A: 歡迎大家來到這期的美語訓練班! 我是楊琳！
B: 我是Kat! 楊琳，快給大家介紹一下今天咱們要學什麼?
A: 好! 今天，咱們要去看看一次糟糕的約會，聽聽Harry今天有多倒楣，學學怎麼表達計畫泡湯，還要告訴大家怎麼用美語說”贅肉”和”宅男宅女”!
B: 我可不喜歡宅男宅女，they are SO boring!! Life should be full of adventures!
A: 哈哈，I know you are a daredevil! 不過現在，咱們先趕快來進入第一個單元，Learn a Word!
Learn A Word # 1510 stepping-stone
今天我們要學的詞是stepping stone. Stepping is spelled s-t-e-p-p-i-n-g, stepping; and stone, s-t-o-n-e, stone; stepping-stone. Stepping-stone是為了達到目的而準備墊腳石，敲門磚。阿爾及利亞最近舉行議會選舉，Algeria’s authorities say a parliamentary election is a stepping stone towards a more democratic state, but many people do not believe such promises. 阿爾及利亞當局說，議會選舉是為建立更民主的國家作鋪墊，不過很多人並不相信這些承諾。
Many people use education as a stepping stone to a better life. 許多人通過受教育來爭取過上更好的生活。Internships are a stepping stone into the corporate world and, for many, are the best way to learn. 實習是進入企業界的敲門磚，對許多人來說，也是最好的學習機會。
好的， 今天我們學習的詞是stepping-stone,stepping-stone, stepping-stone.
B: OMG，楊琳，I’m so excited for my trip to Colorado next week!
A:Wow, that sounds cool! What are you going to do while you’re there?
B: Well, I’m going to go see my friend Dave, visit a couple of cities, and most importantly, I’m going to go hiking in the
dessert! Great Dunes National Park here I come!!
A: 啊? 在沙漠裏徒步旅行? 我的天啊，Kat, 你可別走丟了….
B: 當然不會! 不過我得趕快去定票! 要是定不到想要的日子，then all my plans will be ruined!
A: Oh gosh, you waited way too long to buy your ticket, girl! 提到這個，在下面的Words and Idioms裏，我們就來教你怎麼說計畫泡湯!
Words and Idioms 965
現在播送美國習慣用語第 965講。我是楊琳。
我是Steve Baragona.
我剛開編輯會回來。老闆通知我們，這個星期的節目要另嘉賓，因為別的製片人把我們原來請的嘉賓挖走了。我同事聽到這個消息，氣急敗壞。這也
讓我想到了一句習慣用語，那就是：
Cook someone’s goose. Cook is spelled c-o-o-k; and goose; g-o-o-s-e. Cook-someone’s-goose.
Cook意思是煮，goose是鵝。連起來，to cook someone’s goose, 可並不是煮鵝的意思，而是指打碎某人的計畫，或者毀了一個人的名譽。在上面的例子中，別人挖走了我們的嘉賓，我同事氣急敗壞，She is probably going to cook the guy’s goose who stole our guest. 她八成要狠狠地整一下那個挖走我們嘉賓的傢伙。在下面的例子中，我們要聽聽一個叫Brad的人在得知他女友的所作所為之後做了什麼:
M: “Brad’s girlfriend should have told him that she was out with another guy last weekend. When he found out, he was more than jealous. He was furious. Not only did he break up with her, but he also sent an e-mail to all of their friends about what she’s done. That COOKED HER GOOSE. Her reputation was ruined.”
這段話的意思是說：[布拉德的女朋友本應告訴他，她上週末跟另一個男人出去約會了。布拉德自己發現後，不光是嫉妒，簡直就是氣得發瘋。他不僅跟這個女孩分 手，而且還給他們倆的所有朋友發電子郵件，告訴大家她的所作所為，徹底壞了這個女孩的聲譽。]
這女孩確實做得不對。可是Brad也夠狠的。大家還記得前一陣子國際貨幣基金組織前總裁斯特勞斯-卡恩的性醜聞麼? The sex scandal cooked his goose. 那次性醜聞徹底毀了他的名譽。好的，我們再來聽聽剛才那段話：
M: “Brad’s girlfriend should have told him that she was out with another guy last weekend. When he found out, he was more than jealous. He was furious. Not only did he break up with her, but he also sent an e-mail to all of their friends about what she’s done. That COOKED HER GOOSE. Her reputation was ruined.”
