Snowclone
The term "snowclone" describes the practice of transforming cliches, axioms and pop culture catchphrases into modern analogies. For example, the catchphrase, "To be or not to be, that is the question", can be turned into, "To eat or not to eat, that is the question."
“雪克隆”指�把一些陈词滥���流行文化名a改编�现代版本�ؓ。例如，名言“生Q还是死Q这是问题的所在”可以变�“吃Q还是不吃�q就是问题的所在”?/p>
A snowclone can be formed simply by borrowing a timeworn but familiar cliche and injecting the specific topic into its basic syntax. The movie catchphrase in Alien, "In space, no one can hear you scream", for example, can be turned into the business-related snowclone, "In space, no one can hear you negotiate".
雪克隆可借用一些��脍炙h口�词滥�Q在其基本句式中�入具体话题。D例来_�?sh)�异形》的名句“在太空中�没有�听到��叫”可以改~�跟商业有关�克隆�“在太空中�没有�听到��判”?/p>
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]]>Graycation
Graycation is a family vacation that's spent with grandparents to share costs.
同�假期是和父母一起度��费用�庭�?/p>
An estimated 2.7 million families are planning to holiday in the UK this year with children, parents and grandparents all in the same resort, according to a survey. Researchers say that the total number has soared this year, thanks to the rising price of foreign holidays and the opportunities for sharing costs on a graycation.
据��英国今年�?70�家庭计划和孩子、父母及父母在同一地方度���Q选择同�度�h数增多，一斚w是�为�游�h(hun)g涨�另一斚w是�为可以�开支?/p>
In addition to the economic benefits of multigenerational vacationing, many of those surveyed said graycations were appealing because they allowed grandparents and grandchildren to spend more time together.
此外Q许多受访�Q同堂假期这么有吸引力�除�l济利益斚w���q因U假期让父母和孙子孙女有更多的旉共�?/p>
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]]>一?iPad ���Q引发�场知��血战，也引发�|友�观。苹果�司在与唯�科技(深圳)有限公司��R�中一审判册|诉，唯�甌售令��(gu)公司iPad在中国��卖店��架?/p>
Trademark infringement是�商�R�，是�ؓ人未l商�可�在相同�cM�上用与�?trademark registration(注册商�)相同�近似��Q��涉、妨���Z用其注册商�Q损宛_�人legitimate interest(合法权�)��他行为。行Zh销售明知或应知是counterfeit registered trademark(��注册商�)�? right to exclusive use of trademark(���用?被R�natural person(自然?或�legal entity(法h)在civil affairs(民�)上有�求R�hcessation of infringement(停止侵害)、eliminate ill effects(消除影�)、redress damage(赔偿损失)?/p>
For example:
The tablets have been confiscated from shelves in many retail shops and electronic stores due to a Chinese company's lawsuit against the Apple Inc over the trademark infringement, in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province.
在河北省省会矛_�Q由于苹果�司���R�Q得多�售�和?sh)子产品商店中�iPadx?sh)脑��架�q。唯�科技(深圳)有限公司是在2011年初提Z诉，赯�(gu)公司iPad���|Qƈ开始�court proceedings(法律诉讼E�)。�司还向北京工��门提�投诉，q向�他三地�院申�L售o。双方自此陷入�trademark infringement(���|)�讼�中?/p>
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]]>Cog in the machine
I am not an important person in this company. I'm just a lowly cog in the machine.
http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn/?mod=question&action=viewthread&qid=39057
My comments:
Cogs are essential parts of a machine. They're gears that work together to make machinery work their magic. Without cogs, machines and, indeed, the entirety of modern-day industry would grind to a halt. And so it is curious that cogs are considered unimportant. And perhaps it's not so curious. Cogs are considered unimportant because they're commonplace — there are thousands upon thousands of them in an assembly line, for instance.
Hence, people who work jobs that are mundane routines in an organization or business call themselves "cogs".
A lower cog is a lower-ranking staff member. Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
— To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>最q，一个名为“休假式ȝ”的新词在中华大地飘焉临ƈ异�HvQ变成�2012年初�U网l的行语。那么�英�达是怎��Q纵观各路媒体，大致�法有以下�种Q?/p>
1. vacation-style treatment
q是“休假式ȝ”最常�一U译法，vacation是�休假�假期”，style是��式，风�”，treatment是�治疗，疗法”?/p>
2. vacation-style therapy
q种译法�treatment一词换成�therapy。therapy和treatment都是“治疗”的意思，区别不大Q经常可以互换用��相比之下therapy一词不太用来�用药物ȝ”?/p>
3. “therapeutic?leave
有媒体直接译作�take “therapeutic?leave。Therapeutic是therapy�Ş容词形式Q意思是“治疗的Q有疗效�。另外”take ... leave”也是一U固定用法，�们x说“请�”就是take sick leave?/p>
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]]>中国国家副主席�q^2月对国q行为期五天�式访问。一名高U外交官员说Q中国和国之间存在“信任赤字”，希望国家副主席�q^此次对华盛顿�问可以有助于增进两国间�信?/p>
Trust deficit是�信任赤字”，deficit是�赤字，不�额”，例如fiscal deficit(财政赤�)Qtrade deficit(贸易�QN易赤??/p>
For example:
Vice-President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States provides a very important opportunity to enhance bilateral mutual trust, as a "trust deficit" exists that contrasts with booming bilateral ties, a top Chinese diplomat said on Thursday.
中国一名高U外交官员周四说Q中日益��L双边关系存在“信任赤字”，国家副主席�q^q行的美国之访对提升双边互信�L非常重要的作用?/p>
国家副主席�q^此次访美的主要目�Z�减中美之的“trust deficit (信Q赤�)”，增强中美互信、减猜疑，�同怺重、互利共赢�cooperative partnership (合作伙伴关系)达成的共�q一步推动合作伙伴关pȝ�展?/p>
除此之外Q加强China-invested enterprise (中��)对美投�Q也是此行的重点。作Z关pM�要��部�双边lN问题在此ơ访中ؓ重要Q双边市场开放、trade disputes (贸易争端) 解决、合作空间拓展等��Z要经贸议题。�未来中利益交融、相互依存的格局�一步�深。在知��新能源、energy saving and environmental protection (节�环�)、医药、smart grid (���)、航I、engineering contract (工程承�){��作�步推q?/p>
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]]>Manther
A manther is a middle-aged man who seeks sexual or romantic relationships with significantly younger women.
女猎手是那些dƢ和比�己小很多的女性发生性关pL�谈恋q中年男子?/p>
Lee Rangel is a manther, but likes older women as well. The 57-year old is dating a 36-year old. "Usually women that are older are married. They have multiple children and they don't really like to have a lot of fun, the ones that I've met. And women that are younger tend to want to go do things and have fun and enjoy themselves and that’s what I like to do."
李·兰杰尔是一个少女猎手��喜欢老女人?7岁的他正在和一?6岁的女hU会。“年�一些的女h通常都已l结婚�就我认�那些Q她们都有一大帮孩子要�Q也不是很喜Ƣ尽兴玩乐。年M点�x则会想d�(gu)鲜事Q尽�乐，q也是我所喜欢�?/p>
Women are often interested in older men because they appear more mature, self-assured, confi dent and the attraction could be the result of an unavailable father. While an age difference doesn’t necessarily mean trouble for a couple, there could be age-related problems.
女h对老男人感�趣是�Z们看上去更成�、�信。这U吸引力可能源于女h~Z父爱。尽年�距不一定会D��G或夫M间�盾Q�年�距�也会生一些问题?/p>
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]]>1. on my back 找我ȝQ挑我毛�?/p>
例句QWhenever I come home late my wife is always on my back.
每当�回家晚��妻子L我的ȝ?/p>
2. get off my back 跟�罗�?/p>
例句QI had enough with you. Get off my back!
我已l受够��别再烦我�Q?/p>
3. turn my back on 拒绝帮助
例句QI can’t turn my back on him when he needs help.
在他需要帮助�候，�不�不?/p>
4. behind my back 在背�?/p>
例句QIf I did refuse to help, my supervisor might say bad things about me behind my back.
如果我真�l帮忙，��司会在背后说我坏话?/p>
5. stab in the back 伤h��背叛Q诽?/p>
例句QSuch a vicious lie could be nothing but a stab in the back.
q���毒谎a直是背地里向人��子?/p>
6. pat on the back 鼓励Q表?/p>
例句QSometimes, when I am very productive in my job, my employer gives me a pat on the back.
有时当�工作非常富有成效Ӟ�老板会表扬我?/p>
7. I will scratch your back if you will scratch mine C尚往?/p>
例句QI’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine?only works if you will respond with something approaching parity.
只有晓得�(gu)会以接近对等的方式回应，“礼往来”才行得通?/p>
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]]>在“虎妈狼爸”引�家庭教育之争后Q“鹰爸”又横空Z。近日�|上一D“裸跑弟”的�Q引发�|友xQ除夕��一名来自南京跟随父母到国��?岁男童�在纽U?13�暴雪中裸跑。孩子的父亲何�生表C儿子是早��曾被告知未来可能脑瘫痴�Q遂制定D��鹰爸”式训�划让其健康长大?/p>
Eagle dad是�鹰爸”，�educational ideas(教育�)是�当幼鹰长到大�候，鹰妈妈就会狠�把幼鹰赶下山崖，q鹰往谷底坠下Ӟ拼命地拍打��Q趁此掌握�本��飞�。与此前�现�tiger mom(虎�)”、“wolf dad(狼爸)”近|对“eagle dad(鹰爸)”的教育方式Q社会各界也同样是褒贬不一。一�显C��70%�友不认同q种q乎“残�L鹰式教育”。对来趋向于q离严厉的�l教育模式，�松自由国模式的中国家庭教育来_“如g虎”的父母往往让h们嗤之以�R?/p>
在home education(家庭教育)?父母也应适度谦抑individual will(个h意�)和personal ideal(个h�)对孩子的影响Q以便与孩子的选择和�Ş�合理博弈，而不是�子完�变�自n教育��验品?/p>
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]]>Idle car owners are the car owners who rarely get behind the wheel of their vehicles because of rising gasoline, insurance and registration costs. Their cars linger in parking lots or on streets the majority of the time and are used on the weekend or during holidays and vacations.
所谓“捧车族”就是那些因为a贏V保险、登记费用上涨而极开车�R族。他们大多数旉把R停在停R场和街道上，只有在周末或��才开车出行?/p>
Having a car is convenient for commuting or taking trips. But nowadays, some private car owners are leaving their cars in the garage and driving as infrequently as possible. Surveys show 10 percent of private car owners in Beijing have become "idle car owners."
拥有车确实便于上下班及休闲出行。�如今，很多U家车主把他们�留在R库里Q尽量少开车。�显C�北京10%�家RL�为“捧车族”?/p>
Many factors, such as traffi c, economic status and parking fees, haverestricted people's driving. The deterioration of these conditions has resulted in rising driving costs. Improved public transportation is another factor leading people to drive less.
�交通、经条件、停车费用等很多因�限制�h们开车。这些条件��化D�开车成本上升。��通改�是h们少开车�一个原因?/p>
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]]>春节是一个D家团聚的Ƣ�子。�日里的q��玩乐会导致一些“节日�的发生Q如H发��因�烟花�受伤、暴饮暴食导致�化不良、肠��{，更有甚�q会引vM。近日据沈阳市急救中�l计Q�刚�ȝ�节长�间Q城市死亡h数达259人?/p>
Holiday excess是�节日�，每逢长�其在中国�l的节日?Spring Festival(春�)QM有许多因狂欢�q�、crapulent(暴饮暴�)�酒�而�现�种heart cerebrovascular disease(�血疾?�?zhn)�digestive system disease(消化pȝ疄)�?zhn)��现?/p>
For example:
Ji was not the only one suff ering from the holiday excess. According to a survey by the popular Chinese website Sohu.com, the top three places where people like drinking most are Beijing, Shandong province and Hebei province.
冀先生(?不是唯一一个染上“节日�的人。�据搜狐网的一��Z最嗜好饮酒的三个地区�ؓ北京、山东、和沛_。春节，本是�团�日子，可却成�多人“sweet torment(甜蜜�?”，频繁的family gatherings and parties(家庭聚�)、休闲娱乐导致h们�q�饮酒�食不�而引发�U春节“holiday excess(节日?”。ؓ此�专家提�Q春节��应及时�饮食，快从节日状态中走出来�静下�安�作?/p>
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]]>东省首个民间智库组l��(gu)间智库咨询服务中�前在州正式揭牌Q专家称此D是广东管�又一创新Q也是广东推q社会改革�一ơ突�。Private think tank是�民间智库”，指�一U非政府的社会组l�可以通��己�三方�、客观中立的报告为政府�{提供很好��见?/p>
For example:
A province in South China has approved the first registered private think tank to help advise officials on key issues, the People’s Daily reported.
据《h民日报》报道，q东省批�册首个民间智库，以帮助政府在关键事务中咨询决{。广东“南�(gu)间智库”目前已吸收�自all walks of life(�各�)?7名正式智库�员，他们��|络问政��D�会{^収ͼ为广东�委政府�当brain truster(智�)Q�谋�{。该智库的正式�员包括知名网友、专家学�政府及事业单位�究型h员、�p业�Q此外还联系着上千名活�参与�从本质上说Qprivate think tank(民间智�)应该游离于体制之外，回归q立于民间Qh民群众才是其力量和智慧�泉。民间智库要真正发挥作用Q就�建立一整套U学完整�度�为民间智库的发展�定基础。比如设立民间智库的special fund(专项�)Q民间智库保持�的独立性�政府可出台�的supportive policy(扶持政�)Q对民间智库的徏a开通“green channel(l色通道)”，q体现在public policy(公共政�)�定与落实上?/p>
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]]>中国互联|络信息中�前在京发�第29ơ中国互联网l发展状�计报告》。《报告》显C�截至2011?2月底Q中国网民�突�?ѝ�Internet penetration rate是�互联网普及率”。目前�国Internet population(|�)已经辑ֈ5.13亿��中mobile phone Internetuser(手机|络用户)辑ֈ3.56亿h?/p>
For example:
The Internet penetration rate rose to 38.3 percent, up 4 percentage points from the same period in 2010, increasing by 55.8 million Internet users.
