VOA慢速英语听力训练素材：词汇典故创新
VOA慢速英语，作为国际英语学习者的重要资源，通过清晰缓慢的发音与简洁的词汇，为初学者及中等水平学习者搭建了通往流利英语的桥梁。它不仅帮助提升听力理解能力，还丰富了词汇量，增强了语感，是学习地道英语表达不可或缺的工具，对全球英语学习者的语言提升至关重要。让我们一起进入今天的VOA慢速英语听力训练：词汇典故创新。
英文原文
Today we talk about innovation.
今天我们来谈谈创新。
Innovation is an improved way of doing something.
创新是一种改进做事方式的方法。
Innovation can lead to change that makes for a better product or idea.
创新可以带来变革，使产品或想法变得更好。
Sometimes innovation involves new physical invention.
有时，创新涉及到新的物理发明。
Some innovations are revolutionary.
有些创新是革命性的。
Innovation brings us to the world of bread, and today's expression: "the best thing since sliced bread."
创新把我们带到了面包的世界，以及今天的表达：“自切片面包以来最好的东西”。
"The best thing since sliced bread" describes a new excellent thing that makes a great improvement to something.
“自切片面包以来最好的东西”描述了一个对某事物做出巨大改进的新事物。
For example, the new map and direction app on my smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread. Now when driving, I find my destinations easily and only get lost when my phone dies.
例如，我智能手机上的新地图和导航应用程序就是自切片面包以来最好的东西。现在开车时，我可以轻松找到目的地，只有手机没电时才会迷路。
But where does this expression come from?
但这个表达是从哪里来的呢？
Well, for many years, bread has been a main part of meals for many people around the world.
多年来，面包一直是世界各地许多人饮食的主要部分。
Most bread comes in a long form, a loaf. A breadloaf travels well. You can buy a loaf of bread, stick it in your bag, and make it home without the bread getting damaged, and on the way, you can break off a piece of bread for a little snack.
大多数面包都是长条形的，即一条面包。一条面包便于携带。你可以买一条面包，把它放进包里，然后带回家，而面包不会损坏。在路上，你可以掰下一块面包作为小吃。
But when making a sandwich, you need two slices of bread of the same thickness. If you had to cut them yourself, that may not happen; one may be thicker than the other. One of life's little annoyances.
但是做三明治时，你需要两片厚度相同的面包。如果你自己切，可能不会这样；一片可能比另一片厚。这是生活中的小烦恼之一。
Well, that changed in the late 1920s. An inventor in the United States brought an innovation to the world of bread. Otto Frederick Rowetter invented the bread slicer. The machine cut the bread into individual slices of the same size.
不过，这种情况在20世纪20年代末期发生了改变。美国的一位发明家为面包界带来了创新。奥托·弗雷德里克·罗韦特发明了面包切片机。这台机器将面包切成大小相同的单独切片。
Soon after, he invented a machine that sliced the bread and then packaged it. Later, a small machine to toast the bread was invented. The slices fit neatly into the toaster. Toasters can be found in homes across the US and other countries.
不久之后，他又发明了一台既能切片又能包装的面包机。后来，又发明了一台烤面包机。切片可以整齐地放入烤面包机中。在美国和其他国家的家庭中都可以找到烤面包机。
Sliced bread became even more popular. People love bread, and Rowetter's creation revolutionized the bread industry.
切片面包变得更加受欢迎。人们喜欢面包，罗韦特的发明彻底改变了面包行业。
So, being described as "the best thing since sliced bread" is high praise indeed.
因此，被描述为“自切片面包以来最好的东西”确实是一种高度赞扬。
Here is another example: "So what do you think of the chief's new policy on paid leave? It's the best thing since sliced bread. I'm going to use the extra vacation time to visit friends in Paris."
再举一个例子：“你觉得主管的新带薪休假政策怎么样？这是自切片面包以来最好的东西。我打算用额外的假期时间去巴黎看望朋友。”
Please note, people also use this expression as an insult. Let's say you know someone who thinks very highly of herself. She thinks she can do no wrong. You don't agree. You could say, "She thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread."
请注意，人们也会用这个表达作为侮辱。比如说，你认识一个自视甚高的人。她认为自己不会犯错。你不同意她的看法。你可以说，“她自以为自己是自切片面包以来最好的东西。”
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