry. I have some sunscreen right here. Now come on, it's almost six thirty - we need to get a move on.

            LH: 好吧， 那我就用你的防晒油吧。

            (Cell phone rings)

            LH: 很可能是Jenny打来的电话， 让我来接吧。

            LL: (sighs) Oh great！Tell her to get a move on. If she isn't here in five minutes we have to leave.

            LH: 对，我们最多只等5分钟， 过期不候。Larry, 要是我和我爷爷去看电影，我想催他赶紧走，能对他说get a move on吗？

            LL: No way, that would be rude.

            LH: 我也这么想呢！ 你要是对长辈说get a move on是不太礼貌。对同年龄的人或年纪比你小的可以这么说，是吗？

            LL: Sure, telling someone your own age or younger to get a move on is fine. I remember once when I was waiting in a traffic jam in New York I went ballistic and started yelling at the other cars to get a move on.

            LH: 那你不能在纽约开车，纽约堵车是常事。你每次碰到堵车就大喊大叫？叫了也没用。 看来你也太没礼貌了。 刚才居然还批评我。

            LL: Hey, there's Jenny, let's get a move on before the fish stop biting.

            天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是go ballistic，意思是大发雷霆。另一个常用语是get a move on，意思是赶快走。

chubbycat

流行美语第217课

    　




            Larry和李华在看篮球比赛，交战的一方是姚明所属的休士顿火箭队，另一方是迈阿密的热火队。李华会学到两个常用语：classic和go for it。

            LL: Wow, Li Hua, did you see that shot by Yao Ming? Now, that was classic!

            LH: 看到了，姚明的投篮真是一流的！你说that was classic!就是这个意思吧。

            LL: Yes, classic means something that is really good or especially well done.

            LH: 要是姚明的队能赢就太好了。 It will be classic。

            LL: I'm not sure that they will. Did you see that Miami Heat player steal the ball? Now that was a classic move!

            LH: 迈阿密热火队虽然抢到了球，这并不保证他们就会赢呀！你看，姚明队的队员紧紧地盯着对方，他们根本没有机会投篮。哎， 你看哪！火箭队的吉祥物火箭熊跑到比赛场上来了？

            LL: That is really funny! That is just classic.

            LH: 火箭熊在场上干扰比赛，你还说是classic。 不是说classic是好事吗，这有什么好的呢？

            LL: Oh, things that are classic are good. Clutch the Bear is doing a good job as a mascot. His prank is well-done and that is why it is classic.

            LH: 原来火箭熊是出来表演！ 火箭熊玩的把戏倒是很精彩，真是一流的。哎， 说到可笑的事情，你听过 Bob的笑话吗？

            LL: Oh, yeah, Bob has so many jokes and almost everyone of them, I should say, is classic.

            LH: 是啊， 不知道他哪儿来的那么多笑话。每个笑话都很妙，有的时候笑得我肚子都痛了。

            LL: I remember sometimes you laughed so hard that you cried, Li Hua. Now, I have to say, your response was classic.

            LH: 有的时候我真的笑得肚子都痛了。 可这有什么好不好的？

            LL: Of course, it showed you have a great sense of humor.

            LH: 那倒是，有的人对笑话毫无反应。Hey, look, Larry, 迈阿密热火队领先了！

            LL: Whoooooo-eeeeeee! Alright! Awesome!

            LH: Wow, Larry, 我要是有相机一定把你站在沙发上乱蹦的样子拍下来，

            Now that would be classic!

            ******

            LL: Look at Yao Ming setting up his free throw. He is really taking too much time. He should just go for it.

            LH: 轮到姚明罚球了。你说姚明应当Go for it? 这是什么意思呢？

            LL: Oh, to go for it means to do something without thinking too much about it and ignoring the risks. Yao Ming should just take his free throw and get on with the game.

            LH: 我明白了， go for it的意思是不要犹豫不决、要全力以赴。姚明罚球是有点不紧不慢的，不过这是他的风格呀。太快了，可能投不中。糟糕！姚明罚球没中！

            LL: That's too bad. Say, speaking of going for it, I hear you are thinking of applying for a full-time teaching job.

            LH: 是啊，我打算申请一个全职的教师工作，不过还没有最后决定呢。

            LL: I think you should go for it, Li Hua.

            LH: 我知道应该去争取， 可是那个工作在外州， 一想到搬家我就头痛。

            LL: But if you don't go for it, you may never know if the job is good or not.

            LH: 这我也知道， 要不做那个工作就永远也不知道这工作好不好。不过，我也不想搬到外州后，万一不理想再搬回来。

            LL: That is just one of the chances you have to take when you go for it.

            LH: 当然任何事情都有风险，找工作也一样。

            LL: Li Hua, sometimes when you go for it, good things happen.

            LH: 积极找工作有时会有好的结果？万一工作不满意怎么办？

            LL: Well, my friend Bob saw a posting for a job he was interested in and decided to go for it. But his boss didn't want to see him go and gave him a really big raise.

            LH: Bob真走运。 老板听见他要走就给他加工资。 我要碰到这种老板，那该多好呀！

            LL: I think you should apply for that teaching job. You really should go for it!

            LH: 让我想想再说。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是classic, 意思是优秀的、一流的。还有一个是go for it意思是不犹豫、全力争取。

chubbycat

流行美语第218课

    　




            夏天的时候，Larry和李华开车去海边玩。李华会学到两个常用语：jazzed和to catch some waves。

            LL: Li Hua, I am really jazzed about this trip to the beach.

            LH: Jazz不是爵士乐吗？我们去海边跟爵士乐有什么关系呢？

            LL: You are right, but by Jazzed I mean to be really excited. I am really looking forward to spending some time at the beach today.

            LH: 我知道了，Jazzed的意思是很兴奋。其实我也挺高兴的，不过我想知道有什么事情让你这么兴奋呢？

            LL: There are three reasons. First, I am really jazzed to not be working! I have been working really hard on a project for my boss, and it is really nice to have some time off.

            LH: 对，你为你老板的那个项目花了一个月的时间，现在完成了当然要放松一下喽。不用上班，这个理由很成立，另外两个理由呢？

            LL: Second, I am very jazzed about trying out my new surf board and riding some waves.

            LH: 你想试试你新买的冲浪板。那也合理，你那新的冲浪板真是很漂亮。要我是你，I would be very jazzed, too. 不过呢，我只想躲在阳伞下面看书。

            LL: I don't see how you can get jazzed about reading a book, Li Hua.

            LH: Oh, Larry, 你喜欢冲浪，我喜欢看书。各人的兴趣不同嘛。

            LL: I guess that is what makes the world interesting! I get really jazzed about playing Frisbee at the beach, too.

            LH: 在沙滩上扔飞盘，那有什么好玩的？那是小孩玩的东西。

            LL: Remember what you said, Li Hua? Different people get jazzed about different things.

            LH: 没错，没错，我是说过。

            LL: Remember, the guy in our English class really get jazzed about flying kites. We should have asked him to come to the beach with us today.

            LH: 对了，忘了邀请他一起来了。你不是说有三个理由让你兴奋吗？

            LL: Yes, the third reason is that I am jazzed to be spending some time with one of my favorite friends. And that would be you, Li Hua.

            LH: 第三个理由是跟像我这样的好朋友一起出游让你感到兴奋。Larry，你的嘴可真甜呐。不过，我还是谢谢你的好意。

            ******

            LL: Well, now that I've put on some sun screen, Li Hua, I am going to go catch some waves.

            LH: Catch some waves? 你能抓到海浪吗？

            LL: Ha, ha. I don't mean with my arms. To catch some waves- WAVES, means to ride some waves on your surfboard.

            LH: Oh, 我明白了， 你是要去冲浪。 不过，今天的浪不太，即使是用新的冲浪板也不好冲哟。

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. It isn't the best day to catch waves. The waves aren't very big, but I can at least try out my new surfboard by catching some little waves.

            LH: 不管是大浪还是小浪， 反正有浪就行了。Go and catch your waves。我在这里看我的书。

            LL: Oh, come on Li Hua, why don't you come out and catch some waves with me?

            LH: 我不知道怎么冲浪，我从来没有试过。

            LL: Catching waves isn't hard, Li Hua. I can show you how.

            LH: Okay, 那我去试试。不过， 你知道我有点紧张。

            LL: Oh, it will be fine, Li Hua. Let's go catch some waves.

            (Ocean/splashing sounds)

            LH: 我们已经在水里了，那怎么冲浪呢？

            LL: First, you hold on to the surfboard like this. And then you wait for a wave to catch. When a big wave comes along, you stand up on the surfboard and ride it.

            LH: 我来试试。 把冲浪板拿好， 然后海浪一来，就站到冲浪板上。噢，我的天啊， 大浪来了！

            LL: Okay, Li Hua, try to stand up. Good job, you caught your first wave!

            LH: Wheeeee, 我第一次冲浪成功了！

            LL: See, I told you catching some waves isn't hard.

            LH: 冲浪是不难。 Larry，我们再来一次吧。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是jazzed, 意思是令人兴奋，还有一个是catch some waves, 意思是海上冲浪。

chubbycat

流行美语第219课

    　




            Larry和李华打算乘火车去Larry家玩。Larry家住在纽约郊区。 Larry和李华还打算去纽约市旅游。李华会学到两个常用语：do the math和know the drill。

            LL: Okay, Li Hua, I don't know how we are going to do the sightseeing and also spend time with my family. I mean, you do the math - how is it going to work?

            LH: Do the math? 这很好算嘛。我们有四天时间，24小时乘以4等于96个小时 。我们总共有96个小时。

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, I guess I didn't mean for you to actually do the math. When I said "you do the math," I meant something like "you think about it."

            LH: 原来你说"do the math"，意思是考虑一下，不是真的要我算。Larry，是你请我到你家去，还要到纽约玩， 你应该考虑呀 - You should do the math。另外，去纽约玩要花多少钱呢？我这个当老师的可没有很多钱啊。

            LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I've done the math. We'll save a lot of money by staying at my parent's house. Plus they will feed us.

            LH: 能住在你父母家就太好了，可以省很多钱。 Larry，你知道我是穷学生，凡事都要精打细算才行。I have to do the math all the time。

            LL: You know that is very smart. My younger brother could really have learned something from you.

            LH: 你弟弟向我学习？我有什么好学的呢？

            LL: Well, when he moved out and got his first job, he really didn't do the math. He ended up needing help from my parents, because he wasn't making enough money.

            LH: 你弟弟真傻，第一次拿到工资就觉得自己很有钱，要搬出去住。他肯定没想到房租那么贵。你弟弟现在怎么样了？

            LL: Yes, he is now making very good money waiting tables at a restaurant.

            LH: 我也听说餐馆服务员收入不少。

            LL: In one hour he might wait on ten tables. If each table tips him between five and ten dollars。Well, you do the math.

            LH: 每小时服务十桌客人，每桌客人给5块或是10块美元的小费。哟，你弟弟一个小时就能挣50到100美元。 看来，我也改行作服务员算了。

            LL: No, Li Hua. You are definitely meant to be a teacher. He's making what seems like a lot now, but in the long term - if you do the math - I think you'll be doing better in the end.