互联|普及率上升?8.3%Q�2010同期相比上升�个癑�点�新增|�5580�?/p>
2011_�国group purchasing users(团购用户)数达?465�q增镉K?44.8%。团购用�L�减��group purchasing websites(团购|�)数量却在下半开始下滑。在大部�l娱乐类应用�用�l箋下滑的同Ӟweb TV(|络��)�用��上扬�势。�报告》同时����各大�|站需�聚合数量更多、质量更好�copyright(版权)�来获取高netfl ow(|络�)Q得网l�业版�h�提高、operation cost(q营成本)大��同时�q告h��、�他profi t model(盈利模�)�法在短旉�L�熟，因而网l�行业整体�亏损状�q一现状目前q很难改变?/p>
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]]>At times local organizations may drag their heels in the campaign.
有时候地方组l�竞选活动中�延迟行动?/p>
2. drag somebody into something 使某人卷入某U困�
Don’t drag me into your plan.
不要我参��们�划?/p>
3. drag somebody away 使某Z某事中脱d来{而从事���?/p>
Though its time for dinner, it is diffi cult to drag my son away from the wonderful TV program.
虽是�饭��可很难把�子从精彩��?sh)�目中拉走?/p>
4. a drag �趣��?/p>
This fi lm is a drag.
q部?sh)�燥乏味?/p>
5. drag in 牉|Q插入讨Z
Please concentrate on the business at hand and don’t drag in irrelevant issues.
请��谈这件事Q不要牵扯其他问题?/p>
6. drag on/drag out 拖g
Let’s not drag on/out this discussion. We’ve got to reach a decision.
q场讨论别拖下去��们得作个决定?/p>
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]]>Body mass index
著名�受争议�q康减肥?Dukan Diet)创始人法国营d家_?Pierre Dukan)Q日前在其新书中提�Q可以通�l变瘦�子增加额外��W�法来解决儿童肥胖问题?/p>
Body mass index (BMI)是�体质量指数”，U“体重�”，mass是�质量”�BMI是一个calculated value(计算?Q主要用于统计用途，是用体重公斤数除以n高米数^方得��字Q是目前国�常用�量Z胖瘦E度以及是否健康�个�?/p>
For example: The plan calls for high school students to be allowed to take a so-called "ideal weight" option in their fi nal year exams, the "baccalaureat", under which they would earn extra points if they kept a body mass index (BMI) of between 18 and 25.
q项计划要求在高中毕业会�Q�许所有高中生增加一�(gu)谓“��体重”的选择Q体重�C持在18?5之间�生会得到额外的�?/p>
此外Q还可以依�body mass index(体重�)来判断一个h的physical constitution(体�)。体�泛指n体健康强壮程度�如muscle function(肌肉功�)、cardio-pulmonary function(�功�){。常用于指一个h�体是否强健�通常U某Z�很好表C此人physical condition(体状况)良好?/p>
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�
]]>Notting Hill Complex
Notting Hill Complex refers to the dream that the perfect star or actress can walk into our lives and marry us. Notting Hill Complex is a romantic kind of love.
“诺丁山�”是�Z渴望O��事，渴望梦想中完�x�星��话里完美的女主角Q�够走q�q现实生活中�带给他们刻骨铭�邂�他们甚�x想穿着公主鞋的明星最后�够爱上他Qƈ一赯上教堂的U地毯。诺丁山式的O爱�一U把爱�事理想化的�?/p>
Notting Hill Complex is a dream, before coming back down to Earth. We realize that we are ordinary people and should live our lives.
Z山式的爱�事，应该曾是每个人�想。很多h希望自己也可以有ơ浪漫��只是一��现实让Z都冷静下来�变得实际。�们意�大多Ch都只是^凡�通hQh们终I要q�于�q_�生活?/p>
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]]>Alpha-wives vs trophy wife
"Alpha-wives" emerge when women are the primary breadwinners in a household.
如今国�数�庭中Q女人才是主要的l济支柱Q这��L女h是“阿法老�?/p>
Sociologist Catherine Bartlett says the alpha-wife has begun to replace the so-called trophy wife. "The trophy wife was wanted for her youth, beauty and body. She earned nothing on her own and truthfully wasn't someone who was sought after for her brains. The alpha-wife is desired for her intelligence and her power as a top money earner. She's independent and savvy. Her looks, though certainly visible, are secondary."
C会学家巴特q_阿尔法老�经开始取代所谓的q老�“男人想从花瓶老�里得到�青春、美貌和体。她自己不挣钱�说实话男Z不是�ؓ�(gu)脑子才追求她�男人想得到阿尔法老��是�ؓ她聪慧�而且很�挣钱。她既独立又_明。虽焉法老�相也不差��貌ƈ不是男h选择她�要原�。?/p>
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]]>英国一个非营利l��理智科学”整��2011名Z在全�体上宣��些“伪U学”言论?/p>
Pseudo-science是�伪U学”，也可以称为false science、badscience、suspect science。Pseudo是���Q假�伪�，如pseudo instruction(伪�?虚拟�o)、pseudo language(虚拟语言)?/p>
While the review is partly about entertainment, the campaign group stresses it also has a serious aim ?to make sure pseudo-science is not allowed to be accepted as truth.
虽然q期ȝ回顾是半�的��l���有严��Q就是确保�众不要相信伪U学?/p>
Pseudo-science(伪科?是�没有scientifi c basis/evidence(U学�(gu))�non-science(非科?�或方法U_ؓU学或�U学q�
U学�U主��如西方典型的伪科学astrology(�星?、Phrenology(骨相?{�Falsifi ability(可证伪?是区�学与非科?�伪科?���。“Sense about science (SAS)�U学”组l�望名Z都能用自q影响力来宣�正确的scientifi c knowledge(U学知�)Q以免误导公众?/p>
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]]>春运Q中国�部启动|络售票pȝQ�多旅客在网上购时遭�系l忙”而无法登�站。还有多名�称|购火R已支付�功Q�现场取却发现pȝ�没有购记录?/p>
Online booking system是�网上订系l”，铁道部表C在2011年底前所有�车都�现online purchasing(|上购票)Q同时在春运前完�system upgrade(pȝ升�)Q在全国��行telephone booking(?sh)话订?业务?/p>
The railway system’s online booking system has begun to show its vulnerability ?and at times has been unable to issue tickets that were paid for ?as the massive wave of travelers during Spring Festival approaches.
随着春运客�峰�来�铁\|上订票pȝ开始�现漏z，旅客l常遭�R已支付Q却不�出票��c?/p>
此前铁道部已宣�Q?011?1?0日v所有nonstop trains(直达特快列R)(Z字头)�现Web sales of train tickets(|络售票)Q?2?0日v所有express trains(特快列R)(T字头)实现互联|售。铁道部�步扩大ID-based ticket booking system(火R实名制)实行范围Q以遏制“ticket scalper(�/贩?”ticket touting/scalping(倒票)?/p>
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]]>1. all year round 一到头、终q?/p>
例句QWe’ve made certain arrangements so there can be fl owers of different colors all year round.
我们已做��安排Q以使一四季都有不同颜色�朵开放?/p>
2. the seven-year itch �之痒
例句QIs there the so-called “seven-year itch?between two friends?
朋友之间有没有所谓的“�q之痒”呢Q?/p>
3. put years on 使某?昑־�)老�
例句QBeing tired and unhappy put years on him.
�劳篏和�不好�他苍老�多?/p>
4. be light years away from something 遥不可及Q��个事物截然�
同、差别很?/p>
例句QRighteous punishment is a thousand light years away from revenge.
公正�|跟报复可差得十���?/p>
5. ring in the new year 新年前夕喜迎新年
例句QWe ring in the New Year with church bells.
随着教�的钟壎ͼ�们q来�?/p>
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]]>Illegal collection of evidence是�非法取证”，是�过extort confessions by torture(刑讯g�)和以威胁、引诱、欺骗以及�他非法方法收�证据?/p>
Chinese lawmakers continued to read a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedural Law, suggesting more detailed stipulations to stem the illegal collection of evidence.
全国人大常委会周二�ơ审议刑事诉讼法修正案草案，增加更多L非法取证行ؓ的��?/p>
�(gu)草案�Q今后司法机兛_能会对criminal suspects(犯罪嫌疑?�讯进行录x�录像。对被判life imprisonment(l监�)、death sentences(d�)和felony charges(重罪�)嫌疑人�interrogation process(审讯q��)Q�进行录x�录像?/p>
今年8月，�国人大常委会首ơ审议a(chn) draft amendment to the Criminal Procedural Law(刑诉法修正案草�)。随后，中国人大|����案向C会征求意见。同Ӟ�国人大法律委员会、�国h大常委会法制工作委员会还通�谈、��等方式听取�斚w意见。这些意见、徏议被立法机关�后Ş��正案草案二ơ审议稿?/p>
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]]>Year-end panic
Year-end panic refers to the self-reproach and overall feeling of panic brought about by the approach of the year’s end, often due to a poor financial year and pressure at work.
“年关焦虑症”指�关��而生的自责和恐慌��通常由年度收入不佟뀁工作压力�引赗?/p>
Thinking of New Year’s Day, it involves a lot of spending, entertaining ?often with the boss and colleagues ?personnel assessments, changes, boredom, agitation and panic leading to stomach discomfort, headaches, insomnia and so on.
惛_新年、春节的大量花销Q和同事、老板间��Q各c部门ȝQh事变动�很多人都会感到厌烦、无助、焦虑、恐慌，甚至出现��适、头疹{失�等一pd�亚健�L状?/p>
The psychological expert suggests that we should avoid increasing the pressure by comparing ourselves with others blindly. The end of the year is an ideal time for strategic review and renewal. Stress is high. But excitement is in the air! Regret lingers about goals left unfulfilled. But resolutions flourish to do better in the New Year!
�(gu)Q�专家徏议不应盲目攀比徒增压力。年x一个回֒展望�时机。压力是很大Q��即�始也让h振奋Q也怽�q在为没有实现���?zhn)不已Q��q是可以下定�_�来做得更好��
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]]>俚语是�间非正式、�语化的语句Q是癑֧在日常生zMȝ�来�俗�懂口��有地方色彩�语。�们生zM�见词�包括水果蔬菜{�能在国俚语中被赋予�(gu)含义。今天我们要学�语是关于“香�?banana)”这一大家都非常熟�(zhn)和喜欢�果?/p>
1. bananas 发疯�神l错q(相当于crazy)
例句QThe noise drives them bananas.
那噪声让他们抓狂?/p>
2. go bananas (= become crazy) 发疯、神l错?/p>
例句QShe went bananas when she found him cheating.
她发Cƺ骗时气得要命?/p>
3. big/top banana 主要人物、大老板、最好�员或重要的官员
例句QHe’s the top banana in this company.
他是q家公司�老板?/p>
4. second banana W二选择、次要h物��?/p>
例句QI always play second banana to her.
我L做她�补?/p>
5. banana oil 明显夸大�?p巧语)
例句QCut out the banana oil; fl attery will get you nowhere!
别花a巧语��(gu)是不会�捞到好�Q?/p>
6. banana skin 尬事�(zhn)?/p>
例句QThe proposed tax changes are likely to prove a banana skin for
the government.
中的E务变动很可能给政府带来�穷后?zhn)?/p>
?To learn more expressions, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Pre-movie adverts
l荧屏“限o”叫停电(sh)�插播告之后Q银上贴�q告的经营�在岁末被明归属。国家广甉|d日前�台��于�q电(sh)影制�行上映协�展的�意见》中明确表示Q�(chung)�告的l营��步回归到��制�不�经营�(chung)�告?/p>
Pre-movie adverts(也叫cinema advertising)Q就是��(chung)�告”�“随�告”，是��业品广告�企业形象告与�一同拷贝，在电(sh)影放�前播出�告?/p>
?sh)��带告按其表现�式来_一般�显性和隐性广告两c�R�Dominant advertising(显性广?主要以电(sh)�的pre-movie adverts(贴�q�)ZQ而recessive advertisement(隐性广?则以?sh)�的product placement(植�式广?Z?/p>
For example:
Cinemas in China may be prohibited from screening pre-movie adverts after the fi lm’s start time printed on tickets, according to a draft law on movie promotion.
�(gu)《电(sh)�业�q�(征求意见E?》，�国?sh)�不�在向观众�C��?sh)��旉之后放�贴�q告?/p>
对���大受众咱老百姓来_新政{到底是能把TV Commercial(p�q�)数量控制在一个合理�畴Q还是在强力打压下其变相生长�变本�厉地闯q�们�cultural life(�生活)Q这才是关键问题?/p>
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]]>Live and let live
We are only passing through, and since this government is a government led by a God-fearing leader who believes in God, why do we not agree, starting with this house, that we should adopt a policy of live and let live?
My comments:
“Live and let live?is the age-old idiom that literally means you should live your own life as you see fi t and let others live theirs as they want to.
There are many ways to interpret this, but, generally speaking, this line of philosophy advocates mutual tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
To elaborate, life off ers a wide variety of pleasures and opportunities, which generates vastly diff erent lifestyles in diff erent countries, societies and sometimes within the same cultures and communities.
