美語訓練班第86課:美國人熱衷的橄欖球比賽 瞭如指掌
A: 歡迎大家來到這期的美語訓練班! 我是楊琳!
B: 我是Mike! 楊琳，趕快來告訴大家今天都要學什麼?
A: 沒問題! 今天我們要一起來聊聊美國人熱衷的橄欖球比賽，看看怎麼表達瞭如指掌，還要告訴你怎麼拿別人開玩笑!!
B: Football is an important part of being a guy in U.S. The game it self can be pretty hard to understand at first, lucky for you I happen to be an expert!
A: Haha, I'm not so sure about that...... But it's true that every American guy seems to love football! I don't quite understand it, it seems like the players are just wrestling for a ball to me...
B: (Sigh) oh Yanglin, ok I'll try to put this in as simply as I can. Football is the most important sport in this world, because...
A: 打住打住! 要講咱們等會再說，現在，我們先來進入第一個單元，learn a word!
Learn A Word 1659 poke fun at
今天我們要學的詞是 poke fun at, poke is spelled p-o-k-e, poke, fun, f-u-n, fun, at, a-t, at, poke fun at. To poke fun at 意思是拿某人某事開玩笑，調侃。比如：Stop poking fun at me! 別拿我開玩笑。Prince William poked fun at his younger brother Prince Harry during a recent visit to Cambridge. 英國威廉王子最近在訪問劍橋的時候，調侃了弟弟哈里王子。American comedian Ellen DeGeneres poked fun at a study on the effectiveness of gay-dar. 美國笑星艾倫.德傑尼勒斯對一項有關辨別同性戀能力的研究大肆調侃。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 poke fun at, poke fun at, poke fun at...
A: 這個詞可說到我心坎裏去了，you are always poking fun at me, Mike!
B: I wouldn't do it so often if you didn't make it so easy..... (What?)
Kidding kidding. Well, at least you don't need to run the gauntlet like I do! Every time I try to pitch one of my idea to you guys...
A: 哈哈，我們是幫你加強邏輯思維嘛!! 不過你剛好提到了一個很特別的說法，run the gauntlet, 咱們一起來聽聽今天的words and idioms, 學學這個習慣用語的用法!
Words and Idioms 808 RUN THE GAUNTLET
美國習慣用語第八百零八講。
我是楊晨。我是 Douglas Johnson。
美國很多居民小區都設有小區委員會，編制不大，權力可不小。我有個朋友 Amy，她家的小區委員會管得就特別寬，從各家各戶房子的顏色到院子護欄的風格，都要經過審查。Amy 最近想架個籃球筐，給兒子練球用，小區委員會專門就此開會，進行了激烈的討論。這種情況在英語裏叫：
M: Run the gauntlet. Gauntlet is spelled g-a-u-n-t-l-e-t. Run-the-gauntlet. Run the gauntlet.
Gauntlet 在中文裏是夾擊的意思。Run the gauntlet 這個習慣用語的意思就是受到很多人的批判、指責或是攻擊。所以說啊，這個詞用在 Amy 身上特別合適。她爲了給兒子裝個籃球架子，就要接受小區委員會的嚴格審批。She had to run the gauntlet.
在下面的例子裏，一名高中校長提出了一項看似平常的提案，結果卻受到了很多人的圍攻，我們聽聽看，這是爲什麼。
M: "When I proposed that our high school eliminate soda machines in the building, I thought I'd have everyone's support. Instead, I was attacked by many parents and teachers for taking away the students' right to choose what they wanted to drink. I never expected to RUN THE GAUNTLET on that issue."
這位校長說，[我提議取消學校的飲料販賣機。本來以爲會得到大家的支持，可是誰知道，卻遭到了很多家長和老師的指責，說我這是剝奪學生選擇飲料的權利。我從沒想到會因此引火燒身。]
沒錯啊，那些飲料反正也沒什麼營養，取消飲料販賣機應該是件好事，沒想到在這個問題上大家也會存在爭議。
最近有消息說，我們當地一家小學的校長，因爲覺得孩子們玩的追逐遊戲 TAG 動作越來越粗暴，所以決定禁止這個遊戲，結果引起了社會上很多人的指責。She is still running the gauntlet. 好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "When I proposed that our high school eliminate soda machines in the building, I thought I'd have everyone's support. Instead, I was attacked by many parents and teachers for taking away the students' right to choose what they wanted to drink. I never expected to RUN THE GAUNTLET on that issue."