我上大學的時候有個好朋友，她因為室友總是偷吃她的食物，所以決定要報復。她在烤餅乾了放了瀉藥，She really cooked her roommate’s goose that time. 她那次真是把自己的室友好好修理了一頓。
大家恐怕都有過這樣的經歷，就是有的時候，整整一天都倒楣，幹什麼事情都不順。下面的例子就談到了這樣的一天，讓我們來聽聽看：
M: “Our plane is leaving in an hour. And here we are stuck in some of the worst traffic we’ve ever seen. If we don’t make that flight, we’ll miss our connection. Then OUR GOOSE WILL BE COOKED! We won’t get to the port in time to board our cruise. Our vacation plans will be ruined.”
這段話是說：[我們的飛機一小時之後就要起飛了。可現在我們卻被塞在路上。如果我們趕不上這班飛機，就會錯過轉機。那我們的計畫就完全被打亂了! 我們也沒辦法按時登上油輪。那我們的渡假計畫就徹底泡湯了。]
渡假計畫被打亂是最讓人沮喪的事情。這裏用了被動語態，Our goose will be cooked. 意思跟cook our goose是一樣的，就是破壞了我們的計畫。好的，我們再來聽聽剛才那段話：
M: “Our plane is leaving in an hour. And here we are stuck in some of the worst traffic we’ve ever seen. If we don’t make that flight, we’ll miss our connection. Then OUR GOOSE WILL BE COOKED! We won’t get to the port in time to board our cruise. Our vacation plans will be ruined.”
好的，今天我們學習的習慣用語是cook someone’s goose，意思是“徹底打亂某人的計畫，或者毀了一個人的名譽”。好的，這次[美國習慣用語]就到此結束，我是楊琳，我是 Steve Baragona。謝謝各位的收聽。
A: 讓我也來造個句， If you can’t get a plane ticket soon, your goose will be cooked!
B: 別烏鴉嘴，楊琳! 我這就定…
A: 哈哈，開個玩笑嘛 …. 不過沙漠旅行太危險了! What if you get lost? 要是讓我在驚險生活和宅在家裏選一個，我還是宅吧….
B: But you only live once! You should take advantage of it and get all the excitement you can! 說到這，咱們先來看看宅這個詞兒用美
語怎麼說!
Jessica 在北京學漢語，她的中國朋友要是遇到了不知道用美語怎麼說的詞，就會來請教他。今天是吳瓊要問的：宅男宅女。
Jessica: Wuqiong, 聽說你表妹從上海來看你了，怎麼樣， Are you two getting along？
wq: 唉，她哪是來看我。整天待在家裏，根本不理我，每天就知道上網，看電視，也不出去玩兒。標準的宅女! 像這種特別“宅”的人，在美語裏叫什
麼？
Jessica: I think you can call them “homebodies”. A homebody is a person who prefers to stay at home and seldom goes out.
wq: homebody? home 就是家的意思，body 是身體，兩個詞連在一起—身體長在家裏了，就是homebody! 宅男宅女! My cousin is totally a homebody! 哈哈，我回家要告訴她這句話!
Jessica: Well, you can also call her a “shut-in”. s-h-u-t, shut; i-n, in–shut-in.
wq: 哦，shut-in也是指不願意出門和別人交往的宅男宅女! 我要告訴我表妹，Don’t be a shut-in! Go out and get some fresh air!
Jessica: 對! 讓她出去轉轉，不然，Her brain will rot if she stays home and stares at a screen all the time!
wq: 啊？r-o-t, rot 不是腐爛麼？Her brain will rot 就是“她腦子要發黴”的意思吧？
Jessica: That’s right! Being a couch potato isn’t healthy.
wq: 沒錯。couch potato， 沙發土豆，就是一天到晚賴在沙發上看電視的人。每天不運動，變得圓滾滾的，跟個potato–大土豆一樣！
Jessica: I’m sure your cousin doesn’t wan to look like a potato! Now, tell me what you’ve learned today!
wq: 第一，宅男宅女叫 homebody, 或者 shut-in;
第二，一天到晚坐在沙發上看電視的人叫 couch potato;
第三，說腦子要發黴了，就是Your brain will rot!
B: See楊琳，if you become a homebody, then you’ll probably become a couch potato, too….
A: 然後就會長肉!! 太可怕了太可怕了。不過我也不是每天都在家，你看上周我就去了華盛頓的使館之旅，就是每個國家的大使館都對公眾開放，特別好玩!
B: Oh fun! I bet you learned about a whole bunch of different cultures and customs!
A: I sure did, plus I tasted tons of different foods from around the world! 說到這，在今天的美語三級跳裏，我們就再去領略一下不同文化!
B: Let’s listen!
Culture: Advanced
今天我們為您播出“美語三級跳”節目“社會文化”單元的高級課程。
Professor: Today we’re learning some words for talking about “affirmative action” programs in the US. Winnie, if a college or business has an affirmative action program, that means it gives preference to minority students, who have traditionally been underprivileged in American society.