Each person has his/her own reasons for, and ideologies about, living they way they do. Hence, to enjoy our lives the way we want to, we should allow others to do the same, even though their lifestyles may appear totally bizarre to us.
Otherwise, there’d be no peace.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>1. apple of one’s eye 掌上��、��宝?�人极为珍q人或�?
例句QGrandfather always made the most fuss over Gillian. She is the apple of his eye.
父L极��爱吉林恩��(gu)他的掌上��?/p>
2. apples and oranges 风马牛不相及的事�?/p>
例句QMen and women are like apples and oranges.
男h和女人是完�不同�?/p>
3. rotten apple 坏家伙、害之?/p>
例句QHe’s a rotten apple.
他是一个讨厌的家伙?/p>
4. upset the apple cart 搞�或毁坏某事物
例句QTom really upset the apple cart by telling Mary the truth about Jane.
汤�珍妮�实情况告诉�丽�他可真把事情l搞怺�?/p>
5. an apple of discord 争端Q祸?/p>
例句QI sense an apple of discord between you two.
我感觉�们俩不和?/p>
6. dead sea apple 不可���就Qo人失望的事情
例句QThis proposal sounds perfect, but it will be dead sea apple if we
don’t do it exactly right.
q个计划听v来很完美Q�果我们不�实执行，一��是一场空?/p>
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]]>A “stress puppy?is a person who thrives on stress but complains about it constantly.
压力狗�是�为压力而�长��又因承受不�力l日抱怨�像小狗一样呜呜叫�h?/p>
They are always in a hurry, never have spare time, have anger explosions for the slightest provocation and are, frankly, just miserable people to live with.
他们L�忙忙Q从来都没有I�d�Ȁ也会触怒他们�说实在�Q跟他们生活很?zhn)惨?/p>
People with this type of personality need to be conscious of the fact that the underlying reason why they are always stressed has to do with the way that they manage their lives. Stress is not an objective, independent entity but rather is something perceived in the mind of the person who experiences the stress. If someone suffers from stress not caused by dealing with the impact of a major life-changing event, but rather about the day-to-day grind of dealing with life, he needs to learn how to cope with stress and manage it.
q种性格�h要意�他们��感和他们经营生zȝ�式有关——压力不是一个客观独立的实体Q而是人��感知。如果压力不是来自重大�命转折事gQ而只是来自日常生zM�行事务�那�q个人就要学学如何应对压力�?/p>
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]]>Swiss cheese
And that means there’s no conditionality. They’re not conditional on receiving technology or fi nancing. There’re no trap doors. There’s no Swiss cheese in that kind of an agreement.
Swiss cheese is a kind of cheese that has large holes in it. Well, not all Swiss cheeses have holes in them, but what Switzerland is famous for in the cheese department is this fi rm pale yellow kind, the kind with large holes.
Hence, the long and short of it is that Swiss cheese gets to stand for, figuratively speaking, holes, or loopholes, as in laws which allow you to avoid doing what you’re supposed to do.
Another media example (Volcker: Rule is no Swiss cheese, Cityam.com, June 22, 2010):
White House economic adviser Paul Volcker has told US lawmakers they should not allow his proposed Volcker rule limiting risky trading by banks to become fi lled with holes.
“He has told several people, including some lawmakers, that he does not want the Volcker rule to look like Swiss cheese.?/p>
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Freemale
A freemale is a woman who opts for a single life, valuing friendships rather than pursuing extended romantic relationships. Some freemales also choose to live childfree, choosing not to have children for a variety of reasons, while others decide to become single mothers.
自由x选择单生活Q不q求长期恋爱关系而更重�谊的女性。有些�由女会�于种U原�选择不要孩子Q而有些会选择做单母二Ӏ?/p>
There are a variety of reasons to choose to live as a single woman, including a desire for an unencumbered lifestyle, the rising divorce rate and an inclination for asexuality. The freemale demographic is very intriguing from a real estate perspective. Single women are putting pressure on housing markets to provide homes that are comfortable for single women living alone.
x选择单��有很多Q对�羁l生zL式的向往Q越来越高的d率�~Z性欲�{。房_�对这U�由女性非常感�趣。因为需要ؓ单nx提供单独��适住房�房地产市场�力也大大增加?/p>
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]]>1. a bag of bones 骨瘦如柴�h
例句QIf you don’t eat more you’ll soon be a bag of bones.
�要�不多吃些，真�变得骨瘦如柴�?/p>
2. be as dry as a bone 燥极�口渴极?/p>
例句QLet’s stop for a drink. I’m as dry as a bone.
�停下来喝点什么吧Q��子干得直冒烟?/p>
3. be bone idle 懒到家�到极点�
例句QThe boy has a good enough brain but he’s bone idle and won’t
study.
q个男孩脑子十���是懒惰成性�不肯学�?/p>
4. close to the bone q乎下流的、卑鄙的
例句Q?Some of his jokes were a bit close to the bone.
他的有些W话q乎下流?/p>
5. bone of contention 争论�?/p>
例句QThe division of their father’s property is their bone of contention.
父亲�产��问题是他们争吵��?/p>
6. feel in your bones 直觉地意�Q从��(?感到
例句QShe felt in her bones that she would succeed.
她坚信自p�成功?/p>
7. bone up 刻苦用功M
例句QI must bone up on my French before we go to Paris.
在我们去巴黎之前Q��刻苦学�法语?/p>
—To learn more expressions, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>11?8日�q电(sh)d正式下发《〈广播电(sh)�告播出管�法〉的补��》，�闻已�“限o”终于得到证实。《�》�定，�?012??日vQ�国��?sh)�播出?sh)�Ӟ每集?sh)�中间不得�以Q何Ş式插播广告?/p>
Ban on all TV stations airing commercials�是TV commercials ban(限广?Q这一新��?012??日take into effect(开始实�?。�国各TV stations(?sh)�?�重新�节目安排Q取消在TV dramas(?sh)�?播放时插播�种q告Q违�出机��到stern punishment(严��)?/p>
China’s top broadcasting watchdog has ordered a national ban on all TV stations airing commercials during TV dramas.
国家电(sh)dq日颁�限o”，�在全国��?sh)�播出?sh)�Ӟ止插播告?/p>
lcutback on TV entertainment(限娱?之后Q广甉|d紧接着又重招_�台TV commercials ban(限广?Q对?sh)�业q行�和整�W合q大观众的利益和愿望。据�Q大多数观众�支持这一oQ一些支持�C�每次看电(sh)�时被告打断Q极大地破坏viewing experience(�体�)?/p>
同时QTV commercials ban(限广?不�只限制电(sh)�中插播�q告Q更应该寚w些涉嫌违法违�fake advertising(虚假�)、sexrelated commercials(色�q�){进行整和�?/p>
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]]>Two-pizza teams
“Two-pizza teams?is the concept of keeping a team small enough that it can be fed with two pizzas. That means being small enough for every member to make a noticeable contribution. The team requires interdependence, a common objective and a single criterion of success.
“双比萨团队”，是说让团队保持在两个比萨能让队员�q�。团队要到让每个成员都能做�显著的贡献Qƈ且相互依赖，有共同目�以及l一��功��?/p>
If you’re working in a group of more than 15 people, you’re fighting human nature. The number of group members varies from three to 12 or 15, and is likely optimal at around 10.
如果�在一个大?5人�队里工作，�就是在和hcL性对抗。团队�员数量可以是3?2或?5个�最佳��员数量�?0个?/p>
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]]>Sit on its hands
The Fed’s extraordinary intervention should impress upon the European Central Bank, as well as its paymasters in Germany, that it is high time it stopped sitting on its hands.
My comments:
Children in kindergarten are sometimes asked to literally sit on their hands while listening to the teacher in class. With their hands thus unable to move, they’re much less likely to play with their hands, let alone fi ht one another.
Hence, to sit on one’s hands suggests fi guratively means someone just sits there, remains idle and does nothing in, say, a time of crisis when he should be taking action.
In the above example, Germany is accused of having been sitting on its hands ?that is, of inaction, when it is clearly expected to have done something to ease the euro crisis.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Holidates
Holidates is one way of advertising for temporary boyfriends and girlfriends to accompany one during the holidays. The relationships are terminated at the end of the holidays.
节日U会是用告征(f)时男友�奛_度�q在�l束时终l�pȝ�U方式?/p>
Two unnamed American women created one ad that read: “We need two guys (preferably two in a bromance to match our womance) to stick around for the holidays. Our love will be fake, but epic. We want to make everyone jealous.?/p>
两位国匿名x发��个广告：“�们需要两位男?最好是关系特别好�们Q可以和�们俩姐妚w�?共度节日。�们�����像史诗般l烂。�们要让所有h艳M我们。?/p>
If you’re single and too busy for full-time boyfriends, holidates is one way of warding off a nosey mother’s interrogations as to, “Why haven’t you got a boyfriend??/p>
是�Q如果�单且忙到没时间找全职男友Q节日约会是一U躲避妈妈不休地q问“�Z么还没有h友？”的好方法?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>1. give/lend an ear to someone 們某h��?常用以表C同�?
例句QHe tried to give a sympathetic ear to the patient.
他极力怀着同情�(zhn)�叙述?/p>
2. fall on deaf ears 未被�、未受重?/p>
例句QMy advice always seems to fall on deaf ears.
我的好像L没h听?/p>
3. talk one’s ear off 喋喋不休QQ叨个不停
例句QAll I wanted was a chance to read my book, but my seatmate
talked my ear off .
我巴不得�有Z看书Q���桌却��叨叨地说个不停?/p>
4. make a pig’s ear of 把事情搞得很p�
例句QHe made a pig’s ear (out) of repairing my car.
他把我的车修得一团糟?/p>
5. have big ears x、消�灵通；爱打听别人�?/p>
例句QHe can’t help having big ears.
他ȝ打听别h�?/p>
6. all eyes and ears 聚精会�
例句QA detective must be all eyes and all ears.
一个侦探�ȝ观�路�耛_八方?/p>
7. grin from ear to ear 咧着嘴笑、笑逐颜开
例句QWhen he was told he won fi rst prize, he grinned from ear to ear.
当他被告知自己得�{奖Ӟ他咧开嘴笑�?/p>
8. play it by ear 随机应变、见?/p>
例句QIn dealing with that unpredictable man, you simply can’t follow a
prearranged plan. You have to play it by ear.
和那个捉怸定的人打交道Q�直�法按�计划行事Q只好�
行应变?/p>
9. ears prick up 竖vx仔��?/p>
例句QHis ears pricked up when they mentioned the salary.
当他们提到工�Q他立刻注意h?/p>
?To learn more expressions, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>1. have/got one’s hands full 很忙Q应接不�?/p>
Three emergency cases came into the hospital at the same time and the doctors really had their hands full.
三个急诊病h被同旉到医院Q医生们真是应接不暇?/p>
2. be up to one’s neck 忙得不可开?/p>
I can’t possibly come out tonight, I’m up to my neck in work.
今晚我不可能出来Q��作忙得不可开交?/p>
3. be as busy as a bee 忙忙碌Q忙dzȝ�
He was as busy as a bee trying to put the house in order.
他ؓ�把家里�整整齐齐，忙�一阵子?/p>
4. busy as a beaver 忙得团团?/p>
He is working so hard that he is as busy as a beaver.
他没日没夜地工作Q看h很忙?/p>
5. be tied up 被�用�很�
I’ll be tied up for the rest of the week, I am afraid.
q个星期我恐怕�抽不�时间?/p>
6. in the middle of something 正忙于某?/p>
I’m in the middle of something. Could you call back later?
我现在很忙，�能q�l�打电(sh)话吗Q?/p>
7. irons in the fi re 要做��?/p>
Don’t put too many irons in the fi re.
不要揽事太多?/p>
?To learn more expressions, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>The Ikea eff ect
“The Ikea eff ect?is when people buy and then construct products themselves, then develop an attachment or sense of pride to this object.
The Ikea effect leads people to value things that they assemble, customize or build themselves more than pre-made, fi nished goods.
“宜家效应”指Z自己购买动手制作品时Q会产生对该产品的依恋感�自豪感。“宜家效应”让Z珍��己l��定制或建��西多�些��做好��品?/p>
People are making a mistake; they believe they want to avoid labor, but they really like doing it more than they thought than they would. There’s something about imbuing a product with your own labor that makes you come to overvalue it.
Z犯�个错误�他们认ؓ�己会设法避免劳作，�实际上h们比�己惌�喜欢制作东西。把自己�力灌输到一件品上会让人�倍重�件东ѝ?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Casing the joint
Had your fill of the summer’s parching rays? If not, perhaps your skin would beg to differ. The reason why aging is so intimidating isn’t because it appears to sneak up on you like a fi rst-rate mugger. In reality, aging is more like a savvy bank robber who’s spent months casing the joint.
My comments:
“Casing the joint?is an American idiom describing the criminal activity of thieves and robbers. Joint is slang for a place, especially a meeting place. The pub on the corner, for instance, is a familiar joint. To case the joint is to look the place over, thoroughly examine it before going ahead with one’s plans to, say, ransack it. A case completely wraps up what’s inside, hence the idea that to “case?the joint is to “thoroughly?examine it, fi nding out every piece of information about the place.
To say that in reality, aging is “more like a savvy bank robber who’s spent months casing the joint?is to say that aging is a slow process.
It doesn’t happen all of a sudden. It is a gradual process. In fact, it is something that has been happening all the time.
And, yet, it happens so slowly that people often don’t notice it ?until it’s too late.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>People who have been surfing the Internet for a long time may have dozens of avatars that they’ve created over the years, but more often than not, they say that the fi rst avatar you create is the most like yourself.
