美語訓練班第120課:在菜單上標上卡路里好不好
B: Welcome to American English Mosaic, I'm Mike Bond!
A: And I'm Lin Yang.
B: Do you know how to shop for the best, the most unique souvenirs? We will offer you some tips in today's business etiquette.
A: 在菜單上標上卡路里好不好? 我們在下面的節目中爲你介紹。
B: And in words and idioms, we will learn what "to give one's best shot" and "stop cold" means!
A: All coming up on this edition of American English Mosaic!
B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1845 in a pinch
今天我們要學的詞是 in a pinch. Pinch is spelled p-i-n-c-h, in a pinch. In a pinch 意思是在必要的時候可以做爲替補之用。感冒是學生缺課的主要原因，新學年開始之際，醫生建議孩子們在學校要注意多洗手，如果條件不允許的話，Hand sanitizer works in a pinch. 免水洗手液也可以做爲替代品。咖啡提神誰都知道，不過，A cup of coffee should only be used in a pinch, rather than as a substitute for adequate sleep. 必要的時候可以靠咖啡提神，但是咖啡不能取代足夠的睡眠。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 in a pinch, in a pinch, in a pinch...
A: For me, adequate sleep and coffee are both extremely important. Otherwise I'm ineffective for the whole day.
B: Well, that explains some things.... (A: Ugh...) Kidding, kidding! I do think plenty of shut-eye is very important. People today tend to trade health for money!
A: I know! Did you hear about the Accenture analyst who died at his office desk and it took his co-worker 5 days to discover the body? That's terrifying.
B: I know. A lot of young people will give their best shot in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder, but you got to listen to your body at the same time.
A: That's a valid point. 你正好提到了一個用法，give one's best shot. 我們來聽聽今天的美國習慣用語，學學這個短語的用法!
Words and Idioms 877 to give one's best shot
美國習慣用語第 877 講
我朋友 Mark 受到我去跑馬拉松的鼓舞，最近也報名參加業餘鐵人三項比賽，包括游泳、騎車和長跑，他知道自己不可能贏，但他告訴我說，He will give it his best shot. 他一定會盡力而爲。這也是我們今天要學習的習慣用語。
M: To give one's best shot. Give is spelled g-i-v-e. Give. Best is spelled b-e-s-t. Best. To give one's best shot.
大家都知道，give 是給；best 是最好的。to give one's best shot 意思是不管會不會成功，都會盡力而爲。我朋友 Mark 去參加業餘鐵人三項比賽，他不太看重結果，但是 He will give it his best shot. 他會努力發揮出自己最好的水平。在下面這個例子裏，一位男子正鼓足勇氣，準備邀請一個漂亮姑娘出去約會。我們一起來聽聽他是怎麼說的。
M: "She probably has a boyfriend. Or even if she doesn't, she probably likes rich guys or tall guys. Then again, who knows? Ah, what the heck. I might as well GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT. If one thing's for sure: I have no chance if I don't ask her."
這個人說：她八成已經有男朋友了。就算還沒有，可能也會喜歡那種有錢的，或是高個子的男生。不過，也不一定。嗨，不管那麼多了，我還是要努力去試試看。起碼有一點是肯定的，如果我不去邀請她的話，那就一點機會都沒有了。
沒錯。很多女孩子都喜歡自信、有男子漢氣概的男生，有時候，這一點比金錢和外表還要重要。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "She probably has a boyfriend. Or even if she doesn't, she probably likes rich guys or tall guys. Then again, who knows? Ah, what the heck. I might as well GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT. If one thing's for sure: I have no chance if I don't ask her."
To give one's best shot 這個習慣用語是從十九世紀中期開始流行的，因爲 shot 有嘗試和努力的意思。
我前天晚上車突然壞了，到修車鋪，修理工告訴我，兩天後來取。可我第二天還急等着用，經過百般懇求，他最後才同意，He will give it his best shot. 最後晚上加班到九點多，終於幫我把車修好了。在下面這個例子中，一個參加世界盃足球賽的隊員對比賽結果十分痛心，但是他同時又說：
M: "We have no regrets. Of course it hurts to lose but we GAVE IT OUR BEST SHOT and you can't do more than that. This time the other side was just too good."
