流行美语

chubbycat

流行美语第240课

    　




            Larry和李华刚刚在餐馆吃完饭。李华今天要学两个常用语doggie bag和back burner。

            LL: This is waaaay too much food for me to finish. I guess I'd better ask for a doggie bag.

            LH: 怎么啦，你不会是想吐吧。

            LL: Huh? No! I said I am going to ask for a doggie bag. That's a bag that you use to take home leftover food from a restaurant.

            LH: 我知道了，就是中国人说的打包。你们叫"doggie bag"，是因为美国人一般都把剩下的饭菜喂狗吧？可你没有狗呀。

            LL: It's just a figure of speech. I 'm asking for a doggie bag because I plan on eating the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

            LH: 原来是你自己吃啊。美国人这种习惯真好。在中国，大家出去吃饭总要点好多菜，根本吃不了，剩下的，有的就扔了。

            LL: The U.S. isn't so different. People originally used the phrase "doggie bag" because they were embarrassed to admit they were saving food.

            LH: 怪不得叫 "doggie bag"，原来开始的时候美国人也不好意思承认自己节俭，所以说是要喂狗。美国人真觉得这样做丢人吗？

            LL: Hmm...well, in the U.S. you wouldn't ask for a doggie bag at a really nice restaurant, or on a formal occasion. But otherwise most people would rather ask for a doggie bag than waste food.

            LH: 所以说，在高级饭店和正式场合一般不打包，但除此之外，打包就很正常了。中国现在也差不多，打包越来越普遍，不过我们用的是饭盒。

            LL: Yeah, same here. But even though the food usually goes in a box, people still use the term "doggie bag".

            LH: 美国人真把剩饭剩菜喂狗吗？

            LL: (Chuckles) The food from doggie bags can make a dog fat!

            LH: 不光是狗，经常在外面吃，人也会变胖的。账单来了。你得要 "doggie bag" 了。

            LL: (To the waiter) Excuse me, could I get a doggie bag for this please?

            ******

            LH: Larry, 刚才说了半天 "doggie bag"。我还真想养只小狗。

            LL: I know, you've mentioned that before. But you'd better just put that on the back burner for now.

            LH: 把什么放在炉子上？你在说什么呀？

            LL: I said put it on the back burner. That means, you should give your idea of owning a dog low priority, and wait until it is more practical or convenient.

            LH: 你是说我养狗不现实，所以不要着急，应该暂时放一放。其实，我要是真的养条狗也没有什么不可以，就是要做出一些牺牲罢了。

            LL: Really, you should just put it on the back burner. Taking care of a pet requires money and time.

            LH: 你说得也对，养狗又花时间，又费钱，确实应该等毕业有工作了再说。我真恨不得马上毕业。

            LL: I know! I have to put so many things on the back burner while I'm in school... I feel like I have no life!

            LH: Larry, 你都想干些什么呢？

            LL: Well, for instance, Jack and I were working together on an online business, but I am too busy with school to work on it often. I had to put that on the back burner.

            LH: 你和Jack要合作在网上做生意，真有两下子呀！

            LL: It's on the back burner right now. You know, I was in a rock band for a while, but I put that on the back burner as well.

            LH: (Laughs) 摇滚乐队？不会吧。Larry, 我听过你唱歌，你不会真想当摇滚歌星吧？(Cell Phone Rings) 是你的电话。

            LL: Whoa, it's Angie. I'll talk to you later, Li Hua. I've got to answer this. I'm going to ask Angie out this weekend.

            LH: 谁？你不是要跟Cindy约会吗？怎么又变成Angie了。你可不能脚踏两条船啊。

            LL: Cindy? Well, earlier this week, she left for study abroad in Europe, so I had to put her on the back burner.

            LH: (Groans) Whatever, Larry!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是Doggie bag, 意思是在外面吃完饭打包用的盒子。还有一个是back burner，意思是暂时不考虑。

chubbycat

流行美语第241课

    　




            Larry和李华正在一起吃午饭。李华今天要学两个常用语a Cuppa Joe和Guilty Pleasure。

            LL: I am so sleepy! What I need right now, Li Hua, is a cuppa joe.

            LH: A cuppa joe ? 我确实有个朋友叫Joe，他怎么能帮你提神呢？

            LL: No, I don't need your friend Joe. "I need a cuppa joe" is a way of saying "I need a cup of coffee."

            LH: 我知道了，"cuppa"是"cup of"的缩写，可我还是不明白"Joe"怎么会是咖啡呢？

            LL: You wouldn't be alone in that, Li Hua. Most Americans don't know why we call coffee "Joe", but we have for a long time, and we still say it today.

            LH: 对呀，只要说起来方便，大家都知道是什么意思就好了。Larry, 你干嘛急着要喝咖啡呀？

            LL: I stayed up too late watching a movie on television last night, and today I am so tired. Having a cuppa joe would really help me get through my work day.

            LH: 原来是你自己晚上看电视，不好好睡觉，怪不得会那么困，要靠"a cuppa joe"里的咖啡因来提神。

            LL: So I am definitely ordering a cuppa joe with lunch. How about you, Li Hua? Would you like a cuppa joe?

            LH: 我才不要"a cuppa joe", 我又不爱喝咖啡。

            LL: If you don't want a cuppa joe, then what are you going to order to drink?

            LH: 我要一杯茶好了。

            LL: I've heard that a cup of tea doesn't have quite as much caffeine as a cuppa joe. Is that true?

            LH: 是呀，茶里所含的咖啡因确实不如咖啡多。

            LL: Then why would anyone want to drink tea instead of a cuppa joe?

            LH: 据我所知，除了咖啡因含量低以外，茶对人体还有其它许多咖啡没有的好处，特别是绿茶。听说绿茶里的抗氧化物质还能防癌呢。

            LL: But I still can't live without my cuppa joe.

            ******

            LH: Larry, 你真的那么喜欢喝咖啡吗？

            LL: I guess you could say that drinking coffee is one of my guilty pleasures.

            LH: 喜欢喝咖啡也算犯罪吗？

            LL: A guilty pleasure is something you like to do, but isn't good for you. I'm not guilty of a crime when I drink coffee, but I do know there are better things I could be drinking.

            LH: 我知道了，A guilty pleasure的意思是一种内疚的快感，就是说你明知道喝咖啡可能不如喝茶和喝水对身体好，但你还是愿意喝咖啡。

            LL: That's right. What about you Li Hua, do you have any guilty pleasures?

            LH: 我，当然有了，其中之一就是冰激凌。

            LL: Ah yes, how could I forget? Eating ice cream is definitely a guilty pleasure for you.

            LH: 我知道冰激凌是高糖和高脂肪的食品，我也担心吃多了会胖，可我就是管不住自己。这不能算是最糟糕的guilty pleasure吧。

            LL: Some people like to drink alcohol or to gamble. These are guilty pleasures you have to be really careful about.

            LH: 是呀，酗酒和赌博都会让人上瘾，带来各种各样的问题。这些guilty pleasure可不是闹着玩的。不过我想，大多数guilty pleasure都是无害的吧。

            LL: Yes, my mother's guilty pleasure was taking a bubble bath on Sunday afternoons.

            LH: 星期天下午洗泡沫浴，这也算guilty pleasure吗？

            LL: She felt like she should be taking care of me and my brother and sister, but instead her guilty pleasure was to enjoy the quiet relaxation of some time alone in the bath tub.

            LH: 她内疚是因为觉得应该照顾孩子，不应该自己躲起来享受啊。Larry, 咱们的午饭和你的Cuppa joe来了，快吃吧。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是a Cuppa joe，意思是一杯咖啡。另外一个是guilty pleasure, 意思是带有内疚的快感。

chubbycat

流行美语第242课

    　




            李华告诉Larry说，她跟一个学生约好，十点在她的办公室见面，谈谈这个学生的成绩，可以这个学生没有赴约。李华今天要学两个常用语no show和lala land。

            LL: So, you made an appointment with this student to talk about his grades, and he was a no show?

            LH: A no show? 对呀，他没来，没有出现，所以叫no show。这种说法简洁明了。

            LL: Right, a no show is some one who doesn't show up when they have agreed to. But, it is really rude to be a no show.

            LH: 确实不礼貌。我专门跑到办公室来，等了他好长时间，谁知道他却是个no show。

            LL: So, he didn't even call you to tell you that he wasn't going to come? It is even ruder to be a no show and not have called to let the person know you can't come.

            LH: 对呀，不来就已经很不礼貌了，连个电话都不打，就更不礼貌了。说实话，我挺意外的，因为这个学生看起来不象是那么不懂事的人。

            LL: Well, maybe something unexpected happened to him. There might be a good reason why he was a no show.

            LH: 失约还有什么好理由吗？

            LL: Well, maybe he was a no show because his car broke down, or he got lost, or even worse maybe he had an accident.

            LH: 是呀，我怎么就没想到呢。他的车可能会在半路抛锚。还有他可能会迷路。更可怕的是，还可能会出车祸。我本来挺生气的，让你这么一说，我反而开始替他担心了。

            LL: I remember one time when I was in college I made an appointment with a professor and ended up being a no show because my car ran out of gas.

            LH: 什么，车跑到半路没油了？你那个教授肯定火冒三丈。那后来呢？

            LL: I felt so bad about being a no show, the first thing I did when I got to a phone was call the professor and apologize.

            LH: 打电话道歉？那我们再等等吧，也许过一会儿我的学生就会打电话来了。

            LL: Have you ever been a no show for anything, Li Hua?

            LH: 倒是有一次，我的闹钟没响，所以睡过了头，结果没去上课。

            LL: That's not so bad. Lots of students are no shows for classes.

            LH: 不好意思的是，那是我教的一门课。(Phone rings) 等等，我接一下电话。

            ******

            LL: Hey, was that your student? Did he have a good reason for being a no show or was he just in lala land?

            LH: 打电话的就是那个学生。你为什么会觉得他在lala land呢？Lala land在哪呀？

            LL: Lala land isn't a real place. It is a state of mind. It is where you go when you are day dreaming and not paying attention to the things going on in the real world.

            LH: 我明白了，lala land不是一个地方，而是仙境、幻境的意思，做白日梦就是去了 "lala land"。这样说来，那个学生确实是去了lala land。

            LL: Really?! He was off in lala land when he forgot his appointment with you?

            LH: 没错，他当时正在跟朋友吃饭，完全忘记了跟我约好要见面。

            LL: Yes, it sounds like he was in lala land. So what did you say when he told you this?

            LH: 虽然我知道“忘了”不能算是失约的理由，但我还是很高兴他能打电话来道歉，谁都有忘事的时候。换句话说，大家可能都到过lala land。

            LL: That's right. Just last week I was a no show for a haircut appointment because I was off in Lala land.

            LH: 还有更好笑的。昨天我监考，有个学生走过来问我问题。

            LL: Let me guess, you were so far off in lala land, you didn't even know the student was there!

            LH: 你怎么知道的！我当时确实有点儿心不在焉，那个学生碰了一下我的肩膀才让我醒过神来。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是no show，意思是失约。另外一个是lala land，意思是身处幻境，心不在焉。

chubbycat

流行美语第243课

    　




            李华正在兴致勃勃地给Larry将她去看医生的经过，没想到被Larry泼了一盆冷水。李华今天要学两个常用语，TMI和PDQ 。

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, that is really TMI. I'm sorry you had to go to the doctor, but I really don't want to hear all about your infected toenail!

            LH: 你不想知道医生是怎么帮我处理那个发炎的脚趾甲的吗？TMI? 什么是TMI呀？

            LL: T-M-I is an abbreviation for "Too Much Information." I think you were giving me too much information about your doctor's appointment.

            LH: 我知道TMI是too much information的缩写，但我还是不明白，你为什么对我看医生漠不关心呢？

            LL: Well, you were telling me very specific details about your trip to the doctor, like how he had to cut away part of your toenail, and I thought you gave me too much information. TMI!

            LH: 噢，你是不想听医生是怎么把发炎的脚趾甲剪掉，又是怎么把里面的脓....

            LL: (Urgently) Please, Li Hua, that really is TMI! Generally, Americans don't like to talk about the specifics of personal matters like a doctor's visit, especially when the details are disgusting!

            LH: 原来是这样，就是说凡是像看医生这类的私事，美国人一般不会告诉别人，否则的话就是TMI。

            LL: That's right. But you should also not give too much information about your personal relationships.

            LH: 我有个朋友叫Sharon，她最喜欢给我讲她跟自己男朋友交往的细节。我也觉得那些都是 TMI 。

            LL: How so?

            LH: 比如说，她会告诉我，她的男朋友是怎么亲她的。

            LL: That is definitely TMI. You probably really don't want to know how Sharon's boyfriend kisses.

            LH: 那当然了。我实在不想听，可又不知道该怎么告诉她。

            LL: Well, now you do! The next time Sharon goes on and on about her boyfriend you can just say, "Please, Sharon, TMI!"

            LH: 我下次一定试试。对不起，Larry, 我得赶紧找个厕所。我刚才喝了一大瓶水。憋死我了。

            LL: (Urgently) Li Hua, that is another excellent example of TMI!

            ******

            LL: You are back, Li Hua. That was PDQ!

            LH: 你刚才说TMI "too much information", 现在又说PDQ, PDQ是什么意思啊？

            LL: PDQ stands for "Pretty Darn Quick." You came back from the restroom very quickly, you were PDQ!

            LH: 噢，你是说我动作快啊，我是不想让你等，当然PDQ啦。

            LL: Say, Li Hua, I am getting very hungry. Aren't you? Let's stop chatting and find a place to eat PDQ.

            LH: 附近那个三明治的小吃店怎么样？

            LL: That's a good idea! The sandwiches are really good and they make them PDQ, which is good because I should really get back to work.

            LH: 对呀，他们那里的三明治又好吃又不用等。Larry, 你下午干脆别上班了，我们好好吃一顿，然后去公园。这么好的天气，待在办公室里可惜了！

            LL: I wish I could, Li Hua, but I really can't. My boss assigned me a project this morning, and he really wants me to finish it PDQ.

            LH: 那好吧，既然你要赶项目，那我们就快吃，你好get back to work PDQ.