It’s also common for people to create an avatar who is the opposite of themselves, a virtual alter ego. Either way, when we create a character instinctually, it reveals enormous amounts about our sensitivities, personality and priorities. That is called avatar personality.
淯|络怹�h们大概�会有q��个头像Q不q�Q�选的W一个头像是最像�自己�还有h喜欢用跟�己形象完�不同�像，展现虚拟�一个自己。不怎么��们凭着直觉�徏头像Ӟ�会反应�我们�感度、个性以及喜好。这是“头像性格”?/p>
A micro blog post that defi nes aura fi elds for diff erent types of avatars has gone viral. It goes like this: A woman with a weak aura field will most likely have an avatar of a mighty female, a woman with a strong aura field will use her own photo as avatar; a man with a strong aura field usually chooses comic fi gures as his avatar, while a weak man’s avatar often is a photo of himself.
一则鉴定微博头像气场的D子被疯狂{发：气场不强�人�头像往往是个气场很强�妞；气场强大�人�头像一般是真相Q气场强大�hQ头像一般是动O人物Q气Z强�hQ头像是真相?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Wolf dad
萧百佑，香港�hQ�U?ldquo;中国狼爸”Q用“?rdquo;�育方式，�个孩子送进北大?ldquo;国虎�”已让西方人大面积质疑Q以“?rdquo;为法宝的“中国狼爸”Q�ơ掀起对中国国教育模式的讨论?/p>
Stick parenting是?ldquo;棒教育”Q这是自U_?ldquo;wolf dad(狼爸)”�港�百佑所推�一U教育��c去红极一时的国“tiger mom(虎�)”已经�到西方C会的普遍质疑，而萧百佑�?ldquo;‘wolf dad’ approach(狼爸教育)”引v公众对education techniques(教育方�)��ơ讨论?/p>
After the roars of a “tiger mom”, a “wolf dad” again stirred controversy on “stick parenting”.
l?ldquo;虎�”热潮之后Q?ldquo;狼爸”再一ơ激起���“棒教育”�论?/p>
“Wolf dad(狼爸)”�traditional Chinese education(中国�统国学教育)和�ql验相结合�以极�彪(zhn)的教育手法?个儿奛_L�品学g且知书达�好孩子，�中三个孩子相北京大学录取����“一门三北大”�qV?/p>
Stick parenting(棒教育)引vC会各界的反响和争论Q学�认ؓ在这U教育方式下��一大学�子可能会有某种personality disorders(人格障�)Q律师警告这U教育方式有可能q反有�domestic violence(家庭暴�)和child abuse(儿童虐�)�律?/p>
— To learn more hot words, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Thanksgiving Third Degree
If you’re single, the pressures of going home on Thanksgiving Day can make you sick with anxiety. Because, no matter how much therapy you jammed into your schedule leading up to the big weekend, one can never be prepared for the Thanksgiving Third Degree, probing questions, insolent comments and looks of pity, that invariably come as aside order to the turkey.
如果�单w�那么感恩节回家�(f)�力会让�很不安。因为�Zؓ卛_�来�个长周末���节目�面对家中�感恩节逼婚”环节，�却永远不知道该如何应对。那些试探性�题、无��h(hun)q有惋���像是感恩节桌上火鸡��一栗?/p>
The following are the most frequently asked questions in the Thanksgiving Third Degree:
以下是“感恩节逼婚”环节最帔R到��个问题Q?/p>
Question 1: Is there a special someone we should know about whom you’re hiding back at home?
是不是有个什么特Dh物�藏着不让我们见啊Q?/p>
Question 2: What are you waiting for? Maybe you’re just being too picky.
�还在等什么呢Q是不是�太挑���
Question 3: There must be something wrong. Are you depressed?
肯定是哪儿不对劲Q�是不是抑郁���
Question 4: Aren’t you worried you’re going to give your parents/grandparents a heart attack?
�不担����(�L奶奶)会因此得��Q?/p>
Question 5: Have you considered seeing a professional matchmaker?
有没有�q�专业的婚介机�试呢Q?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Irish Goodbye
An Irish Goodbye is when a person leaves a bar or party or other gathering surreptitiously, without saying goodbye to anyone.
The Irish Goodbye could be a furtive sneak out the back door, “running out to get something from the car?and not returning, a trip to the bathroom that never ends, and so on. Basically, the Irish Goodbye is when you want to get away without the awkwardness or emotions of an actual goodbye or kiss on the cheek.
偷偷从后门溜走、“去车里取东襎쀝然后一M回�以及去趟卫生间就消失不见{行为都属于“爱�式告别”。基本上Q采用这U告别Ş式是Z�免尬Q���_发告别时�lv伏以及面颊吻别等客套CD?/p>
There’s no definitive explanation of how the Irish Goodbye got its name.
One theory holds that the Irish Goodbye originated during the Potato Famine of 1845-1852, when many Irish fl ed their homeland for the United States. At the time, distance and technology meant that when someone went to America, they were gone forever and it was unlikely they would ever again speak to or see friends or family back home. The departure was sudden and absolute.
关于“爱�式告别”这个表辄来源Q倒是没有一个明�法?/p>
有h说这个短语来源�1845Q?852爱�大饥荒时期，很多爱尔�Ch从家乡�国。当Ӟ两国�dU技手段意味着一旦去�国�他们是永远dQ不会�有机会跟家乡�人和朋友联络。这U告别是H然又�然�?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>free rein
They seek a new career in which they can give free rein to the desire to manage and dominate others.
http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn/showQuestion. action?qid=1291321247
My comments:
“Rein?refers to the long band of leather fastened around a horse’s head to control it. Hence, to “rein the horse in? you pull the reins to make the horse go slowly.
To have “free rein? therefore, is to have complete freedom to do what you want. To give “free rein to the desire?to manage and dominate others is to be able to freely act on that desire.
Whether or not they can fi nd such a career that satisfi es their “desire to manage and dominate others? however, is quite another matter altogether.
I mean, dominate others? Why do you want to do that?
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Cheapskate
A cheapskate is a stingy person who buys cheap things rather than higher-quality pricier items, even though they can aff ord the more expensive goods. Perhaps they try to not spend much on their friends.
The word isn’t particularly off ensive and is often intended to ridicule in a light-hearted manner.
Cheapskate�里有钱却仍然攑ּ�质货品转而购买廉�L品的“吝啬鬼”。他们可能没什么�意，只是不�意在朋友上花太多钱Q有时也是一U轻杄自嘲?/p>
The term is of North American origin. Skate began to appear in print in the United States at the end of the 19th century. It has several meanings, including a mean or contemptible person and a second-rate sportsman. Cheap was added later to refer to a person’s tightfi sted nature rather than any of his other perceived inadequacies.
q个词来源于北美。Skateq个说�19世纪末期�现于美国�多指刻�鄙的hQ��的q动员。前面�上cheap则表C某人“手紧”的本性�与他后天形成的其他缺�(gu)兟?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Costume shot
APEC大家庭一一ơ��家福”合影是_最抢眼�景�多年来��人合影时到底要穿什么�式的衣服Q就成�前�新闻媒体所兛_�热炚w题之一。�刚闭的2011APEC与会�人在夏威h��家福”合影�而此ơ拍摄合q�人ƈ没像往那栯n着当地特色��l服饰?/p>
据外甉|道，国ȝ奥巴马表CAPEC_上的�costume shot(“�家福”服�)不�成ؓ����costume shot是指a “family photo?in some garb representative of the host country.
US President Barack Obama, as the host this year, packed away for good the two-decade tradition of having the group pose for a “family photo?in some garb representative of the host country.
作ؓ今年APEC_的东道主Q美国ȝ奥巴马表C�_�?0来�w穿丑֊国当地特色�l服饰拍摄“�家福”的惯例?/p>
奥巴马在Asia- Pacifi c Economic Cooperation (APEC) 19th informal leadership meeting (APECW十?ji)次�人非正式会?闭幕后召开?/p>
记�上回{提问时表示Q他希望能打��l，虽然发给每位�人Hawaiian shirts(夏威夯衬衫)Q�有�他们�在“family photo?合�)时穿上?/p>
?To learn more hot words, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>teetotaler
Teetotalism refers to either the practice of or the promotion of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages. A person who practices (and possibly advocates) teetotalism is called a teetotaler or is simply said to be teetotal.
酒M�(teetotalism)�行�推广止饮用酒精饮料的做法，实践(或提?酒M的h叫做teetotaler(滴酒不沾�hQ��h??/p>
Some common reasons for choosing to be a teetotaler are related to religion, health, family, or social and, sometimes, simply a matter of taste or preference. When at drinking establishments, teetotallers either abstain from drinking or consume nonalcoholic beverages, such as tea, coff ee, water, juice, soft drinks and mocktails.
选择做��h士常见的原因多与宗教、健店家庭、肠�及社会问题有养I有时也可能只是�为口味��选择不喝酒。在一些饮酒的场合Q��h士或�免参与，��选择一些不含酒_饮料Q比如茶、咖啡、白水、果汁、Y饮以及不含酒_鸡尾酒等?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>�时代
PS generation describes the phenomenon that many people would like to polish their photos to perfection with Photoshop software before uploading them to social networking websites or micro blogs, which may show others a manmade beautiful image but might also become a target of online mocking. And frequent use of Photoshop may also lead to a tendency of pretence in daily life, keeping everything real to oneself and pretending to be someone else all the time.
“假面时代?PS generation)专指多数人���PS软g�q�才上�到C交|站�微博等|络q_。假面时代除�人展CZ��丽外表�有时q有可能成ؓ|友恶搞的对象。而�惯伪���背后Q很多h更开始伪��qa谈D止�把真实的自己隐藏hQ整天以�CZh?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>bear the brunt of
I have tried to make this point clear today because you have to work on the front lines, bearing the brunt of all difficulties.
My comments:
“Brunt?is the principal force of an attack or the greater part of a burden.
The point being made “clear today?is that “because you have to work on the front lines?(handling day-to-day tasks), you get to face all the difficulties or “bear the brunt?(the most diffi cult part) of them.
The front lines, of course, are where real battles are fought, where blood is actually shed. In a way, that’s where the brunt of the burden of fighting a war really lies.
Come to think of it, if all warmongers are forced to send their own sons and daughters to the front lines, and better yet, if all politicians who wage wars are themselves forced to fight in the front lines, there’d be no wars. Or many fewer of them at any rate.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
?To ask a question about learning English, please go to http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>中国伦�会�孝专业文化委员会计划用五年旉Q在全国培养百�4?岁的中华孝子，q倡议天下父母要从培d子有孝�Qؓ孩子做孝道榜�?/p>
Filial piety是“孝道”，由儒家创始h孔子提出Qƈ提倡�filial piety is one of the virtues to be held above all else(癑֖孝ؓ�?Q强调the responsibility to care for, respect and obey parents(照顾、尊敬�Z父母之责)?/p>
The special committee of fi lial piety under the China National Association for Ethical Studies announced on Sunday that it aims to help 1 million children between the ages of 4 and 6 learn about fi lial piety, which is deeply rooted in China’s traditional culture.
中国伦�会�孝专业文化委员会周日宣���力于帮?00��4岁到6岁之间��童学�中国�统文化中�道?/p>
q个百�孝子工E计划培d�100�fi lial children(孝�)Q尽original intention(初衷)很好Q�否真�培养出孝子，�得而知�?/p>
q年来�中国�统文化日益受到重�发扬�例如让学生穿上traditional Han costumes(汉服)QD行coming-of-age ceremony(成hC?Q给�学�子D行first writing ceremony(开W礼){?/p>
?To learn more hot words, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>Sleep debt is the cumulative eff ect of not getting enough sleep over time. A large sleep debt may lead to mental and physical fatigue.
睡�负?sleep debt)�期睡�不生�响。睡�负�可能会D�_�n体疲惫?/p>
There are presumed to be two kinds of sleep debt, caused by partialsleep deprivation or total sleep deprivation. Partial sleep deprivation occurs when a person sleeps too little for many days or weeks. Total sleep deprivation means being kept awake for days or weeks.
睡�负债�源有两U：部��不�和整体睡�不�前�一个hq箋�天或�周每天都睡很短�Q后���个hq箋�天或�周不合眼?/p>
A long-term sleep debt may cause emotional upheaval, compromise work performance, and weaken memory, alertness, attention and judgment. It may also speed up the ageing process and lead to disease.
长期�睡�负债�况中�不���l、工作表现、还会减低记�、警觉性、注意力和判断力、ƈ且加速老化Q甚臛_发其��?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>The Mute Age
Talking to a colleague sitting next to you through instant messaging instead of vocal communication; mass texting friends and relatives with downloaded festival greetings instead of calling them in person; e-mailing work reports to your boss without worrying about getting punched in the face and saving printing resources for your company at the same time. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Yes, this is what we are doing every day. We’ve entered the mute age.
跟邻桌同事商量事情不用�口�而用MSN之类�天工逢年q�亲朋好友问候，不�用昂�镉K电(sh)话，�(gu)��发网上下载的福短信Q工作�也不�费公司U�油墨、不��板脸色Q一�件统l搞定。以上描q�q些场景�觉得�(zhn)吗Q对Q这是我们每天都在做的事情。�们已l进��默声”时代?/p>
?To learn more buzzwords, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn.
]]>cross one’s path
They steal, they rob, they swindle; no one dares to cross their path.
http://translate.chinadaily.com.cn/showQuestion.action?qid=1291322681
My comments:
If you cross the street, you go from one side of it to the other. If you cross someone’s path, hence, you encounter that person and see him face to face while crossing the route along which he is walking.