            LH: 从长远来看，我以后会挣得比你弟弟多？但愿如此。

            ******

            LL: Okay, Li Hua, we're now at the subway station. You know the drill. Have your ticket ready ...

            LH: 地铁票？我有呀。 Larry，你刚才说： You know the drill， 这是什么意思啊？ Drill不是一种工具吗？

            LL: Well, a drill is a tool。But a drill can also be a routine. Knowing the drill is knowing a routine - it is knowing how things are done.

            LH: 噢，to know the drill就是知道一件事该怎么作。我当然知道怎么坐纽约地铁了。先要买票，然后把票放进自动检票机，否则就进不去。对吗？

            LL: That's good. But do you know the drill when it comes to taking a taxi in the city? We have to do that next.

            LH: 什么？我们下了地铁还要打的？我可没有在纽约打过的， 我是随时拦车呢，还是要到指定的街口等呀？ I really don't know the drill。

            LL: That's OK, Li Hua. I'll teach you what you need to do - then you'll know the drill.

            LH: 我是得学学。我在纽约人生地不熟的。 没有你，我一定很紧张。

            LL: Yeah, it can be very disconcerting when you are in an unfamiliar place and don't know the drill.

            LH: 是呀，在不熟悉的地方有时心里是很不安。我刚来的时候不知道怎么乘公共汽车，有一次差点走丢了。

            LL: But now you are an expert. No one would say you don't know the drill now!

            LH: 当然了， 不过我也不是什么都知道， 还要向你多多请教。Larry，我们这是去哪里呀?

            LL: Oh, the usual places in New York City. You know the drill: go see the Statue of Liberty, go see a play on Broadway, and then go eat in Chinatown.

            LH: 对，到纽约来玩的人都是去这几个地方， I know the drill。先去自由女神像， 然后接着去百老汇看戏，然后去唐人街吃饭。

            LL: I'm glad you are excited about eating in Chinatown. Because when it comes to ordering in Chinese, I really don't know the drill.

            LH: 这你放心，Larry。 你不会点菜，我来点。 I know the drill 。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是do the math，意思是考虑、算计一下。另一个是know the drill，也就是说知道怎么作某件事情。

chubbycat

流行美语第220课

    　




            Larry和李华在谈论他们的朋友Dave。 Dave的老板刚刚给他加了一大笔工资。李华今天要学会两个新的习惯用语，live large和a hoot.

            LL: It is a good thing that Bob got such a big raise. He likes to live large!

            LH: Live是生活，你说live large那是什么意思呀?

            LL: By living large, I mean Bob likes to buy expensive things, wear the best clothes, and eat out at fancy restaurants.

            LH: 谁不喜欢那样生活奢侈呀？买贵的东西、穿最好的衣服、下高级饭馆？I like to live large too。

            LL: Right. And Bob does live large. The minute after he heard about his new raise, Bob went out and bought a brand new Mercedes.

            LH: Wow，他可真够大手大脚的，钱还没拿到手就已经花出去了。 一辆Mercedes至少要几万美金吧。不过，喜欢live large的人还挺多。教我英国文学的史密斯教授最近买了一座豪宅，里面有六个卧室， 四个洗澡间，还有一个马厩。

            LL: Wow, maybe someday, I'll be able to live large, too.

            LH: 我不知道你， 反正我是没有希望了， 靠教中文这点收入连做梦也不会live large.

            LL: I don't earn that much at my job either. I will need more than one big raise to be able to live large. I'll need several raises!

            LH: 要加薪好多次才能过上奢适的生活， 那要等到什么时候啊。 不过Larry，过不上那种日子也没关系，我并不羡慕那种生活。

            LL: What do you mean? You don't want to live large?

            LH: 生活奢适是要付出代价的， 比如，保养和维修奔驰车要花很多钱。 大房子也要费时间打扫。

            LL: Those are good points, but it sure is fun to dream about living large.

            LH: 过不了那种生活光是梦想有什么好玩的呀！ Larry，如果你有了钱，可以挥霍地生活， 你想作什么呢？

            LL: Well, I would first buy my own private jet.

            LH: 买一架私人飞机？ That would be living large.

            LL: And then I would fly my jet to my own private island in the Caribbean.

            LH: 你还想开着飞机到自己在加勒比海买的一个岛上去！你真是在做梦！

            ******

            LL: I loved your reaction when I told you I wanted to buy my own private island in the Caribbean. It was a hoot!

            LH: "A hoot"是猫头鹰的叫声。你说我刚才的反映是猫头鹰的叫声？你这是什么意思呀？

            LL: No, that's not what I meant. You looked so amazed I thought it was really funny. Something that is really funny is a hoot.

            LH: 我刚才听你说要买一个私人岛屿是让我非常惊讶！想像你在加勒比海的私人海滩上悠闲地喝着果汁，那情景很可笑的哟。

            LL: Say, you know what else was a real hoot? Did you see that show on the comedy channel last night?

            LH: 你是指昨天晚上那喜剧节目频道播出的节目吗？我当然看了。

            LL: Yes! Wasn't it the funniest thing you have ever seen? I thought it was such a hoot.

            LH: 我也觉得很有趣。 有个人模仿总统，模仿的真好笑。 都快把我笑死了。 He was a hoot!

            LL: Hey, I hadn't really thought about this before, but doesn't our friend Bob look like the guy who impersonated the president?

            LH: 是啊， 模仿总统的人很像我们的朋友Bob 。真有趣 - What a hoot!

            LL: Speaking of Bob, did I tell you that he took me out for a drive in his new Mercedes?

            LH: Bob开着崭新的奔驰车带你去兜风了？ 下回我也要让他带我去兜风。

            LL: Well, you wouldn't believe what happened. We were stopped behind a garbage truck at a stoplight when all of the sudden the truck dumped trash into the Mercedes all over me and Bob!

            LH: 什么， 垃圾车突然把垃圾倒出来，把你和Bob弄得全身都是垃圾？Larry，那卡车司机把你们当成了垃圾场了。 这真可笑 - It's really a hoot!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是live large，意思是生活挥霍。还有一个是hoot，意思是可笑、有趣。

chubbycat

流行美语第221课

    　




            Larry和李华在谈论州长竞选的问题。 李华会学到两个常用语toast和wiggle room。

            LL: If the Governor doesn't change his education policies, Li Hua, I think he is toast.

            LH: 你说什么？ 要是州长不改变他的教育政策，他就会怎么呐？Toast不是烤面包吗？我想这肯定是一种比喻， 不过，He is toast究竟是什么意思呢？

            LL: When I said "toast" I meant that he would be finished or done for. Basically, I think he will lose the election.

            LH: 噢， He is toast就是他没有希望了，完了。 Toast这个说法很生动。就像烤面包一样， 面包烤好了就会被弹出来， 政府官员落选就像面包被弹出来一样。

            LL: That is exactly right.

            LH: 我们州的这位州长政绩不错，希望他能当选连任。 I hope he's not toast.

            LL: Well, I'll agree with you that the Governor is very effective in many ways. But after he decided to raise taxes, most Americans were pretty dissatisfied. He's toast, I tell you.

            LH: 我认为他不会落选。你不是也认为州长在各方面都很有效率吗？增加税收也是为了改善教育呀。我倒觉得他的竞选对手不行，他既不诚实，也税收方面也没有什么好主意。

            LL: I can see you and I aren't going to agree on this. Good friends shouldn't talk about politics. We don't want our friendship to be toast!

            LH: Larry， 你说的没错，再谈政治我们两个非成为仇人不可。 我们换个话题吧。你最近好像很忙， 在忙什么呢？

            LL: Well, since you asked, Li Hua, if I don't finish the budget report I am working on by Thursday, then I am toast!

            LH: 什么？你要在星期四以前完成预算报告。今天已经星期三了。看来你是要完了。我要是你，今天无论如何不睡觉也要把报告写出来。

            LL: That is the best way to avoid being toast. Say, Li Hua, what about you？Don't you need to turn in a chapter from your dissertation to your advisor?

            LH: 没错，琼斯教授说了我非得在月底以前把我论文的第一章交给他，不然就算我这学期不及格。那我就完了。Then I'm toast.

            LL: You *will* be toast, Li Hua. You won't be able to look for a job next year, and I know your parents will be very unhappy.

            LH: 就是呀，书没念好，父母不高兴，我就真的完了。I will be toast!

            ******

            LL: Did you see the candidates' debate last night, Li Hua? The Governor really didn't leave himself any wiggle room on the tax issue.

            LH: Wiggle room? Wiggle有摇动，摆动的意思。 Room是房间。你说州长在房间里说话的时候摇来摆去？

            LL: No, I meant that on the issue of taxes he left himself very little room to shift his position later.

            LH: 你是说他在辩论税收问题的时候没有给自己留下回旋的余地。他都说了什么呢？

            LL: He promised during the debate that if he was reelected he would not raise taxes.

            LH: 他说当选后不会提高税收？他实在不应当作出这个承诺。 如果遇到自然灾害、战争或是经济恶化，政府怎么能不提高税收呢？

            LL: You are exactly right. I can see he didn't leave himself any wiggle room there. Say, Li Hua, how is your dissertation chapter coming?

            LH: 我的博士论文写得怎么样了？哎，说起来很惭愧，我一直没有时间写。 时间表排得满满的，没有一点回旋的余地。

            LL: I know how that is, Li Hua. I am going to be working on my budget project right up until the last minute. I haven't left myself much wiggle room, either.

            LH: 我看你是得赶紧写那预算报告，要能在最后一分钟写出来就算你运气。 我这星期一定得写完论文第一章。下学期我想减少教书的时间，这样就会有多一点的时间来写论文了。

            LL: While having some wiggle room in your schedule is a good thing, are you worried about losing some of your income?

            LH: 是啊，少教些书是会让我有更多时间，不过我也担心收入就会减少。

            LL: I'm not very good at sticking to a budget. I always like to have some wiggle room in my budget for extra expenses.

            LH: 我知道，规定自己一个月花多少钱是很难遵守的，总有要额外买些东西的时候。所以我总给自己留一些余地，免得到时候没有没办法。

            LL: Yeah, I guess we can skip going out for ice cream for a while.

            LH: 吃冰淇淋花得了多少钱！We have a lot of wiggle room for ice cream.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是toast，意思是失败，或是俗话说完蛋。另一个是wiggle room，意思是回旋或调整的余地。

chubbycat

流行美语第222课

    　




            Larry和李华在一个大商场里买东西，那里非常拥挤。李华今天学会两个常用语my bad 和back in the day。

            LL: My bad! I didn't mean to step on your foot, Li Hua. It's just that there are so many people at the mall today.

            LH: My bad? Bad不是坏的意思吗？这儿人确实很多，你不小心踩到我的脚，为什么说my bad? My bad是什么意思呀？

            LL: Oh, That's my bad, too. I should have explained what "my bad" means. It is a very informal way of apologizing without actually saying "I'm sorry."

            LH: 原来my bad是表示道歉，但是是很不正式的道歉。 什么时候用my bad，什么时候用I'm sorry呢？

            LL: Because you are my friend, and stepping on your foot was a pretty minor thing, I said "my bad." I'd say "I'm sorry" for something more serious - or if you were my boss.

