美语训练班055

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礼节美语 EARLY ADOPTERS II

Henry买了最新的超小电脑Orange SuperCom 4，拿给同事Sara和Mark看。Sara问他：

Sara: So did you already own an Orange SuperCom 3?

Henry: Yeah, I sold it on eBay last week.

M: I used to rush out and buy the latest gadgets as well, but I discovered that first generation products often have a lot of bugs in them.

H: Actually, Mark is right. Even this Orange SuperCom 4 is not quite up to snuff. The connection to the Internet is a bit slow, and it seems like the computer has a little trouble multitasking.

Mark说，他原来也是科技潮人，一出什么新玩艺儿，the latest gadgets, 马上跑去买。gadget is spelled g-a-d-g-e-t, gadget 是小玩艺的意思，常指科技类产品。不过，Mark发现，很多第一代，第二代产品都有很多 bugs, bugs在这里指技术方面的漏洞。Henry承认，他新买的SuperCom4 is not quite up to snuff. 也不是样样都好， up to snuff 意思是符合标准，相当于 up to standard.

M: The problem is that many times in the beginning they haven't quite ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. By the third or fourth generation the company's engineers have a better idea of what works and what doesn't.

S: I'm generally pretty content just to stay with the same system until it becomes obsolete. I still play my old cassette tapes at home.

M: That's one way to go. You know the old expression: "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."

S: Exactly, I use things until they literally fall apart.

H: I prefer the expression: "Out with the old and in with the new!"

Mark 说，问题关键是，第一、二代产品时，很多软件中存在的小问题还都没有得到解决。They haven't ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. to iron out 意思是抹平，解决。Sara说，她在这方面从不赶时髦，家里的东西都得用到过时。英语里有一种说法叫：If it ain't broke...don't fix it. 没坏就不要去修它。Henry 崇尚的则是另一种境界：Out with the old and in with the new! 旧的不去，新的不来。

M: I guess the world needs both kinds of people. Early adopters of technology like Henry help pave the way into the future.

S: And people like me try to keep the pace of change down to a reasonable speed.

H: I have to tell you though...despite all its faults, the new Orange SuperCom 4 is really quite an amazing machine!

M: Maybe after work I can take a quick look at your new toy.

H: Sure! I love showing off my new gadgets! Sara, care to join us?

S: That's OK...I think I'll stay at home and play my cassette tapes. You guys have fun!

Mark 说，Sara和Henry这两种人，都是不可缺少的。他问Henry下班能不能去摆弄一下他的新玩具。Henry欣然同意，说：I love showing off my new gadgets! 我就喜欢显摆我的新玩艺，to show off 是显摆的意思，他还问Sara, care to join us? 要不要一起来。Sara开玩笑说，她还是选择回家去听她的磁带录音机。

B: See, THOSE guys tend to spend every dollar they have on new gadgets! Compared to them, my enthusiasm for beautiful, elegant bags is nothing!

A: 嘿! 就你能找借口!

B: 嘿嘿，再说了，这也能为我增添人气啊。Today, for example, I'm carrying this brand new style of LV bag. A bunch of people on the street stopped to compliment me on my bag! I'm practically a local star.

A: Now that might be true. 这倒是个增添人气的方法哈! 说到这里，咱们去看看人气这个词儿用美语怎么说!

Donny 在北京学汉语，他的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教他。今天吴琼是要问的：人气。

Donny: Hi, Wuqiong, do you want to go to this concert with me?

WQ: 演唱会?让我看看是哪个歌星开的。哇! 这个人现在是人气天王! 我当然愿意跟你去啦。哎?人气在英文里怎么说?

Donny: 人气就是受欢迎的程度。So you can use the word "popularity", p-o-p-u-l-a-r-i-t-y, popularity.

WQ: popularity 就是人气。这个词就是 popular 的名词形式嘛。

Donny: Exactly. I've heard about this singer's rising popularity. That's why I want to go to his concert.

WQ: 演唱会的表演嘉宾，guest stars，都有谁?

Donny: Well, here's the guest star list. Most of them are popular too, but who's this person on the bottom of the list? 我怎么没听说过。

WQ: 让我看看，让我看看。哦，这个女明星几年前很红，可后来过气了。

Donny: No wonder I've never heard about her. She's a has-been. The word "has-been" means someone who is no longer popular.

WQ: has-been? has 和 been放一起就是过气的人，过时的东西。This guest star used to be famous and popular, but now she's just a has-been.

Donny: 对。

WQ:这么说，她可能想借着当嘉宾的机会重新走红喽?

Donny: That's possible. This concert will be a good opportunity for her to stage a comeback.

WQ: comeback, c-o-m-e-b-a-c-k, comeback 就是东山再起，咸鱼翻身的意思吧?If this singer makes a comeback, she will regain her popularity!

Donny: Exactly. Now let's see what you've learned today!

WQ: 第一：人气叫 popularity;

第二：过气、过时的人或物是 a has-been;

第三：东山再起是 a comeback.

这次的"美语怎么说"就到这里结束了。如果你也有不会说的词，请写信给 Donny, 电邮请寄meiyu@voanews.com

A: I hope my popularity will increase after all this serious hosting. I should get SOME kind of reward for dealing with YOU all day....

B:哈哈，赶快去查查你微博的粉丝人数涨没涨?

A: 哈哈，我这就去!(笑) 好了，这次节目时间就到这里。同学们，如果你对我们的节目有什么建议，或者想提什么问题，请发电子邮件到meiyu@voanews.com.

B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!

A: See you next time!