“They steal, they rob, they swindle”? “They?sound like gangsters or, figuratively speaking, Wall Street bankers. Both are powerful people.
They’re bullies.“No one dares to cross their path??nobody dares to confront them, to stand in their way to stop them or to say what they’re doing is wrong.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>Four months ago, my girlfriend and I broke up.
四个月前Q�和��朋友��?/p>
2. break down _崩�/毁坏
The machine might break down at this busy hour.
正忙的时候，机器偏偏又坏�?/p>
3. break in 破门而�
Robbers often break in at midnight.
强盗l常在半夜�门而�?/p>
4. break out 出皮?�
The baby broke out in a rash.
婴孩全nZ��疏V?/p>
5. break through H�/I�
The sun broke through the clouds.
太阳冲破云层�来�?/p>
6. break the ice 打�僵局/破冰
The host told a joke to his guest to break the ice.
MhZ�破僵局Q给客h讲�笑话?/p>
7. break the bank 太贵
Come on! One evening at the theater won’t break the bank.
得啦! 看一晚上�不会們֮荡的?/p>]]>
Weibo Refutes Rumors是新浪“微博辟谣”频道��法Q也可以U_ؓrumor refutal?/p>
For example:
Sina said it has created a separate channel dubbed “Weibo Refutes Rumors?to spread denials of false information. It announced an e-mail address for users to send reports of possible falsehoods.
新浪|表C已创徏单独�微博辟谣”频道�告知用户哪些是虚假信息。新还专设�D报邮�供用户D报疑D��。谣a散�体常称为rumor mill(谣言工厂Q�a�?。Rumor也可以直接作动词Q比�It is rumored that she has committed suicide.(据�闻�她已自杀亡?微�(microblog)属于一UWe-Media(自媒?。在微博发展q�中�微博抄袭现象大量存在Q微博版�仉频�玎ͼq被U_ؓcopy culture(复制�)。微博不��信息�播��儿Q更是“微博问攎쀝的利器。�微博不��140个字Q而两人在路上偉�Q停下来闲聊不�140U就U_ؓmicrovisit(微访)?/p>]]>
They have also been publicity ornaments used by local offi cials to boost their standing.
My comments:
Tribute is the thing to grasp here. Tribute projects pay tribute to something, i.e. praise something. Or in other words, such projects are meant to be a tribute to something or someone. They make a city or region, or more likely its leader look good.
Or, in Chinese vernacular, “image projects? In other words, a project may cost a lot of money and may not be all that useful or essential to improving the livelihood of the people but it is a big project and, supposedly, will help improve the city’s public image, whatever that is.
More importantly, it supposedly will make city offi cials look good when they talk about it in the newspaper.
And don’t forget the money. Money plays a big role in tribute projects, which are usually funded by the tax payer.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>来多的h喜欢在汽车后H�贴各cd释��。不同个性�主Q所展示�然是不同��q些��图案�在一起其实就是一U文化，即“后H文化”?/p>
There are diff erent types of posters people like to put on their rear windows. Some warn the vehicles driving behind them, with statements such as “Don’t follow me, I lost my way too? “Baby in car?and “Stop pursuing, I’m married?
后窗��有很多种。有�于R距警C类Q如“别跟着我，�也q\�、“R里有孩”、“别q�Q本人已婚”等?/p>
Some are just make jokes of themselves, such as “Newbie on road, no threatening please? “Oops, I don’t know which one is the brake pedal? or “After you?
有些�是自我��Q如“新手上路�止恐吓”、“�底哪个板板是刹RQ”、“新手龟速，�走先⋯⋯”等?/p>]]>
The purpose of an exit interview is to gather employees?feedback on the work experience in order to improve working conditions and retain employees. Other uses for exit interviews include improving work productivity, providing an early warning about sexual harassment, workplace violence and discrimination issues and measuring the success of diversity initiatives.
辞职面试的目�攉员工工作l历�馈信息�由此改�作环�q留住员工。�他目�括�提高工作效�Q对性骚扰、职场暴力以及歧�为提���衡量各类_D措��效?/p>
Common questions include reasons for leaving, job satisfaction, frustrations and feedback concerning company policies or procedures.
Questions may relate to the work environment, supervisors, compensation, the work itself and the company culture.
辞职面试中常见的问题有�辞职原因Q工作满意度Q对公司政策�工作流E的不满和反馈等。多与工作环�上司、补贴、本职工作以及�司�有��?/p>]]>
Whatever you think is fi ne with me.
随�怎么�I��所谓?/p>
2. give a damn 不在? 不感兴趣(永远用于否定形�)
He couldn’t give a damn whether he passes the exam or not.
他对�及格与否满不在乎?/p>
3. suit yourself 随��Q按自己�愿行?/p>
You don’t want to join the club? Oh well, suit yourself.
�不�意参��部是? 那好Q随��吧?/p>
4. I don’t care 我不在�
I don’t care what she thinks.
我不她怎么惟�?/p>
5. do whatever you want 爱咋咋地
I have no doubt about that. You can always do whatever you want.
我对此毫不怀疑，�想做的事，L能做到?/p>
6. as you wish/if you want 随�?/p>
As for your department’s plan, you can change as you wish.
至于�们部门�划，�愿意怎么改就怎么改吧?/p>
7. whatever 他�?/p>
I totally have no idea how to fi le my tax return, whatever.
我完�不知道该怎么报税Q唉Q随便啦?/p>]]>
Cutback on TV entertainment 是�限�o”，也可以用cap the amount of entertainment programs来表q?/p>
For example:
China has issued a cutback on TV entertainment, which will limit the number of entertainment programs, including everything from matchmaking game shows to dance broadcasts.
中国颁�限�o”。中国��婚恋交友及舞林大赛{在�?sh)��节目数量做出限制?/p>
今后Q地方卫��作更多的morality-building programming(道dc节�?Q宣�traditional virtues(�统道d)和socialist core values(C会M��D�)?/p>
?sh)�在制作节目时不�只�audience viewing fi gures(收��?。在prime time(�时段)�乐节目数量大���其是那些excessive entertainment(q���)和low taste(低味)�目�包括matchmaking programs(婚恋交友c?、talent contests(才艺竞秀c?Qtalk shows(访谈脱U)和reality shows(真hU){节目?/p>]]>
after 1980.
“穿式聚会”指�C会多年?0后一代D办的一U新式同学聚会?/p>
Participants take a photo showing a “version 1.0?of themselves ?that is, a photo of themselves taken during their school days. Everyone poses for a new photo replicating the old as closely as possible. They will often wear the same clothes, strike the same pose and stand with the same people as in the original. The experience takes them back to the “good old days?
同学聚会上，他们要“�1.0版的自己合�。每带�学生时代���场。穿着与��相同的�服，摆相同的姿势Q��相同的�个h一聚会现场拿着当年����拍一�。仿?jng)时光穿回C�前?/p>]]>
off the beaten track
Journalists travel off the beaten track to give news a diff erent perspective.
My comments:
The “beaten track?is the road most people travel by. In the beginning, there is no road. Gradually, people create tracks by beating them into the ground with their feet as they walk ?hence, the term, “the beaten track?
To go off this track is to go sideways, like a train going off the rail. Well, no one wants to see a train go off the rail. But for journalists, this term means they do not copy one another’s work. They look for new angles, do their own investigations and dig out hidden materials and, thus, give news a “diff erent perspective?
In other words, they do not write the same old stories that everyone else has already done. The same old boring stuff , that is.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>“午饭恐惧�是|络盛行的流行词�一Q主要“症状”表_ؓQ不知�什么好Q更不知道该跟谁吃?/p>
Many employees have to go out for lunch because their companies don’t have canteens. “Where??and “what??become two of the most spoken words at the time. What’s more, some employees are not as sociable and spend lunchtime alone. For them, lunchtime is not interesting but, rather embarrassing.
很多单位没有食�Q员工需要在外面解决午饭。于是�“去哪里”和“吃什么”已l��多h午饭旉�定对白。另外，有些员工�ؓ无法融入团体Q只能选择在午饭时间单独用。原本很期�午休时间不�那么美好�甚至让他们有些尴?/p>]]>
She screwed up and had to do it all over again.
�(gu)事情搞��只得重新再做?/p>
2. goof up 出大错，把⋯⋯搞?/p>
Don’t goof up.
别出岔子?/p>
3. blow it 搞�
Why did you blow it?
�怎么搞砸?
4. play the devil with 把⋯⋯搞?/p>
The delay on the track has played the devil with the train timetable.
铁\U上的这ơ误点已严重打ؕ��车�q行时刻?/p>
5. ruin it 搞�Q��?/p>
She poured water all over my painting and ruined it.
�(gu)水倒在我整�上，把画全毁�?/p>
6. foul up 搞�
Our plans were fouled up by the bad weather.
我们�划被坏天气�坏�?/p>
7. make a hash of ��
They’ve made a hash of their financial aff airs.
他们把�q财务搞得一团糟?/p>]]>
Civility monitor group字面意思ؓ“文明监督队”，�实是最q北京市倡导�市民劝导队”?/p>
For example:
The “civility monitor group,?unlike law enforcement offi cials, will try to stop uncivilized behavior through reasoning and gentle words.
与执法h员不同��“文明监督队?即“市民劝导队?���引导�式阻止不文明行ؓ?/p>
他们�要职责是Qasking residents to stop uncivilized behavior(��停止不文明行?Qpatrolling communities for security(C安�巡?Q?trying to resolve disputes between residents(化解�矛盾)Qhelping residents in need(�互助)Q以?promoting laws and rules(宣�法律法�){?/p>
Civility多指“礼仪�客套”，?do business with civility(��l商)。�看一个例句�We exchanged a few civilities.(我们怺寒暄��句?/p>]]>
Lockout�是NBA�停�。“NBA停摆”是NBA�有名词，指��为�U原��成体育联赛暂停的局面?/p>
For example:
The NBA has already canceled its pre-season and the first two weeks of the regular season because of the protracted lockout and the two sides are scheduled to meet with federal mediator George Cohen on Tuesday.
�停��g长�NBA已经取消��季前赛和头两周��Q双方定于周二同联邦�员乔?U恩会面。这ơ“停�的主要原�是labor dispute(劌U�纷)。因ơ停摆�NBA已经取消�赛季的pre-season games(季前?和头两周的regular season games(常�??/p>]]>
Fuel collar refers to those either in the travel industry or who very regularly travel as a part of their job, such as door to door salesmen, field salesmen, airline pilots, etc. They spend the bulk of their time traveling, consuming a lot of fuel.
Fuel collar(沚w�)�些就职于旅游行业��作经帔R要�行的人�例如Q�h销员、区域销售员�行员{。他们大部�都在�中度�Q会耗费大量燃a。由此得名ؓfuel collar?/p>
For example:
Her boyfriend is a fuel collar. He works for an airline company and travels a lot.
她男朋友是个沚w�他在航I公司工作，L出差?/p>]]>
墨西哥徏{师日前设计�座深入地下达300c�65层“摩地大楼”，令h叹ؓ观止。这座“倒字塔”位于墨西哥城的市中�如此设计是ؓ��墨西哥城新建筑限高的�?/p>
The subterranean building will have 10 stories for homes, shops and a museum, and 35 more stories for offi ces. The earth-scraper preserves the iconic presence of the city square and the existing hierarchy of the buildings that surround it. It is an inverted pyramid with a central void to allow all habitable spaces to enjoy natural lighting and ventilation.
“摩地大楼”中住�商Z及博物��10层，另�35层用作办公楼。“摩地大楼”既保存�市广个地�又没有�坏广场�q的现有建筑层次。大D计ؓ倒字塔型�采用中空l构Q所有�空间都可n受�然照明和通风?/p>]]>
Could you explain, “at the forefront of?
My comments:
At the forefront means to be at the front of or to be leading the way. Fore means front, and so why then does forefront have a diff erent meaning? Fore, as in the phrase, “to the fore? means to move toward the front of. It might have originally come from golf.
When a player tees off (makes the opening shot), he walks forward, leaving behind other players and spectators. So, the phrase “to the fore? metaphorically means that someone steps forward or wants to assert himself.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988
]]>Analysts have long speculated that Dmitry Medvedev is merely a “seatwarmer?while Vladamir Putin serves as Prime Minister.
My comments:
“Seat warmer?is originally a sports term. In many team sports, such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc, you see a fi xed number of players playing at any given time during a game. Basketball, for example, is fi ve on fi ve, soccer 11 against 11, while for volleyball, it’s six versus six.
However, teams carry more than those numbers of players, in case of injuries. But more importantly, they carry more players to serve as reserves,� or substitutes, as they’re called in games.
A basketball team, for instance, is allowed to carry 12 players, with only five as starters Q?the rest are reserves, or bench or seat warmers Q?so called because they sit mostly on the team bench as they do not get to play. They seldom leave their seat Q?hence warming the seat up with their body temperature.
Medvedev being merely a seat warmer means, therefore, that he doesn’t run Russia Q?he occupies the seat of the President while Putin serves as Prime Minster.
Putin, these analysts suggest, is the one who calls the shots in Russia and he may return to take back the seat of the President someday.
This is democracy, Russian style.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>Wealth investment product是�理财品”，也可以用wealth management product来表C�指由�银行�行设计发行，����根据品合同约定投入相关金融市场及购买相关金融产品Q获取投�益后Q�据合同约定�配给投��cȝ�品?/p>
For example:
The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC), the nation’s banking regulator, on Oct 9, unveiled new measures to improve regulations over banks?wealth investment products.