            LL: What about you, Li Hua? Do you have a relaxing afternoon planned?

            LH: 其实我也有事。我的公寓有些地方需要修理，房东下午过来。所以吃完饭，我也要立刻赶回去。

            LL: Well, it sounds like we both have things to do this afternoon. Here's the sandwich place. Oh, No! It doesn't look like our lunch is going to PDQ after all.

            LH: 今天怎么这么多人，都排到门外了。

            LL: Well, it doesn't look like the service will be PDQ today. They must be short-handed.

            LH: 我们改去麦当劳吧，快餐店应该不会等太久。

            LL: And then we'll need to eat them PDQ, too!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是TMI，意思是别人并不想知道的事。另一个是 PDQ, 意思是非常快。

chubbycat

流行美语第244课

    　




            Larry准备在公司汇报工作。事先想请李华帮他听听，看报告内容能不能吸引人。李华今天要学两个常用语。一个是dud，另一个是oomph 。

            LL: Thanks for agreeing to listen to my presentation, Li Hua. I really don't want it to be a dud.

            LH: Larry, 什么是 "dud" 呀 ?

            LL: Oh, A dud D-U-D is something or someone that doesn't live up to expectations and is a disappointment.

            LH: Dud就是让人失望的意思。你是不是想让我帮你听听，你的报告能不能吸引人啊？

            LL: Right! I want my presentation to be lively and interesting. If it is boring and difficult to understand, it will be a dud.

            LH: 愿意为您效劳！不过Larry, 你这人这么幽默，不用听我就知道，你的报告肯定不会枯燥无味的。

            LL: You never know. I once worked with a woman who I thought was really funny, and at work we really got along. But then we went on a date, and it was a real dud.

            LH: 你们约会的问题出在哪里呢？

            LL: It turns out that we didn't have much in common except work.

            LH: 噢，我知道了，你们俩这叫缺少共同语言。That date really does sound like a dud.

            LL: What about you Li Hua? Have you every gone out with a guy who was a real dud?

            LH: Dud也能指人啊。那要这么说，我可是遇到过真正的dud.

            LL: How was this guy a dud, Li Hua?

            LH: 他长得特别帅，可是我们俩出去吃饭，他从头到尾都在没完没了地讲他自己，根本不问问我喜欢些什么。That date was a real dud.

            LL: Kind of like a firecracker that doesn't go off! We also call fireworks that don't go off "duds."

            LH: 没错，我们管不响的爆竹叫“哑炮”。我最喜欢放炮了，特别是春节的时候...

            Larry, 你干嘛呢？

            LL: I am trying to get the slide projector to work. It looks like the light bulb is a dud!

            LH: 那就别摆弄幻灯了。我光听就行了。

            LL: Okay, let's get started. Please be honest, Li Hua, and don't be afraid to tell me if you think my presentation is a dud.

            LH: 你放心，我一定怎么想就怎么说。

            ******

            LL: So, what do you think, Li Hua? Does my presentation need more oomph?

            LH: Oomph? 这又是什么词啊！怎么这么难说。

            LL: It is like "oom" from the word room, followed by an "F" sound. Say it after me, Li Hua. Oomph!

            LH: (Imitating)"oom", "oom-f". Oomph, oomph 是什么意思啊？

            LL: When I asked if my presentation needed more oomph, I was asking if it needed something extra to make it more lively or interesting.

            LH: 噢，你是说可以加点儿什么，让你的报告更精彩是吧。老实说，Larry, 我觉得有的地方确实有点儿枯燥，需要加点儿oomph.

            LL: How do you think I could give my presentation more oomph, Li Hua?

            LH: 比方说，你一上来可以先讲个笑话，吸引听众的注意。然后讲到一半儿有人开始走神的时候，你可以再讲个你自己工作中的真实经历，最好是干过的什么傻事。这样你的报告就能更生动了。

            LL: That's very good advice, Li Hua. I think doing those things will give my presentation the extra oomph it needs.

            LH: 好，那现在换我了。我最近给中文课设计了一个网页。你也帮我看看，要不要也加点儿oomph.

            LL: Sure. I'm happy to look at it and tell you if it needs more oomph.

            (Typing on keyboard...)

            LH: Okay, here it is. Larry, 你觉得怎么样？

            LL: Wow, Li Hua! Maybe your website has a little too much oomph!

            LH: Oomph 还会太多吗？

            LL: Well, you used orange and pink together on the same page. Those colors make it hard to read.

            LH: 粉红色和桔黄色放在一起是太亮了，看上去眼睛有点儿不舒服，那我换换其它颜色吧。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dud, 意思是令人失望的。另一个是oomph, 是吸引力的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第245课

    　




            Larry和李华周末在国家公园野营。李华今天要学两个常用语，rough it和creep someone out。

            LL: I just love camping, Li Hua. Isn't it great to be roughing it?

            LH: "Roughing it"那是什么意思呀？ 听起来好像挺恐怖的。

            LL: To rough it means to do without the comforts of civilization.

            LH: 噢，rough it就是在艰苦条件下生活的意思。

            LL: Right. Here we are camping out in the woods instead of staying in a hotel.

            LH：我们没去住旅馆，而是在野外宿营，所以你说这是在rough it. 可是我们有帐篷、有灯笼、还有睡袋，应该挺舒服的。

            LL: You know, Li Hua, I really enjoy roughing it. I love to breathe in the fresh outdoor smells and enjoying looking at nature instead of watching TV.

            LH: 就是啊，这里空气真新鲜，天好像都比城里蓝。

            LL: But there are some people who don't enjoy roughing it. My dad loves camping, but my mother really doesn't.

            LH: 你妈妈为什么不喜欢野营？

            LL: She really enjoys her comforts. She doesn't like to be too hot or too cold.

            LH: 外出野营确实没有在家里舒适。我小时候在中国根本从来没有野营过。我父母都不喜欢rough it.

            LL: While some people don't like to rough it, there are times when you have to. Do you remember the big hurricane we had last year?

            LH: 当然记得。那场大风刮断了电线，害得我们停电一星期，只好因陋就简，用蜡烛照明，用煤气炉烧饭。

            LL: Even though we were in our houses, we had to rough it a little until the power came back on.

            LH: Larry, 这儿的洗手间在哪？

            LL: Well, you know, Li Hua, we ARE roughing it.

            LH: 不会连洗手间都没有吧！那你刚才...

            LL: Ha ha, just kidding, Li Hua. There is a restroom down the path over there. I may like to rough it, but there is no way I am going to a campground without a bathroom!

            ******

            (Owl sounds, other night sounds)

            LL: What is that sound, Li Hua?! It is really creeping me out, and I can't sleep.

            LH: Larry, 不过是只猫头鹰而已。别担心，猫头鹰是不会爬到你身上来的。

            LL: Even though "creep" does mean to crawl slowly along the ground like a worm or a caterpillar, that isn't what I meant by "creep out."

            LH: 那你说creep out里面的creep不是爬的意思？那是什么意思啊？

            LL: When I said it crept me out, I meant the sound of the owl was bothering me or disturbing me so I couldn't sleep. Actually, it was making me a little scared.

            LH: 没想到你这样的大男人也会害怕一只猫头鹰。

            LL: Come on, Li Hua. You've got to admit it is a little scary being out in the woods all by ourselves. Aren't you a little crept out, too?

            LH: 说实话，我也有点儿怕。对不起, Larry我不该笑话你。

            LL: What is creeping you out, Li Hua?

            LH: 我倒是不害怕猫头鹰的叫声，可是一想到可能会有蜘蛛和虫子在我睡袋里爬来爬去，我就浑身上下不自在。

            LL: Well, we are in the woods, and there are lots of spiders and bugs in the woods. Now that you mention it, spiders creep me out, too. We'll never get to sleep.

            LH: 那要不咱俩儿说点儿别的，没准注意力一转移，就不会去想那些吓人的事了。

            LL: When I was young and went camping with my friends, we always told ghost stories to each other. We had a lot of fun creeping each other out.

            LH: 什么，讲鬼故事？Larry! 不许吓唬我！我们现在是要设法不去想那些吓人的事，不是creep each other out!

            LL: I guess you are right, Li Hua...

            (Snoring sounds)

            LL：Hey, did you hear that? I heard another strange noise that is really creeping me out.

            LH: 别闹了。那是我在打呼噜呢！我不行了，快睡吧！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语.一个是rough it, 意思是在艰苦的条件下生活。另一个是creep someone out, 意思是让人毛骨耸然。

chubbycat

流行美语第246课

    　




            Larry到李华家来看蜘蛛人的DVD。李华今天要学两个常用语，rocket science和chemistry。

            LL: What's the matter, Li Hua? I can't believe you are having trouble with the DVD player. I mean, it's not rocket science!

            LH: Rocket science？这是我家，又不是航空航天局，怎么会有火箭科学。

            LL: Well, when I said it wasn't rocket science, I meant it shouldn't be hard for you to get the DVD player to start.

            LH: 噢，rocket Science在这儿的意思是指很难弄懂的东西。但是使用DVD机不该是什么难事。

            LL: That's it! Getting the DVD player to work should be as simple as pushing a few buttons, and not nearly as complicated as rocket science. . . Hey, look, you got it working, Li Hua!

            LH：行了，没什么难的，只要知道按哪个键就行了。

            LL: Now all we need is popcorn to eat with our movie. I can go make some. I mean, making popcorn isn't rocket science.

            LH: 好啊，你负责爆米花，东西都在厨房微波炉下面的抽屉里。

            LL: Ok, I'm in the kitchen looking at the microwave, and I see three drawers. Which one is it?

            LH: It's not rocket science, Larry. 你把三个抽屉都拉开看看不就行了吗！

            LL: Oh, look at that! The popcorn was right on top. Now let me read the instructions. Hmm....Should be very easy. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.

            LH: Larry, 你怎么这么长时间啊！要帮忙吗？用微波炉爆米花，不应该是什么rocket Science吧。

            LL: It isn't rocket science, Li Hua. The instructions are very easy. It's just I can't get the plastic wrapper off the popcorn packet.

            LH: 包装纸撕不开？I'm not a rocket scientist, but let me try. . .你看，只要抓住两边轻轻这么一拉就开了。

            LL: Wow, Li Hua. Maybe you are a rocket scientist after all. That was pretty good. I better let you do the rest.

            LH: Larry, 别这么懒，你又不是没用过微波炉。You know it's not rocket science.

            ******

            (Operating microwave machine.)

            LL: Mmmm...This popcorn is really good, Li Hua. And so is the movie. The chemistry between the lead actor and actress is really good.

            LH: 化学？我最后一次上化学课还是高中的事。化学跟蜘蛛人和他的女朋友Mary Jane有什么关系呀？

            LL: When two people are attracted to each other or get along really well -- they have chemistry.

            LH: 我明白了，就像做化学实验的时候一样。中文里也有两个人之间有化学反应的说法，就是说两个人互相吸引，或者是很合得来。

            LL: So, now that you know what I meant by "chemistry," what do you think -- do the actors in Spiderman have good chemistry or not?

            LH: 我觉得有。他们演得很逼真，真让我觉得他们彼此相爱。但是我有一个问题，Larry.

            LL: What is it, Li Hua?

            LH: 有的时候化学物质混在一起可能起发生爆炸，那这是不是“坏的”化学反应呢？能用来形容人跟人之间的关系吗？

            LL: Absolutely! When two people really don't like each other or can't get along -- that is bad chemistry.

            LH: 我原来有两个邻居，可以说是势不两立，经常互相对骂，他们俩而就是纯粹的bad chemistry.

            LL: It sure sounds like it. Speaking of bad chemistry, one of the people I work with really doesn't get along with my boss. They often argue about the littlest things.

            LH: 你同事跟老板有bad chemistry？那可得小心，不定哪天就会被炒了鱿鱼。

            LL: You're right, Li Hua...Say, Li Hua, what do you think about the chemistry between us?

            LH: Larry, 这还用问吗！It's not rocket science. 我们认识都快七年了，没有good chemistry, 就不会一直做朋友做到今天了。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是rocket science, 意思是很难做，很难懂的事情。另一个是chemistry, 是指人跟人之间的感情关系。

chubbycat

流行美语第247课

    　




            Larry有两张歌剧的票，邀请李华一起去。李华今天要学两个常用语，primo和glued。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, I've got two primo tickets to the opera. Would you like to come with me?

            LH: 歌剧？好啊。不过Larry, 什么是primo ticket ? Primo听起来不太象英语，是外来语吧？

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. Primo is an Italian word that means "number one" or "first-class."

            LH: 噢，primo是意大利语，意思是最好的，最棒的。

            LL: When I said I had primo tickets to the opera, I meant I had very, very good seats.

            LH：既然你有最好的票，那我们一定有primo seats, 最好的座位了！

            LL: Yes, we do have primo seats. The tickets are for two seats right in front of the center-stage.

            LH: 前排最中间，真是太好了，我们一定能看得特别清楚。对了，我们看的是哪一部歌剧啊？

            LL: It is Verdi's Aida. Since it is an opera in Italian, I guess it is appropriate to say it will be a "primo" experience.

            LH: 我听说过，威尔第的《阿依达》是一部很有名的意大利歌剧，但是我从来没看过。

            LL: Yes, Aida is a very famous opera, and I know you will enjoy it. I've also heard the tenor has a primo voice.

            LH: Larry, 这两张primo tickets会不会很贵啊。

            LL: Actually, no. I got a primo deal on the tickets. My friend bought season tickets to the orchestra, but couldn't make this performance. He sold them to me for half price.

            LH: 原来是你朋友买的季票，但是正好不能去，所以半价卖给你。That is a primo deal!

            LL: And I was thinking before the opera, we could have dinner. I know a primo little Italian restaurant near the opera house.

            LH: 意大利饭，太棒了！我最喜欢吃意大利饭了。

            LL: I think you will find the food at this place is primo - Some of the best in New York City.

            LH: 现在只有一个问题，Larry. I don't have any primo clothes to wear! 周末先得去买一身正式点儿的衣服。

            ******

            (After the opera)

            LL: Wasn't the opera amazing! I was glued to my seat the whole time.