申請工作要經過面試。有的時候，還要經過多次篩選，讓我們一起來聽聽下面這個年輕人的經歷。
M: "First, I had an in-depth interview with the personnel director. Then, I was asked to go over my resume with the department manager. Finally, I got questioned at length by the head of guest services. All of this so that I could get a job parking cars at a hotel! I certainly RAN THE GAUNTLET for that position."
這個人說，首先是人事部主任對我進行了非常深入的面試，然後讓我把簡歷交給部門經理，最後客人服務部的負責人又仔細地詢問了我的情況。這麼繁瑣的程序，其實我申請的就是一個在酒店停車的工作，爲了這個工作，我可真是歷經磨難。
真是夠不容易的，一定是家五星級飯店。Run the gauntlet 的用法可以追溯到十七世紀上半葉，最初是軍隊裏的一種懲罰方式，指士兵們手裏拿着鞭杖，面對面站成兩列，犯錯誤的人 從他們中間跑過去，接受士兵們的鞭打。到1661年的時候，這個習慣用語已經可以用來比喻各種形式的懲罰了。讓我們再聽一下上面的例句。
M: "First, I had an in-depth interview with the personnel director. Then, I was asked to go over my resume with the department manager. Finally, I got questioned at length by the head of guest services. All of this so that I could get a job parking cars at a hotel! I certainly RAN THE GAUNTLET for that position."
大家學習美國習慣用語，有問題可以跟我們聯繫，That way, you won't have to RUN THE GAUNTLET of people who say you don't know how to use this expression properly! 這樣纔不會有人說你不會用瞎用。
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束。我是楊晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。這次節目的製作人是胡小玲。謝謝各位的收聽。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: 我也來造個句: I certainly ran the gauntlet when I was interviewed for this position. 我申請這個職位的時候可是歷經磨難! But something awesome came out of it, I got a job that I love!
B: That makes all the hard work worthwhile, huh? The best part is you got the chance to work with me...
A: Exactly. (Mocking) I love my job! But I just wish I could earn a little bit in DC is really expensive.
B: I know! The high cost of living here almost makes me wish I could be a kid again and just get a weekly allowance from my parents....
A: 哈哈，你又做夢了! 好好工作吧! 不過你剛纔提到了一個詞兒， allowance, 這可是美國孩子最喜歡的詞兒了!
B: Want to know why? Let's check it out!
Learn A Word 1660 allowance
今天我們要學的詞是 allowance, allowance is spelled a-l-l-o-w-a-n-c-e, allowance. Allowance 零用錢。A recent study reveals that 51% of American parents give their kids an allowance. 最近有研究顯示，美國51%的父母會給孩子零用錢。另外還有研究發現，The average child with an allowance gets $65 per month. 父母給零用錢的孩子平均每個月能得到65美元。The most common ways kids spend their allowance is by hanging out with friends and purchasing toys. 孩子們通常會把零用錢花在跟朋友一起玩或是買玩具上面。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 allowance, allowance, allowance...
B: This totally brings back memories from when I was a little kid. My parents used to give me 5 bucks every week, and I would save up and go buy video games!
A: No wonder you always win when we play Halo! You've been practicing since you are a little boy!
B: Exactly. Prior planning prevent poor performance!
A: You definitely have gotten a fix on how to beat me in video games! Not that I think it's anything impressive...
B: Don't lie 楊琳，don't lie. (both laugh) You did mention a term: get a fix on something, let's listen to another words and idioms and check it out!
Words and Idioms 809 Get a Fix on
美國習慣用語第八百零九講。
我是楊晨。我是 Douglas Johnson。
你喜歡看時尚雜誌嗎？現在的時尚，每季都在換，一會兒時興鮮豔的顏色，一會兒又時興復古的樣子。幸虧我不是服裝設計師，否則我肯定無法把握潮流的脈搏。今天我們要介紹給大家的習慣用語是：
M: Get a fix on. Fix is spelled f-i-x. a fix on.
Fix 做爲動詞，有修理的意思，比如說 fix the car 修車。不過，fix 也可以做名詞，其中的一個意思就是定位，get a fix on 這個習慣用語用了 fix 作爲名詞的定位的意思，指清楚地瞭解某些人或事。你現在明白我爲什麼說自己不適合做服裝設計師了吧？I wouldn't know how to GET A FIX ON the styles that people might want to buy.
在下面這個例子裏，一名警官解釋了他們對一起空難事故現場進行調查時所遇到的困難，讓我們一起來聽聽看。
M: "Our investigation team combed the site of the plane crash for weeks. Finally, after reviewing countless pieces of evidence, we were able to GET A FIX ON the cause of the accident. We've determined that ice on the wings was to blame for the tragedy."