中国银行监管机�监会本?日公��措施�来�强银行理财品�管?/p>]]>
Red bombs(U色炸弹)即wedding invitation card(婚礼h)Q因h为红Ԍ收到h一般都要�费�所以俗U“红色炸弹”?/p>
For example:
The 25-year-old Shanghai native Liu Yiwei has had an exhausting holiday during the past seven days. Rather than traveling or working overtime, she was busy hopping from one wedding to giving out against “red bombs? or piles of cash.
q����让25岁的上v人刘依薇(韌�)感到_力竭。她不是L行也没有加班Q而是在�C间奔忙，准�一��钞票来应对“红色炸弹”?/p>
被红色炸弹“炸”到�hp准�给新婚夫�gift money(C�)Q俗U_�子钱。如今随着80后一代纷U到�prime marriage age(适婚q�)Q一到marriage season(l婚旺季)“红色炸弹”多得让人望而生畏?/p>]]>
Trashion(trash“垃䏀和fashion“时”的合�?�旧�废�、捡来���新改�部g制作的艺术品、珠宝，及家�用�即“垃圾时”?/p>
Initially trashion was used to describe art-couture costume usually linked to contests or fashion shows. The term is now widely used in creative circles to describe any wearable item or accessory that is constructed using all or part materials that have been recycled, including clothing that has been reconditioned.
起初Q“垃圾时”只用来描述那些与竞赛��表演有关�术cL�如今，“垃圾时”这个词在创意界多用来�全部或部�再循环材料制成的�服�饰物Q这�中也包括那些不�得扔和重新修改q�旧衣服?/p>]]>
��实是��人。就�每天早晨都坚持跑步���期去健n戉K|只要�每天大部�都是坐着�不管是在车里、办公室座���里的沙发上，�就是在把�己推向肥胖、糖���各cȝ症以及早亡�险?/p>
So what’s the solution if your job requires you to spend a lot of time in front of a computer? Stand- working! Stand-working can help you resolve your back problems. You’ll have more energy and can concentrate better.
那么对于大部�作时间都需要在?sh)脑前度q�我们来说Q怎么才能解决q一问题呢�{�是站立办公Q站立办公能够解册部酸疼问题，站立的时候�会觉得精力更��，而且也更易于集中_?/p>]]>
“Submarine parents?also remain out of sight, yet can pop up in the case of an emergency. “Submarine parents?will lay out a variety of school lunch supplies and encourage their child to pack his/her own lunch. If the child packs only chips and carrot sticks, he/she will be hungry and learn to pack a bigger lunch the next day.
潜水�常都�水下，w在Z��U之外。遇到紧急��需要Q出水面�候，潜水�会�升赗潜水�母也是x不露面�紧急��|才会立即现n。他们会摆出一�供选择�食物鼓励孩子�p�。如果孩子只往午餐盒里���胡萝卜条�他就会挨饿�然后下次�的时候就会多�吃��?/p>
“Submarine parents?are the kind to buy a sturdy and comfortable stroller at a garage sale. As soon as the child starts to walk, the stroller is re-sold at a garage sale and kids get exercise by walking.
潜水�母一般会在R库甩卖会上购|一�实又舒适的婴儿推RQ等到孩子开始学走\�候，在车库甩卖会上把那车卖�然后让孩子�q��走路?/p>]]>
The rule of the jungle
This is the law of ?more precisely, the rule of ?the jungle. Sure, the US is by far and away the biggest cat in that jungle.
My comments:
The jungle refers to the big forest with many large plants growing close and thick together amongst which diverse animals thrive, although some merely try to survive. Here the Darwinian law of “survival of the fittest?applies. The strong prey on the weak Q?beat them and eat them.
In human politics, the rule of the jungle is equivalent to the saying “might is right? In other words, stronger nations can do whatever they want to smaller and weaker nations, moral or immoral.
“Sure, the US is by far and way the biggest cat in the jungle?Q?America,as the single superpower, does just that.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>所谓“口袋技能?pocket skills)Q就是��一行业Q哪些岗位，�能随时拿出来用�能。例如思维能力Q给�看一份报告，�能否简l�概括其��指出存在�提出改进意见。又如沟通�力，当别Z同意��法Ӟ��方观点发生冲H时Q该如何应付?/p>
Many companies are more concerned about pocket skills such as teamwork than specifi c majors, except for research and development positions.
目前在许多用人单位，除��发cd位之外，许多岗位q不强求人才的专业对口�而更看重团队合作{“口袋技能”?/p>]]>
时下火�屏的“穿剧”就是time-travel TV seriesQ穿剧是以人物I越时空为线索��?sh)��许多I越剧都改编�hot online novels(热门|络说)?/p>
For example:
The time-travel series bu bu jing xin, or Startling by Each Step, has been showing on TV since September 10. Ratings for the show rose to nearly 7 percent in the fi rst two days. It was searched on the Internet more than 1 million times in the fi rst three days. Most viewers gave the show high marks.
I越剧《步步惊��2011??0日在?sh)�开播�头两天��额p_�q?%。该剧开播头三天|络搜烦量就破百�而且q在不断增加。大部�众�给该剧打��?/p>
《步步惊�所改编的原著就是Internet writer(|络作家)创作的time-travel novel(I越说)。除�剧外，现在最受欢q的?sh)�类型还有spy drama(谍�?、courtroom drama / legal thriller(案情?和idol drama(偶像�?{?/p>]]>
Super grain是“�U水E�Z，指�在yield(产�)、grain quality(c)、resistance(抗?{主要方面�著�有水稻品种的水E�R?/p>
For example:
Yuan Longping, China’s leading agricultural scientist, realized one of his 80th birthday wishes recently when his super grain brought yields of 13.9 tons a hectare, setting a new world record for rice output.
中国尖�业U学家�^q日实现��80岁生日��望之一——他的�U水Ed现每�顷产�13.9吨����稻产量新�界记录?/p>]]>
“Smartphone owners are using their phones to get fast access to locationrelevant information on the go,?said Kathryn Zickuhr, co-author of the Pew report.
My comments:
The good thing about English is that virtually every verb can be used as a noun, which is not unlike ancient Chinese, of course, and which is as it should be. “On the go?hence means on the move, while you’re traveling, going from place to place. By extension, “on the go?may also mean when you’re busy and active, when you have something in hand, when you’re not free and idle.
Smartphone owners are using their phones to get fast access to “location-relevant information?on the go? “Location-relevant information?simply means where the place you’re going to is located and how you are supposed to get there.
Suppose you’re going to the zoo. By using one of the many smartphone applications, such as Google Map, you can get to see where it is on your screen.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>可口可乐�?Coca-colonization)一词是跨国软饮刉��Coca-Cola(可口可�)和colonization(D民�?两个词的合�词，指全�或文化殖民?/p>
The term is used to imply either the importation of Western (particularly American) goods, or an invasion by Western, especially American cultural� values, which threaten the local culture.
q个词多用来�西方(其是美�?产品的进口���西方及美国�h(hun)D的入侵�D�当地�受到威胁��c?/p>
It gained visibility in the European-Americanization debate with the 1994 publication of Reinhold Wagnleitner’s book, Coca-Colonization and the Cold War: The Cultural Mission of the United States in Austria After the World War II. The expression also became a catchphrase of the anti-globalization movement.
该表辑֜1994初CƧ洲关于国化的辩论中�来自于雷U_d?瓦恩qU一本名为《可口可乐化与�战：二�后美国在奥地利�化使命》的书中。后来在反��q动中一度成为热门词�?/p>]]>
It seems you are in a dilemma.
看v来�很�l?/p>
2. You just can’t get over...
The French soccer fans can’t get over their national team’s defeat in the World Cup 2002.
法国�q很难�2002世界杯中�利��走出来?/p>
3. dwell on something
We shouldn’t dwell on a person’s past mistakes.
我们不该L住一个h��M放?/p>
4. take something to heart
Don’t take such small things to heart.
别ؓq点事想不开?/p>
5. be torn
She was torn between her responsibility to her children and the demands
of her career.
她在家庭和事业之间进退两难?/p>]]>
“改版”就是makeoverQ也可以用revamp来表C?/p>
For example:
Xinwen Lianbo, which runs every night at 7 pm on CCTV 1 and all provincial satellite channels, is expected to get new faces and a new focus in the makeover.
每晚7点在央�套和�卫�出�新闻联播》�此ơ改版中启用_hQ加入新��注点?/p>
此次改版除�把opening theme(�?换掉之外Q还要增加欧阛_丏V�永柩两�70后news anchors(新闻L)。据(zhn)，Ƨ阳夏丹和郎永柩?1日上午已l录制�demo(�L)?/p>
改版后�新闻联播》�in-studio reporting(播音室报?、guest interviews(嘉宾访�)和on-the-spot reports(现场报�)l合在一赗�数据显C�《新闻联播》是我国most authoritative news programs(最�的新闻节�?Q拥有数百万loyal viewers(�实观�)?/p>]]>
在微博这个�^_Q“复制不转发”的用户们�实�行着“�享”的义务Q如同完�Q务一?Q复制�”盛行，版�题频现?/p>
Copy culture是“复制�”，指�是直接�人�创微博不v名地q行复制以个人名义发�属于“���袭”，涉及�copyright(版权/著作�?�题�Copyright本n属于一UIntellectual Property Right(知��)?/p>
For example:
When a massive downpour hit Beijing on June 23, it took just a few minutes for a photograph taken by micro-blogger Yang Di to be forwarded thousands of times on the Internet. Yang’s story is just one example of the “copy culture?that is becoming rampant among micro-bloggers.
6?3日北京遭�降雨Q杨q?韌�)通�博发�一�照����{发数�。杨先生�事��“复制�”在微博�日益行的一个例子?/p>
Micro blog(微�)属于一Ume-media(自媒?Q发�博的人称为micro-blogger(博主)。很多网友不�查消�源，也不注意|名Q盲目点击forward(转�)Q这�会�成谣言�散。这里�forward也常用于邮g和短信中?/p>]]>
步行巴士(walking bus)�孩子在两个以上大h�送下步行上下学�式Q被认ؓ是一U健康又环保的出行方式。参与“步行巴士”的安会�发组l�v来轮护送孩子们Q一名大Z�当“司机”的角色走在前面带�个队伍Q另外一名��售票员跟在队伍后面。而且Q“步行巴士”和�统的巴士一样也设有车站和接站时�R?/p>
The walking bus idea originated in the United Kingdom, and the expression has been in general use there since 2004. Walking bus initiatives have proved extremely popular and eff ective in the UK. More recently, walking buses have gained a level of popularity in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
“步行巴士”这一�来自于英国�而walking busq个表达?004v开始广泛用�目前，q一做法在英国已很普遍，而且证实卓有�效。近�年Q在国、澳大利亚及新西兰等国也开始得C定认可?/p>]]>
Savior sibling�下来是Z�l?zhn)有�命疾��姐妹提供器官���(yu)移植的孩Q译为“救命手”。?zhn)�方一般都需���血��?yu)移植才能治愈?/p>
The savior sibling is conceived through In Vitro Fertilization. Fertilized zygotes are tested for genetic compatibility, and only zygotes that are compatible with the existing child are implanted. Zygotes are also tested to make sure they are free of the original genetic disease.
救命手�多通�管婴儿生殖技术获得。受_֍会�l��匚w�试验Q只有完�与�(zhn)�方完�匹配的受精卉|会被植�。另外，q��验保植��_֍不携带基�原本��子?/p>
The term savior sibling is likely to have controversial overtones for some time. Some disagree with the idea on ethical grounds, arguing that the long-term social and emotional eff ects on the donor sibling are unknown.
Savior siblingq个说法一直以来都�争议。有Z道d角度对其q行批判Q认为捐献器官的孩子长期受到�会和�影响是外人�从得知�?/p>]]>
First-year American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez says she’s “on the fence?about returning to Fox’s competition series for a second season.
My comments:
This is a short variation from the idiom “sitting on the fence?
Two neighboring households, say, are engaged in a back-yard shouting match and you have come to help them make peace. Their back yards are separated by a fence. To give the appearance of being neutral, you climb onto the fence and observe the dispute from there.
That’s you sitting on a fence in a good-neighborly dispute. What if it’s a war between too countries? Sitting on the fence in that situation means that you’re not taking sides in their dispute.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>我哥哥是个控制狂人?/p>
2. He tries to dictate how everything around him is done.
他什么事儉K�要管?/p>
3. He has fi ngers in every pie and works them to the bone in the
process.
他每件事�要插手Q而且q特别投�?/p>
4. His wife is a real bossy boots at home.
他们家�挥�他老�里?/p>
5. Her children are totally under her thumb.
她�子�在她�控之中?/p>
6. He really loves to boss people around.
他特别喜Ƣ�别人?/p>
7. He became demandingly dominant over the years.
q些q_他变得颐指气?/p>]]>
2. It is another rude, crude R-rated comedy with the expected and familiar racial jokes, gay jokes, penis jokes. Nothing new. q部�q�又一部粗俗的、制作粗p的限制U喜剧�里面�族笑话、同性恋W话、性笑话�是听q�Q�新意?/p>
3. I think Nicolas Cage is great. He’s got character. He can act with a lot of depth. 我觉得尼古拉斯·凯��。他很有个性�演得也很有深度?/p>
4. They ruined the movie when they dubbed it into Chinese from English. I would rather have seen it in English with Chinese sub-titles. 那些中�配韛_�乎毁�部电(sh)影。�q是更喜Ƣ听英�声Q�上中�q就行�?/p>
5. Mrs Doubtfi re is very touching. You would have to be a “concrete zombie?to have avoided laughing or crying. 《窈H奶爸》非常感人�如果�看的时候既没笑也没哭那�可真算得上是铁矛_��?/p>]]>
For example:
High temperatures are blamed for the cracking of safety glass in those cases, but experts said the fundamental cause of “glass rain?is the government’s inattention to the safety of glass curtain walls.