            LH: 明白了，my bad是对很熟的朋友说的，而且发生的事也不是太严重，就像不小心踩了脚这类小事。要我是你的老板，你就不能说my bad!

            LL: Yeah, that's right. Say, would you like to get out of the crowd and stop for a cup of coffee in that shop over there?

            LH: 你要去那边那个店里喝咖啡？好呀！ 可是My bad我没有带现金。

            LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I've got some cash. You can pay me back later.

            LH: 谢谢你。 我在这里占着位子，你去买咖啡吧。我要一杯摩卡拿铁咖啡。

            (Sounds of busy restaurant/cash register transaction as Larry gets coffee)

            LH: Okay, Li Hua, here is your latte. Oh-My bad! I now remember you wanted a mocha latte. I got the wrong drink.

            LH: 没关系，不是摩卡拿铁也没关系。 Larry，递我一张餐巾纸，好不好？

            LL: Sure, here's a napkin.

            LH: Oops， My bad! 对不起， 我把咖啡撒了！

            LL: Here let me help you clean that up.

            LH: 谢谢你，幸亏你拿了好多餐巾纸，否则还真没法收拾。

            LL: Agh! Now it's my bad! I've spilled my coffee, too. (laughs)

            LH: (Also laughing) 你的咖啡也撒了。Larry， 我们赶快走吧， 不然不知又会出什么事，那样我们就会没完没了地说my bad !

            ******

            LL: I can't believe how rude people are at the mall. I know it is crowded, but back in the day people were much more polite.

            LH: 没错，有的人真是没有礼貌。Larry，你说back in the day人们都很有礼貌，back in the day是指哪一天呢？

            LL: No, no, Li Hua. "Back in the day" is a general expression referring to a time in the past when things were better than they are now.

            LH: 噢，back in the day就是指过去，而不是指哪一天。你是说过去美国人都很有礼貌？

            LL: Yes, back in the day a man would have taken the time to open a door for a lady, especially if she was carrying packages.

            LH: 我遇到过这种情况。上次我去看牙，进大楼的时候，前面那个男子看见我也是进那大楼，就把门开开，等着让我先进去。Larry，你是说以前都是这样的吗？

            LL: Yes, and life was much simpler. There were no computers and cell phones back in the day. Now it is rush, rush, rush.

            LH: 没错，过去生活是比较简单，别说没有电脑和手机，我们小时候连彩色电视也很少。现在每个人都好像匆匆忙忙，不知道怎么回事。

            LL: And can you believe it? Before e-mail, back in the day people wrote letters with their own hands!!!

            LH: 自从有了电子邮件后，现在拿起笔来写信的人恐怕是很少了，可是我很喜欢收到别人亲笔写给我的信，因为那让我感到很亲切。

            LL: I agree with you. But, then again, I guess not everything back in the day was so great.

            LH: 是啊， 过去也不是样样都好。 我父亲常对我说， 他小时候上学要走很远的路。现在的孩子们就幸福多了，可以坐校车。

            LL: You know, my dad says the same thing. He would tell me I was so lucky, because back in the day he had to walk five miles to school.

            LH: 你爸爸上学要走五里路。我爸爸更苦，他不仅走路还要背着几十斤重的课本呢。

            LL：I agree. Li Hua, let's take the bus and go home. Oh, let me open the door for you.

            LH: 谢谢你， Larry， 你真希望有更多像你这样有礼貌的年轻人。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是my bad, 意思是对不起起。还有一个是back in the day， 意思是过去。

chubbycat

流行美语第223课

    　




            Larry在告诉李华他公司里发生的事。 李华今天会学会两个常用语，trash talking和make waves。

            LL: So, Li Hua, yesterday at the office I heard two of my co-workers trash talking my boss.

            LH: 什么是trash talking? 难道他们在谈垃圾，垃圾有什么好谈的？

            LL: No, it's not. Trash talking is saying really mean things about someone.

            LH: 噢，trash talking就是说别人的坏话。那你的这两位同事为什么要说老板的坏话呢？

            LL: I think they were upset because he didn't like a proposal they submitted. They were saying my boss wasn't very smart and didn't make good decisions for the company.

            LH: 就因为老板没有接受他们的建议，他们就说他笨，作出的决策对公司不利？他们也太自负了吧！ Larry，那你是怎么看的呢？

            LL: I am sure he had his reasons for rejecting their proposal. I have a lot of respect for my boss, and that is why their trash talking him bothers me so much.

            LH: 老板拒绝他们的建议总有他的道理。我知道你很尊重你们的老板，所以听见别人在背后说他坏话就感到很讨厌。我那天也听到两个研究生在说一个教授的坏话。我也觉得很讨厌。

            LL: Did you do anything about their trash talk?

            LH: 我当时就为这位教授辩护。 他们不一定会改变看法，但是我不能听任他们诬蔑这位教授。

            LL: Good for you, Li Hua!

            LH: 后来别人告诉我那两个人又在背后说我的坏话 - They trash talked me 。

            LL: I guess you made them mad by bringing attention to their trash talking. I just don't have the courage to deal with my two co-workers who talked trash about my boss.

            LH: 你没有勇气来对付他们？这有什么呢？你就对他们说， 你们这样说老板的坏话是不对的。

            LL: I don't think it is that easy, Li Hua. After all, I still have to work with these trash talkers.

            ******

            LH: 你是不是担心他们会找你的麻烦呀？

            LL: It is not so much that I am afraid of them, as it is that I don't want to make waves at work.

            LH: 你不是怕他们，而是不想在工作单位make waves。 Make waves是什么意思？你不想兴风作浪？

            LL: No, no. Making waves means to cause a disturbance.

            LH: 噢， 你是不想得罪他们，引起纠纷。

            LL: I know it would make waves at work. These two co-workers are senior to me, and I know if I talked to them, they'd just cause trouble for me.

            LH: 这两个人资历都比你深。你要批评他们，他们就会给你找麻烦，你实际上还是有点怕他们。

            LL: You know, I also don't want to make waves at home, too.

            LH: 公司里的事情怎么会牵涉到你的家人，又怎么会给家里制造麻烦呢？

            LL: Well, my parents just want me to do well and be successful. It would upset them to know I was having trouble at work.

            LH: 我明白了， 你不想让父母担心。 Larry，你不愧是个孝子。 我的一个学生可不像你。他暑假回家的时候， 给家里制造了不少麻烦。

            LL: What did he do?

            LH: 他在肚脐上穿了一个洞， 带上了一个金属环。他要赶新潮。可把他的父母都快要气疯了。

            LL: Well, that certainly is one way to make waves. Li Hua, you don't seem to be able to make waves.

            LH: 那你就不了解我了。几个月前我也跟我的房东闹了一场呢。

            LL: Really, Li Hua, you didn't tell me about this. What happened?

            LH: 我公寓里的浴缸漏水了。我跟老板说了好几次他都不理我。 后来我实在忍无可忍，就去他办公室问他为什么不给修，so I made some waves。

            LL: It is too bad you had to make some waves to get your landlord to do what he is supposed to do.

            LH: 其实我是不喜欢这样做的 - I don't like to make waves。他要早派人修了不就没事了嘛！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是trash talking, 意思是说别人的坏话。还有一个是make waves， 意思是制造麻烦或纠纷。

chubbycat

流行美语第224课

    　




            Larry和李华在一个餐馆里商量周末的计划。李华今天会学到两个常用语glitch和tweak。

            LL: What a busy morning in our office! We discovered a glitch in some new software we were trying out at work.

            LH: 你们发现新的电脑软件有一个glitch。Glitch是什么呀？

            LL: A glitch is a technical problem. When your computer or software doesn't work the way it is supposed to, it often has a glitch.

            LH: 噢， glitch就是技术故障。电脑或软件不能正常运作时往往就是因为有了故障。那你们弄清楚了没有电脑软件到底是什么问题呢？

            LL: Well, glitches are often difficult to explain. Basically, we would try to use a certain function of the software, and it would cause the office computers to lock up.

            LH: 用软件的某一功能，办公室的电脑就都不能用了，你说的就是所谓的电脑死机吧。

            LL: Glitches are very frustrating. They cost a lot of time and effort.

            LH: 没错，出了故障要花很多时间去解决，是很烦人的。对了，Larry，你听说没有，最近大家都在抢购一种电子游戏软件，结果发现这种软件有严重的技术问题 - it has a big glitch in it。听说厂家正在回收产品呢。

            LL: Oh, I know all about that! I love video games and actually bought that game system. It does have a serious glitch, and now I need to send it back to the company.

            LH: 你也买了那软件？那你就得把它寄回去。Larry，你说既然有问题，那厂家为什么还要出售他们的软件呢？

            LL: Sometimes the companies don't know about a glitch in a video game or video game system until enough people play it.

            LH: 那倒也是，有的问题必须在很多人用了以后才会发现。 对了，Larry, 你不是说今天要跟老板一起吃午饭吗？

            LL: I was originally, but there was a glitch in our plans. My boss discovered he had two appointments on the same day, so he had to reschedule our lunch for next week.

            LH: 你的老板也真是够糊涂的，怎么会在同一天安排两个午餐。幸好你是个年轻新雇员，取消和你的约会还不要紧。 Larry，我们说好了这个周末去参观摄影展览。这个计划没问题吧？Are there any glitches in that plan?

            LL: I don't think there will be any glitches. I am really looking forward to it. When do you want to leave?

            LH: 我也跟你一样盼着去呢。星期六早上十点半出发，怎么样？

            LL：Fine!

            ******

            LL: Hmmm, I need to do an errand Saturday morning. We may have to tweak our plans a little.

            LH: Tweak our plans? Tweak这个字的发音有点怪。你的意思是要改变计划吗？

            LL: Tweak, may be a funny-sounding word, but it means to adjust something just a little bit.

            LH: Tweak的意思是稍微作些改动。 那你的意思是说星期六的计划要变喽。

            LL: Right, we don't have to change our plans too much. If we just tweak the time a little bit and leave at 11:00, I can finish my errand, and we still have plenty of time to enjoy the exhibit.

            LH: 没问题。我们把10:30出发改成11点出发就行了。不过我们也不能玩得太晚喽。

            LL: Why is that?

            LH: 我下个星期要在研讨会上宣读一篇论文。论文是写完了，但我还要作一些修改。

            LL: If the paper is in English, Li Hua, I can help you tweak it by reading it after we get back tonight.

            LH: 我是用英文写的， 你要是能帮我修改一下，那真是太好了。

            LL: It would be my pleasure, Li Hua. Well, this has been a nice lunch, but I need to get back to work. I've had some ideas about how to tweak the computers at work.

            LH: 瞧你，想出了修电脑的主意就急着要回去工作了。 你真有把握吗？

            LL: I'm not sure. But if I can't tweak it, maybe some one at the software company can. Thanks again for lunch, Li Hua. I'll see you later.

            LH: 哎，Larry，你的午饭都没怎么吃嘛。

            LL: To be honest, it wasn't very good. I think the chef needs to tweak the seasoning. It was kind of bland.