這位警官說，我們的調查人員對事發地點進行了好幾個星期的仔細搜索，考查了數不清的證據，最後才確定了事故的起因，我們認爲，這次空難是由飛機機翼上的冰塊造成的。
說起空難，真是怪嚇人的。我以前特別怕坐飛機，一上飛機就緊張，結果有個朋友向我推薦了一個網站，讓我瞭解到了飛機的安全係數。That's where I GOT A FIX ON plane safety. 其實啊，從統計學的角度看，出車禍的機率要比飛機掉下來的機率大得多。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "Our investigation team combed the site of the plane crash for weeks. Finally, after reviewing countless pieces of evidence, we were able to GET A FIX ON the cause of the accident. We've determined that ice on the wings was to blame for the tragedy."
有時候，能瞭解某個人或是某件事對一個人的成功有很大的好處，但是反過來，如果怎麼也搞不懂的話，就會感到特別沮喪。讓我們一起聽聽下面這個年輕人談談他跟岳父岳母的關係。
M: "Since we got married, my wife and I have spent a lot of time with her parents. Just about every weekend we all get together for dinner or go out. I feel like I understand my father-in-law pretty well, but not my mother-in-law. I still haven't GOTTEN A FIX ON her."
這個人說，我們結婚後，經常跟岳父岳母在一起，幾乎每個週末我們都要一起吃飯或是出去玩。經過這些接觸，我覺得我對岳父這個人有了比較清楚的瞭解，但是岳母大人的喜怒哀樂還是讓我模不着頭腦。
Oh-Oh。這個年輕人真應該向我表姐 Jamie 取取經。Jamie 最大的本事就是看人。她每次去開會或是參加活動，都會遇到很多陌生人，但是用不了多久，她就能 GET A FIX ON them 徹底瞭解他們，不僅知道他們的喜好，甚至還能未卜先知，知道他們可能會怎麼做，難怪她幹推銷成績總是那麼好。讓我們再聽一下上面的例句。
M: "Since we got married, my wife and I have spent a lot of time with her parents. Just about every weekend we all get together for dinner or go out. I feel like I understand my father-in-law pretty well, but not my mother-in-law. I still haven't GOTTEN A FIX ON her."
大家肯定都知道世界著名的流行歌手麥當娜。時間如梭，麥當娜如今已經年近五十，她在全球的唱片銷量也超過了兩個億。我覺得，麥當娜的成功在很大程度上是因爲她懂得不斷地變化自己的外形和聲音，總能給聽衆帶來新鮮的感覺。She is always GETTING A FIX ON what her fans are looking for next. 她能清楚地把握歌迷們的脈搏，知道他們接下來可能追尋的東西，這可能就是麥當娜演出事業20多年常勝不衰的祕訣吧。
好的，I hope we have helped you GET A FIX ON another colorful expression. 希望我們幫助大家掌握了一個新的美國習慣用語。我是楊晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。這次節目的製作人是胡小玲。謝謝各位的收聽。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
B: So 楊琳，are you ready for the super bowl this Sunday?
A: Super bowl? 橄欖球超級盃? 我還好啦...I can never get a fix on the I've never really gotten into football. I DO feel like Americans are all really into football though, why is that?
B: I guess it's the kind of sport that bonds us all together. Football is an American sports, my grandfather loved it, my father loves it, and I started watching when I was a little boy. It's like a family tradition for me.
A: Interesting! 聽起來你是個鐵桿球迷呀! 在今天的Business Etiquette裏，Chris跟同事Ben談起了美式橄欖球，咱們一起來聽聽吧!
禮節美語 American Football I
Chris早上在咖啡間跟同事Ben打招呼。
Chris: Hey, you catch the game last night?
Ben: game?
C: Baltimore defeated Texas by 17 points!
B: what sport are we talking about here?
C: Football of course!
B: ball. Football is cool. I usually try to catch the World Cup finals.
Chris問Ben, Did you catch the game last night? 意思是昨天晚上有沒有看比賽，英語裏看比賽，看錶演在口語裏都可以用動詞catch, 比如，Let's go catch a movie. 咱們看電影去。Chris說的是美式足球比賽，football，巴爾的摩烏鴉隊贏了德克薩斯人隊17分。Ben說，足球好看, 每次World Cup finals世界盃決賽我都看，他顯然是把soccer和美式足球football混了。Chris說，
C: No, I'm talking about American football. The World Cup is soccer.
B: Oh, I understand. I can't say I'm a big fan. I'm from China, and football doesn't have a really big following over there.
C: So Chinese people prefer soccer or basketball?
B: Yes, I think so. But to be perfectly honest, I'm not really a sports nut. When I was in high school I played on the school volleyball team. Are you a diehard football fan?