专家认ؓQ高温致使安�玻���然是D�q些事故����发“玻�”的�(gu)原因是政府对ȝ�q墙安���?/p>
看似_感十�glass curtain walls(ȝ�q�)Q早在上世纪初就被发��q年来逐渐�现在中国�central business district(CBDQ中央�区)。然而，q种ȝ�q墙却存在种Udrawbacks(~点)Q巨大�ȝ�q墙在太阛_�下��闪光，会�成严重的light pollution(光污?Q这不��成大量的energy consumption(能源消?Q?�(gu)�induce traffic accident(引发交通事�?Q还使h产生dizzy (头�)、anxious(焦�)、impaired vision(�下降)Qdepression(�A低落){症状?/p>
q两个月Q国�生�vȝ�q墙坠落事故。专家称Q�成q些事故��是多方面�Q包括engineering design(工程设计)Qmaterial uality(材料质�)Qworkmanship(技术水?{?/p>]]>
Reader’s question:
This is just a wild guess, but maybe it was all those hours you spent practicing over the past month.
My comments:
A guess is a rough estimation, an attempt to answer a question or make a judgment about something without having all the necessary facts, so that you’re not sure whether you’re correct.
In other words, a conjecture.
Wild guess?
Hence a wild guess sounds even more out of control, crazy, suggesting you’re making a guess without careful consideration of the matter at all.
This is just my wild guess Q?maybe it was the rain. Blame it on rain.
Just kidding.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>Spoiler��?sh)�书c��戏��(gu)关�息Q即我们所说�剧透”，q类信息会大大减�看��剧���与游戏的兴致?/p>
This sense of spoiler has been around since the mid-1990s, and initially referred to pieces of information which reveal elements of the plot of a film or book. Since proper enjoyment of a plot depends on dramatic tension and suspense, prematurely discovering what is going to happen“spoils?the experience that the viewer or reader has when watching or reading for the first time.
Spoiler用作“剧透”之意始于上世纪90代Q最初指透露?sh)��书c情节的信息。故事情节的ƣ赏主要有赖于扣人���气氛和�?zhn)念�如果提前得知后面�节发展就会“�坏?spoil)初看�赏故事的体验?/p>]]>
Pay as you throw(�按量收费Q��ؓPAYT)制度�个家庭都要ؓ不可回收���支付费用�而费用�少�根据�数量和重量来计算。在该制度�Q可回收���是免费�?/p>
Pay-as-you-throw schemes are already operational in many parts of the United States. Payments for refuse collection would not be a fixed fee incorporated into local government taxes, but dealt with separately in what is now being referred to as a (dust) bin tax, calculated for individual households.
�按量收费制度在美国一些地方已l开始实施。垃圑֤��用没有作Z固定收费被归�当地政府的税攉目�而是单独作ؓ一�(gu)�(gu)�Q也是所谓的dustbin tax(�q�)Q每个家庭单独计?/p>]]>
所谓的mooncake tax(月饼E?其实不是新鲜事，早在2009?月，南京地税部门pC�单位发放月饼{in-kind benefi ts(实物利)都应计入工�金所得，扣缴individual income tax(个h所得�)?/p>
For example:
The approach of the Mid-Autumn Festival has reignited debate over China’s “mooncake tax?
随着中秋节�近Q�国关于“月饼税”的争论又热�v来。这ơ月饼税饱受争议Q主要有两点Q第一Q涉嫌double taxation(重复征�)Q当单位购买月饼Ӟ已经被扣除�consumption tax(消费E?Q发攄员工后就不该再征E。第二，很多为月饼税~Z人�I在union of family(家庭团�)之际Q收_为福利�饼却被征税Q这让很多h�法接受Q且加重��众的tax burden(E�)?/p>]]>
子女�护�括legal custody(法定监护?和physical custody(生活监护?。在父母d�����下，一般会判决一方获取子女�护�即sole custodyQ而另一方获得�获得visitation(探��??/p>
�柏芝和谢�在2006tie the knot(喜结q理)?008� nude-picture scandal(艳照?一度o媒体U�L猜测两h陷入婚姻危机。今q?月媒体报道�柏芝与陈�希在飞Zchance encounter (偉)时self-snapshot(自�)合�Q此事曝光后Q有关两人的d�闻愈演愈烈Q直xl�道扬镟?/p>]]>
Stage-phoning(演�式通�)�个h用手机打�?sh)话很大壎ͼ故意惌吸引旁边人��x。这些h打电(sh)话时候的行ؓ好像在表演一把手机当作道所以才会用stageq个词来表示?
The derived noun stage-phoner has been coined to describe these types, who in American English are sometimes also referred to by the rather derogatory term cell (phone) jerk. We meet stage-phoners at every street corner, waiting room or café.
由此衍生的stage-phoner指q行演�式通话的hQ在式p中还有一个更兯义的词cell (phone) jerk(手机d�)来Ş容这些h。在街角、等候室或�啡��会有他们�w�?
]]>Gap year(I�?是一个英国词��指学生离开学校一D|_l历一些学�以外的事情Q比如外����作。当�q段旉不一定非得是一。空�年一般选在d中学q�大学之前?
The practice of taking a deferred year developed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s. It has grown very popular among students in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. A trend for the year out is to participate in international education programs that combine language study, cultural immersion, and independent study.
I�这U做法于二十世纪六十q代兴v于英国。如今，I�在英国、澳大利亚、新西兰以及加拿大�生当中都已非常行。新q的势是在I档期间参与国�育项目��中�语言学�、住家、文化渗透、社区服务以及独立学�等?/p>]]>
最q“hold住”这个说法在|络上�行。在p中�“hold”有抱、坚持、握住、掌控等意思?/p>
1. The drug has a hold on the minds of those who use it.
毒品对吸毒�思想影响极大?/p>
2. You can’t hold your drink, that’s your problem. Two beers and you’re
under the table.
��题是酒量不行，两杯啤酒下肚�就醉�?/p>
3. Most of the arguments put forward by our opponents simply do not
hold water.
我们�手提出�部�解都站不住�?/p>
4. Sadie held forth on the virtues of home cooking.
莎蒂大谈特谈在家做饭��?/p>
5. In our house it was my mother who held the purse strings.
在我Ӟ�妈掌管着金钱财务?/p>]]>
Lavender language
Lavender language functions as a kind of homosexual code, characterized by acronyms, plays on words and double meanings only intended to be understood by the gay community.
Lavender language相当于一U同性恋��Q以使用~略字、文字游戏以及双兌为特点�主要服务于同性恋人群�沟通交�所以称为“同性恋语言”?/p>
The color lavender is often used to identify “gay-friendly?environments, hence its use in terminology surrounding gay issues, such as lavender texts, lavender phonology/terminology and the lavender lexicon.
淡�?lavender)通常都被认作“同性恋友好”类环��，因此Q与lavender相关�用术语多与同性恋有关。比如lavender texts(同性恋文本)、lavender phonology(同性恋语音体系)Q以及lavender lexicon(同性恋词�?{?/p>]]>
Reader’s question
Unfortunately, her unforced error count continued to stifl e her play 30 in total and she lost the fi nal two points of the match.
Could you explain “unforced error?
My comments:
This is generally speaking a tennis term, which means a simple mistake,
one that actually could be avoided. In tennis you win points by striking the ball hard and sharp into, say, the deep corners of the opponent’s court, making it diffi cult for him or her to return the ball back. You do this the best you can in order to force them into making errors.
Unforced errors, though, are those you make inadvertently, either due to carelessness or distraction. Unforced errors are costly, a sign that your concentration level is not there.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>Durian clan
Durian clan refers to those ill-tempered co-workers who have been working for many years and are hard to get along with, just like the smelly fruit with thick thorny skin.
榴莲族，是对职场中有一定工作���气像榴莲一样又�又�不好相�群体的U呼?/p>
Unlike the strawberry clan, who are newcomers in the workplace, people in the durian clan are accustomed to workplace routines, and may be experiencing a kind of job burnout after many years of hard work. As a result, they might easily show their hot temper in the office.
相对初�职场�莓族来说Q榴莲族已经�职多年Q工作对于他们来_也许早已q��爱好�每天只是q�按部搬�子。如此��下Q榴莲族们对职业的疲x会越来越深�对h对事Q�然少�随和Q多�暴躁?/p>
In addition, people in the durian clan often don’t look so well due to years of overwork and signs of aging. And as old hands in the workplace, they usually have thicker skin than others.
除此之外Q长期�夜加班再加上岁月�q�让榴莲族的脸色不怎么好看Q而且“职a条”的榴莲族们Q往往脸皮都比�?/p>]]>
Judicial explanation
8?2日�最高h民法院发?9条《婚L》司法解释。�中一条�：�确婚后一方父母��ؓ子女购买不动产且产�记在自己子奛_下的应认定ؓ夫妻一方�h财?/p>
Judicial explanation是“司法解释”，单说来�是由the Supreme Court(最高法�?对具体适用法律的问题做出�释?/p>
For example:
A house bought by parents and registered under their child’s name remains the personal property of the child even after the child gets married, according to a judicial explanation issued by China’s Supreme
People’s Court.
�(gu)最高h民法院发�司法解释Q父母ؓ子女购买房且�记在自己子女名下的�即在子奛_后仍属于�个产?/p>
q次的Marriage Law(《婚L?W?9条�法解释意思是说如果父母ؓ�子�女儿购_�real estate(房�)Q当�女l婚后�q套房子不算作是夫M�mutual property(共同财�)Q而只能算作是购买那一方的personal property(个h财�)。而若q套房子是两方父母�同购买�Q而最后双方end in divorce(最后离?Q那么，��据两方父母的�来�财Q由此避免房产购买方�loss of family
property(家庭财损失)?/p>
有的在婚前签订prenuptial agreement(婚前协议)Q�离婚后双方财的归属，�隑�会伤宛_夫妻双方��而这ơ《婚L》的司法解释Q对很多人来说算是一个welcome relief(可喜的安�??/p>]]>
Pyramid scheme
8?1日以来�q西持箋掀起大�、�方位、地毯式的打�M�销专项行动。重拳之下，U�1�名�销人员从广西撤R?/p>
Pyramid schemex�们通常说��销”，�叫pyramid selling。�们知道pyramid是金字塔的意思，思义Q�销是一U由上而下的运作模式，即用顶来比MU�Z上线Q逐上而下ơ第发展?/p>
多下U�售模式?/p>
For example:
A crackdown on pyramid schemes in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region is leading to an exodus of scam artists from the area.
西壮族�治区开展打击非法�销行动后，大批�销人员U�L撤离该地区?/p>
�销�_员通常都要�缴U一定的membership fee(会员?Q怀着获得windfall(意外横胦)�望，说服更多的h�入q来Q这些h都是他的下家。在我国Q�销?998p止�?/p>
与pyramid scheme相类似�一个词叫Ponzi schemeQ即庞氏骗局?0世纪初，一个叫庞齐的美国�诺投��利润回报Q把新投���为快速盈利付l最初投�人�以诱使更多的Z当�7个月�吸引?�投��一后q场骗局才被揭穿Q史UPonzi scheme(庞氏骗局)Q在中国是“空手套白狼”?/p>]]>
WAGs
WAGs (or Wags) is an acronym, used particularly by the British tabloid press, to describe the wives and girlfriends of high-profile soccer players, originally the England national soccer team.
WAGs(有时也�作Wags)是一个�语Q英国八卦报U多用来�明星�员的妻子和x?wives and girlfriends)Q亦U“太太团”，最初特�国国家队队员的妻子和x友?/p>
The term came into common use during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The acronym has since been used by the media in other countries to describe the wives and girlfriends of sportsmen in general.
q个U呼?006世界杯期间开始广泛用�之后其他国家�体多用WAGs来统U_育明星�太太团”?/p>
During the 2006 World Cup the press gave increasing coverage to the socialising and shopping activities of the English WAGs, who were based in the German town of Baden-Baden.
2006世界杯期间Q英国�“太太团”驻扎在德国镇巴登-巴登Q媒体对她们�交和购物zd做�量的报道?/p>
It was frequently suggested that England’s exit from the tournament in the quarterfi nals was a result of such distractions.
后来屡有�言说英格兰队在四�之一册中出局是�ؓ被“太太团”���?/p>]]>
Status-gap marriage
A “status-gap marriage?is one in which there is a clear gap in income, pedigree, social status, and so on. between the husband and wife. The phrase usually refers to marriages in which a woman marries “beneath herself?
Status-gap marriage(格差?�d方在收入、家庭条件、社会地位等斚w相差(zhn)殊的婚姻�多指x“下嫁”的��?/p>
For example, the marriage between Japanese actress Norika Fujiwara and her husband, the lesser-known comedian Tomonori Jinnai is deemed a status-gap marriage.
比如Q日本女星藤原纪香与不太知名的喜剧演员阵�则的婚姻p看作是格差婚?/p>
Their marriage ended in divorce in 2009.
两h最l�2009离婚?/p>]]>
Reader’s question:
Political correctness now debates the worthiness of many words.
Could you explain “political correctness?
Political correctness involves avoiding language or practices that could o end others. It is often a concerted attempt to redress historical injustices relating to race, gender, class or sexual orientation, for example. You can also say someone or something is “politically correct? or you could just say they are “PC?
Let me give you an example to help you understand. In the past, the native people who lived in parts of Greenland and Canada were referred to as Eskimos. Today, this group is generally called Inuit, a term which literally means “the people?in the local language, as Eskimo is considered to be a derogatory term. You could say Inuit is the “politically correct?or “PC?term for Eskimo.