            LH: 这菜的确是没有什么味道。厨师是该改变他的佐料了。再见，Larry。 Good luck tweaking your computers!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是glitch，意思是技术故障。还有一个是tweak， 意思是作小的改动。

chubbycat

流行美语第225课

    　




            Larry和李华刚下课。李华告诉Larry一个非常好的消息。李华今天要学会两个常用语 get out of here和burned out。

            LM: Larry! 我有个好消息，说了你一定不相信，我买的彩票中奖了!

            LL: Really? Get out of here!

            LH: 我中了彩票，你不为我高兴，还让我出去？Get out of here? 我们又不在屋子里，出去上哪儿去呀？

            LL: No, listen，when someone tells you some good or exciting news, and you are really surprised, you can say get-out-of-here. It shows that you can barely believe the good news.

            LH: 原来get out of here在这里是表示惊讶和难以相信的意思。按字面来解释不就是出去吗。

            LL: You are right. So anyway, how much money did you win?

            LH: 你说我的彩票呀？ 我中奖得了一千美元。

            LL: A thousand dollars? Get out of here! You are sooooo lucky! Hey, I've got some good news too. Do you remember that summer internship at the museum I applied for?

            LH: 你申请暑假到那博物馆去实习，当然记得呀！怎么啦？他们接受你去实习啦？

            LL: That's right! And not only that, but they are going to pay me a good salary too!

            LH: 让你去实习，还给你很好的薪水？Get out of here! 我简直不能相信。这比中奖还棒。

            LL: Heh, well, I don't know about that... Oh, by the way, you won't believe who I saw in the coffee shop near my apartment this morning, Jet Li!

            LH: 什么？你在公寓附近的咖啡店里看见李连杰了？Get out of here!

            LL: He's a really nice guy. Look, he gave me an autograph.

            LH: Whoa, get out of here! 李连杰还给你亲笔签名！你真幸运。

            ******

            LL: Well, Li Hua, what are you going to do with your lottery winnings?

            LH: 我要把大部分存起来， 不过我想请几个朋友去听音乐会。你要不要去？

            LL: Umm, well... I really appreciate the offer, but I'm kind of burnt out right now. I need to stay home and rest.

            LH: 你说你因为burnt out， 所以要在家里休息？什么是burnt out?

            LL: I said that I am burnt out. To be burnt out means to become exhausted because of stress or too much activity.

            LH: 噢， burnt out是指因为压力太大， 活动太多而疲惫不堪。 我看你就是活动太多，放假以后你天天都去参加聚会，所以才累成这样。

            LL: That's right, during the school year I was burnt out from studying and working, and now that school is out, I'm burnt out from partying!

            LH: 我知道你的意思。记得去年我本来要上四门课，同时还要当助教。没到两个星期，我就已经累坏了。

            LL: Good thing you dropped one of those classes. It's hard to be a good teacher when you are burnt out from studying yourself!

            LH: 对，幸亏我放弃了一门课。 自己学习都应付不过来怎么才能当好老师呢！ Larry, 你不能跟我们去听音乐会， 真是可惜。 你知道还有谁喜欢滚石乐队吗？

            LL: The Rolling Stones? Get out of here! You have tickets to the Rolling Stones concert? OK, never mind what I said earlier, I'm going with you!

            LH: 我就知道你再累也不会错过滚石乐队的。 不过，Larry，有的人说滚石乐队已经演出了四十年，现在已经太疲乏了- burnt out。

            LL: I don't agree. I don't think they will ever burnt out.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是get out of here, 意思是难以相信，还有一个是burnt out，意思是累坏了，精疲力尽。

chubbycat

流行美语第226课

    　




            Larry昨晚因为赶工作而一夜没睡。他正在跟李华讨论睡眠问题。李华今天要学会两个常用语night owl和catch some zzzs。

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, I stayed up all night last night working on this project for work, and now I feel terrible. I guess I'm not a night owl after all.

            LH: 什么？你一夜没睡？难怪你显得很累。 不过你说你不是夜间的猫头鹰，熬夜跟猫头鹰有什么关系呢？

            LL: Owl is a bird, but a night owl is someone who likes to stay up all night.

            LH: 我知道了。 猫头鹰是夜间活动的动物，所以美国人把很晚才睡的人称为night owl。我们中国人把这种人称为夜猫子。

            LL: Right, real owls are like that. But last night I discovered I am not a night owl.

            LH: 你昨晚发现你不是夜猫子。你怎么发现的呢？

            LL: Well, I didn't go to bed until three in the morning, and now I am so tired I can hardly move.

            LH: 你早上三点睡觉，现在已经累得不行了。是呀，真正的夜猫子好像不在乎开夜车似的。看来你真不是一个夜猫子。 我算是会熬夜的了，但是也很少到三点才睡觉。

            LL: Really? When do you go to bed, Li Hua?

            LH: 我喜欢在夜深人静的时候写作，所以经常半夜以后才睡觉。 Larry， 你可以说我是个“夜猫子，”a night owl.

            LL: I'd say you are a night owl. Normally, I go to bed around ten o'clock, because I have to get up early in the morning for work.

            LH: 你早起要上班，那当然不能当夜猫子了。 十点睡觉已经不算早了。

            LL: Yeah, when I was a student, I used to be a night owl, too. I remember back in college being a night owl was a lot of fun. Especially in the city, where there is a lot going on at night.

            LH: 当学生的时候熬夜是常事。不是念书，就是出去玩，晚上有很多地方可玩的。

            LL: I sometimes wish I could be a night owl again.

            LH: 你还想当夜猫子？那等你下班后我们去城里玩，怎么样？

            LL: Oh, No, Li Hua. All I need right now is a cup of coffee to get me through the day and a good night sleep!

            ******

            LL: Well, Li Hua, I've got to get back to work, and then go home and catch some zzzzs.

            LH: 你要回去工作，然后回家，还要抓什么？Catch some zzzs是什么意思呀？Catch是抓住， zzzs是什么啊？

            LL: Catching some zzzs means to get some sleep.

            LH: 嗯，catching some zzzs就是睡觉！可为什么说catching some zzzs呢？Z不是英语的最后一个字母吗？

            LL: You're right. "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet. But many people associate the sound of the letter "Z" ( makes sound zzzzzzzzz) with the sound of snoring.

            LH: 噢， z跟打鼾的声音有点像，所以把睡觉说成是： to catch some zzzs。

            LL: And to catch some zzzs is to fall asleep, which is really what I need to do now.

            LH: 我知道，你已经说了好几遍了， 你现在最需要的就是回去睡一大觉。那你就赶快走呀！

            LL: But I still have some things I need to do at work.

            LH: 办公室里还有事要做。那你睁不开眼睛怎么办？

            LL: There is no need to worry! My desk isn't very comfortable, and the office is pretty loud. I don't think I could catch some zzzs at work, even if I wanted to.

            LH: 你怎么那么可怜呢！ 办公室里坐着不舒服，又吵吵闹闹的，想睡觉都睡不着。那你乘车回家的时候在车上睡一回儿吧。

            LL: No, I better not do that. If I catch some zzzs on the bus, I might miss my stop.

            LH: 那就没办法了。我看你今天只有喝咖啡了。 Larry， 跟你说了半天睡觉的问题，把我都说困了。 Maybe I need to go home at catch some zzzs, too!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是night owl, 意思就是习惯很晚睡觉的人，也就是夜猫子。还有一个是 to catch some zzzs， 意思是睡觉。

chubbycat

流行美语第227课

    　




            Larry和李华正在去学校的书店。 李华今天会学到两个常用语hip and square。

            LL: Wow, Li Hua, that is a really hip book bag!

            LH: Hip? Hip不是人的臀部吗。这跟我的书包有什么关系呢？

            LL: "Hip" is a slang word that means something is really cool and neat. I think your back pack is cool, so I said it was hip.

            LH: 我明白了， hip在这里是个俚语。意思是很棒， 很时髦。 你喜欢我的背包？这还是我在中国上大学的时候买的呢。这么旧的包有什么好的呢？

            LL: I think it is hip because it has Chinese characters on it. Things with Chinese characters on them are really cool - Really hip.

            LH: 有中文字的东西都好啊？这种背包在中国到处都是。我们并不觉得这种背包特别时髦。

            LL: Well, most Americans can't read the Chinese, but they still think having something, like a t-shirt or jewelry, with Chinese characters on it is really hip.

            LH: 那到是很有意思，美国人不懂中文，可是却喜欢有中文字的东西。我是看到有不少美国人的体恤衫上有中文字。中文字那么时髦， 说不定还能吸引一些人来我的班上学中文呢。

            LL: I am sure it will. Have you ever noticed some of the students have tattoos with Chinese characters?

            LH: 是啊，有的美国人纹身，刺的是中文字 。可惜有的时候他们恐怕不知道这些字的意思。

            LL: What do you mean?

            LH: 我有一次在校园里看到一位很时髦的男生，他的胳膊上写着“只能干洗。”

            LL: Ha, ha! That is really funny. And decidedly un-hip.

            LH: 是啊，“只能干洗”不仅不酷而且很可笑。 Larry, 我们快到书店了。听说时髦的学生都喜欢坐在书店的咖啡厅里边喝咖啡边看书。你要不要也喝一杯咖啡呀？

            LL: I don't know, Li Hua. . . Are we hip enough to drink coffee with all the cool students on campus?

            LH: 你够不够时髦我不知道，反正我有资格，别忘了我有一个时髦的背包。

            LL: Well, maybe some of your hip-ness will rub off on me!

            LH：行呀，你就沾点我的光吧！

            ******

            LL: Wow, sitting here with all of these hip college students is making me feel a little square.

            LH: Larry, 你看上去既不是方的，也不是圆的。不过如果一定要给你定型的话，我觉得你更圆一些。

            LL: I'm not talking about my physical shape, Li Hua. You know how "hip" means something cool? Something that is "square" is not cool at all.

            LH: 噢，原来square跟我刚才学到的hip意思正相反。Square就是不时髦，很土得意思。

            LL: That's right. And right now I am feeling square.

            LH: 你为什么感觉自己跟不上潮流很土呢？

            LL: Well, I've been out of school for a while, and I've been working. Every one here seems so young and carefree. It seems part of growing up is to become square.

            LH: 不错，你已经毕业，开始在公司做事了，学校里的人年龄也比较小。可是我不同意你的看法，成长并不等于越来越保守呀！

            LL: Look - I'm wearing a dress shirt with a tie, khaki pants and glasses. This is the uniform of a square.

            LH: 这我还没有听说！衬衫加领带，一条卡基其布裤子，再带上一付眼镜，这就成了赶不上潮流的典型制服？

            LL: Right.

            LH: 可是Larry, 我觉得你的眼镜很好看，很时髦。你看上去很有学问。

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. But squares often look smart and read and study all the time.

            LH: 噢，不时髦的人看起来都很聪明，经常读书学习。那我这个研究生每天都看书，一定就是不时髦喽。I am a true square!

            LL: Well, I guess that means we two squares can hang out together then!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hip, 意思是很棒、很酷、很时髦。还有一个是square， 意思是保守，不时髦。

chubbycat

流行美语第228课

    　




            Larry和李华今天去看赛车。 李华会学到两个常用语sick和souped up。

            LH: Larry，你看， 每辆赛车都不一样，各有独特之处，真有意思。

            LL: That car over there is totally sick. Look at the paint and the tires. That is so cool. I'd love to have a car like that.

