VOA英语教学：美语训练班 104

 　　A: 欢迎大家来到这期的美语训练班! 我是杨琳!

　　B: 我是Mike! 杨琳，来告诉大家今天都要学什么!
　　A: 好! 今天，我们要一起来聊聊赌博上瘾该怎么办，看看亿万富翁是如何练成的，还要告诉你怎么说严厉惩罚!
　　B: I've never really been into gambling. I lived in Las Vegas for 2 years, and honestly I think I enjoyed all the buffets more than the slot machines!
　　A: That sounds like you!
　　B: Hey! ... Yeah, that's true.
　　A: 好了, 咱们言归正传，先来进入第一个单元...
　　B: Learn a word!
　　Learn A Word 1716 self-made
　　今天我们要学的词是 self-made. Self-made is spelled s-e-l-f, self, and made, m-a-d-e, made, self-made. Self-made 意思是凭借自己力量完成的。有统计显示，在全球各大名校中，哈佛毕业生里百万和亿万富翁人数最多。While about 14% of  millionaires and billionaires inherited their wealth, 74% are self-made. 在这些百万和亿万富翁里，大约14%的人是继承了父辈的财产，还有74%的人则是白手起家，自己创业积累的财富。在中国百名首富里，八位是女性。与美国不同的是，Successful women in China are mostly self-made businesswomen. 中国最有钱的女性大部分都是白手起家创业成功的女商人。好的，今天我们学习的词是 self-made, self-made, self-made...
　　A: 哈佛毕业生成为百万富翁的机率最大! 这次我去哈佛参观，觉得他们的毕业生不仅自身都很优秀，而且还非常努力! 哎，怎么比嘛....
　　B: You don't need to compare yourself with others. Surpassing yourself is the greatest achievement.
　　A: 哎哟，你还真会安慰人! Speaking of improving myself, I need to improve my time management skills! I've got so much going on in my life right now I feel like I'm not getting ANYTHING done! And worst of all,  my reading time has gotten lost in the shuffle...
　　B: Ha, that must also be the reason for arriving at the office 4 hours behind me....
　　A: Hey! Shush!
　　B: (Laugh) Ok ok. . Actually you just mentioned an idiom, lost in the shuffle, let's check it out!
　　Words and Idioms 829 LOST IN THE SHUFFLE
　　美国习惯用语第 829讲
　　半年前，我加入了一个读书俱乐部，每个月聚会一次，讨论读书心得。上星期聚会，俱乐部成员们没完没了地聊经济、聊大选、聊孩子上学，本来应该讨论的书根本没有涉及到，我非常失望，所以决定退出。不过，这倒让我想起了今天要学的习惯用语，叫
　　M: Lost in the shuffle. Shuffle is spelled s-h-u-f-f-l-e. Lost-in-the-shuffle. Lost in the shuffle.
　　如果你喜欢玩牌的话，肯定知道，Shuffle 是洗牌的意思。lost in the shuffle 意思是在混乱之中把某件事情遗漏或是忽略了。比如说我们那个读书俱乐部。俱乐部的成员们东拉西扯，可就是忽略了俱乐部的真正目的，交流读书心得。The discussion of our book got LOST IN THE SHUFFLE.
　　读书俱乐部的“走题事件”虽然让我很不满，但是跟下面这个人比，我简直可以说是“小题大做”。让我们一起听听他干吗那么气愤。
　　M: "There's been so much controversy over the collapse of the bridge. The mayor's office blames the engineers for poor design while they fault the city for not keeping up with routine repairs. But no one is showing much concern for commuters like me who desperately need the bridge to be fixed. We're getting LOST IN THE SHUFFLE."
　　这个人说：大桥倒塌引起了极大的争议。市长办公室责怪工程师设计失误，工程设计人员则指责市政府没有定期维修。可就是没有人关心象我这样每天开车上班，希望大桥能早日修复的人。我们完全被忽略了。
　　我以前一直痛恨开会，因为很多时候，开来开去，讨论的都是一些并不重要的话题。最近我们刚换了主管，每次开会都按照轻重缓急，列出会议日程，so that the most important issues won'e be LOST IN THE SHUFFLE. 保证重要问题不会被忽略掉。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "There's been so much controversy over the collapse of the bridge. The mayor's office blames the engineers for poor design while they fault the city for not keeping up with routine repairs. But no one is showing much concern for commuters like me who desperately need the bridge to be fixed. We're getting LOST IN THE SHUFFLE."
　　大家都希望得到重视，孩子也不例外。让我们听听下面这个人对自己童年的回忆。
　　M: "Growing up as a middle kid in my family could be tough. Sometimes my folks seemed to spend a lot of time looking after my younger brother and sister or worrying about my older siblings. Is it any surprise I felt LOST IN THE SHUFFLE? I wanted mom and dad to notice me more often."