Sometimes, calling something or someone “politically correct?can be a slur in itself, as some people believe political correctness has gone too far and is at the point where people are overly sensitive to the words and practices of others.
Kim Bowden is a foreign expert at China Daily Website.
]]>Granny chic
Granny chic denotes a fashion style that consists of old-fashioned items worn in a stylish way.
Granny chic(复古风潮)��式物I出时尚味道的流行风潮?/p>
Granny style cardigans, tweed mid-length skirts and fl esh colored tights were seen walking down the catwalks of Paris, New York, London and Milan and the trends have now fi ltered down to the high street.
老式的羊毛开衫、斜U呢�长裙q有肉色紧n裤频频�现在巴黎、纽U、�u敦和c_�的T_?如今Q这一时尚潮流已经走进�华�街区?/p>
Other granny-chic clothing includes big glasses, quasi-orthopedic shoes and fl oral dresses.
其他复古风潮单品q包括大眼镜、类似矫正鞋的鞋子和p子?/p>
For example:
Granny-chic knitwear plus skinny pants equal a great new silhouette.
复古pȝ��配上紧裤p�打�出一个全新�象?/p>]]>
Reader’s question:
Many Nigerians hope that the acting president, bolstered by his own team, may gee up Africa’s most populous country (150m-strong) and its biggest oil and gas producer south of the Sahara.
Could you explain “gee up?
My comments:
“Gee up?is originally a command given to horses to hurry them up. “Gee up? “Move along? “Faster? and so forth. Used on a person, “gee up?conveys the same message of encouragement, a rallying call for faster pace or greater eff orts.
Here, Nigerians hope the acting president will lead the country to economic prosperity. In other words, they feel encouraged with the new leadership.
Well, that’s the least they can do Q?hope for the best. Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>Eye-gazing party
Eye-gazing party is a dating trend based on the practice of speed-dating in which participants do not speak to each other but instead, gaze at each other for a set amount of time, before moving on.
Eye-gazing party(对眼怺?是在速�怺基础上发展v来�U相亲Ş式。参与对眼相亲会的男奛_此之间不用开口说话，而是在限定的旉�着�(gu)看，旉一到就换个人l看?/p>
Some describe the experience as “having a conversation with another person’s face?while others believe eye contact can reveal one’s attraction faster than anything else.
有h�U相亲会描述为“跟另一个h�对话”，也有为眼交比M行ؓ�能更快散发一个h��?/p>]]>
Drive
Driveq个词在p中有很多用法Q�以表示开车�赶等很多意思，下面我们通�子来学�一下一些常用�思吧Q?/p>
1. All right, sir, you drive a hard bargain. I’ll sell you this car for $12,450.
好吧Q�生，�(zhn)可太会�h(hun)�qR?2,450�给���
2. These tax forms are driving me nuts.
填这些纳E申报表快让我发疯�?/p>
3. Let’s drive over to Larry’s place.
我们开车去拉里家吧Q?/p>
4. You are driving me out of my mind with your nagging.
我快被��叨疯�Q?/p>
5. The traffic jam is breaking up, so we can drive on.
拥堵道\开始疏通�Q�们可以l开车�?/p>
6. He’ll drive himself into the ground if he doesn’t take some time off .
他�不休�一D|间非得篏垮不可?/p>
7. You have driven me into a corner, so I guess I have to give in.
�让我别�选择Q只能让步啊Q?/p>
8. Your trouble with the police has driven me to the brink/edge! The
next time you are arrested, I will not get you out of jail.
�L�ȝq警察局Q�快被����下次�再被抓q来Q�不会�管��Q?/p>
9. She was driven to drink by the problems she had with her teenage
son.
她和奚w十�岁的儿子�系不好Q她快烦M�?/p>]]>
Reader’s question:
The media-friendly events were sponsored by a host of activist groups.
My comments:
Media-friendly is about cozying up to the media, TV, radio, newspapers and the Internet.
Media-friendly events are therefore events aimed at smoothing relations with the media, so that they stop writing nasty things about the activist groups and, in fact, begin to write nice things about them.
In other words, PR, or public relations. Normally, PR is about hiring PR firms to help improve one’s relation with the public. This time, the saidactivist groups are doing the PR work themselves, treating journalists to meetings, complete with dinners and perhaps sight-seeing in order to improve relations with the media itself.
Obviously, even activist groups need to do a lot of PR today, which essentially involves spinning tales to make one look better. It’s a refl ection on the times we are living in.
Zhang Xin, who writes a column for Language Tips, has been with China Daily since 1988.
]]>U技发展在很大程度上影响�h们�活Q同时一些科技术语也丰富�Z�常用语��们一h看一下吧Q?/p>
John: I made a plant pot out of an old water bottle!
Sarah: So what? It’s not exactly rocket science, is it?
U翰Q�把一个旧水壶改��一个花��Q?/p>
莎拉Q那又怎么�q也不是什么复杂��Q?/p>
上面例子中�It’s not rocket science”意思就是“不隑ց或�隄解”，火箭U学始于上世U?0代?0代_�直至上世U?0代Q这个词才被引申为“复杂�”，q而�Z句流行的口头�?catch phrase)。下面是一些别�源于U学术语�语口?/p>
例子Q?/p>
Our Shanghai operation was a black hole. We poured money into the
business without any tangible results.
我们在上�L生意是个“黑z”，�们投�量的�进去��目前q没看到M实质性�报?/p>
Black hole�意是“�中�光线在�Q何东襉K��法��引力区域”，现引申ؓ“Q何只吸入而不攑�物质�襎쀝，例如Q?/p>
Don’t use my university address in Beijing. It’s a black hole and nothing
sent to me ever seems to arrive!
别把东西�我在北京�校地址Q那个地址是个黑z，通�个地址���西从来没有��?/p>
cM�子还有��
It will mean a quantum leap for development if we start living on Mars.
如果我们能去火星�的话Q那真的是一个巨大的H�?/p>
Quantum leap本来是一个物�词，意ؓ“量子�q”，现引申ؓ“巨变��?/p>]]>
Citizen journalism
当��发事故现场��发到微博上的时候，�许�还没意�Q�正在扮演一个公民记�角色Q而�所发�微博就是citizenjournalism(公民新闻)?/p>
Citizen journalism是“�民新�Z，指从新闻�访��作Q到最后的~辑发�Q�不假手于专业记��~辑Q完�由“读��己���闻Q而这些读��被称为citizen journalist(公民记??/p>
For example:
The words tweeted by a passenger on high-speed train D301 on July 23 were clearly a cry for help. But they also initiated a wave of unprecedented “citizen journalism?on China’s Twitter-like micro blogs.
7?3日D301动R上的一名乘客发�微博是在呼救Q�此却引发�博上前所未有的“�民新�Z热潮?/p>
全世界第一位citizen journalist当�1998在其个人博客中对克林顿Zip Gate(拉链?性丑L光的国人d拉吉?/p>
公民新闻相��l新ȝ�点在于可以在第一旉在现行real-time reporting(实时报�)。相较mainstream media(L媒�)而言Q也多�多的vividness(生动?。在H发事g�道中Qcitizen journalism正在发挥来重要的作用?/p>]]>
Word of mouse
Word of mouse is an electronic version of the time-tested idea of word
of mouth.
“网l口”�实就是口的|络时代版本?/p>
Numerous advertisers have jumped on the word of mouse bandwagon,
using a variety of innovative techniques to get their message out to
consumers, and businesses all over the world rely on word of mouse to
promote their reputations.
如今很多q告商都跟随潮流Q通�|络口碑来宣�品。他们会?/p>
q�U各�L创新技术来�达信息l消费�同时他们也依靠网l?/p>
口碑来徏立良好声誉?/p>
Word of mouse can be built up on review sites, which allow users to post
reviews and commentary on businesses, and it can also be generated
on forums, chat rooms, and social networking sites.
公司可以通��|站来徏立网l口�用户可以在该cȝ站上�?/p>
表对公司��。网l口�播�式q包括论坛、聊天室和社?/p>
|站{?/p>
To learn more buzz words, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn
]]>SoLoMo
SoLoMo refers to the collision of social, local and mobile media. It is unique to the mobile device.
SoLoMo是社交、本地及Ud媒体怺l合�玎ͼ译ؓ“社交本地移动”，是移动设�独具�个功�?/p>
Today 42% of people aged 18 to 34 enjoy sharing their purchases on the Internet. Social media, local search and mobile search all collide in today’s online world to off er an ultimate user experience.
如今Q?8岁到34岁的Z?2%�h愿意在网上�享他们�物体验。社交媒体，本地搜烦以及Ud搜烦在网l世界里互相l合Qƈ提供最l的用户体验?/p>
For example, a user may start their search locally by looking for a business on the Web with Google local, then continue it on the social sphere by following the social networking page and “linking?the business, and fi nally completing their purchase on their mobile by calling or booking with the business. This combination of social media, local and mobile search is called SoLoMo.
比如Q一个用户会�在h本地搜烦中搜L地�家信息Q然后在C交|络中跟q搜索��x��交网�在那里选择“喜Ƣ”该��息�q最l电(sh)话咨询或����务以完�整个消费�E。这U社交媒体、本地及Ud搜烦�合体pU_SoLoMo(C交本地Ud)?/p>]]>
�
“松p”怎么_�
Century eggs
国有线?sh)�闻|?CNN)日前误家网站记��他们�q�最隑�物�q�l果公�网站上。中国�花蛋位�这份全�十大恶�物”榜单之首。结果公�后�在中国大�台湾都引起�Ȁ烈的反应?/p>
松花蛋也叫皮蛋，英�century eggs。松p和咸鸭�(salted duck egg)都属于�制�(preserved egg)。卷入这场“国�端”的CNN|站记�·霍瓦达已发表声明道歉，不�|络热议(Internet buzz)仍然未消?/p>
For example:
“Century eggs are popular among the Chinese as a pungent appetizer,?CNN said in its iReport. “But for others, the idea of feasting on black eggs that have been preserved in clay for months may not be appetizing.?/p>
CNN在�iReport中如此写道�“松p是一道广受中国hƢ迎的气xȝ��菜。不q�于别言Q这U用黏土裹��个月的黑蛋��是x可能�让h�全�。?/p>
也许QCNN��也不�戏?tongue-in-cheek)而已。每个国安�有�q特�食文化Q�们应该秉持一颗包容尊重��对���(diversified cultures)?/p>
大���
Pushing the boat out
在英语中Q这U做法可以用“push the boat out”来表示花钱出去大�或�些东西来�?/p>
“Push the boat out”意思就是“�慨而奢侈地p”，不��“paint the town red”的意思不同�后�为“狂Ƣ、胡闹”；而前�C?“虽然出ȝ乐，�ƈ不是以一U不负责ȝ�式”，�花费虽然大Q�也是�的”?/p>
例如Q?/p>
Sometimes you have to push the boat out and splurge on a new set of clothes.
有的时候�得挥霍一回，_新�服来犒劳一下�己?/p>
有的人喜Ƣ安E�活Q不�意rock the boat(破坏良好�?Q�q也意味着他们不会有什么机会。和q个短语对应的有个短语叫push the envelopeQ意为“挑战极限”，q个词�往被用来谈论科技q步Q表C“h或机�很有创新力，�_力�现有的边界”?/p>
例如Q?/p>
My company is really pushing the envelope in terms of design. We are working on a new type of interactive computer game that will revolutionize the market.
在设计方面��们公司一直都在挑��。目前�们正在开发一ƾ新�hZ互型?sh)脑游戏Q�?yu)�底改变现在�(sh)子游戏市场?/p>
催�
Chemical ripening
外表UT彤�红柿�捏v来硬邦邦��开后籽是绿�吃v来像是没长熟Q�通绿带刺Q“李쀝笔_上q有一朵小�……这些被催熟的蔬菜在�菜场随�见。o人���催熟剂�用�监控盲区Q�有无宛_�无�说法?/p>
“催熟”的英�chemical ripeningQ也是artificial ripening by using chemicalsQ也可以U_ؓforced ripening。进行催熟的化学制�是ripener/ripening agent(催熟�?。和ripenercMQ之前发生�西瓜�炸”是�ؓ使用�swelling agent(膨大?Qagent在这里�就是化学制剂?/p>
Ripe表示瓜果��熟，夏天买西瓜，有时买到�是half-ripe(半生不�)Q一点儿都不甜。Ripeq可以用来�象��熟”，比如The time is not yet ripe.(时机未成�?�ripe old age则指�“高�晚”?/p>
For example:
Illegal chemical ripening method imperils India’s mango trade.
非法催熟有害印度芒果交�
Expressing concern over the spurt in cases of artificial ripening of fruits using chemicals, the health ministry on Thursday asked the states to take action against those indulging in this hazardous practice.
印度卫生部周四表达�用化学制剂h工催熟水果激增的�Qƈ要求各邦�措施Q制止滥用催熟剂�险行为?/p>
?To learn more expressions, please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn
]]>
Soap grafting
Soap grafting is the act of attaching an almost completely used piece of soap to a new, unused piece because it is now too small to be conveniently used but you also don't want to waste it.
如果�觉得快用完的小片肥皂滑滑得不好拿��丢掉又太可惜Q�可以��在一块新�皂上l箋使用Q这个�E就叫soap grafting(肥皂嫁接)?/p>
For example:
My mum always soap grafts because she doesn’t want to waste anything. Soap grafting is good.
我妈妈经常把快用完的肥皂_到新肥皂上用�因ؓ她不x费Q何东ѝ这U肥皂嫁接是个不错�法?/p>
To learn more buzz words,please log on to http://language.chinadaily.com.cn
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