            LH: 什么？让我看看，你裤子上没有胶水儿啊，你怎么会一直粘在椅子上呢？

            LL: I don't actually have glue on my pants, Li Hua. When I said I was glued to my seat, I meant I was so fascinated by the opera I didn't want to get up.

            LH: 噢，我明白了，你是说歌剧太精彩了，你听得全神贯注。确实没错，特别是那个男高音，唱得简直太棒了。I was glued to my seat, too.

            LL: It reminds me of this lecture about China I went to not long ago. The professor who spoke was very entertaining and charismatic.

            LH: 你是说那个教授讲得太吸引人了，大家都坐在椅子上一动不动，听得聚精会神？

            LL: Actually, not only was I glued to my seat, I was glued to his every word.

            LH: 每个字？能让你这样的学生把他的每个字都听进去，这个教授一定很棒。

            LL: He was really good, and he had a lot of interesting things to say about life in China today. What about you, Li Hua? What keeps you glued to your seat?

            LH: 我最近正在看一部韩剧《朱蒙》，剧情太吸引人了，我一集接一集地看，根本放不下。I am glued to the TV set for hours.

            LL: If you are glued to your television for hours, you have really become an American, Li Hua!

            LH: 你为什么这么说呀？

            LL: I think statistics show Americans on average are glued to their television sets for nineteen hours a week.

            LH: 我简直不敢相信，美国人每星期要看十九个小时的电视，我可能连九个小时都看不了。跟看电视比起来，我更喜欢看书。

            LL: Are you reading anything good right now?

            LH: 我最近正在看一本畅销的侦探小说。I have been glued to every page!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是primo, 意思是最棒的。另一个是glued, 是指被深深吸引，全神贯注的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第248课

    　




            李华刚买了一台笔记本电脑。她今天要学两个常用语，bells and Whistles和savvy。

            LL: So, you got a new laptop computer, Li Hua? Wow! It has all the bells and whistles, doesn't it?

            LH: Bells and whistles？我怎么没看见这台电脑上有什么铃铛和哨子啊。

            LL: Oh, What I meant was that your lap top has a lot of special features and extras that ordinary lap tops don't have.

            LH: 噢，我知道了，你刚才说的bells and whistles是指电脑上的DVD播放器和超宽屏幕等额外的功能。

            LL: Yeah, that is right. Manufacturers like to put lots of bells and whistles on lap tops to entice people to buy them.

            LH：没错，我就是冲着这些bells and whistles才买这台电脑的。你看，上面还有无线调制解调器和一个超大储存量的硬盘呢！

            LL: When I bought a lap top computer last year, Li Hua, I did NOT get one with all the bells and whistles, and now I kind of regret it.

            LH: 是啊，这些bells and whistles确实要多花点儿钱，可我觉得还是值得的。

            LL: I suppose I can always add some bells and whistles to my basic lap top. I would like to have a bigger hard drive.

            LH: 我听说加个硬盘并不难，我觉得你真的可以在你的电脑上加点儿bells and whistles.

            LL: Although sometimes it is possible to have too many bells and whistles!

            LH: Bells and whistles还会嫌太多吗？

            LL: Well, I was thinking of the cell phone I bought recently. It definitely came with all the bells and whistles. So many bells and whistles, in fact, I don't even know everything it does!

            LH: 你是说手机啊。我也有同感。现在的手机功能越来越多，很多我都用不着，也不知道该怎么用。

            LL: But some people really like to have all the bells and whistles. Like my Dad. The last time he went shopping for a new car, it had to have all the bells and whistles.

            LH: 车上能有些什么bells and whistles？

            LL: He wanted a car with leather seats that heated themselves and had a built in global positioning system.

            LH: 能加热的皮座椅，全球定位系统，看来车上也能有不少的bells and whistles.

            ******

            LH: Larry, 你能帮我把这些软件装到电脑上吗？

            LL: I am happy to help you load your software on your new lap top, Li Hua. You know I'm tech savvy.

            LH: Tech Savvy? 我知道tech是technology科技的意思，那savvy呢？

            LL: Savvy means to understand something very well.

            LH: 所以你说自己tech savvy, 就是说你对电脑和高科技的东西很在行喽？

            LL: That's right. I've always been interested in computers, and as a result I am fairly tech savvy.

            LH: 那太好了。我可一点儿也不tech savvy. 我就知道怎么用电脑写论文，发电子邮件，除此之外就一窍不通了。Larry, 除了高科技以外，还有什么东西可以说savvy吗？

            LL: Oh, sure, Li Hua. We often say that some one who dresses well and has good fashion sense is fashion savvy.

            LH: 噢，fashion savvy就是很跟得上服装的潮流。那我可以说fashion savvy吧。

            LL: Oh, you definitely have fashion savvy, Li Hua. You always dress very stylishly.

            LH: 这肯定是我祖母的遗传。我看过她的照片，穿得可漂亮了。She definitely had fashion savvy.

            LL: A person can also have street savvy.

            LH: Street savvy? 你是说会认路吗？或者是有方向感？

            LL: No, no. A person with street savvy knows how people act in the city and how to be safe in parts of the city that might be a little rough.

            LH: 噢，street savvy是说街头的生存能力，特别是能在那些比较乱的街区不惹麻烦。看来，tech savvy和street savvy我都学不来，有fashion savvy就行了。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bells and whistles, 意思是附加的功能或是点缀品。另一个是savvy, 是指在什么方面很在行。

chubbycat

流行美语第249课

    　




            李华到Larry家借书，正好赶上Larry的朋友Dave打电话来 。她今天要学两个常用语, fed up和off the hook。

            LL: That was just Dave on the phone, Li Hua. He is really fed up right now.

            LH: Dave给你打电话，就是告诉你他吃多了吗？

            LL: No, Li Hua. To be fed up is to run out of patience in a difficult situation and to become angry.

            LH: 噢，fed up不是指吃多了，而是说受够了。

            LL: That's right. Dave has been having a bad day, and he has good reason to be fed up.

            LH：他遇到什么倒霉事了吗？

            LL: Well, Dave's car broke down on his way to work today, and he called a tow truck to come and get him. He's fed up, because he has been waiting for over an hour for the tow truck to arrive.

            LH: 拖车一个多小时还没到。换成我，也会fed up.

            LL: And Dave is also fed up with his car. This is the third time in the last month that his car has broken down.

            LH: 一个月坏三次。那可真得换车了，难怪他说自己受够了。他给你打电话就是抱怨这些吗？

            LL: He was hoping that if the tow truck didn't come in the next few minutes I might be able to give him a ride to work. He doesn't want his boss to get too fed up with him.

            LH: 噢，原来是求你送他去上班。一而再，再而三地因为车子抛锚而上班迟到，确实会引起老板的怀疑。

            LL: I don't think Dave's boss is completely fed up with him YET, but Dave doesn't want to take any chances.

            LH: 那当然了。他好不容易才找到这份工作，因为这个被炒鱿鱼，太不值得了。

            LL: Yeah. Personally, I'm a little fed up with Dave right now, too.

            LH: Dave有什么让你受不了的呢？

            LL: Well, every time Dave's car breaks down, he calls me to ask for a ride. I'm getting a little fed up with having to rearrange my schedule to keep helping Dave out.

            LH: 确实有点儿烦。不过，他是你的朋友，大家应该互相帮助嘛！

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. I shouldn't get fed up with Dave. (Phone rings) It's Dave on the phone.

            ******

            LH: Dave打电话说什么？

            LL: He told me the tow truck finally arrived. It looks like I'm off the hook!

            LH: Off the hook? 这种说法跟钓鱼有关吧？

            LL: Yes, it does, Li Hua. You know when you go fishing for fun, how you put a hook on the end of your line?

            LH: 当然了，我还记得上次跟你老爸一起去钓鱼，鱼线最后面有一个钩子，在上面挂上鱼饵。

            LL: And when a worm is off the hook, it is free. Just like I am now. I am off the hook, because I don't need to drive Dave to work after all.

            LH: 所以，off the hook就是脱身的意思。你不用再开车送Dave去上班了，所以你说自己是off the hook.

            LL: That's right. Say, speaking of obligations, don't you have a Chinese class you should be teaching right now?

            LH: Oh, No. I am off the hook today, Larry. 今天学校放假，所以我不用去教中文课了！

            LL: I forgot that today is a holiday. Unfortunately, I am NOT off the hook today. I need to go into work this afternoon to finish up a project I am working on.

            LH: 那你就是on the hook喽？

            LL: Well, we don't really say someone is "on the hook" in English when we mean they have something they need to do.

            LH: 所以说不用再去做一件事情是off the hook, 但是反过来，必须去做一件事情，则不能说on the hook.

            LL: You've got it, Li Hua. Say, how about going to a movie tonight? Do you still have to write your paper for Professor Jones, or are you off the hook?

            LH: 唉，I'm not off the hook. 我今天晚上必须得写完那篇论文。我可不希望让琼斯教授 fed up with me.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是fed up, 意思是不耐烦，受够了。另一个是off the hook, 是脱身，摆脱责任的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第250课

    　




            Larry和李华开车到游乐园去坐过山车。她今天要学两个常用语，Oh boy和scaredy-cat。

            LL: Oh, Boy! Isn't this amusement park great, Li Hua! I can't wait to take a ride on the roller coaster.

            LH: Oh, Boy？我知道你早就盼着来这儿坐过山车。可你说oh boy是什么意思啊？

            LL: "Oh, Boy!" is a common American expression that really has nothing to do with boys at all.

            LH: 那你刚才说Oh boy是什么意思呢？

            LL: When I said "Oh, Boy!" I was expressing that I was excited about coming to the park and that I was looking forward to the fun we are going to have today.

            LH: 所以你说Oh boy是表示高兴和兴奋。

            LL: That's right. Oh, Boy! Li Hua, look at that. There is someone selling cotton candy. I love cotton candy.

            LH: 我从没吃过棉花糖，好吃吗？

            LL: Oh, boy, is it ever! It is so light and sweet. I am sure you will love it.

            LH: Oh boy! Larry, 你看，那边有旋转木马。

            LL: Well, let's take a ride on the carousel. It will be a lot of fun. But did you see the roller coaster, Li Hua? Oh, boy... (Nervous tone)

            LH: 怎么了？刚才你说oh boy, 好象不太高兴。

            LL: I just saw that the roller coaster flips you upside down, and I really don't like roller coasters that flip you upside down. Oh, boy...

            LH: 可你刚才不是说oh boy是高兴的意思吗？

            LL: Well, it all depends on your tone, Li Hua. If you say "Oh, Boy!" like this, it means you are happy. If you say "Oh, boy" like this, it means you are concerned or dismayed about something.

            LH: 噢，我明白了。 Oh boy既可以指让人高兴的事，也可以指让人担心的事，完全取决于语气。

            LL: That's right, Li Hua. It all depends on how you say it.

            ******

            LL: I can't believe I am so worried about riding this roller coaster. I am usually not this much of a scaredy-cat.

            LH: 什么是scaredy-cat? 听起来好象是胆小鬼的意思。

            LL: You are absolutely right, Li Hua. And right now, I am feeling like a big scaredy-cat about the roller coaster.

            LH: 你现在什么感觉？

            LL: Well, right now, I have this tight feeling in my stomach, and I am shaking a little. See, look at how my hand is shaking.

            LH: 我害怕的时候手也会抖，心里还会砰砰地跳。

            LL: What about you, Li Hua? I thought you told me once you didn't like riding roller coasters. Why aren't you acting like a scaredy-cat now?

            LH: 我以前也不敢做过山车，后来咬着牙试了一次，发现根本不可怕，而且头冲下的时候特别刺激。

            LL: Okay. I'll try to be brave and ride the roller coaster with you. So, is there anything that makes you feel like a scaredy-cat, Li Hua?

            LH: 说起来有点儿丢人。我最怕的是游泳。

            LL: You are a scaredy-cat about swimming? Why is that, Li Hua?

            LH: 因为我小时候没机会学游泳，所以长大后，不仅不敢下水游泳，连坐船都会害怕。

            LL: You know, my mother is a big scaredy-cat about flying on planes. She doesn't like the feeling of going up into the air.

            LH: 我听说很多人都害怕坐飞机，去什么地方，宁可开车或是坐火车 去。

            LL: My mom is like that. If she can she'd rather drive or take a train when she travels.

            LH: 每个人都有自己害怕的事情。

            LL: Well, I think people are scaredy-cats about things they think are dangerous.

            LH: 你说得没错。不过如果什么都怕，什么都不敢尝试，不是也很无聊吗？

            LL: Maybe so, but I am still feeling like a scaredy-cat about that roller coaster. Do I really have to go, Li Hua?

            LH: Larry, 我保证你不会掉下来。So stop being a scaredy-cat, and let's go.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是oh boy, 用来表达高兴或是担心的情绪。另一个是scaredy-cat, 是胆小鬼的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第251课

    　




            Larry告诉李华说，他正在给公司做一个大项目，忙得连饭都没时间吃。李华今天要学两个常用语，snarf和power nap.

            LL: I've been so busy with this project, Li Hua, I've hardly had any time to eat. Today I just snarfed down a sandwich at lunch, and I haven't eaten anything since.

            LH: 你只吃了个三明治？snarf也是吃的意思吗？

            LL: Snarf is another word for eat, Li Hua, but when you snarf something you eat it really quickly in a very short amount of time.

            LH: 噢，snarf是狼吞虎咽的意思。你是因为要赶项目，没时间吃饭，所以才匆忙地吃了个三明治。

            LL: Yeah. And when I snarfed down the sandwich, I didn't really enjoy it. I ate it so fast I didn't even really taste it.

            LH: 有时候我赶着写论文或是判作业，没时间吃饭，也会凑合着只吃几口炒饭填饱肚子。

            LL: You know, since I haven't had anything to eat since I snarfed down that sandwich, I am feeling hungry again.

            LH: Larry, 我这儿有盒饼干，你先吃几块，来垫垫肚子罗。

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. That is really nice. But I'm so hungry, I'm afraid I'd snarf up your entire box of cookies.

            LH: 都吃了也不要紧，我不在乎这盒饼干，不过光吃饼干可没什么营养。

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. I really shouldn't snarf up all these cookies.