Ben說自己不是特別愛看美式足球，I can't say I'm a big fan. 在中國，美式足球沒有多少球迷。Football doesn't have a really big following. Following 在這裏是名詞，指粉絲，追隨者，仰慕者。Ben還說，To be perfectly honest 意思是老實說，I'm not a sports nut. 這裏的nut, n-u-t, nut是俚語，意思是對某事非常熱衷愛好的人，比如history nut, movie nut 還有Ben所說的sports nut。Ben問Chris是不是鐵桿美式足球球迷，a diehard football fan. diehard is spelled d-i-e-h-a-r-d, diehard 意思是死忠。Chris回答說，
C: Oh, certainly. I wouldn't miss a game for the world. My girlfriend says I have an addiction. And actually, if I had to choose between her and my games...I'd probably pick football.
B: It seems Americans are very passionate about sports. Is this just a part of your culture?
C: Oh, yeah! I think the love of sports starts when kids are very young. Americans come from many different backgrounds so I guess sports are something we can all enjoy together.
Chris承認自己是鐵桿球迷，I wouldn't miss a game for the world. 不會因爲任何原因錯過比賽。not miss something for the world是一種很常見的說法，強調無論如何都不會錯過，比如，I wouldn't miss your concert for the world. 我絕不會錯過你的音樂會。Chris說，美國人熱愛體育，是從小培養的，大家來自不同背景，但是運動卻能讓彼此走到一起。
A: 原來，Chris是個鐵桿球迷, a diehard football fan, 不會因爲任何原因錯過一場比賽，won't miss a game for the world. 相比起來，Ben is not a sports nut, Ben不是個特別熱衷體育的人。
B: I agree with Chris. Sports are a way for us to bond. It's a social occasion...a way to enjoy the game and each other's company.
A: 恩，就跟我們小時候看春節晚會吃餃子一樣!
B: Exactly. Let's see what Chris has to say about this!
禮節美語American Football II
Chris跟同事Ben聊起美國人對體育運動的熱愛。Ben問，
B: So sports is a way for people to bond?
C: Yeah. During holidays like Thanksgiving my family will sit around in front of the television and watch a football game together. It's a social ying the game and each other's company.
B: I'm not sure if Chinese people approach sports in the same way. If it's something that can bring glory to China's national team--such as Olympic table tennis or diving--then everyone watches the event together.
在美國，體育運動是人際往來的一種紐帶，a way for people to bond. Chris說，逢年過節，他們一家人都會圍坐在電視機旁，enjoy the game and each other's company. 欣賞比賽，共度時光。Ben說，中國人看比賽不太一樣，一般都是有奧林匹克等國際賽事，中國隊可能會拿獎牌，爲國爭光的時候，大家纔會聚在一起看比賽。
C: I think in America people are often loyal to their regional team. In college you root for your school's team and then when you settle down somewhere you follow that area's team.
B: So what's your favorite team?
C: I actually have two favorites. I grew up in New York so I'm first and foremost a New York Jets fan, but I went to school in Baltimore so I also like the Baltimore Ravens.
Chris說，美國人一般住在哪裏，就是那個地方球隊的粉絲，上大學的時候替校隊加油，畢業後在哪裏安家，就替哪裏的球隊加油，root for 是支持某人，替某人加油助威的意思，Chris說自己喜歡的球隊有兩個，小時候在紐約長大，所以I'm first and foremost a New York Jets fan, 所以是紐約噴氣機隊球迷，first and foremost 意思是首要的，然後又因爲去巴爾的摩上學，成了巴爾的摩烏鴉隊的粉絲。
B: What happens when the teams play against each other?
C: (Chuckle) I usually support the New York Jets. But if the Ravens win it's not too bad.
B: I have to confess I don't actually understand how American football works. It kind of looks like a war to me.
C: Actually, football is like a war. Each team tries to advance the ball through enemy territory to the end zone. It evolved from the English game of rugby which is also kind of like a battle between two armies.
Ben承認，自己看不太懂美式足球，不知道美式足球到底是怎麼個打法。Chris承認，football is like a war.美式足球確實就好像是在打仗，兩隻球隊都設法穿過敵人的地盤 enemy territory, 攻到 end zone 陣區裏。Chris還說，美式足球是從英式橄欖球發展而來的，英式橄欖球 rugby is spelled r-u-g-b-y, rugby，他用的evolve is spelled e-v-o-l-v-e, evolve 是發展演繹的意思。
A: e I will watch Super Bowl this year, sounds like it's an important step in understanding American Culture!
B: That's the right thing to do! have an expert here in case you don't understand anything!
A:I will take you up on that! 好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏了。