嗯，這個我聽說過。美國的”Affirmative action”， 平權法案，要求對少數族裔人口實行入學、就業方面的優惠政策。我想，這個政策應該是為了幫助少數族裔，改善他們的社會地位，可難免也會引發一些不滿和爭議 吧？
Professor: Yes, it has been quite controversial. Let’s see what Will and Jane have to say about it.
Will: So Jane, where do you go to college?
Jane: I’m at the University of California, in Los Angeles. It’s a great school academically, but also because it gives me the chance to meet people of all different nationalities, races and backgrounds.
Will: Yeah, US colleges have become much more diverse ever since affirmative action policies were put in place. But even though that’s a good thing, some people still gripe about them.
Jane: Of course, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding them. After all, affirmative action is a pretty blunt instrument for helping disadvantaged groups improve their lives.
Professor Bowman, 什麼叫 gripe？
Professor: To gripe is to complain about something. For example, the employees at every company I’ve worked at have always griped about how rich the boss is, even though they make good salaries.
哦，gripe, g-r-i-p-e, gripe, 就是“抱怨”的意思。 Will 說，雖然平權政策使很多少數族裔學生得到了上大學的機會，提升了美國大學校園的多樣性，但還是有人對這個政策不滿。對了，Jane說，平權法案是個 blunt instrument，Professor, 這是什麼意思呢？
Professor: Winnie, a “blunt instrument” is a method that uses too much force, so that, in achieving your aim, it also causes some harm or trouble. For example, “War is a very blunt instrument for settling disputes between countries. It’s better to resolve them through careful negotiations.”
我明白了，blunt instrument就是“生硬的方法”，用這種方法做事，往往事倍功半，效果不佳。
Will: Why do you think some people are opposed to affirmative action?
Jane: A lot of people think we no longer need affirmative action, and that it’s unfair. If two people apply for a job, should one be given better treatment because of his or her skin color?
Will: I see your point. But many of the poor people in American society are minorities. I think we should try to give them a leg up.
Jane: True, but there are lots of poor people who aren’t minorities too. Shouldn’t they get help too?
Will: I agree that it isn’t a perfect solution, but it’s a pretty good way of leveling the playing field.
聽起來Will很支持平權法案，他說，美國很多窮人都是少數族裔，平權法案可以give them a leg up–助他們一臂之力，使他們獲得一些優勢。
Professor: That’s right. Will also says he thinks that affirmative action policies are a good way of “leveling the playing field”.
對，level the playing field 就是說為大家提供公平賽場，讓所有人站在同樣的起點上。Will覺得，平權法案雖然並不完美，但至少縮小了白人和有色人種之間的社會差距。
Jane: You know, I think one thing that everybody can agree on is that we should live in a world where affirmative action isn’t necessary.
Will: I totally agree. When each person has the same opportunities in life, regardless of his or her skin color, the world will definitely be a better place.
Jane: Hey Will ….. just a suggestion, but can we talk about something less serious? All this talk of religion and discrimination isn’t what I had in mind for a first date.
Will: Well sure …. we can talk about something light and fun. What do you think about global warming?
Jane: Waiter, can you bring the check please?
哈哈，Jane終於受不了了! Will盡和她談這些嚴肅話題，讓他換個輕鬆點的，他居然會想到 global warming–全球暖化！怪不得Jane急著給錢走人!
Professor: Yup, sounds like Will made a pretty bad move.
A: 這個Will可真無聊，約會非要談這些嚴肅的話題，我看他們也不會再一起出去了!
B: Yeah, you bet. That IS a boring date, and believe me, I know about boring dates…
A: 哎呀，不過我還是在想，你請假出去玩了，就沒人跟我耍貧嘴了，真無聊! I will have a lot of bad, boring days!
B: 哈哈，那可不! I’m the sunshine that brings you happiness every day! Kidding kidding. 好了，剛才你談到a bad day, 咱們下麵就去聽聽Harry講講他倒楣的一天!
禮節美語—BE-243 A Really Bad Day I
Harry在公司遇到同事Cindy.
Harry: Oh man…it’s really not my day!
Cindy: Having a bad hair day?
H: You have no idea! I woke up late because I didn’t hear my alarm…then I realized I’d forgotten to pick up my suit from the dry cleaners.
C: So you rushed out of the apartment to go grab your suit and …?
H: I closed the door without taking my keys!
C: So you’re locked out of your apartment?
H: Yep…but that was only the beginning of my troubles.
C: Tell me more.
Harry這天特別倒楣。It’s not his day. 或者也可以說 He’s having a bad hair day. 意思都是說這天真倒楣，幹什麼都不順。早上鬧鐘沒聽見，起床晚了不說，急著出門去取乾洗的西裝，一著急，忘了帶鑰匙。He locked himself out of his apartment. 這裏說的 dry cleaners 意思是乾洗店。而這還只是個開頭。我們接著聽。
H: Well…I was still running late for work so I hailed a cab. I got here 45 minutes late and had no choice but to wear this T-shirt and jeans. The boss gave me a funny look when I came in…so who knows? Maybe I’ll get fired today as well!