            LH: 不如今天晚上咱们找个餐馆，好好补一补，最近我一直在赶论文，也是忙得不可开交。

            LL: I'd love to, Li Hua. But, honestly, I don't have enough time to go out with you for a nice relaxing dinner. The deadline for the project is tomorrow, and I have just enough time to snarf down something before I go back to work.

            LH: 既然明天就是最后期限，你没时间正经吃饭，那就更不能光啃饼干了，而是应该吃点儿有营养的。这样才能补充能量。

            LL: Okay, I do have time to go to a fast food place.

            LH: 拐角处就有一家面条店，保证你二十分钟就能回去上班。

            LL: And snarfing down a bowl of noodles does sound better than snarfing down a box of cookies, Li Hua.

            ******

            LH: 这家店的面条还真好吃。

            LL: Yeah, But now I'm feeling a little sleepy. I think I am going to need to take a power nap before I go back to work.

            LH: A power nap? 我知道nap是午觉的意思，可power nap是什么意思啊？

            LL: A power nap is a short nap, maybe only fifteen to twenty minutes in length that people take in the middle of their work day to give them more energy, more power!

            LH: 噢，就是15分钟，20分钟，打个盹儿的意思。你知道吗，Larry, 在中国睡午觉是很普遍的。我们上学的时候中午都会睡上半个小时左右。

            LL: Taking naps isn't as common in the U.S. as it is in China, but more and more Americans are taking power naps.

            LH: 昨天晚上我看了一个节目，很有意思，里面说美国人现在越来越忙，晚上睡眠时间不够，所以白天需要take power naps，才能提高效率。

            LL: Hey, I saw that report, too!

            LH: 现在不少公司为了提高员工的工作效率，都在公司里设立专门供员工睡午觉的地方。

            LL: I wish my company had places like that for us to take power naps at work.

            LH: 你还记得吗，里面说有一家公司，给员工准备了鸡蛋形的午睡舱，还有舒缓的音乐，帮员工入睡。

            LL: Yeah, I'd love to take a power nap in one of those.

            LH: 但是打盹儿也要注意不能睡得太久。

            LL: I guess that is true. If you end up sleeping too long, you can enter a deep sleep and wake up feeling drowsy and even sleepier than you did before you took you power nap.

            LH: 好，到你公司了，你准备在哪儿小睡一会儿呢？

            LL: Well, I think I will go back to work and take a power nap at my desk.

            LH: Okay, Larry. 明天完成了手头的项目，给我打电话。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是 snarf, 是狼吞虎咽的意思。另一个是 power nap, 是打盹儿的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第252课

    　




            Larry和李华在Larry的朋友Sam家开party。李华今天要学两个常用语，party foul和split.

            LL: Gosh, I am SO sorry, Li Hua! I just spilled some of my drink on you. What a party foul!

            LH: 没事的，Larry. 只不过是点儿汽水而已，一下就弄干净了。不过，什么是party foul 啊？

            LL: A party foul is when you do something really embarrassing at a party - like spill your drink on someone.

            LH: 噢，foul 在体育比赛里是犯规的意思，那 party foul 就是指开派对的时候出丑喽。

            LL: Right, and nobody really likes to commit a party foul, but sometimes when you are having a lot of fun and there are a lot of people together in one place, it is easy to do something stupid.

            LH: 发生 party foul 的时候，其他人会怎样呢？

            LL: Sometimes they stare or it gets very quiet - or other times some one might yell, "Party foul!" And everyone will laugh.

            LH: 那可真够丢人的。不过，洒点儿饮料不算什么，我见过更糟糕的party foul。

            LL: Really? What is the worse party foul you've seen?

            LH: 有一次我去参加朋友的婚礼。大家跳舞的时候，发生了我见过的超级party foul.

            LL: Don't keep me in suspense, Li Hua! Tell me about this party foul. What happened?

            LH: 有个客人踩在了新娘的婚纱上，把婚纱撕掉了一大块。所有人都傻了，大厅里鸦雀无声。

            LL: Yikes! That really is a major party foul. What happened then?

            LH: 新郎和新娘处理得很好，他们知道那个客人一定很难堪，所以马上开了个玩笑，帮他解围。

            LL: I think the most embarrassing party foul I committed was the time I went to a party in a suit.

            LH: 穿西装去参加派对有什么不对吗？

            LL: Well, I received an invitation to a very fancy New Year's Eve party once from my boss. I didn't read the invitation very closely though.

            LH: Uh-oh. 你犯了什么不可饶恕的 party foul 吗？

            LL: Well, when I showed up at the party and all the men were wearing tuxedos, I knew I had committed a party foul.

            LH: 别人都穿正式的燕尾服，只有你一个人穿西装，肯定特尴尬吧？哎，时间不早了，咱们是不是该走了？

            ******

            LL: This has been a nice party, but you are right, Li Hua. We really should split.

            LH: We need to split. Split 不是把东西劈成两半的意思吗？

            LL: It is, but split S-P-L-I-T is also a slang term meaning to leave a place - and sometimes to leave a place quickly.

            LH: 噢，原来是马上离开的意思。我前天晚上看了一个老的西部片，有个匪徒杀人后就说他要 split town, 逃出城。

            LL: That's a good example, Li Hua. That meant he had to get out of town quickly, before the police figured out he had committed the crime.

            LH: 好吧，Larry, 我准备好了，Let's split! 我们走吧。

            LL: That's a perfect use of "split", Li Hua! But before we split, we really should go find Sam and thank him for a fun evening.

            LH: 对啊，不跟主人打招呼就走，别人会觉得我们没礼貌的。

            LL: You're right, Li Hua. Oh, there is Sam over there. I'm going to go over and tell him we are going to split.

            LH: 等等，Larry. 你看，还有这么多人呢，我们不会走得太早了吧？

            LL: No, I don't think it is too early for us to split. We've been here a couple of hours already. Plus, Sam will understand. He knows I have to work tomorrow - and that you have to teach classes.

            LH: 那好，我在这儿等你。

            (Party sounds and music)

            LL: There. I told Sam we were going to split, and that we had a great time.

            LH: Sam 没有不高兴吧？

            LL: Oh, no. Not at all. In fact, he said he was glad we came and hoped we would come again the next time he had a party.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是party foul, 是在part上出丑的意思。另一个是split,是赶快走的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第253课

    　




            Larry和李华在咖啡店里买咖啡。李华今天要学两个常用语，newbie和been around.

            LL: Wow, it seems to be taking a long time for this guy to get our coffee made. Maybe he is a newbie.

            LH: A newbie? 你说他是新来的？

            LL: Right. A newbie is someone that is new to a place, activity or organization.

            LH: 你说得对，他肯定是新手，好像连咖啡机还用不好呢！

            LL: It is like this new guy in my office. He just started work the day before yesterday. He doesn't know where anything is.

            LH: 初来乍到是最困难的时候，Larry, 你一定要帮帮这个新同事。

            LL: I have been helping him, and he's doing pretty well for a newbie. He is clearly very bright and has picked up on a lot of things very quickly.

            LH: 我们的咖啡来了，我们找地儿坐吧。

            LL: MMMmmm...It may have taken him a while to make the coffee, but the newbie did a good job. This coffee is great!

            LH: 你看，有时候对新手就是要有耐心。我还记得刚开始教中文的时候，样样东西都要学。

            LL: What did you find the most difficult about being a newbie Chinese teacher, Li Hua?

            LH: 当初最让我头痛的就是安排课堂活动，我总是掌握不好各项活动的时间长短。

            LL: Yeah, when I was a newbie, I remember having to learn where everything was in the office and who was responsible for which aspects of my job. . .Say, Li Hua, I want to show you something on my lap top.

            (Takes out lap top)

            LH: 是新的电脑游戏吗？

            LL: Yes, it is a fantasy role-playing game where you pretend to be a warrior or a wizard and run around attacking people and collecting treasure. I've just started the game, so I am kind of a newbie.

            LH: 这里面好像还有其他人，他们也是newbies吗？

            LL: No, some people have been playing the game for a long time. Their characters are very experienced, and they have fun attacking and stealing treasure from the newbies.

            LH: 那你肯定也是被这些老手欺负的对象喽？我是不会玩电脑游戏，也没兴趣。

            LL: You should try it, Li Hua. It is a lot of fun to play computer games, and it gets more fun when you aren't a newbie any more.

            LH: 还是算了吧，在电脑游戏上面，我宁愿做个newbie.

            ******

            LL: Well, when it comes to computer games, I've been around - if you know what I mean, Li Hua.

            LH: "Been around"? 我还真不知道这是什么意思。

            LL: "Been around" means to have lots of experience doing something. It is actually short for a longer expression...

            LH: 我想起来了。说什么人特别老道，就是"He has been around the block."

            LL: That's right! We shorten it to ''been around,'' but it basically means the same thing.

            LH: 所以你说自己''have been around.'' 就是说你打过很多电脑游戏喽？

            LL: That's right. I started playing computer games when I was seven years old, and I still play computer games.

            LH: 对了，Larry, 我一直想问你，听说你妹妹有新男朋友了？

            LL: Yes, she is dating a new guy. But I'm a little concerned. I think this guy has been around. He is much older than my sister.

            LH: 有经验不见得是坏事啊！

            LL: Well, he has been around, but not in a good way. I think he has dated a lot of girls and may not be as serious about my sister as she is about him.

            LH: 你是怕他不当真，让你妹妹伤心吧。那你妹妹呢？她有没有交过很多男朋友？

            LL: No, not really. She is still very young. I wish she would wait until she has been around a bit before deciding she wants to get engaged to this guy.

            LH: 别着急，Larry, 你妹妹绝顶聪明，她肯定能做出正确的选择。你要相信她！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是newbie, 是新手的意思。另一个是been around, 是老手的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第254课

    　




            Larry和李华在纽约参加长跑比赛。李华今天要学两个常用语，eat my dust和sore loser.

            LL: It's a good thing you've been training for this race, Li Hua. But you are still going to eat my dust.

            LH: Eat your dust? Yuck. 吃你的土？这是什么意思啊！

            LL: When someone says ''eat my dust," they are saying to their competitors in a race situation that they are confident they are going to win the race, leaving everyone else far behind.

            LH: 赢比赛跟让别人吃土又有什么关系呢？

            LL: Well, when you run, you kick up dust from the road. So, if I run very fast and you are behind me, you'll be getting my dust in your face - and eating my dust.

            LH: 噢，我明白了，跑在前面的人掀起的尘土，会落在后面人的脸上，原来是从这儿来的。不过，Larry, 我为今天的比赛已经训练两个多月了，也许你会eat my dust呢！

            LL: But I've been running for years, and I've been in many races. And most of the time, the other runners end up eating my dust.

            LH: 那也许你能象环法自行车大赛七连冠阿姆斯特朗一样，让其他人都ate his dust.

            LL: Now that I think about it, Li Hua, I prefer to think of myself as the cheetah of the running world. As the fastest animal on land, all the other animals eat the cheetah's dust.

            LH: 你还真自信！大话说出来，可千万别落在别人后面噢。

            LL: Actually, Li Hua. I am just joking. I'm not really the cheetah of the running world. There are so many runners in this race, I am pretty sure I will be eating someone else's dust.

            LH: 输赢并不重要，重在参与嘛！

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. And since this is a race for charity, it doesn't matter if you eat my dust - or I eat yours. In the end, everybody wins.

            LH: 对呀，比赛收益全都要用来帮助无家可归的人。Okay, Larry. 准备好，你要eat my dust了！

            ******

            LL: Whew! That was a great race. Even though I didn't place, I'm pretty happy about my overall time. I'm just disappointed by the guy who placed second - what a sore loser!

            LH: Hmmm...得第二名的那个人好像特别不高兴，又跺脚，又挥拳头，嘴里还骂骂咧咧的。你说，这就叫sore loser吗？

            LL: Yes, He clenched his fists and stomped around, saying things that weren't very nice. That is a sore loser!

            LH: 在中文里，我们说这种人输不起。

            LL: But I don't know why he was being such a sore loser, to place second out of the hundreds of people participating in the race should be something to celebrate.

            LH: 就是啊。我要是得了第二名，一定乐死了。这种输不起的人，让所有人都觉得扫兴。

            LL: It's true. Do you remember when you were a kid, Li Hua - and you were playing a game? If one of the kids started acting like a sore loser, the game wasn't so fun anymore.

            LH: 我当然记得。小孩子都不愿意输。我有个外甥，一输就哭鼻子。

            LL: Yeah, but most people grow up and become adults - and grow out of being sore losers.

            LH: 但是有的人就是长不大，我就见过很多sore loser.

            LL: That is true. I'm trying really hard not to be a sore loser myself.

            LH: 你怎么会是sore loser呢？

            LL: Well, I am kind of embarrassed that you beat me in the race, Li Hua. Especially since I told you that you were going to eat my dust. But I am not going to be a sore loser - I'm proud of you and how well you did in the race.

            LH: 噢，原来是因为这个。谢谢你，Larry, 我确实花了很多时间为这次比赛做准备。

            LL: Say, maybe we should celebrate the outcome by racing over to the ice cream store for an ice cream cone!

            LH: 好啊！但是你肯定会eat my dust, 你知道我一见冰激凌就没命了。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是eat my dust, 是输给我的意思。另一个是sore loser, 是指输不起的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第255课

    　




            Larry和李华刚刚忙完手头的工作。他们一起去吃冰激凌。李华今天要学两个常用语：my treat和ginormous.

            LL: Well, Li Hua, you just finished a big paper, and I just finished an important project at work. Let's go for ice cream and celebrate. It'll be my treat.

            LH: 冰激凌是your treat? 可我也要吃啊，应该是our treat才对吧。

            LL: Well, the ice cream will certainly be for both of us - and it will be a treat for both of us, but when I said it was "my treat" I meant that I would pay for the ice cream.

            LH: 哦，原来是你要请客啊！

            LL: That's right, to TREAT someone means to pay for someone's food or entertainment as a form of a gift.

            LH: 那太好了。谢谢你请我去吃冰激凌。

            LL: It is my pleasure, Li Hua.

            LH: 为了表示感谢，这个周末我请你去中国餐馆吃饭。My treat.