            LH: That car over there is totally sick？ 你说那辆车有病，可你又说它很酷。有病是坏事， 很酷是好事。你究竟在说什么呀？

            LL: Cool means I like that car, sick means I like the car too. If I say something is sick, that means it's really good, I like it, it's special.

            LH: 原来sick 和cool是一样的意思，都是指很好，很特别。这里的sick跟生病毫无关。那我可以说，you are neat Larry, you're special, you are so sick.

            LL: Hmm. You shouldn't use sick in that way! I would never say my friend is sick or that pretty girl over there is sick.

            LH: 你的意思是sick只用来形容一样东西？

            LL: That's right. That car over there is sick, those sunglasses you are wearing are sick, that new hat I bought you is sick too.

            LH: 我的太阳镜的确很酷，可是你给我买的帽子就很难说了。 Larry你看我的新鞋好看吗？

            LL: Totally sick，very nice. Where did you get them?

            LH: 特别酷吧。这双鞋是我在学校附近新开的大商场里买的。那商场的建筑很特别 - The structure of that shopping center is very unique...totally sick!

            LL: The company that developed that shopping center is owned by a friend of my Dad's, his company is opening new shopping centers every other week.

            LH: 那购物中心是你父亲的朋友建的呀？ 而且每两个星期就开一个新的购物中心！他肯定很有钱了。

            LL: That's for sure. Their revenue is pretty sick。 With company growth like that, I bet my Dad's friend's net worth is pretty sick too.

            LH：那是肯定的。收入那么多，家产当然是惊人的。我们中国人就说：家产万贯。

            ******

            LH: Larry, 看赛车真有意思。你看，赛车奔驰而过， 人群不断地呐喊助威，多热闹啊。

            LL: A lot of people come to car races for the excitement but a lot just come to see the souped up cars.

            LH: See the souped up cars? Soup不是汤吗？Souped up cars是什么呀？

            LL: Souped up means changed or altered to go faster.

            LH: 噢，souped up的意思是经过改装，速度加快了。这里的赛车一定都经过改装。它们的速度比普通汽车要快得多。

            LL: That's right. If someone takes an ordinary bicycle and changes the wheels so it can go faster, we can say it was souped up.

            LH: 自行车也能改装加速吗？那我的自行车也该换换车胎了。

            LL: One time I had a skateboard, but it wasn't very fast. My Dad helped me soup it up with some new parts. After that my skateboard was one of the fastest in the neighborhood.

            LH: 滑板也能改装，让它加快速度呀？ 你可要注意安全啊。对了，我以前也改装过电脑。我的朋友帮我安装了一些新的电脑软件，那电脑一下子快了不少。我用了好多年，直到没法再加快了。后来我只好再买一个新的。

            LL: Souped up is also often used with the Internet. When Google or Yahoo makes an improvement in their search engine, they'll often say that a certain type of search has been souped up.

            LH: 对了，上回我看到Google和Yahoo的广告，说它们的搜索引擎速度加快，当时我也不懂什么是souped up。今天才弄清楚，souped up就是为了加快速度而改装。

            LL：For some people, souping up motorcycles or cars is their hobby. I knew a guy who was always souping up something in his spare time.

            LH：还有人把改装东西作为嗜好？真是难以想象。我要有空就去购物中心。

            LL: Well, looks like the red car has won the race, let's go home.

            LH: 我就说嘛， 那辆红车一定会赢。我们走吧。

            LL: Too bad we can't take one of these souped up cars and quickly get home for dinner. I'm hungry.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是sick，意思是很棒、很酷。 还有一个是souped up， 意思是为了加快速度而改装某样东西。

chubbycat

流行美语第229课

    　




            Larry告诉李华他想报名参加救灾，帮助灾民。李华今天会学到两个常用语： get-go和on board。

            LL: Li Hua，there was a news report about families whose homes were damaged in a flood and they are not far from where my parents live. I knew from the get-go that I wanted to go help these people.

            LH: 对，我今天早上听到这条新闻，说有不少房屋被洪水冲垮了。你要去帮助救灾那当然好咯。不过你刚才说 from the get-go I wanted to go help these people。From the get-go是什么意思呀？

            LL: From the get-go means from the beginning. I knew from the beginning, from the get-go, that I wanted to do something to help out.

            LH: 原来from the get-go就是一开始的时候。也就是，你一听到这新闻就想去救灾。我虽然没有想到要去救灾，不过我听到这消息后就马上为灾民的遭遇感到难过。From the get-go, I felt sorry for those people .

            LL: From the get-go, I felt the same way. So, this afternoon I am going to go to the American Red Cross to volunteer.

            LH: 你今天下午就要去美国红十字会去做义工呀？这太好了。

            LL: The Red Cross is a wonderful organization. In any disaster, they are always ready to help, ensuring that the victims have food, water, medicine and shelter from the get-go.

            LH: 可不是嘛。美国红十字会是有名的，一有灾情，他们一般都是首先赶到，向灾民提供救济。Larry，你到红十字会打算作些什么呢？

            LL: Well, my plan from the get-go has been to stop by the Red Cross and see what kind of help they need. Depending on what they need, I will take a couple days off work and drive to the town hit by the flood to help out.

            LH: 对，是要根据他们的需要。你还要向公司请假，开车到灾区去？ Larry. 我好佩服你。我从一认识你， from the get-go，就知道你是个好人。

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. That is really nice of you to say. You have been a good friend from the get go, too.

            LH: 谁都喜欢和你这样的人作朋友。Larry, 你去红十字会之前，我们先去吃午饭，怎么样？

            LL: That would be good. Today I have been hungry from the get-go. Where do you want to go?

            LH: 你早就饿啦，那我们就在附近找个地方吧。你看马路对面的这家pizza店怎么样？

            LL: Great! That place has been so popular from the get-go!

            ******

            (Restaurant sounds)

            LL: (To waiter) I'll have two slices of cheese pizza please. So, Li Hua, I was wondering if I could convince you to get on board this volunteering effort.

            LH: Get on board? 你的意思是让我也参加救灾？

            LL: Yes, when I asked you to get on board, I meant would you join me and help out.

            LH: 我这两天正好不用教课，所以跟你去一两天没问题。

            LL: That would be great! The people at the Red Cross will be so happy to have you on board.

            LH: 那我们怎么去呢？

            LL: Well, I was thinking we would drive. I was wondering if you would be on board with the idea of renting a van for the trip.

            LH: 租个面包车？ 租车不是很贵吗？

            LL: It is a little expensive. But don't worry, Li Hua, I will pay for renting the van. I'd rather have you on board to help out.

            LH: 那好啊， 如果你出钱，我没意见。 .

            LL: And since we have a van, I am wondering if we can get anyone else on board. We will have room to take some other people.

            LH: 那也是，车里还有好几个空位呢，我的一些学生可能也愿意去灾区服务。

            LL: You should ask them, Li Hua, the more people we can get on board to help with the relief effort, the better.

            LH: Larry, 我们现在就去红十字会报名吧。让他们知道我们要参加救灾， let them know we are on board.

            LL: Good idea, but I really want to finish this pizza first.

            LH: I am definitely on board with that! Let's eat!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是from the get-go，意思是从一开始。还有一个是on board,, 意思是赞成、 愿意参加。

chubbycat

流行美语第230课

    　




            李华在帮Larry打扫他的公寓。李华今天会学到两个常用语Oodles和chuck。

            LL: Oh! I forgot about this closet. Whoa. There are oodles of things in here I don't need.

            LH: Oodles? 你是说面条，noodles?

            LL: No, no. Oodles and noodles may rhyme, but oodles means lots of something.

            LH: 噢，oodles和noodles虽然押韵，但是oodles和面条毫无关系。Larry，你壁橱里怎么会有那么多东西呀？看来今天我们要扔很多东西。That means there will be oodles of things to throw away!

            LL: Yes, like the oodles of old tennis balls I'll never use again.

            LH: 不只是网球，还有那么些旧杂志，你怎么会有这么多杂志呢？

            LL: You know, Li Hua, those are magazines I have had since I was a kid. I would love to look through them, but we don't have oodles of time.

            LH: 你小时候的杂志一直保留到现在， 难怪这么多。对了，你为什么说我们没有很多时间来收拾？我们今天还有别的事吗？

            LL: Well, I arranged for a local charity to stop by at 5:00 and pick up the things I don't need. We've got oodles of work to do before they come, and time is running out.

            LH: 原来你已经跟慈善机构约好下午五点钟来拉东西。你怎么不早说呢？我们赶快收拾吧。

            LL: The problem is that I want to give them useful things. I know I have oodles of things to throw away, but I am not sure I'll have oodles of things to give to charity.

            LH: 别担心，要我看，你的很多东西慈善机构都有用的。比如这些旧衣服和餐具，肯定会有人要的。

            LL: Say, are you hungry? Why don't we make some lunch?

            LH: 做午饭？做什么呀？你的冰箱都是空的，没有什么可吃的呀。

            LL: I really need to go to the grocery store, but I DO have oodles of noodles.

            LH: 你有好多面条，那我们就煮面条吧。

            LL: I'm so glad you came by to help out, Li Hua. You've made cleaning my apartment oodles of fun!

            ******

            LL: Okay, now that we've collected everything, I need to decide what I'm going to give to charity and what I'm going to chuck.

            LH: Chuck? chuck又是什么意思?

            LL: To chuck something is to throw it out.

            LH: Oh, chuck就是扔掉。那我们把不要的东西分成两堆， 怎么样？ 一堆捐献， 一堆扔掉。

            LL: Okay, I am definitely going to chuck these old magazines.

            LH: 这些旧杂志一定要扔掉，那这些毛衣呢？ Do you want to chuck these sweaters?

            LL: No, I don't want to chuck those. I will give those to charity.

            LH: 你一下子扔掉这么多东西，以后不会后悔吗？要是你改变了主意怎么办？

            LL: I don't think I'll change my mind, Li Hua. Most of the things I am chucking, I haven't used in months.

            LH: 我想那些你好久没有用过的东西，扔了你也不会再想到它们。

            LL: It just feels good to chuck a bunch of stuff you don't need. My apartment will be neater after we are done, and I'll have more room.

            LH: 没错，东西扔了以后房间也会整齐一些，地方也会显得大一些Larry, 这个炒菜锅也要扔掉吗？

            LL: Well, the handle came off, and I bought another one. So, I just thought I'd chuck it. Since the pan is broken, I didn't want to give it to charity.

            LH: 锅子的把手掉了？让我看看。Larry，我喜欢这个炒菜锅。把它扔了还不如给我算了。 我可以修理。

            LL: Li Hua. I'd be happy if you got some use out of it. Giving the pan to a friend is much better than just chucking it in the trash can.

            LH: 谢谢你， Larry。 你没听说吗？ 一个人的垃圾是另一个人的宝贝："One man's trash is another man's treasure."

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是oodles, 意思是很多。还有一个是chuck, 意思是扔掉。

chubbycat

流行美语第231课

    　




            Larry有件事要告诉李华，但是他要李华保守秘密。 李华今天会学到两个常用语Hush-hush和Blabbermouth。

            LL: So, Li Hua, I have some news I'd like to share with you, but I'd like you to keep it hush-hush.