這個隊員說：我們無怨無悔。輸了比賽心裏當然很難過，但是我們已經盡了自己的全力了。這次實在是對手實力太強了。
我同意。其實，不管是什麼比賽，輸贏都是次要，as long as you gave it your best shot.
但是，如果輸了比賽，下來後捶胸頓足，因爲明知自己本來可以做得更好的話，那纔是最讓人遺憾的。
不久前，女兒要去參加地區性小學組的鋼琴大賽。她準備了好幾個月，但是比賽前還是緊張得不行。我告訴她說，輸贏不要緊。Just give it your best shot. 彈出自己的最高水平就行了。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "We have no regrets. Of course it hurts to lose but we GAVE IT OUR BEST SHOT and you can't do more than that. This time the other side was just too good."
大家不要忘記，學習英語口語首先要學會張嘴，大膽說出口，不要顧及發音和語法的對錯。Just give it your best shot! 好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
B: That's the best way to learn a foreign language. You got to give it your best shot! Try to speak as much as possible, and don't worry about your accent and grammar too much.
A: True! That's what I did when I was learning English! Well...I'm still learning...
B: Ha, you are pretty good! My Chinese was way better when I was in China when I had to speak it everyday! I miss China so much...
A: Ha, I bet! In today's business etiquette, we will take you to China, and introduce you to all the interesting souvenirs you can get there!
B: Let's check it out!
禮節美語Souvenir Shopping I
公司副總裁 Jason 到上海，由Gina接待。
Jason: Hello Gina! We've spoken so many times on the phone but's it's so good to finally meet you in person!
G: Hello sir. Good to meet you, too.
J: Oh, please don't call me "sir." Just call me Jason.
G: Ok, Jason. So how was the flight?
J: Pretty good. There was a bit of turbulence while we were over the Pacific Ocean but it wasn't too bad. The worst thing was the guy behind me. He snored all through the night!
G: Really? But you were in first class! Nobody woke that guy up?
Jason和Gina以前只在電話上溝通過，Jason說，it's so good to finally meet you in person. 見到你本人很高興。寒暄過後，Gina問Jason路上是否順利，Jason說，飛機在太平洋上空遇到氣流有些顛簸，turbulence is spelled t-u-r-b-u-l-e-n-c-e, turbulence 是氣流的意思。但最糟糕的是，坐在Jason後面的人打了一夜呼嚕。
J: The stewardess said it's not company policy to wake people up for any reason.
G:That's terrible! So you didn't get any sleep?
J: Not that's ok...I'm a night owl anyway.
G: So, aside from visiting our factory and offices, are there any other things you want to accomplish while you're in China?
J: I'd love to squeeze in a trip to the Great Wall.
G: That's not a problem. We can have a company car take you there. It's only about a two hour drive.
空服拒絕把打呼嚕的人叫醒，因爲 it's not company policy 不符合公司規定。Jason說，自己反正是 a night owl 夜貓子，所以問題不大。除了視察工作外，Jason 說還想抽時間去爬長城，I'd love to squeeze in a trip to the Great Wall. Gina說，長城不遠，只要兩小時車程，所以沒問題。
J: Also...I'd like to do some shopping while I'm here.
G: Well, you've come to the right place! China is a shopping paradise. Name it--we've got it.
J: To be honest, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for. But I need gifts for my wife, kids and I should bring something back for the senior partners of my firm as well.
G: Hum...I'd recommend silk for your wife. Maybe a bathrobe or perhaps a shawl. Silk dresses and shirts are good, too.
J: sounds good. But my wife is picky so I'll need your help to choose the right one. It should be classy and not too flashy.
G: I think I know just the store to visit. Leave it to me.
除了觀光，Jason還想購物，給太太、孩子和公司合夥人買禮物。Gina 建議Jason 給太太買絲綢製品。Jason說太太很 picky，picky is spelled p-i-c-k-y, picky，picky 是挑剔的意思，衣服要典雅 classy, 不能過於招搖，flashy. Gina說，leave it to me. 包在我身上。
A: 老闆Jason第一次來中國，除了工作，他想squeeze in a trip to the Great Wall，抽時間去趟長城。他還需要給家人和合夥人買禮物，他說太太很picky，挑剔。Gina說，leave it to me, 包在我身上，建議他買silk dress or silk bathrobe, 絲制裙子或者睡袍。
B: There are so many thing you can get in China! When I went to China for the first time, everything seemed so exotic to me!