            LL: That's very considerate, Li Hua. But you don't really have to treat me to dinner just because I treated you to ice cream.

            LH: 我可不是因为你请我吃冰激凌才请你去吃饭的，我请你吃饭是因为咱俩是好朋友嘛！

            LL: In that case, I'll be happy to go for Chinese food this weekend - especially if it is your treat.

            LH: 我有个问题，Larry, 在美国，如果有人提出请你吃饭，你还用争着付钱吗？

            LL: Generally, you can try to protest a little, but the most polite thing to do is to let the other person treat you and allow his or her to feel generous.

            LH: 在中国的时候，我有个叔叔，人特别大方，经常请朋友和家里人出去吃饭。

            LL: It is wonderful to have generous relatives. When I was growing up, my grandmother would always treat us to the circus - or sometimes a movie.

            LH: 看马戏？哎(叹气) -- 小时候真好！我爸爸也经常带我去看木偶剧。

            LL: Yeah. My Dad would always treat us to ice cream at a shop just like this one. Say, why don't you go ahead and order your ice cream, Li Hua.

            LH: 我要一个巧克力、香草和草莓的冰激凌蛋筒。

            ******

            LL: That is the most ginormous ice cream cone I have ever seen, Li Hua.

            LH: Ginormous? 你是想说enormous吧？

            LL: Well, actually, Li Hua. You are right. I do mean that your ice cream cone is enormous. But ginormous is a slang word formed from two other words: gigantic and enormous.

            LH: 哦，gigantic前面的音和enormous后面的音连在一起，就变成了ginormous, 也就是特别、特别、特别大的意思喽？

            LL: Yes. Something that is ginormous is both gigantic and enormous. It is something that is really, really, really big.

            LH: 我饿极了，现在正需要一个ginormous的冰激凌，因为我有一个ginormous的胃口。

            LL: You just want to be careful that you don't eat too many sweets, Li Hua. You don't want to end up with a ginormous cavity!

            LH: 吃甜的长个大虫牙我倒不担心，我担心的是我的腰围。

            LL: Hey, here comes my hot fudge sundae. Wow! It is ginormous, too. Maybe we should have split one ice cream between the two of us.

            LH: 吃完这两个特大号的冰激凌，恐怕我们就得赶紧节食了。

            LL: You aren't kidding. I think this ice cream must contain a ginormous amount of fat and calories.

            LH: 嗨，管它呢，先吃了再说。

            LL: That sound's good...Oh, watch out, Li Hua! Your ice cream cone is melting and starting to tip! If it falls on the floor, it'll make a ginormous mess.

            LH: 还好你提醒我，总算没掉下来。不过我还是得赶快去拿一大叠餐巾纸来，先准备着。

            LL: That's a good idea. I could use a napkin, too. I think I have a ginormous chocolate moustache from my sundae.

            LH: 巧克力胡子？Ha, ha...你的巧克力冰激凌确实沾了一嘴。快给你，餐巾纸。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是 my treat, 是我请客的意思。另一个是ginormous,是巨大无比的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第256课

    　




            Larry和李华正在商量下个周末去哪里玩儿。李华今天要学两个常用语outdoorsy和artsy.

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, do you remember how much fun we had camping in the woods? Wouldn't you like to do something outdoorsy again this weekend?

            LH: Do something outdoorsy? 你是说户外活动吧。

            LL: That's right! But "doing something outdoorsy" doesn't just mean to do something outside, though. Playing basketball or badminton outside isn't really outdoorsy.

            LH: 在户外打球都不算outdoorsy, 那什么才算呢？

            LL: Well, outdoorsy activities - like fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and canoeing - are ones that you do in natural settings, such as in a forest or near a river.

            LH: 哦，我知道了，就是一定要到野外才行，在公园里和运动场上还算不上是outdoorsy.

            LL: That's it. So - what do you say, do you want to do something outdoorsy this weekend, Li Hua?

            LH: 上次去宿营确实挺开心的，咱们这次干点儿什么别？

            LL: Well, you know me, Li Hua. I'm a very outdoorsy kind of guy. How about we go canoeing?

            LH: 划独木舟啊。听起来挺过瘾的，可我有点儿怕。

            LL: Don't worry. I can teach you how to paddle a canoe. You don't have to be an outdoorsy person to learn how to do it.

            LH: 可是独木舟那么窄，翻了怎么办啊，我可不会游泳。有没有不那么危险的野外活动呢？

            LL: Oh, that is right. I forgot you can't swim very well. Okay...What other outdoorsy things might you like to do?

            LH: 有了！我们到纽约州的山里去远足吧！

            LL: Perfect. And I can borrow a backpack from one of my outdoorsy friends. That way we can bring food, water and other supplies we might need.

            LH: Okay. 那我要做些什么准备呢？

            LL: In addition to a backpack, you are going to need a good pair of hiking boots. I know a place that specializes in all sorts of outdoorsy stuff. We can get the boots there.

            LH: 好，那你陪我去买。也许你能把我改造成一个喜欢野外活动的人呢！

            ******

            LL: I don't think buying hiking boots will turn you into an outdoorsy person, Li Hua. I think you are really more of an artsy person.

            LH: Arsty...喜欢野外活动的人可以说outdoorsy, 那说一个人 arsty肯定是说她喜欢艺术喽？

            LL: Exactly! "Artsy" people enjoy appreciating and making all kinds of art - painting, drama and music.

            LH: 那我就是个 arsty的人。我喜欢绘画、音乐和装饰。

            LL: You are definitely artsy, Li Hua. I've always been impressed with your calligraphy.

            LH: 哦，我小时候我学过很长时间的书法；我父母都喜欢艺术，对我学习绘画和书法很支持。

            LL: My family isn't very artsy. My parents were always interested in sports and really encouraged me and my brother and sister to get involved in athletic activities.

            LH: 你姑姑呢？她看上去好像很arsty.

            LL: Oh, Aunt Jane? You are right, Li Hua, she is VERY artsy. Aunt Jane is artsy in almost every way.

            LH: 对呀，从她的服饰就能看得出来。

            LL: Yes, and not only are her clothes artsy, but her entire house is artsy, too. She loves to decorate her rooms in very interesting ways.

            LH: 我在中国有个朋友，也特别喜欢艺术，可是跟你姑姑不一样。

            LL: How so?

            LH: 他穿得特别简单，但是酷爱钢琴，每天要花好几个小时练琴。

            LL: I guess there are many different kinds of artsy people. What they have in common is their love of art.

            LH: 你呢，Larry, 要不跟我学书法吧，我保证把你变成一个喜欢艺术的人。

            LL: That's a generous offer, Li Hua. But I'm afraid there is a reason why I am an outdoorsy person and not an artsy person! I'll leave the calligraphy to you!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语.一个是outdoorsy, 是喜欢野外活动的人.另一个是arsty,是喜欢艺术的人。

chubbycat

流行美语第257课

    　




            Larry去李华家吃饭。他告诉李华说，自己今天特别倒霉。李华今天要学两个常用语：nightmare和group hug.

            LL: I had the worst day at work today. It was an absolute nightmare!

            LH: 上班做恶梦？Larry, 你可要小心点儿，上班睡觉是要被老板炒鱿鱼的！

            LL: No, no. I didn't HAVE a nightmare at work...Being at work today was LIKE a nightmare.

            LH: 噢，你是说今天上班很痛苦，就像是做了一场恶梦啊，听起来挺吓人的。

            LL: It wasn't so much scary as it was unpleasant. Any situation that is really bad or unpleasant can be called a nightmare - even a really angry person can be a nightmare.

            LH: 我知道了，nightmare是指令人不愉快的人或者事。那你今天上班出什么事了？

            LL: It all started with my boss. He is usually a nice guy, but today he was really angry with his staff - me, included. He was a total nightmare.

            LH: 我记得你老板人挺随和的，今天怎么会突然发脾气呢？

            LL: Well, he wasn't happy that we hadn't finished a project by the deadline. When he came into the office this morning, he told everyone we better have it finished by the end of the day - or he was going to become our worst nightmare!

            LH: Your worst nightmare? Yikes! 你们不是一直都在赶着完成那个项目吗？老板这么生气，大家一定很沮丧吧？

            LL: That is exactly what happened, Li Hua. After work, my day didn't get better. On my way over to your house, the traffic was a nightmare.

            LH: 我也从新闻里看到堵车的消息了。你今天可真够倒霉的。我特别理解你现在的心情，还记得我博士生资格考试那天吗？

            LL: I do remember. As I recall that day was a total nightmare for you.

            LH: 是呀，我当时论文打到一半，电脑突然死机了。What a nightmare.

            LL: But the nightmare turned out okay in the end, didn't it?

            LH: 我只好从头再来。还好，我的论文最后还是得了优秀。

            LL: Then maybe my nightmare will have a good ending, too.

            ******

            LL: You know, Li Hua, when my co-workers and me were feeling down after the boss yelled at us, we had a "Group Hug" and all felt better.

            LH: A "group hug"? 在办公室里集体拥抱？

            LL: Well, I know it sounds kind of strange, but sometimes when a group of people or a team is down and they need to cheer themselves up they have a "group hug."

            LH: 你的意思是，大家情绪低落的时候，group hug一下，感觉就会好起来？

            LL: Well, after my boss left and everyone was feeling down, one of my co-workers said aloud, "Group Hug!" We all stood up, hugged in a circle one time, and then felt much better.

            LH: 真有意思，group hug能让你们提高工作效率吗？

            LL: It really did. The group hug reduced the tension, and we all were able to get back to working on the project.

            LH: 我可以在我的中文课上试试看。中文很难学，所以学生们有时会因为进步慢而感到气馁。

            LL: A "group hug" could help lighten the mood in class, especially after a really hard test.

            LH: Larry, group hug是怎么做的呢？

            LL: Well, usually someone says, "Group Hug" or "Let's have a group hug." Then the group forms a circle and each participant puts their arms over their neighbors' shoulders.

            LH: 大家站成一圈，胳膊搭在旁边人的肩膀上，是这样吗？那下次我发考卷的时候，如果学生们考得不好，我就可以说，不要灰心，Let's have a group hug.

            LL: Yes, that's it! In my family, when my brothers and sisters would have an argument, my mom would say, ''Let's stop fighting and have a group hug.'' It was like magic - we'd all stop fighting.

            LH: Larry, 我知道你今天情绪不好，但是我们两个人不能说是group hug吧？

            LL: No, you are right, Li Hua. To have a true group hug, you need three or more people. But I'd be happy with just a regular hug from you, Li Hua!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是nightmare, 是令人不愉快的人或事。另一个是 group hug，是集体拥抱。

chubbycat

流行美语第258课

    　




            李华告诉Larry说，她想多赚点钱，买机票回中国探亲。李华今天要学两个常用语：bread和nest egg.

            LH: Larry, 我想回中国看看我父母。I need to make some more bread.

            LL: You need to make more bread? I know you aren't a baker, Li Hua, so you must have learned that bread is slang for money.

            LH: 没错。那天我听一个朋友说，他要跟父母借点钱，因为he was short on bread，缺钱花了。

            LL: Well, Li Hua, how about you? Can you borrow some bread from your parents for a plane ticket home?

            LH: 去中国的机票可贵了，我父母可出不起机票钱。要想回家，我唯一的办法就是再出去兼一份差。

            LL: Well, with the Christmas holidays coming up, there will be many opportunities for you to earn some bread.

            LH: 是啊，快过节了，很多商店都需要人手，找份活儿应该不难。

            LL: I wouldn't think so, but if you do have trouble, I can always loan you some bread.

            LH: 谢谢你，Larry. 但是不到迫不得已，我还是希望自己想办法。

            LL: Okay, I understand. So, Li Hua, have you thought about where you might want to work?

            LH: 我想到百货商店去打工，虽然那里的工作没太大的意思，但是I'd really only be doing it for the bread.

            LL: I think a department store is a good choice for you. Who knows? You may even be able to pay for your plane ticket to China and save a little bread.

            LH: 我也是这么希望的。我教中文的工资实在是不多，总觉得钱不够花。

            LL: Well, I am very lucky to have my job at the architect's office. Right now, I am bringing in a good amount of bread.

            LH: 你的钱都花在什么地方呢？

            LL: Well, I spend a lot on monthly expenses, but I also try to save some bread every month and, if possible, invest it.

            LH: 投资？看来你还挺有经济头脑的，Larry.

            ******

            LL: Saving is important, Li Hua. I am trying to build a nest egg so that I can buy a house some day.

            LH: 你要建一个窝里的蛋？(开玩笑地说)那你什么时候变成小鸟啊？

            LL: (Laughs) No, no, Li Hua. A "Nest Egg" is a term for money put away in reserve for some special purpose - like getting married, buying a house, or retiring.

            LH: 窝里的蛋怎么会指为结婚买房子存的钱呢？

            LL: Well, as I understand it, a "nest egg" was originally a fake egg placed in a nest to attract birds to lay more eggs. By putting aside money as a nest egg, you hope it will grow and make more money.

            LH: 噢，我明白了，窝里的蛋原来指的是假蛋，放在那里骗家禽多生蛋的，用来指钱，就好像是中文里说的钱生钱的意思，放在银行定期存款里就是个办法。

            LL: Yes, my parents have done this. But, they have also invested some of their nest egg in the stock market.

            LH: 投资股市可有风险，我就听说过很多老年人投资股市，结果赔得一干二净。

            LL: It can be, but my parents aren't investing in the stock market on their own. They have an investment company that is helping them manage their nest egg.

            LH: 那就好，等我开始在百货商店打工了，I hope I'll have a nest egg, too.

            LL: Well, I am building a nest egg to someday buy a house - What about you, Li Hua? What is your nest egg for?

            LH: 我先得存点钱应急，万一哪天车坏了或是生一场大病，手里有钱心里就踏实多了。

            LL: That's a good plan. My older brother wants to build a nest egg for his children.

            LH: Wait a minute, Larry. 你哥哥不是没孩子吗？

            LL: You are right, Li Hua, but he has recently gotten married, and he and his wife want to have children. They will need to have a big nest egg for that!