            LH: Hush-hush? 我知道，hush-hush是要人别出声， 保持安静。Larry，你为什么要我别出声呢？

            LL: Something that is hush-hush means private and secret. It is something you don't want other people to know about.

            LH: 原来hush-hush在这里是指秘密的，不能告诉别人。 难道你有什么秘密吗？

            LL: I got a new job!

            LH: Wow! 你找到新工作了，太好了， Larry。 我还以为是什么不可告人的事情呢。这么好的消息你为什么不告诉大家呢？

            LL: Well, I am excited about it, and I do want to tell everyone, but my new job won't start for several months. I want to keep it hush-hush until I'm ready to tell people at my current job.

            LH: 新工作要几个月以后才开始，你现在还不想让老板和同事们知道。那好，我一定为你保密。不过这个秘密我们要保守多久呢？

            LL: About two months. Then I'll tell my boss and co-workers, and you won't have to keep my news hush-hush any more.

            LH: 两个月以后你就要告诉老板和同事了。我想他们一定会舍不得你走。 Larry，我也要告诉你一个秘密。 It is all very hush-hush.

            LL: What's that?

            LH: 我的一个学生最近在华盛顿申请了一份工作， 听说是去一个秘密机构。

            LL: If it is so hush-hush, how do you know about it?

            LH: 因为我给她写了推荐信， 那个单位还找我谈话，调查这位学生的情况。

            LL: Hmm, a hush-hush organization. Is she applying to become a secret agent?

            LH: 你说她在申请作特工？ 这我可不能告诉你， 你知道我必须保密。

            LL: Oh, I know. I'm just curious. Sometimes it is hard to keep things hush-hush. Like the fact that my friend Dave is dating your friend Mary.

            LH: Dave 和Mary? 他们在谈恋爱？ 我怎么没听说呢？

            LL: Dave asked me to keep it hush-hush for a while, because he wanted to be sure that Mary liked him and that it wasn't a one-time thing.

            LH: Dave要确定Mary是否真的喜欢他后才公开。这我完全理解。

            ******

            LL: I thought about telling you, Li Hua. But I didn't want to be a blabbermouth.

            LH: Blabbermouth这个词我知道， Blabbermouth指的是嘴快、不能保守秘密的人。

            LL: Wow, you are *good*, Li Hua. A blabbermouth is someone who blabbers; they talk, talk, talk and can't keep a secret.

            LH: Larry，在Dave这件事上， 你可真是守口如瓶啊，You are not a blabbermouth。 有你这样忠实的朋友，Dave一定很放心。

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. Dave and Mary have been dating for several weeks, and he told me I could tell you and our other friends now.

            LH: Dave让你告诉我啦？那他和Mary一定很合得来， 太好了！Larry, Dave当时幸亏没有告诉Jennifer， 全世界的人就都知道了。

            LL: Jennifer is a blabbermouth? What do you mean?

            LH: 她总喜欢打听和议论别人的私事，然后到处乱说。

            LL: Have you ever said anything about it to her?

            LH: 我怎么好意思对她说：Don't be such a blabbermouth!

            LL: Well, then I'll remember the next time I have something I want to keep hush-hush: Don't tell Jennifer the blabbermouth!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hush-hush，意思是不要公开的，是秘密的。还有一个是blabbermouth，这是指那些嘴快，不能保守秘密的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第232课

    　




            Larry说好开车来接李华去艺术馆，可是李华等了他好久也不见他来。李华今天会学到两个常用语 spaced和in a jiffy。

            (Phone rings)

            LH: Hello?

            LL: Hi, Li Hua, This is Larry. I am so sorry I am late. I completely spaced that we were going to the museum today.

            LH: You spaced going to the museum? 我们要去艺术馆不是航空馆，跟space没有关系!

            LL: By "spaced" I meant I completely forgot. Again, I'm really sorry.

            LH: 你怎么全忘了呢？我们不是一直说要去看画展吗？

            LL: I know, Li Hua. I can't explain how I spaced it. I got busy doing little things at home like laundry and cleaning the kitchen.

            LH: 什么？你在忙着洗衣服和打扫厨房？平时不见你干活，怎么今天这么勤快呢？不过别着急， Larry谁都有忘记的时候，包括我在内。

            LL: I can't believe it, Li Hua. You are so well organized. I can't imagine you spacing anything.

            LH: 我今年就忘了给我母亲寄生日贺卡。 I completely spaced it!

            LL: You spaced sending your own mother a birthday card?!

            LH: 是啊，真不好意思。 那几天我忙着改学生的作业，把寄卡的事忘得一干二净。Completely spaced it!

            LL: Well, that makes me feel a little better about spacing today's trip to the museum.

            LH: Larry, 你忘了没关系，现在还来的及。我们还有时间去看展览。

            LL: Really? I thought I had the pamphlet for the museum with its closing time, but I seem to have spaced where I put it。

            LH: 博物馆的小册子也不知道放在哪里了？你今天怎么了？得了，我上网去查吧！ 让我看看...有了，网站上说他们6点关门。

            LL: OK, if I don't space anything else, we should have plenty of time to see the exhibit and maybe get some dinner afterwards.

            LH: Larry, 千万别忘了把门票带上。Don't space bringing the tickets for the exhibit. 没有票我们就惨了。

            LL: Don't worry Li Hua, I won't space the tickets. I've got them right in my pocket. I'll be over soon. Bye! (hangs up)

            ******

            LL: See, I told you I'd be over in a jiffy!

            LH: In a jiffy? 你是说很快就到了，是吗？

            LL: Exactly, Li Hua. In a jiffy means a very short amount of time.

            LH: 对了，你平时要花一刻钟才能到我这里，今天怎么十分钟不到就到了呢？ You did make it here in a jiffy.

            LL: I tried very hard to get over here in a jiffy, because I felt so bad about spacing our trip to the museum today.

            LH: 别再想忘了去参观的事了。我们得马上出发， 不然就没有时间看画展了。 We better get there in a jiffy.

            LL: Oh, it won't take long to get there, Li Hua. The museum isn't far. I promise we will be there in a jiffy. Are you ready to go?

            LH: 我去拿一下大衣和钱包， 马上就准备好。

            LL: While you are getting your coat and purse, I'll check the directions to the museum on the Internet. (computer clicking sounds)

            LH: Okay, 我去拿大衣。你在网上查查去博物馆的路线。

            LL: The web page isn't coming up. Usually web pages come up in a jiffy.

            LH: 是啊，平时网页一点就开，今天真奇怪。 Larry，我们没有时间了， 还是赶快上车吧。

            LL: Li Hua, I didn't have lunch because I rushed to get over here. Do you mind if I fix myself a sandwich real quick? I can make one in a jiffy.

            LH: Oh, Larry， 实在抱歉，我不知道你还没有吃午饭。你赶快去作sandwich吧，我在这里等你。不过要快噢。Please do it in a jiffy!

            LL: I will, and I promise I will also eat it in a jiffy, too!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是spaced, 意思是忘了。还有一个是in a jiffy意思是马上、立刻。

chubbycat

流行美语第233课

    　




            李华和Larry在一家中餐馆吃饭。李华今天会学到两个常用语bite the bullet和benchwarmer。

            LH: Larry，你点的陈皮牛肉真好吃。 (Groans in pain) Oww!

            LL: Hey, what's wrong? Was there something in the beef?

            LH: 不，是我的牙。我的一个牙齿坏了，早该去看牙医， 可是一直不敢去。

            LL: Really? Well, if it hurts that much, I guess you have to bite the bullet and see a dentist!

            LH: Bite the bullet!? 咬子弹？Larry ，我咬肉都痛，还叫我咬子弹！

            LL: No, no, I'm not being mean. To bite the bullet means to resign yourself to doing something that is difficult or unpleasant.

            LH: 所以，你的意思是硬着头皮去难做的事，或不愉快的事。噢，我知道了，以前打仗的时候有时没有麻药，伤员动手术时只好咬著子弹，忍住疼痛。这个习惯用语就是这么来的吧？

            LL: I guess so. Anyway, your painful tooth will affect your studying, and it might get worse if you keep waiting. Just bite the bullet and see a dentist!

            LH: 牙痛当然影响我的学习。我一会儿就打电话给牙医生约时间。对了， Larry，你上星期因为停车而被罚款有没有去付啊？

            LL: (Sighs) No, I haven't paid them off yet. I guess I'd better bite the bullet and pay them, otherwise the charges will be doubled.

            LH: 还没有付呀！逾期不付会加倍罚款的。 Larry，今年你已经吃了好几张罚单了， 你平时很少用车，为什么不把它卖掉呢？

            LL: Hmm... I like the freedom of having a car, but owning one is pretty expensive in this city. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and sell my car.

            LH: 有车是方便， 可是要交停车费、保险费，车坏了还要修理费。 你知道吗？Ben最近把他的车卖掉了。

            LL: Really? You know what else Ben did recently? He finally bit the bullet and asked his girlfriend to marry him! She said yes!

            LH: 真的呀？那就是说Ben和他的女朋友要结婚了。这是好事啊， 可你为什么你说He bit the bullet? 为什么要硬着头皮求婚呢？

            LL: No! It's just that a making a marriage proposal takes courage sometimes. I'm sure Ben was nervous. That's why I say he had to bite the bullet.

            LH: 那倒是。求婚是要有勇气的，特别是对Ben这么内向的人来说。

            ******

            (Sounds of indoor court basketball)

            LH: Hey， Larry! 没想到你还会打篮球。

            LL: Hey! I've been a part of this recreational league here at the gym for a few months. Years ago I played in high school, but I was just a benchwarmer, really.

            LH: 你参加这体育馆的球队已经好几个月了？ 我怎么不知道呀？ 你说你在中学时只是个benchwarmer，那是什么位置呀？我只知道有前锋，中锋和后卫。

            LL: (Chuckles) It's not really a position, Li Hua. A benchwarmer is a reserve player on a team. They aren't as good as the starting players, so they have to sit on the bench and wait.

            LH: 原来benchwarmer就是我们中国人常说的板凳队员。 因为他们的技术比较差，入场打球的机会比较少，老坐在板凳上等教练的命令，把板凳都坐暖了。Benchwarmer，这很有意思。

            LL: Yeah, well, being a benchwarmer on my high school basketball team was not funny, for me at least. That's why I quit the team after one season.

            LH: 这我完全理解。 我以前在大学也参加过蓝球队， 也是老坐板凳，所以不久就退出了。

            LL: That's too bad! If I was forced to be a benchwarmer on this team, I'd probably quit too. It's not worth my time if I can't play.

            LH: 光坐在那里看而没机会打球的确不值得。 Larry，你现在差不多每场比赛都参加，球技一定很棒噢。

            LL: Heh, not really, this team only has seven players, and everyone always gets a chance to play. No one has to be a benchwarmer on this team.

            LH: 你们只有七名队员，那是没有人坐板凳了。我也想打篮球，不过我谁都不认识，不知道怎么报名。

            LL: Oh, what are you worried about, Li Hua. Just bite the bullet and ask someone about joining!