C: You poor thing! You really are having a bad day!
H: But it gets worse! As soon as I sat down at my desk, I noticed my wallet was missing!
C: No way!
H: Yep…it’s gone.
C: Did you leave it in the taxi?
H: That’s what I first assumed…but that doesn’t make sense because I paid the cabby with money from my wallet.
Harry出門打車上班，打車可以用動詞 hail. He hailed a cab. 結果穿著T恤衫和牛仔褲就跑來了，而且還遲到了45分鐘。The boss game me a funny look. Harry不巧被老闆撞到，老闆用很奇怪的眼光看了看他，而這還不是最糟糕的。It gets worse. 更糟糕的還在後面呢！剛坐穩當，Harry就發現錢包不見了。Cindy問他是不是落在計程車上了。Harry說不可能，因為他下車付錢的時候錢包還在 呢。那會丟在哪里了呢？
C: So you simply misplaced it?
H: Nope. Just as I was walking from the cab to the front door of our office building, a guy bumped into me.
C: Oh no! You got hit by a pickpocket!
H: Yep. After I put two and two together I realized that was exactly what happened. He bumped up against me so I wouldn’t notice he stole my wallet.
Cindy問Harry是不是把錢包隨手放在什麼地方，所以才找不到的，misplace is spelled m-i-s-p-l-a-c-e, misplace 是放錯地方的意思。
Harry說，進公司的時候 A guy bumped into him.有個人撞在了他的身上。After I put two and two together 把丟錢包和被人撞這兩件事情聯繫起來，Harry恍然大悟，錢包是被扒手pickpocket偷走了。Harry沒帶鑰匙，又丟了錢包，這一天要怎麼過 呢？我們下次繼續聽。
B: Oh man! This episode reminds me that I should go book my ticket! 我可不想像Harry這麼倒楣!
A: 哈哈，那可不! 話說，其實我今天就挺不高興的!
B: Really? What’s wrong 楊琳?
A: 我昨天本來想去游泳，發現長膘了之後，游泳衣都穿不上了….
B: 哈哈，girl, then just come jogging with me! Exercise is the best way to keep fit!
A: 好吧…不過說到這，咱們來學學這個我最恨的贅肉用美語怎麼說!
Jessica在北京學漢語，她的中國朋友要是遇到了不知道用美語怎麼說的詞，就會來請教她。今天是于苗要問的：贅肉。
Jessica: 于苗! You look so cute in this red dress!
YM: 真的麼？難道你不覺得這件連衣裙有點瘦麼？
Jessica: Ah….it’s….a little tight. Just a little!
YM: 唉，我去年買這條裙子的時候，穿著還有點肥呢，今年居然緊成這樣，看來我這贅肉真是沒少長啊!
Jessica: Don’t be upset, Yumiao. You may have a little extra meat on your bones, but trust me, you still look good!
YM: extra meat on my bones？骨頭上有多餘的肉？這在中文裏就叫”贅肉”。唉，I really want this “extra meat” gone! 尤其是這腰上的贅肉，真是討厭的“救生圈”啊!
Jessica: I know! No one wants that “spare tire”. It’s our worst enemy!
YM: spare, s-p-a-r-e, spare; tire, t-i-r-e, tire, spare tire 不是指“備用輪胎”麼？原來，中國人把腰上的一圈贅肉比喻成“救生圈”，美國人則把它比成“spare tire”備用胎。
Jessica: That’s right! We also call the extra fat around your waist line “love handles”.
YM: 腰上的贅肉還可以叫 love handles？ love 愛情；handle, h-a-n-d-l-e, handle 把手。這肥肉也能跟愛情掛上鉤嗎？
Jessica: Well, think about it. When your boyfriend wraps his arms around you, he can hold on to these like handles?!
YM: 啊？太可怕了。我可不想要 love handles. I’m going to the gym, starting TODAY!
Jessica: Well, before you go, tell me what you’ve learned today!
YM: 第一“贅肉”在美語裏叫 extra meat on the bones;
第二，形容腰上的贅肉，可以說 spare tire;
第三，腰間肥肉的另外一種說法是 love handles.
A: Alright! 好吧! 行動起來! 咱們現在就去跑步!
B:哈哈，沒問題! 不過，咱們還得跟觀眾 say bye bye 呢!!
A: (笑) 好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏。 如果你對我們的節目有什麼建議，或者想提什麼問題，請發電子郵件到meiyu@voanews.com.
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