            LH: 是啊，养孩子真的需要很多钱，特别是大学学费，做父母的确实需要提前做好准备。

            LL: Yes, they won't just need a chicken-sized nest egg - they'll need an ostrich-sized nest egg!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bread, 指钱。另一个是nest egg, 是存下来的钱。

chubbycat

流行美语第259课

    　




            李华在帮彼得森教授看孩子。她急着打电话给Larry求助。李华今天要学两个常用语，pee and poo和handful.

            LH: Hi, Larry, this is Li Hua. 你能告诉我pee and poo是什么意思吗？

            LL: Sure, Li Hua, but first you have to tell me why you need to know what pee and poo means.

            LH: 我今天帮彼得森教授看孩子。他一直跟我说I need to pee and poo, 可我又不懂是什么意思。

            LL: (Laughs) I remember Professor Jones' little boy - his name is Scottie, right? What Scottie is trying to tell you by saying he needs to pee and poo', Li Hua, is that he needs to go to the bathroom.

            LH: 哦，原来Scottie是要上厕所啊！你等一下，我马上带他去。

            LL: It's no problem, Li Hua. Scottie is only two years old, and he may need some help going pee and poo.

            (Flushing sound)

            LH: 好了！原来pee是上小号，poo是上大号的意思啊。没想到，我今天跟个两岁的小孩学了个新词。

            LL: Scottie is a very good teacher, isn't he? I have to tell you, Li Hua, dealing with pee and poo is one of the reasons I don't want to have children.

            LH: 就因为小孩要pee and poo, 你就不想要小孩？等你有了自己的孩子，可能就不会嫌小孩子pee and poo恶心了。

            LL: That may be so, but I think I'll just settle for a dog instead.

            LH: 养狗？可是狗也要pee and poo啊。

            LL: But a dog goes pee and poo outside. It seems a lot easier to deal with than changing diapers.

            LH: 即使是在户外，你不是也得把狗的poo收拾干净吗？否则邻居一定会对你有意见的。

            LL: Then maybe I'll just have house plants. They don't pee or poo.

            ******

            (Child's laughter and flushing sounds)

            LL: It sounds like Scottie might be playing with the toilet, Li Hua. Boy, little Scottie is a real handful, isn't he?

            LH: Scottie确实是在玩抽水马桶。不过，他可不是一只手就能抱起来的。他已经两岁多了。我两只手抱他都费劲。

            LL: By saying Scottie is a handful, I wasn't talking about his size. I meant that he was behaving in a way that is wild and hard to handle and that he is keeping you very busy.

            LH: 噢，你是说Scottie调皮啊。哎，你再等一下，我得去制止Scottie. (To Scottie) Come on, Scottie, let go watch some cartoons. (To Larry) 好了，卡通片肯定能让他安静一会。

            LL: So, has Scottie been a handful all day, Li Hua? It sounds like babysitting him has been a lot of work.

            LH: 确实挺累的。不过两岁的孩子可能都是handfuls, 他们刚学会走路，对什么都好奇，但是又分不清对错。

            LL: So, you are saying you don't think Scottie is any more of a handful than any other two-year-old.

            LH: That's right, Larry. 我敢打赌，你小的时候一定也很淘气。

            LL: Yeah, my mom tells all sorts of stories about how I was a real handful when I was little boy.

            LH: 我能想象你小时候调皮的样子。你都干过什么坏事啊？

            LL: Well, my mom tells me that once I got out a box of crayons and drew a rainbow on the wall of our kitchen. Then there was the time I brought a frog with me into bed.

            LH: 你用蜡笔在厨房的墙上画彩虹？还把青蛙带上床？You really were a handful, Larry.

            LL: Okay, I've admitted I was a handful when I was a kid. Now, what about you Li Hua?

            LH: 我？我妈说我小时候可乖了。I was never a handful.

            LL: I should have known! (More children's laughter) Hey, what is the little handful doing now?

            LH: Uh-oh! Scottie拿着厕所里的手纸在客厅里到处跑，现在满地都是手纸。我得赶紧去收拾，不能跟你讲电话了。

            LL: Well, Li Hua, you better go and deal with Scottie. What a handful! Talk to you later!

            天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是pee and poo, 指小孩子上厕所。另一个是handful, 是指小孩子很淘气。

chubbycat

流行美语第260课

    　




            Larry和李华去朋友Frank家参加新年派对。李华今天要学两个常用语，dead和happening.

            LL: Gosh, there is hardly any one here, Li Hua. This party is really dead!

            LH: Larry. 这里每个人明明都活得好好的，你为什么说the party is dead呢？

            LL: Well, because there aren't very many people here, there isn't much conversation and laughter. When a party isn't lively, we say it is DEAD. And this party is dead.

            LH: 噢，你是说这个party不热闹，了无生气啊。现在时间还早，也许一会儿就热闹起来了。

            LL: I hope so. Speaking of places being dead today, I went into work for a little bit to get some things from my desk. There was no one in the office - it was completely dead.

            LH: 那当然了，今天是除夕，没有什么人会去办公室的。

            LL: I guess the college campus must be dead now, too.

            LH: 不光是今天，期终考试结束后，学生们都回家过年了。The campus has been dead for two weeks.

            LL: So, Li Hua, do you mind being on campus when it is dead like it is now?

            LH: 确实有点孤单，不过人少也有人少的好处。比方说，图书馆里就特别安静。

            LL: Oh, I bet the library is completely dead! I mean, who would be studying over the break?

            LH: 我啊！不过你说的没错，校园里确实没有什么人，可是停车特别方便。

            LL: I know what you mean about the convenience. This year I made sure to do my Christmas shopping at a time when the shopping mall was really dead.

            LH: 圣诞购物季节，商店里到处都是人。I cannot imagine a mall being dead during the holidays.

            LL: I went early on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Since most people work during those times, it was pretty dead at the mall.

            LH: 这倒是个好办法，可以避开购物的人群，不用跟别人挤来挤去的。

            LL: That's right, Li Hua. Hey, look, the party isn't so dead any more! Some more people have shown up, and the music has started.

            LH: The party isn't dead at all. 你想去跳舞吗？

            ******

            LL: Sure, I'd love to dance, Li Hua. Now the party is really happening!

            LH: 如果我没猜错得话，Happening是dead的反义词吧？

            LL: You are right, Li Hua. It is the opposite of a "dead" party. A happening party is one that is lively and exciting - and where lots of different things are happening.

            LH: 是啊，这个party好像一下子就热闹起来了。

            LL: Frank has done a good job. It is because of parties like this that I love the holidays. Christmas and New Year's are such happening times of the year.

            LH: 就是啊，新年圣诞确实热闹，大家都跟亲朋好友在一起，不过我也很喜欢春天和夏天。

            LL: Why do you like spring and summer, Li Hua?

            LH: 放春假和暑假我可以到外地去，visit some more happening places.

            LL: I can't imagine a more happening place than New York City. I mean here in New York there is always something going on!

            LH: 纽约确实很热闹，可是美国还有其他热闹的地方啊。

            LL: I suppose that is true. I've heard San Francisco has a very happening art scene.

            LH: 我就很想去旧金山看看。还有，我还特别喜欢美国的布鲁斯音乐，所以很想到孟菲斯去。

            LL: I don't know, Li Hua. I visited Memphis once, and I didn't think it was a very happening place. But then again, I am not a fan of Blues music.

            LH: 猫王的雅园就在孟菲斯。我一直想去看看。我想，他当年在雅园一定开过很多热闹的派对。

            LL: Elvis was famous for his wild parties. Look, the party is really happening now.

            LH: Come on, Larry. 我们去跳舞吧，这么热闹的party, 我可不想就站在这儿。Let's go have some fun!

            LL: Okay, Li Hua! Now this is my idea of a happening time!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dead, 指了无生气。另一个是happening,指非常热闹。

chubbycat

流行美语第261课

    　




            Larry患了重感冒，李华带着鸡汤去看他。李华今天要学两个常用语，blah和bounce back.

            LL: Hi, Li Hua, it is so nice to see you. I just wish I didn't feel so blah.

            LH: Blah? 你得的不是感冒吗？

            LL: I do have a cold, Li Hua. But "blah" is a word that describes how you feel when you have a cold or are sick - Blah is the feeling you have when you are really tired and have no energy.

            LH: 我知道了，blah是不舒服，生病时浑身乏力的意思。

            LL: That's right, Li Hua. I certainly wish I didn't feel so blah. I haven't been able to sleep very well with this runny nose and cough... (Cough, cough)

            LH: 你好可怜。我知道睡不好觉的感觉。别说感冒了，就是平时，睡不好觉我都会觉得blah.

            LL: Yeah, I've got a pretty good case of the blahs. I don't feel like doing much of anything.

            LH: 我给你熬了点儿鸡汤，或许你喝了会感觉好一些。

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. Mmmm...This soup is great, Li Hua. It has a lot of flavor - not like my mom's soup. Sometimes her soup can be a little blah.

            LH: 你妈的汤怎么会是blah? 我以为blah不是指浑身乏力吗？

            LL: You can also use blah to talk about a thing. When referring to a thing, blah means something that isn't very good or interesting.

            LH: 你是说你妈熬的汤没味啊。你没当着她的面说过吧？

            LL: Actually, I have. My mom's blah cooking is a joke in my family. My mom really doesn't like spicy food, so many dishes she cooks are very blah.

            LH: 还好你没觉得我的汤也是blah. 你现在感觉怎么样？

            LL: I'm feeling a little less blah, thanks to you, Li Hua. So, how has your day been, anyway?

            LH: 没什么新鲜的。外面又湿又冷，我一直在家里批论文。I've been having a blah day.

            LL: Say, have you had some of the soup you brought, Li Hua? It is just the thing to cheer you up when you are having a blah day!

            ******

            LL: Now that I've had a nice bowl of hot soup, Li Hua, all I need to bounce back is a good night's sleep.

            LH: 你要bounce back弹回来，那一定得有张蹦蹦床罗。

            LL: Ha, ha. That's funny, Li Hua. While you can bounce on a trampoline, to "bounce back" means to recover from something. In this case, I am looking forward to bouncing back from this cold.

            LH: 原来你说的bounce back是复原的意思。只要你多吃多睡，用不了多少时间，就会象原来一样生龙活虎。

            LL: I am expecting to bounce back in a day or two. Then I will head back to work.

            LH: 幸好你只是感冒。你知道我的一个学生得了肺炎。

            LL: Wow! One of your students has pneumonia? That is a pretty serious illness. It will take several weeks before he will be able to bounce back.

            LH: 还有，我另外一个学生上星期刚刚割了阑尾。I don't expect he'll be bouncing back very quickly either.

            LL: You are right. It takes more time to bounce back from surgery or an injury than it does from a little cold.

            LH: 真希望生病不会影响到他们的成绩。

            LL: If they are good students and work hard, I am sure they will bounce right back from a few bad grades.

            LH: 有时候，遇到让人失望的事情也很难重新振作起来。

            LL: That's true. It took my Uncle Bob a long time to bounce back from his divorce.

            LH: 那你叔叔Bob离婚后是怎么重新振作起来的呢？

            LL: Well, he stayed very positive through the whole experience, and instead of thinking about the divorce, he put his energy into spending time with his children and doing things he enjoyed. That really helped him bounce back.

            LH: 保持积极的态度、多跟家人在一起，做喜欢做的事情。Larry, 这些真是好建议。

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是blah, 指全身乏力或是没滋没味。另一个是bounce back, 指恢复过来。

chubbycat

流行美语第262课

    　




            李华和Larry一起去附近一家新开的中国餐馆吃自助餐。李华今天要学两个常用语：yum和yuck.

            LL: There is so much good food at this buffet, Li Hua. I can't wait to eat some of those spring rolls. Yum!

            LH: 你说yum，那你肯定很喜欢吃春卷！因为我知道，yum在英语里就是可口，好吃的意思。

            LL: Hey, Li Hua, you are right! Where did you learn about the word "Yum"?

            LH: 我前不久跟一帮美国朋友去吃pizza，其中一个人刚咬第一口，就大喊yum！他说自己最爱吃的东西就是pizza.

            LL: Well, I really enjoy eating spring rolls - especially when they are fresh. And these spring rolls look especially tasty. What makes you say "Yum!", Li Hua?

            LH: 我最爱吃的菜是鱼香茄子，想想都会流口水。Yum!

            LL: Well, I am afraid eggplant is not one of my favorites, Li Hua. I don't find eggplant dishes to be very yummy.

            LH: Yummy肯定是从yum来的吧！

            LL: Right! Yummy is used to describe a thing - Like yummy spring rolls or yummy eggplant.

            LH: 所以yummy是形容词，yum则是发感慨的时候说的。

            LL: Speaking of being about to eat, let's take our plates over to the table and enjoy this yummy food.

            LH: 对啊，我们得赶紧吃，吃完第一盘，马上再回来拿，你看他们正在上龙虾呢！ Yum!

            LL: But don't fill up too much, Li Hua. You'll want to save room for dessert. The almond cookies look especially yummy.

            LH: 杏仁酥看起来确实比红豆面包好，那些红豆面包看起来好像不太新鲜的样子。

            LL: Well, I think most of the food here is yummy. What do you think, Li Hua?

            LH: 跟其他中国餐馆比，味道确实还不错。

            LL: But - is it as yummy as the food you used to eat back home in China?

            LH: 这里的饭菜当然没办法跟我妈做的饭比了！

            ******

            LL: What's that on your plate, Li Hua? Is it a snake? Yuck!

            LH: 我如果没有理解错的话，这个yuck一定是yum的反义词吧？你觉得吃蛇肉很恶心吗？

            LL: Right again, Li Hua. Yuck is an exclamation of disgust. And I am sorry, but I find the idea of eating a snake disgusting.

            LH: 我可不是故意要恶心你。不瞒你说，蛇肉可好吃了，而且在美国，你想吃到蛇肉可不容易。刚才你说yuck的样子，突然间让我想起了我第一次吃奶酪的感觉。

            LL: Cheese? Cheese makes you say "Yuck!", Li Hua? What's wrong with cheese anyway?

            LH: 中国人做饭不用奶酪，以前我在中国的时候也没吃过。 可是美国人都很能吃奶酪。我到美国后，第一次吃奶酪的时候，简直难以下咽。 Yuck! 那种感觉，现在还记忆犹新。

            LL: That is interesting. Actually, Li Hua, there are some kinds of cheese that I find pretty yucky, too.