            LH: 好吧，我明天就去问问。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bite the bullet, 意思是硬着头皮、鼓起勇气去做不想作或是很难做的事。还有一个是benchwarmer， 意思是指球队的后备队员。他们老是坐在板凳上，打球的机会不多。

chubbycat

流行美语第234课

    　




            Larry正在跟李华谈他最近回家看到哥哥和妹妹的情况。 李华今天会学会两个常用语people person和know-it-all。

            LL: So, Li Hua, I just got back from seeing my family. It was a nice visit, and I was so impressed with my little sister Emily. She is such a people person.

            LH: 你说你妹妹Emily是什么？A people person? Hey, Larry, 妹妹Emily当然是人嘛。

            LL: Oh, a people person is someone who is good around people and likes people. Emily definitely is a people person, and she has what we call "people skills."

            LH: 噢，原来people person就是喜欢而且善于跟人交往的人。

            LL: Right, people skills include being friendly, being a good conversationalist, and making other people comfortable. So, seeing Emily again reminded me what a people person she is.

            LH: 我真是很羡慕那些善于跟人交往的人。他们总是显得很友好、也很健谈，让人喜欢。 你哥哥Ron呢? 他也是a people person?

            LL: No, Ron is very, very smart, but he is a not a people person. He likes to keep to himself, and when he is in a group, he doesn't talk very much.

            LH: 我知道你哥哥Ron很聪明。他是不太爱讲话。原来他性格比较内向。你和你哥哥的性格是不是有点相似？

            LL: Well, I think I am somewhere in the middle. I am not as much of a people person Emily is, but I think I have more people skills than my older brother Ron.

            LH: 我看你也是处于中间，在人际关系方面赶不上Emily，但比哥哥要强一些。Larry, 那你觉得我是什么水平呢？

            LL: You are a people person, Li Hua. I think you need to be a real people person to be a Chinese teacher.

            LH: 那倒不见得教中文的老师必须善于和人交往，其实任何老师都应该如此。 我们每天都要跟学生打交道嘛。

            LL: Being a people person can also be very useful when interviewing for a job.

            LH: 没错，找工作面试的时候， 公司总是喜欢能与人相处的雇员。

            LL: Yes, and my sister Emily told me she has an interview for an internship at a law firm. With her people skills, I am sure she will get it.

            LH: 没错，像Emily那样讨人喜欢的人，那律师事务所肯定会要她去实习的。

            ******

            LL: My older brother Ron drives me crazy sometimes, because he is such a know-it-all.

            LH: A know-it-all? 他什么都知道。这不是好事吗？

            LL: A know-it-all is someone who acts like they know every thing and want to show everyone that they know everything. But, they don't necessarily really know what they are talking about.

            LH: 噢，这儿说的a know-it-all不是真正的有知识，而是指那种喜欢喧耀自己什么都知道， 可是其实并不见得都懂的人。

            LL: Let's take my older brother Ron as an example. Because Ron is such a know-it-all, you can't say a word without him correcting you or arguing with you.

            LH: 我碰到过这样的人。不管你说什么他都要更正你。 Larry, 如果你说得对呢？比如你说地球是圆的？

            LL: Well, in this case my know-it-all older brother would say to me, "You know, Larry, technically the earth is not round."

            LH: 什么?! 他会说， 地球实际上并不是圆的？人人都知道地球是圆的。看来你哥哥并不是无所不知啊。

            LL: I'll give you another example. During this visit with my family, I said I thought Star Wars was the greatest science fiction movie of all time.

            LH: 许多人都认为[星球大战]是科幻影片中最棒的。

            LL: No, Ron, said, "Actually, Larry, 'The Matrix' did much better at the box office."

            LH: 他怎么这么爱抬杠啊？ The Matrix这部电影的票房收入比《星球大战》还要高？我没有调查，可是我才不信呢。

            LL: That's why Ron drives me crazy sometimes. I just want to have one conversation with him where he doesn't have to act like such a know-it-all.

            LH: 其实，我觉得Ron未必喜欢和你争论，他可能是自卑，所以才装出什么都懂的样子。

            LL: Oh, No, Li Hua, don't you start sounding like a know-it-all, too!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是people person，这是 指喜欢并善于跟人打交道的人。还有一个是know-it-all，这是指那种自以为什么都懂的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第235课

    　




            Larry和李华在公园里散步，Larry告诉李华他的朋友Rick最近交了一个女朋友。 李华今天要学会两个常用语Seeing Someone和Breaking up。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, have you heard the news? Rick is seeing someone.

            LH: Rick is seeing someone? Rick在看人。这有什么奇怪的，我也在看一个人呀。I am seeing someone, too.

            LL: Really? You are seeing someone, Li Hua? Who is it?

            LH: 就是你呀。 Larry. 我不是在看着你吗？

            LL: (Laughs) That's pretty funny, Li Hua. But, by "seeing someone" I don't mean Rick is looking at someone with his eyes.

            LH: 你不是说"Rick is seeing someone"吗？ 他不是在看人， 那是什么意思呀？

            LL: When I said Rick is "seeing someone," I meant he was dating a girl.

            LH: OH! 你是在说Rick有了一个女朋友。Although I'm seeing you，但是我们不是男女朋友的关系。

            LL: Right, we are just friends, Li Hua. We go out and do things together, but we aren't boyfriend and girlfriend. We aren't seeing each other.

            LH: 事实上， 我现在根本就没有男朋友，I am not seeing anyone.

            LL: It's OK, Li Hua. I'm not seeing anyone either. But Rick is pretty serious about the girl he is seeing.

            LH: Rick已经换了好几个女朋友了，你说他这次真的会很认真吗？那女孩是谁呀？

            LL: Her name is Jennifer. Rick has been seeing her for about a month or so.

            LH: 嗯，Jennifer。交往了才一个月，你怎么知道Rick对这个女孩很认真呀！

            LL: You're right, Li Hua. It hasn't been very long - but ever since they started to see each other, they've been doing everything together - going out to eat, seeing movies, and taking walks in the park.

            LH: 热恋的时候当然是形影不离了；一起吃饭， 看电影，一起去公园散步，多浪漫。Larry, 那边走的不是Rick吗？跟他牵着手的女孩子就是Jennifer吧？

            LL: That is Rick across the park. But that is not the girl he has been seeing.

            LH: 那个女孩子不是Jennifer? 难道Rick另有所爱了？

            LL: I don't know. I'll ask him.

            ******

            LL: Well, Li Hua, you were right. Rick is seeing someone else. He and Jennifer broke up.

            LH: 果然Rick又有了别的女朋友。 哎，你说他和Jennifer broke up，那是什么意思呀？

            LL: To break up means to end the relationship. Apparently, Rick broke up with Jennifer last night.

            LH: 昨天晚上才分开，Rick就已经和别的女孩手牵手了， 真是不可思议。

            LL: From what Rick says, he decided to break up with Jennifer, because he met someone new that he liked even better.

            LH: Rick遇到了他更喜欢的人，所以和Jennifer分手了。 真是喜新厌旧的人呢，Jennifer一定伤心死了。 Rick是怎么跟她说的呢？

            LL: Rick said he called Jennifer last night on the phone and told her he wanted to break up.

            LH: 什么？他只是打了个电话，这太不礼貌了，他至少应该当面道歉。

            LL: Well, I guess since they hadn't been seeing each other very long, he didn't think it a problem to break up over the phone.

            LH: 他们交朋友的时间虽然是不长，可是毕竟是谈过恋爱的。如果我的男朋友突然打来电话要分手，我会很难过的。

            LL: Well, at least Rick didn't send Jennifer a text message telling her he wanted to break up.

            LH: 电子邮件？Larry，你跟女朋友分手不会只发个电子邮件吧？

            LL: Well, me personally, no. But I've known guys who have broken up with girls by sending them a text message.

            LH: Larry, 你可不能像他们那样。

            LL: I promise, Li Hua. And right now it is an easy promise to keep, considering I'm not seeing anyone!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是seeing someone, 意思是跟某人谈恋爱。还有一个是break up， 意思是分手。

chubbycat

流行美语第236课

    　




            李华和Larry看了一场电影刚回到Larry的公寓。李华今天会学会两个常用语Dullsville和Coolsville。

            LL: Wow, Li Hua, that movie was totally dullsville. I can't believe we stayed and watched the whole thing.

            LH: Dullsville? 这个电影的确没意思，It WAS really boring, 可是你为什么不说boring而是说Dullsville?

            LL: Well, you know, Li Hua， many small towns in America end in "ville."

            LH: 是啊，美国的许多小城镇都叫什么什么"ville" ，比如Coopersville and Andersonville.

            LL: So, when I said the movie was "dullsville," I was suggesting the movie was so boring, it was like living in the town of dull.

            LH: 我知道了， "dullsville"的意思是说，电影很没意思，就像是住在一个很枯燥的地方。

            LL: Right. And that movie was totally dullsville, especially for a comedy. I don't think I even laughed once.

            LH: 真的啊？你看这部喜剧片的时候一次都没有笑？不会吧。这部电影不是很好，可也没那么差。Larry，我们学校的一些教授，他们讲课才是真正的dullsville.

            LL: Yeah, I remember back in college being in some really dullsville classes. Sometimes they were so boring I'd fall asleep.

            LH: 不光是你，不少学生都会因为教授讲课乏味而打瞌睡。Larry，你上班的时候打瞌睡吗？Is your work dullsville?

            LL: No, actually we've been very busy with several important projects. There are times I wish it WAS dullsville at work.

            LH: 要完成好几个重要的项目，哪当然有功夫打瞌睡了。我教中文倒是蛮有意思，可是周末就很无聊。My weekends are dullsville.

            LL: I know what you mean. My weekends have been dullsville, too. I usually clean my apartment, go grocery shopping, and maybe wash my car. Not too exciting.

            LH: 我也是，周末就是打扫房间，买吃的、洗车、真单调。Larry，我们得想点什么有趣的事，改善一下周末的生活。

            LL: Hmmm。Let me think of how we can get out of dullsville.

            ******

            LL: I've got it, Li Hua! We'll go to an amusement park next weekend. There is one not too far away that is totally coolsville!

            LH: 我们下个周末去游乐园？好啊。那这次你就不用解释了，我知道Coolsville的意思就是说那个地方一切都很棒，很有意思。对不对？

            LL: That's right. And this amusement park really is coolsville. We won't be bored there.

            LH: 那这个游乐园里有什么特别好玩的呢？

            LL: The park has three huge roller coasters. One of them goes upside down! Now that ride is coolsville.

            LH: 游乐园里有三个过山车， 还有一个是头朝下的。可我不喜欢坐过山车，the ride doesn't sound so coolsville to me.

            LL: You don't like roller coasters? Well, what do you think is coolsville, Li Hua?

            LH: 我觉得自然博物馆很有意思。

            LL: Really? Why do you think the natural history museum is coolsville? I guess I think it is more like dullsville.

            LH: 自然博物馆怎么会令人厌倦呢？ 你看过那里的恐龙化石吗？多有意思啊。

            LL: Well, now that you mention it, my little seven-year old cousin Amy thinks dinosaurs are coolsville, too.

            LH: 你七岁的表妹Amy也喜欢恐龙化石？那下个周末，你去游乐园，我带Amy去自然博物馆，怎么样？

            LL: That would be coolsville! What a great idea.