A: For example?
B:The hand-carved stone seals! I couldn't believe I could get a hand-made piece of art for so little!
A: Alright, let's keep listen and see what Gina is going to suggest!
禮節美語Souvenir Shopping II
公司副總裁 Jason 到上海出差，由Gina接待。Jason讓Gina幫忙選禮物。
Jason: Hey! You know what might be good gifts for my business associates? Chinese antiques!
G: Well, we certainly have lots of antique art, statues and carvings, but in most cases it's not legal to take genuine antiques out of China.
J: Oh, I see. That makes sense. You have to preserve your heritage.
G: But there are many reproductions of antiques for sale.
J: you mean fakes?
G: A fake is when the dealer lies and says the piece is ancient. A reproduction is legal and they can be quite beautiful.
Jason 想給同事買中國古董 antiques 做禮物，但是Gina告訴他，古董不能帶出中國，建議Jason考慮買reproduction複製品。Jason 以爲 Gina 是指 fake 假貨，Gina 解釋說，fake 假貨是商人故意欺騙顧客，以假亂真，而複製品則是合法生產和出售的。
J: Yeah! That would look cool. Maybe some scrolls or traditional paintings.
G: Good idea. Scrolls with Chinese cursive calligraphy look great on an office wall. might even bring you luck!
J: You can't beat that! But what about the kids?
G: 's a bit trickier. There are of course, lots of counterfeit goods available like software or music, but buying them isn't recommended.
J: No, I don't buy counterfeits. sons have loads of computer games and CDs.
Gina 建議 Jason 買中國國畫或是書法作品，掛在辦公室牆上很氣派，但是給孩子買什麼禮物呢，Gina 說, that's a bit trickier. 這可有些麻煩。Jason 說，他不願意給兒子買盜版軟件或音樂，counterfeit is spelled c-o-u-n-t-e-r-f-e-i-t, counterfeit, counterfeit 是盜版的意思。
G: Hey! I know. You could have old-style Chinese suits custom-made for them! They can go around looking like little Chinese emperors! I know a great tailor!
J; Ha! Perfect! They'd like that for sure. Wow Gina.. You're full of great ideas. I should tell your boss to give you a raise.
G: But you are my boss!
J: (Chuckle) Right! Then I'll make a note to myself! Really though... I can't thank you enough for all your help.
G: Not at all. Just demonstrating some traditional Chinese hospitality.
Gina 突然來了靈感，說可以找裁縫給孩子量身定做中國的傳統衣服，custom-made 是定做的意思，把他們打扮成中國小皇帝的樣子。Jason對Gina的建議非常滿意，說要告訴Gina的老闆，給她漲工資，give someone a raise 是給某人漲工資的意思。Gina笑着提醒Jason說，你就是我的老闆啊，我不過是表現一下中國人的傳統好客罷了。
A: Gina建議說，給生意夥伴可以買reproduction of antiques, 古董複製品，而給孩子們呢，可以買custom made old-style Chinese suits, 也就是定製的中山裝。Jason覺得這些建議很好，他說: I can't thank you enough for all your help, 意思是十分感謝。
B: Yep! With an informed local to guide you around and give you advice on what to get for souvenirs, it's hard to go wrong!
A: 沒錯! 咦，你提到了一個詞兒，informed, 我們再來聽聽learn a word,學學這個詞兒要怎麼用!
Learn A Word 1848 informed
今天我們要學的詞是 informed. Informed is spelled i-n-f-o-r-m-e-d, informed. Informed 形容詞，意思是知情的。More and more restaurants are listing calories next to items on their menus to help customers make informed decisions. 越來越多的餐館開始在菜單上註明每道菜的卡路里熱量，幫助顧客在知情的情況下，做出明智的決定。
Consumer Reports rated almost 2,500 hospitals for common surgical procedures, giving patients the information they need to make informed choices. “消費者報告”針對近2500家醫院做例行手術的治療效果打分，爲消費者提供信息，幫助他們在選擇醫院時做出明智選擇。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 informed, informed, informed...