            LH: Yucky? Yucky肯定又是从yuck来的！就好像yummy是从yum来的一样。

            LL: Yucky is used to describe disgusting things. In this case, I was talking about disgusting cheeses. I find blue cheese to be especially yucky.

            LH: 你也有不爱吃的奶酪？我是从来没有尝过blue cheese, 可是如果连你都觉得yucky的话，那我也就不用尝了。

            LL: I don't blame you, Li Hua. No one should have to eat something that yucky.

            LH: Larry, 你拿的鱼香茄子怎么也没吃啊？不好吃吗？你不会觉得鱼香茄子也yucky吧！

            LL: I think I told you earlier, Li Hua, that I don't find eggplant to be very yummy. In fact, I do think it is pretty yucky.

            LH: 既然觉得鱼香茄子难吃，那你干嘛还要拿呢？

            LL: You told me fish fragrant eggplant was your favorite dish, Li Hua. So even though I think eggplant is yucky, I thought I should still try it.

            LH: 这就证明，一个人觉得yummy的食物，换个人完全可能会觉得yucky. Larry, 我看你呀，还是去吃春卷吧！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是yum或yummy, 是指食物可口好吃的意思。另一个是yuck或yucky, 是指食物难吃，难以下咽。

chubbycat

流行美语第263课

    　




            李华在学校租了一块花圃，让Larry来帮忙。李华今天要学两个常用语，get into和grubby.

            LL: I think it is great that you have rented a garden plot, Li Hua, but I don't think I can really get into gardening.

            LH: You don't think you can "get into" gardening, Larry? 相信我，一点都不难，你只要跟我一起去，进了花圃就行了。Then you will be in the garden.

            LL: Well, I may be in the garden, but that doesn't mean I'll get into gardening. To "get into" something means to really like something or to enjoy doing something.

            LH: 噢，原来你说的get into是喜欢的意思。那你说you don't think you can get into gardening。意思就是说你不u会喜欢上园艺了？

            LL: Right. I am sorry, Li Hua, because I know how much you get into gardening.

            LH: 不过，你起码应该试试看啊！

            LL: Okay, Li Hua. I'll try it. Maybe I'll learn why you have gotten into gardening.

            LH: 我喜欢园艺完全是因为我妈。我们小时候，她总是在家里的院子里种很多菜。

            LL: That sounds nice. Fresh grown vegetables are so much better than the ones in the grocery store.

            LH: 那你呢，Larry? What do you get into?

            LL: Oh, you know me, Li Hua. I love computers. You know I really get into video games. I could play video games all day long.

            LH: 我永远搞不懂你为什么那么喜欢打电玩，我觉得打电玩很吵，而且打久了会很累。

            LL: Well, every body gets into different things. You get into gardening, and I get into video games.

            LH: 那也是。还有，我喜欢布鲁斯，你喜欢摇滚乐。

            LL: Yes, and while you can't understand how I can get into video games, Li Hua, I have never understood why you get into blues music. How can you listen to blues music? It just makes me sad.

            LH: 我喜欢布鲁斯的节奏和歌手的嗓音。但是我从来无法欣赏摇滚乐。简直吵死了。

            LL: I wonder if there is something we can both get into.

            LH: 我有个主意。We can both "get into" the car, 到花圃去。

            LL: "Get into" the car. Very funny, Li Hua!

            ******

            (Outdoor sounds, Larry and Li Hua are at the garden)

            LL: I should have brought some garden gloves. My hands are getting all grubby from digging in the dirt.

            LH: Grubby? 我猜grubby肯定是脏的意思。你的手还真是够脏的。

            LL: Grubby does mean dirty. Li Hua, my hands are so grubby, I've got dirt under my fingernails. Yuck!

            LH: 真没想到你还挺爱干净。别忘了，园艺一半的乐趣就在于浑身上下沾满泥土。

            LL: Well, maybe you think so, Li Hua. I'm just glad I wore some grubby, old clothes. Look how grubby the knees of my pants are!

            LH: 别抱怨了！在园圃里干活难免是要弄脏的。

            LL: Okay, then I'll stop complaining about being grubby. But, doesn't it bother you, Li Hua?

            LH: 不会啊，我喜欢这样。Why don't you like getting grubby, Larry?

            LL: I don't think it is that unusual that I don't like getting grubby, Li Hua. But I haven't always been this way.

            LH: 你以前不是这样？那你是什么样子呢？

            LL: Oh, when I was a kid, I used to play outside all the time. I would come home grubby from head to toe!

            LH: 从头到脚都是土? 那你妈妈肯定不高兴。

            LL: No, after I came home from a day of playing outside, she would take me by my grubby little hand and take me straight to the bath tub.

            LH: 好了，Larry. 今天就干到这吧，你看见那个工具房了吗？

            LL: Grubby old tool shed? Oh, yes, I see it.

            LH: 你能帮我把这些工具和这个桶放到那里收好吗？

            LL: Sure, not a problem, Li Hua!

            LH: 谢谢你，Larry. I hope you didn't mind getting grubby too much.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是get into, 是喜欢的意思。另一个是grubby, 是脏的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第264课

    　




            李华周末来看Larry。李华今天要学两个常用语，goof around和go halvsies.

            LL: It sure is nice to see you, Li Hua. But, honestly I've got so many things I have to do right now. I've just goofed around all weekend and haven't gotten anything done.

            LH: You goofed around? 这是什么意思啊？

            LL: To "goof around" means to not do the things you are supposed to do. And I really didn't do what I was supposed to this weekend.

            LH: 噢，原来goof around是游手好闲，不务正业的意思。那你有什么该做的事情没有做呢？

            LL: I was supposed to do my laundry, dust and vacuum my apartment, mop my kitchen floor, and clean my bathroom. But because I goofed around, I didn't do any of the cleaning I needed to do.

            LH: 洗衣服、还要打扫房间、擦地板，这么多事啊！那你这两天都干了些什么呢？

            LL: Instead of doing my housework, I watched movies on TV, talked to friends on the phone, and played computer games.

            LH: You really did goof around. 又是看电影，又是打游戏的。难道你父母没有告诉过你，只有做完正事以后才能玩吗？

            LL: They certainly did, Li Hua. But after a full week of work, I really didn't feel like doing my house cleaning. In fact, I didn't want to do much else besides goof around.

            LH: 这我能理解，大家周末都想好好放松一下，不过也不能整个周末都这样无所事事啊。

            LL: I know you are right, Li Hua. The weekend is really the only time I have to make sure my apartment is clean and that I have clean clothes.

            LH: 现在可倒好，已经星期天晚上了，你明天上班有干净衣服穿吗！

            LL: Well, then I've goofed around enough! I really need to do my laundry, Li Hua. So if you don't mind, I am going to get to work.

            LH: 我本来想和你出去看场电影，喝杯咖啡的，现在全泡汤了。

            LL: Yeah, I am sorry, Li Hua. You shouldn't have to go home, because I goofed around.

            LH: 这样好了，我们商量商量，我可以帮你一起打扫房间。

            LL: And then afterwards, we could still go for a cup of coffee.

            *****

            LL: I have a proposal for you, Li Hua. How about we go halvsies on my housework?

            LH: Go halvsies，那又是什么意思啊？

            LL: To "go halvsies" is to split something in half. In this case, I was hoping you could do half of my housework.

            LH: 哎谁让你是我朋友呢！我愿意帮你干一半的家务。可是我们怎么分担呢？

            LL: We can go halvsies by me doing the laundry and cleaning the bathroom, and you mopping the kitchen and doing the dusting and vacuuming.

            LH: 等等，我得写下来，免得你反悔。你说你负责洗衣服和打扫厕所，我负责拖厨房的地板和吸尘。这么多事情，干完肯定累死了。那我们到时候可以出去吃东西。

            LL: Well, rather than go out to eat, let's go halvsies on ordering a pizza for delivery.

            LH: 你是说咱俩各出一半的钱，点个比萨回来吃？好啊，我同意！

            LL: Great! If we go halvsies on ordering a pizza for delivery right to the apartment, we will still have a lot of time. I'll call the pizza place. How many pizzas should I order?

            LH: 我不是特别饿，点个大号的，就应该够咱俩吃的了。

            LL: Okay, then one pizza it is. I'll also order a bottle of soda, and we can go halvsies on that, too.

            LH: 汽水？好啊，不过都是你的，我可不想喝。

            LL: How about dessert? We can go halvsies on some cookies or a pie?

            LH: 我有个更好的主意。与其吃饼干，不如我们干完活一起去吃冰激凌吧，也算是慰劳一下自己。

            LL: Good idea! After we finish working, we can go halvsies on some ice cream.

            LH: 我可没说要跟你分，整个冰激凌都是我一个人的！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是goof around, 是消磨时间，不务正业的意思。另一个是go halvsies, 是一人一半的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第265课

    　




            Larry开车接李华去看医生，路上堵车迟到了。李华今天要学两个常用语，meltdown和make up.

            LL: I'm really sorry I am late, Li Hua. But there is no need for you to have a meltdown about it.

            LH: (生气地)如果meltdown是生气的意思，那没错，I am having a meltdown.

            LL: (Sheepishly) Well, Li Hua, perhaps now isn't the best time for an English lesson, but a meltdown is an excessively emotional response to a disappointment or a crisis.

            LH: (还是有点生气)meltdown是融化的意思，跟遇到挫败或是危机，情绪过分激动有什么关系呢？

            LL: Well, the term meltdown refers to the melting of the core of a nuclear reactor. When that happens, the nuclear reactor becomes unstable and may explode.

            LH: 噢，原来是从核反应堆来的。Well, I guess I did have a meltdown. 你今天迟到，我确实很生气。

            LL: I must say, it is very unlike you to have a meltdown. You are usually so calm and understanding.

            LH: 我生气可是有理由的。你迟到了不是一会儿，而是整整半个小时。看来我去看医生也要迟到了。

            LL: I understand why you had a meltdown, Li Hua. But honestly, there is nothing I could do about it. You know how unpredictable the traffic is in New York City.

            LH: 也是，我刚才太急了，没有给你解释的机会。你在路上遇到什么状况了吗？

            LL: Well, there was a car accident that blocked traffic for a long time. It wasn't very serious accident, but when the two drivers got out of their cars, there was a total meltdown in communication.

            LH: 你为什么说这两个司机之间发生了total meltdown呢？

            LL: Well, one driver was really angry. He was all red in the face and was yelling loudly. I could tell he was having a meltdown.

            LH: 啊，脸红脖子粗的大吵大闹，真是够吓人的。那另外一个司机呢？他们俩没打起来吧？

            LL: The other driver ended up having a meltdown, too - but in a different way. When the first driver started yelling at her, she started to cry.

            LH: 原来还是个女的，真可怜。警察来了吗？

            LL: By the time the police arrived, the two drivers had recovered from their meltdowns and were calm. The police officers were very professional.

            LH: 还好最后得到了圆满解决，最重要的是没有人受伤。对不起，Larry，我刚才不问青红皂白就对你大发脾气。

            LL: Don't worry about it, Li Hua. Everyone has a meltdown every once in a while.

            ******

            LL: Well, after that meltdown, don't you think it is time for you and me to make up, Li Hua?

            LH: Make up? 吵完架为什么要化妆呢？

            LL: No, no. To "Make Up" means to get back to being friends after a fight.

            LH: 我已经向你道歉，你也接受了，这就等于是和好了吧？

            LL: Yes, I think we have made up. We are still friends, right, Li Hua?

            LH: 我们当然是朋友，你也知道，我不会真跟你生气的。I am glad we've made up. 真希望Janet也能跟她的男朋友Tom和好。他们上星期吵架，到现在都不说话。Janet痛苦极了。

            LL: Well, sometimes it is hard to make up with some one - especially when the argument is over something serious or someone is really stubborn and won't listen to the other person.

            LH: Janet倒并不固执，她很想跟Tom和好，可是Tom好像没有和好的意思。他们是因为Tom跟另外一个女孩子很接近才吵架的。

            LL: Hmmm...Well, if Tom hasn't tried to make up with Janet in a week, maybe he is more interested in that other girl.

            LH: Larry, 快别说了，我们还得赶去看医生呢！

            LL: Don't have another meltdown, Li Hua. I'll get you to the doctor's appointment. I think it was worth taking the time to make up and be friends again, don't you, Li Hua?

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是meltdown, 是情绪过分激动的意思。另一个是make up, 是和好的意思。

chubbycat

流行美语第266课

    　




            美式足球超级杯那天，Larry要在家开party, 李华帮他做准备。李华今天要学两个常用语，munchies和spread.

            LL: I'm really excited about having a Super Bowl party, Li Hua. I just went to the store and bought lots of munchies, so we will have plenty to eat while we watch the football game.

            LH: Munchies? 让我看看？(翻塑料袋的声音)。薯条、花生、开心果，I don't see anything called "munchies."

            LL: Munchies is a general word for snacks or things to "munch" on, Li Hua. When watching a football game, I love to eat munchies like chips and pretzels.

            LH: 噢，原来munchies是零食的意思！有不咸的吗？

            LL: Yes, Li Hua, I do. In the refrigerator, I have some other munchies that I've prepared. I also made a vegetable tray and some sour cream dip.

            LH: Wow, 你准备了这么多东西！ 看超级杯原来这么重要啊！

            LL: Watching the Super Bowl is something many Americans look forward to all year. And part of the fun is inviting friends over to watch the game and share some munchies.

            LH: 这跟中国球迷看足球世界杯差不多。他们也是围着电视机，边吃边看，热闹极了。

            LL: Every body loves munchies. Speaking of munchies, are you hungry, Li Hua?

            LH: 我确实有点儿饿了，不过我不想把这些零食打开，我们还是等客人都到了再说吧！

            LL: Oh, don't worry about it, Li Hua. There are plenty of munchies. Go ahead and open what you like.

            LH: 那好，我先吃点花生，我最爱吃花生了。

            LL: I've got a bad case of the munchies, too, Li Hua. But instead of peanuts, I think I'll munch on some potato chips.