            LH: 你去享受过山车，我们去观赏恐龙化石。两全齐美，Everything will be coolsville.

            LL: Except for one thing.

            LH: 除了一件事以外？什么事？

            LL: Wouldn't it be more coolsville if we could do something together?

            LH: 你说的对，两个人一起才有意思。那我跟你去游乐园，以后我们再去自然博物馆。

            LL: Coolsville.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dullsville，意思是枯燥乏味，令人厌倦。还有一个是coolsville，意思是很好，很有意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第237课

    　




            Larry在学校的电脑室里见到了李华。李华今天要学会两个常用语ASAP和crank out。

            LL: Hey Li Hua! What are you working on? A paper?

            LH: 不是，我在写申请威廉森中国历史奖学金的申请书。

            LL: What? But that's due tomorrow! You'd better finish that ASAP.

            LH: 我知道明天是申请的最后期限，所以我在赶呐。ASAP, 那是什么意思啊？

            LL: ASAP means "as soon as possible". You need to finish that application as soon as possible!

            LH: 噢，原来ASAP就是尽快 - as soon as possible 的缩写。 Larry，那你为什么不说as soon as possible而是说ASAP呢？

            LL: Well, people say "as soon as possible", but if you are in a hurry, it's easier to just say ASAP.

            LH: 匆忙的时候说ASAP，这能节省多少时间呢， 顶多半秒钟吧。

            LL: Well, it also sounds more forceful. For instance, if your boss tells you, "Li Hua, I need you to get this done ASAP!" you know that he is in a hurry!

            LH: 那倒是。ASAP听起来比较干脆，比较有力。

            LL: Or if your mechanic tells you that you car is leaking oil, and that you need to have it fixed ASAP, you'd better take his word for it.

            LH: 你别举这种让我倒霉的例子。不过，要是我的车漏油了，我当然得尽快修理。I need to have it fixed ASAP。

            LL: Wait, Li Hua, you promised me yesterday that you would proofread my Chinese composition. Have you done that yet? I need to hand it in ASAP!

            LH: 天啊， 昨天我答应帮你修改中文作文，我怎么把这件事给忘了呢？真的好对不起。那你今天下午交还来得及吗？

            LL: I need to go to work ASAP, so I need to hand this in before I go.

            LH: (Sighs) 如果你一定要在上班之前把作业交上去， 那我现在就帮你看吧。

            LL: Thank you so much, Li Hua. You're such a good friend.

            ******

            (Larry returns to the computer lab later in the day.)

            LL: Hey Li Hua! I am back from work. Are you still working on that statement?

            LH: 是啊， 我还在写申请。哎，Larry, 写申请有什么窍门吗？你怎么每次都写得那么快呢？

            LL: Oh, I don't know. I guess because I have written so many of them, now it's easy for me to crank them out.

            LH: Crank them out? 这是什么意思呀？

            LL: To crank something out means to produce something quickly and mechanically, without much thought.

            LH: 嗯，To crank something out就是不需要太多思考，很机戒地做成某种事。

            LL: Well, when I was an undergraduate, I would just crank out essays and term papers, no problem. Of course, it's not that easy these days.

            LH: 我听说了，你读本科的时候是写作高手， 论文和学期作文都难不倒你。现在当研究生就不一样了；你要作大量研究才能有根有据地写。

            LL: Exactly. So, did you ever just crank out essays when you were a student in China?

            LH: 当然了，我在中国读中学的时候， 半个小时就能crank out两页的政论文章。Larry, to crank out这个短语还能用在别的地方吗？

            LL: Sure, for instance, at McDonald's, they crank out hundreds of hamburgers every day.

            LH: 麦当劳每天制作成千上万个的汉堡包。这一点也不错。

            LL: And Hollywood cranks out stupid action movies every other week.

            LH: 我从来不看好莱坞制作的那种武打片，所以我就不太清楚了。

            LL: Anyway, I have another piece of homework for Chinese class that I need you to look at ASAP. Can you help me?

            LH: 没问题，我可以帮你看中文作业，不过你得帮我修改一下我写的申请书。I need to drop it in the mail ASAP。

            LL: Ok, no problem. Show me what you've written so far。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是ASAP, 意思是尽快。还有一个是crank out， 意思是不需多加思考地，机戒地制作某种东西。

chubbycat

流行美语第238课

    　




            Larry看见李华在修补她的书包，觉得有点奇怪。 李华今天要学会两个常用语cut it和get on it。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing with that tape?

            LH: (Sighs)我不小心把书包扯了一个大洞。 我要用胶布把它粘上。

            LL: With that tape? Li Hua, this cheap clear tape isn't going to cut it, you need some duct tape.

            LH: The clear tape isn't going to cut it? 我不是要把书包切开呀!

            LL: I know! I said the clear tape won't cut it. Cut. If something or someone can't "cut it", that means it's not good enough.

            LH: 原来won't cut it的意思是不够好， 而不是把它切开。所以你是说这种透明的胶条不结实，粘不住，你要用那种厚的胶布？

            LL: That's right. Remember that Chinese newspaper reading class I was taking, it was too hard for me- my Chinese wasn't good enough. I couldn't cut it in that class, so I changed to another.

            LH: 我当然记得咯！当时你才学了半年中文，看中国报刊是不行，所以跟不上，只好放弃。

            LL: Yeah, to be able to read Chinese newspaper, I have to learn more Chinese characters.

            LH: 你说的对。 Larry你有没有帮我修改申请书啊？

            LL: Yeah, I looked at it. I don't think your application is going to cut it, though. You'll need to re-write some parts.

            LH: 你认为凭我写的申请书是拿不到奖学金的。哪怎么办呢？你说吧，哪些部分要重写。

            LL: You need to be more specific about your future academic plans. Simply promising to work hard isn't going to cut it with the review committee.

            LH: 你说得有道理，我得应当更具体地讲未来的学术计划，而不是泛泛地说要努力学习。 我写的恐怕是通不过审查委员会。

            LL：Call me when you finish rewriting.

            LH：I will, Larry.

            ******

            [Li Hua and Larry meet on campus several days later]

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, haven't see you for a couple of days. Do you have another draft of that application essay for me to check?

            LH: 是啊，我们好几天没见了。 我一直忙着上课， 我的申请还没写好呢。

            LL: Well, you'd better get on it! It's due next week!

            LH: 我得get on it，那是什么意思？

            LL: I said, you'd better get on it. To get on it means to take care of something or start working on an important task.

            LH: 噢， get on it就是动手处理某件重要的事情。 没错，没错，我的确该动手修改那申请书了。

            LL: That's right! You'd better get on it right away. By the way, I'm going to be busy on Thursday, so you'd better have it ready by noon tomorrow.

            LH: 你星期四没有时间， 那就是说我非得在明天中午以前交给你。

            LL: Yes. If you can give it to me around noon tomorrow, I'll get on it right away and have the corrections ready by Thursday morning.

            LH: 星期四上午你就能改完。那太好了。 谢谢你。 你知道吗？我现在千头万绪，忙得不可开交，我这个月的电话账单还没付呢。

            LL: Really? You'd better get on that! If you wait too long, they'll charge a big fee, and it might damage your credit score.

            LH: 我知道，所以心里着急呢！过期不付要罚很多钱， 而且还会影响我的信誉。 这我都知道。可是我事太多， 我的汽车还没有重新登记呢。

            LL: What? If the police notice that you are driving a car with an out of date registration, you'll get a big ticket, or worse! You'd better get on that!

            LH: 是啊， 这件事一定得赶快办。 我可不想让警察发现我的车没登记，真要罚钱，我可受不了。可是我就是不喜欢填表， 要花很多时间。

            LL: That kind of thinking definitely won't cut it if you want to go to graduate school. Filling out forms for grant proposals is one of the main things that professors and graduate students do.

            LH: 那也是，研究生要申请研究经费都要填表。 看来我是得改变这种想法了。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是won't cut it, 意思是不行，不够好。还有一个是get on it ， 意思是赶快处理。

chubbycat

流行美语第239课

    　




            Larry和李华一起去购物。Larry准备去参加朋友的婚礼，可是原来的西装太旧了，所以需要买一套新西装。李华今天要学两个常用语hand-me-down和hands down。

            LL: Hey Li Hua, I need your help with something. I want to go to the mall and buy a new suit to wear for my friend Jack's wedding.

            LH: 要我帮你购物？这可是我的专长。你想买什么牌子的西装？是Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, 还是Dolce & Gabbana?

            LL: Wo! Wo! Don't overwhelm me already. Any department store will do. All I need to do is find something to replace this old hand-me-down suit that I always wear.

            LH: 什么？你这套旧西装是什么质地的？Hand-me-down? 我怎么没听说过这种西装布料呀？

            LL: No. Hand-me-down is an expression. It refers to something that is given to you because someone else does not want it any more. My father gave me the suit that I wear now because he could not wear it any longer.

            LH: 噢，我明白了，hand-me-down是说从别人那儿捡来的旧东西，是别人不要的东西。你现在这套西装原来是你老爸穿不了给你的，怪不得看起来不太合身，而且还有些旧旧的。要这么说的话，我的鞋也是hand-me-down。

            LL: What? Your wingtip dress shoes?

            LH: 就是啊，这双鞋其实是我的好朋友Jane不要了给我的。她还告诉我说，她的另外两个朋友Sarah和Lily也都穿过这双鞋。

            LL: Wow! Now that's a hand-me-down. How have those shoes lasted so long?

            LH: 这种鞋之所以结实，是因为鞋底可以换新的，我已经换过两次了。对了，你老爸有没有给你什么hand-me-down的鞋，让你穿着去参加Jack的婚礼啊？

            LL: No, unfortunately, my big feet won't fit into his hand-me-down shoes.

            LH: 你的脚确实不小。那就走吧，大脚，我们买东西去。

            ******

            [Li Hua and Larry arrived at store]

            LH: Larry，你有三种选择，这种黑色或是棕色的单排扣两件套西装，还有就是这件灰色的双排扣西装，你更喜欢哪个？

            LL: I think the gray double-breasted suit is better looking than any of the others, hands down. And it makes me look pretty sophisticated.

            LH: 这件灰西装看上去确实不错，穿在你身上也挺精神的，但是你刚才说的hands down是什么意思呀？

            LL: Oh. hands down is an expression that means that something is easily better than something else; that a comparison or competition between two things is uncontested.

            LH: 噢， 我明白了。你是说这件灰色西装比其它的都强得多，根本没有好比较的。你说的不错，那套棕色的好像有点儿容易皱，黑色的看起来又太一般了。这件灰色的样子确实不错。

            LL: Yeah, and it costs half as much as the others. You know Li Hua, I would never have found this suit at such a good price without your help. Hands down, you are a much better shopper than I am.

            LH: 而且价钱也不贵，算是让你赶上了。你也知道，我这人就是喜欢逛街。下次你要买什么东西，可以再找我。我们俩儿也算是各有所长，谁都知道，要打篮球，我绝不是你的对手，可是，hands down，毫无疑问。

            LL: Yeah you're right about that. Let's go to the check-out counter and pay for this suit so I can finally get rid of my old hand-me-down suit.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hand-me-down, 意思是别人用过的旧东西。还有一个是hands down，意思是毫无疑问。