A: I hate to look at the calorie index on menus. All the dishes I want have high calories!
B: Well, it's a universal fact that anything that tastes good has a lot of calories.....
A: I know! And once you start eating, you end up finishing the whole thing! Nobody can just stop cold when it comes to gourmet food.
B: Haha, I'm the same way! But you just mentioned a good idiom: stop cold, let's check it out in today's words and idioms!
Words and Idioms 878 Stop Cold
美國習慣用語第 878 講
我星期二晚上在家烤蛋糕，參加女兒學校的義賣活動，結果材料都準備好了，電動攪拌機沒用一分鐘，卻突然罷了工，沒辦法，只好改電動爲手動，累得我胳膊都快折了。不過，這也讓我想起一個習慣用語可以跟大家分享，那就是：
M: Stop cold. Cold is spelled c-o-l-d. Stop-cold.
Stop cold 意思是突然停止。我烤蛋糕的時候電動攪拌機突然壞了，就可以說 It stopped cold. 再比如，孩子跳舞表演，我興致勃勃地拿着錄像機，打算全程錄下來，誰知道，The camcorder stopped cold five minutes into the program. 表演剛開始五分鐘，攝像機就不工作了。原來是沒電了。在下面這個例子裏，一個公司經理被困在了電梯裏，我們一起聽聽他的經歷。
M: "I've rarely thought about the possibility of getting stuck in an elevator. Yet, as I was heading up to my office on the tenth floor, the elevator STOPPED COLD. There I was trapped with no way to get out. Finally, after about half an hour, it started moving again. Maybe it was a sign that I should take the stairs and get some exercise!"
這個人說：我幾乎從沒想到自己會被困在電梯裏。可剛纔，我上十樓去辦公室，電梯中途突然停了。我被困在了電梯裏面。差不多半個小時後，電梯才又恢復工作。這是在暗示我，應該去爬樓梯，多鍛鍊鍛鍊。
我侄子現在正處於青少年開始對異性產生朦朧意識的階段，跟男同學在一起有說有笑，可是隻要一有女孩子加入進來，他立刻就啞巴了。Girls just STOP him COLD. 好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "I've rarely thought about the possibility of getting stuck in an elevator. Yet, as I was heading up to my office on the tenth floor, the elevator STOPPED COLD. There I was trapped with no way to get out. Finally, after about half an hour, it started moving again. Maybe it was a sign that I should take the stairs and get some exercise!"
我這個人雖然不是追星族，但如果真有個大明星突然出現在我眼前呢？有一次，我正在做採訪，電影明星喬治·克魯尼突然走進了演播室，我當時就暈了。His present stopped me cold.
下面例子中這隻球隊整個賽季過關斬將，我們聽聽隊員是怎麼說的：
M: "Many of the teams we've faced off against expected to advance to the finals. But they haven't been able to beat us. We've got some excellent players this season. That's why we've been STOPPING our opponents COLD. If we keep it up, we'll make it to the finals!"
這個隊員說：跟我們交手的很多球隊都是想進決賽的強隊，但誰也打敗不了我們。這個賽季我們有很多優秀隊員，這就是爲什麼對手都過不了我們這一關。照這樣下去，我們一定能進決賽。
Stop Cold 這個習慣用語是十九世紀末出現的，因爲 cold 除了寒冷以外，也有突然和徹底的意思。現在，大家知道這個習慣用語的意思了，下次如果有人用到這個詞，你一定不會感到陌生和意外。It won't stop you cold next time you hear it. 好，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Many of the teams we've faced off against expected to advance to the finals. But they haven't been able to beat us. We've got some excellent players this season. That's why we've been STOPPING our opponents COLD. If we keep it up, we'll make it to the finals!"
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
B: So Yang Lin, I heard a rumor....
A: I'm going to stop you cold right there Mike.
B: Ok ok, have it your way!
A: 好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏了。
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