            LH: A *case* of the munchies? 你拿的明明是一带零食啊！

            LL: When I said I have a case of the munchies, I meant I was really hungry for snacks.

            LH: Well, I guess I have a case of the munchies, too, Larry. 这些花生真是太好吃了。

            LL: The trouble with munchies is that once you start eating them - it is hard to stop.

            LH: 那我们还是忍忍吧，可别把这些零食都吃完了，否则一会儿看球赛的时候就没的吃了。

            ******

            LL: Thanks for helping me put out the food, Li Hua. I hope this is enough of a spread for the Super Bowl party.

            LH: Enough of a spread? 这又是什么意思啊？你是说足够大家吃的吧？

            LL: A spread does refer to food, Li Hua - and specifically food set out on a table for a party. And the goal is to have lots of food!

            LH: 你准备的可真够丰盛的，That's quite a spread, Larry. 你看，有薯条、花生、开心果、蔬菜、饮料、啤酒，真是应有尽有。

            LL: Well, when one puts together a spread, Li Hua, you not only want there to be lots of food, but you also want the spread to look good.

            LH: 所以说，spread不光是要准备充足的食物，还要摆放得整齐好看，让人看了赏心悦目？

            LL: That's right. Like for this spread, I put the snacks in nice bowls, arranged the vegetables so they look attractive, and got these festive football napkins and cups.

            LH: 太棒了，Larry。我知道，你这一桌子食物，从盘子到纸杯，到餐巾纸，都跟橄榄球有关，最适合超级杯的party了.

            LL: Thanks, Li Hua. I'm glad you like it.

            LH: Larry, 你准备这一桌子东西要花很多钱吗？

            LL: This spread wasn't very expensive. But I have been to parties where the hosts clearly spent a lot of money on gourmet foods and expensive wines.

            LH: 我还记得去年到市中心的一家大饭店去参加春节联欢活动。They had quite a spread!

            LL: I bet it was some spread. You know how much I like Chinese food.

            LH: 那明年咱们一起去，你可以亲眼看看！

            LL: While the spread I put together isn't as fancy as that, I just hope my friends will enjoy it.

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是munchies, 是零食的意思。另一个是spread, 指丰盛的食物。

chubbycat

流行美语第267课

    　




            Larry和李华正在谈论李华的一个学生。这个学生经常在李华办公时间去找她问问题，下课也喜欢多待一会儿再走。李华今天要学两个常用语，puppy's Love和teacher's Pet.

            LL: So, Li Hua, you say this student of yours always comes to your office hours and stays after class to talk with you? It sounds like your student has a case of puppy love to me!

            LH: Puppy love? 小狗跟我的学生有什么关系呢？

            LL: As you know, Li Hua, puppies are very loyal and will follow their masters anywhere. We say a younger person who idolizes an older person has a case of puppy love.

            LH: 噢，puppy Love是指年轻人的暗恋。照你这么说，我这个学生对我可能还真有puppy love. 我该怎么处理呢？

            LL: Puppy love is usually harmless, Li Hua. I think as long as you remain professional, your student will eventually grow out of his puppy love.

            LH: 你是说我要装做没有察觉，等他自己放弃这段感情？你还挺懂行的。Have you ever had a case of puppy love?

            LL: Sure, I have, Li Hua. Puppy love is pretty common. I had a French teacher in high school who I really liked a lot. I stayed after class for extra help and was active in the French Club so I could spend more time with her.

            LH: 我真难想象你会下课不走问问题，甚至还去参加法语俱乐部，就是为了接近你的法语老师。她知道你暗恋她吗？

            LL: I wouldn't be surprised if she did know. I probably wasn't the first student she had with a case of puppy love.

            LH: 后来呢？

            LL: She just treated me like all the other students. She was friendly and pleasant and didn't call attention to my behavior. Eventually, I grew out of my puppy love.

            LH: 所以说，她对你跟其他学生一样，假装没有看出你的感情。这个老师处理得还真是不错。

            LL: Yes, she did, and I really respect her for it now that I am older. What about you, Li Hua? Have you ever had a case of puppy love?

            LH: 现在提起来，我也曾经有过一段puppy love.

            LL: Really, Li Hua? Who were you in puppy love with?

            LH: 我上学的时候私下里喜欢美术老师。他年轻潇洒，充满了创造力。不过跟你一样，I grew out of my puppy love when I got older.

            LL: And I am sure your student will grow out of his puppy love, too.

            LH: 谢谢你，Larry, 现在我知道该怎么对待那个学生了。

            ******

            LL: So, I have a question for you, Li Hua. Do you have a teacher's pet?

            LH: 宠物？Larry, 你知道我养猫啊。

            LL: Right, you do have a cat, Li Hua, but a teacher's pet is something a little different. A teacher's pet is her favorite student.

            LH: 哦，a teacher's pet是说我最喜欢的学生。Hmm....我有好几个不错的学生，但没有一个最喜欢的。

            LL: I can't believe you don't have a teacher's pet, Li Hua. Surely, there is one student who is better than the rest.

            LH: 倒是有个叫John的学生，成绩一直是A，上课很积极，如果要说teacher's pet, 那恐怕就是他了。

            LL: So, John is your teacher's pet. You said he is helpful in class - that is so typical of a teacher's pet. What kinds of things does he do?

            LH: 他经常主动帮我收、发作业，有时候还帮我擦黑板。

            LL: Oh, Li Hua, John is absolutely your teacher's pet! You better be careful. The other students may realize it and come to resent John.

            LH: 你是说其他学生如果发现John是teacher's pet, 就会妒忌他吗？

            LL: That's right. I never was a teacher's pet myself, but I did know other students who were teacher's pets.

            LH: 那你对那些同学有什么看法呢？

            LL: I was jealous of them and the attention they received from the teacher, and I found them annoying. I bet you were a teacher's pet, Li Hua.

            LH: 你怎么知道的！我绝对是teacher's pet, 老师可喜欢我了。

            LL: So, I just have one more question for you, Li Hua. Is John, your teacher's pet, the same student who has a case of puppy love for you?

            LH: 不是。暗恋我的学生不是John, 你别瞎猜！

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是puppy Love, 指年轻人的暗恋。另一个是teacher's pet, 指老师最喜欢的学生。

chubbycat

流行美语第268课

    　




            Larry和李华一起看奥斯卡颁奖典礼。李华今天要学两个常用语，Glitz和Fashion Risk.

            LL: Wow! I just love watching the Oscar Awards show, Li Hua. There is nothing quite as wonderful as the glitz of Hollywood.

            LH: 我也特别喜欢看奥斯卡。不过Larry, 你刚才说glitz of Hollywood, glitz是什么意思啊？

            LL: Glitz generally refers to a spectacular visual display of glamour and wealth.

            LH: 我每年看奥斯卡，最喜欢的就是看那些电影明星都穿些什么式样的晚礼服，戴什么首饰。所以说，glitz就是光彩照人、让人眼花缭乱的意思。

            LL: Most of the glitz of the Oscars Award Show is what the actors and actresses are wearing. People enjoy deciding which stars at the Oscars are the best dressed, and which are the worst.

            LH: Larry, 那你觉得今年谁穿得最漂亮，谁又穿得最难看呢？

            LL: Well, I haven't really decided yet, because we haven't finished watching the show. But I would have to say what Nicole Kidman is wearing is just too glitzy for my tastes.

            LH: Glitzy 肯定是从glitz来的。 妮可·基德曼Nicole Kidman穿的是一条很高雅、线条很简单的黑裙子，怎么会过于奢华呢？

            LL: Well, it isn't Nicole Kidman's dress that is so glitzy, it is the *huge* diamond necklace that she is wearing with it.

            LH: 这我同意。她戴的钻石项链确实太醒目了。不过，这是好莱坞盛会，本来就是如此奢华的。

            LL: Sure, but sometimes I think there is too much glitz! What about you, Li Hua? Who did you think is the best dressed?

            LH: 那当然是乔治.克鲁尼George Clooney喽！不过，男明星跟女明星比起来，可就逊色多了。

            LL: The female stars really get to put on the glitz with their colorful gowns in different styles and their jewelry.

            (Music)

            LH: Larry, 你看，这是今年我最喜欢的电影主题曲，真希望这首歌能赢。

            LL: I liked this song, too. Wow, they didn't cut back on the glitz for this musical number. Look at all the dancers and the special lighting effects.

            LH: 太棒了！I love the glitz of Hollywood!

            LL: Well, I am glad you are enjoying it, Li Hua, because the Oscars Award Show is very, very long. I think we still have at least three more hours of glitz!

            ******

            LL: So, now the Oscars are almost over. Which star do you think took the biggest fashion risk tonight, Li Hua?

            LH: Fashion risk? 时尚冒险？哦，我知道了，你是说哪个明星穿着大胆，冒着可能不被别人接受的风险，对吧？

            LL: Yes, that's right, Li Hua. A fashion risk is when someone wears something bold and dramatic, hoping that the people will think it is very stylish.

            LH: 如果这种大胆尝试不符合观众和媒体的口味呢？

            LL: If a star wears something unfashionable tonight at the Oscar Awards Show, it will be in all the newspapers and all over the Internet tomorrow.

            LH: 我觉得，在《汉娜.蒙塔娜》里演主角的小明星麦莉·赛勒斯的穿着最有可能引起争论。你觉得呢？

            LL: I'll agree it was a bit of a fashion risk for someone so young to wear such a bright red dress, but I don't think she was the biggest fashion-risk taker at the Oscars tonight.

            LH: 那你觉得是谁呢？

            LL: I can't remember her name. But - you can't forget the dress she wore, the one with the leopard print design. Now that's taking a fashion risk!

            LH: 我也记得那条象豹子斑点的裙子。虽然有些别出心裁，但她穿上去挺好看的，不知道时装评论家明天会怎么说。

            LL: Well, I don't see how the critics could like that dress. But then again, what do I know? I'm not much of a fashion risk-taker myself.

            LH: 对啊，你每天就是衬衫和休闲裤，从来也不换换花样。

            LL: That's right. The biggest fashion risk I take is when I decide that I am going to wear a striped shirt instead of a plain one!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是Glitz, 指光彩照人，让人眼花缭乱。另一个是 fashion risk, 指穿着大胆，挑战时尚。

chubbycat

流行美语第269课

    　




            李华告诉Larry说，经常有学生上课时间用手机。李华今天要学两个常用语，texting和txt tlk.

            LL: So, Li Hua, your students won't stop using their cell phones in class? That is so rude! It is really impolite to be texting when you professor is giving a lecture.

            LH: 你说的texting想必就是text messaging发短信的意思吧？

            LL: Yes, Li Hua, texting is short for text messaging. And have to say I think it is rude for students to text in class.

            LH: 我也觉得在课堂上发短信是对老师的不尊重，所以我今天宣布，上课时间手机一律要关机。

            LL: That's a good class policy, Li Hua. I hope your students show you some respect and stop texting in class.

            LH: 我也希望他们上课不要再发短信了。可是我那些学生好像随时随地都在发短信。

            LL: Yeah, a lot of young people do. I read a news report the other day that several states in the U.S. are thinking of banning teens from texting while driving a car.

            LH: 什么？有些高中生开车的时候都在发短信？太危险了！

            LL: I know. I can't believe it myself. I can't imagine holding on to the steering wheel with one hand and texting with the other.

            LH: 一手握着方向盘，一手发短信，还要注意周围的路况。这简直不可能。

            LL: I agree. Texting while driving is a bad idea. Actually, Li Hua, I don't text very often, do you?

            LH: 我有时会跟中国的朋友发短信联络，因为他们觉得这样可以练习英语。

            LL: Texting to practice English is a great idea! But as for me, I'd rather call my friends and talk to them than text them.

            LH: 我觉得这跟年纪有关。我妈就从来不发短信，我虽然有时发，但跟我的学生比，可差远了。

            LL: That's true. Say, how have your students reacted to your new "No Texting" policy?

            LH: 他们有点不高兴，但也知道上课发短信是不对的。

            LL: So, Li Hua, what will you do if you catch someone texting in class now?

            LH: 这简单。被抓住上课发短信的，手机一律没收，下课来取。

            LL: Whoa! I bet no one will be texting in your class again, Li Hua.

            ******

            LL: So, Li Hua, since you text to your friends in China, have you learned about text talk?

            LH: 我也是刚知道text talk是怎么回事的。简而言之，text talk是一种特殊的短信语言，为了提高打字速度，对一些词进行简化。

            LL: Right! Text talk is a language, and it has its own set of rules.

            LH: 我的学生都是这方面的专家，我从他们那儿学到了不少text talk的规则.

            LL: Really, Li Hua? Maybe you can teach me about text talk. As you know, I don't text very often.

            LH: 首先，打字的时候尽可能把元音字母省略掉。

            LL: Like Text Talk is shortened to TXT TLK.

            LH: 没错。把 Text, t-e-x-t中间的e省掉，变成t-x-t; 再把 talk, t-a-l-k中间的a省掉，变成t-l-k.

            LL: But even with the missing letters, you can still understand text talk, because your brain fills them in.

            LH: 对啊，看习惯了就好了。我最喜欢的是用数字替代字母。

            LL: Can you give me an example, Li Hua?

            LH: 比如说，打see you later一会儿见的时候，later, l-a-t-e-r, 就可以打成L-8-R,发音非常相近。

            LL: L-8-R for "later" is very clever. I bet the "See You" part is also shortened in text talk.

            LH: 没错。一般发短信的时候，see you可以简写为字母c加上字母u, 发音完全一样，也是C-U.

            LL: Mm, see you later, C-U L-8-R. Text talk is so funny, Li Hua! It makes me want to laugh out loud.

            LH: 你提醒我了，在text talk里面，如果要写laugh out loud, 可以用三个首写字母L-O-L来表达。

            LL: So, if I text L-O-L, my friend will know that I find something so funny it makes me want to laugh out loud?

            LH: 没错。L-O-L在短信里，就代表laugh out loud, 意思是看到了非常好笑的事情。哎呀，说得高兴忘了时间，I've got to go. C-U L-8-R! See you later, Larry!

            今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是texting, 指发短信。另一个是txt tlk, 是短信语言中使用缩略语。