　　这个人说：我上面有哥哥姐姐，下面有弟弟妹妹，小时候，父母不是在照顾弟弟妹妹，就是在关心哥哥姐姐。我觉得自己简直被遗忘了，这不奇怪吧？我真希望妈妈爸爸能更多地注意到我。
　　我表妹就是这种情况。小时候，她大部分时间都是在跟院子里的孩子玩，经常在邻居家吃饭，甚至过夜，这倒培养了她跟人打交道的能力，如今，她已经成了一个成功的公关总裁。好的，我们再听一下上面的例句。
　　M: "Growing up as a middle kid in my family could be tough. Sometimes my folks seemed to spend a lot of time looking after my younger brother and sister or worrying about my older siblings. Is it any surprise I felt LOST IN THE SHUFFLE? I wanted mom and dad to notice me more often."
　　对了！IN THE SHUFFLE 这个习惯用语源于二十世纪，毫无疑问，是从扑克牌来的。今天尽顾着解释这个习惯用语的用法，The explanation of its original nearly got LOST IN THE SHUFFLE! 差点就忘了解释它的来源。
　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。我是杨晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。这次节目的制作人是胡小玲。谢谢各位的收听。我知道，大家每天的工作生活十分繁忙，但我还是要提醒大家，英语水平的提高靠的是勤学苦练。Don't let practicing your English get LOST IN THE SHUFFLE.
　　M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.
　　我们下次节目再见。
　　A: So how do you feel as the second kid in the family Mike, do you feel like you are lost in the shuffle?
　　B: Not at all. I think it's because that I'm the youngest in the family. I get tons of attention from my parents. And what about you huh? You must always be the center of attention since you are the only-child!
　　A: Yes...but sometimes I feel like there's just too much attention on me. My parents want to protect me from EVERTHING.
　　B: That sounds like my parents too. When I went to Las Vegas for my internship, they were so worried that I'm going to come home with a gambling problem!
　　A: 哈哈，理解父母吧! 我觉得你永远都不会成为赌徒，cuz you will be spending too much time and money at the great buffets!
　　B: True, true. Actually, we are going to touch on gambling in today's business etiquette. Kelly and Patricia are going to Macau for a business trip, and Patricia seems really excited to go gamble! Let's see what we can learn from them!
　　礼节美语BE-229 Gambling I
　　Patricia去找同事Kelly。
　　Patricia: Hey, Kelly...the boss just called me into his office. You and I have to go to Macau for a meeting with our international marketing department. The meeting is on a Friday afternoon so I was thinking we could spend the weekend down there!
　　Kelly: Macau, eh? So I guess you're thinking about doing some gambling, right?
　　P: Well, it is legal in Macau. We might as well take advantage of this golden opportunity! Oh, there's John. John and I used to win some serious money in Las Vegas.
　　Patricia告诉Kelly，老板让他们两人星期五去澳门出差，跟公司的国际营销部同事开会，问Kelly愿不愿意索性在澳门待一个周末，去赌场试试手气。这时候，另外一位同事John走过来，Patricia说，John和他以前就曾在美国的赌城拉斯维加斯赢过不少钱，他说的some serious money意思是可观的数额。John说，
　　John: Yep, Pete and I used to go to Las Vegas at least twice a year. Gambling can be a lot of fun.
　　K: I've never really seen the appeal of gambling. I know it's possible to win big, but I've never won. I really hate losing money.
　　P: I hear you....but if you ever hit a jackpot you'll be addicted for life!
　　J: Winning is a pretty good feeling, but a lot of people can take it too far. Patricia, did you hear about Joe?
　　P: You mean Joe Klein? How's he doing?
　　J: Not so good. He lost his house and his wife left him. We didn't know it at the time, but he actually had a serious gambling problem.
　　John 和 Patricia以前每年至少一起去两次拉斯维加斯。Kelly说自己逢赌必输，所以赌钱对她没有appeal吸引力。Patricia说，虽然win big赢大钱的机会不多，但是if you ever hit a jackpot, you'll be addicted for life. 一旦中了头奖，就会一辈子上瘾。John说，赢钱感觉是不错，但千万不能 take it too far 玩过头，他们有个朋友Joe Klein had a serious gambling problem. 就是赌钱上瘾，结果输了房子不说，老婆也不要他了。
　　P: Really? That's too bad.
　　J: He was over $75,000 in debt...so eventually the bank took his house. As you can imagine, his wife wasn't too happy about that.
　　K: See? These are exactly the kind of stories I'm talking about! I think gambling can be as addictive as illegal drugs!
　　J: And I would have to agree. I don't have an addictive personality by nature so I'm generally able to control myself. But...I have lost more money than I can afford on more than one occasion.
　　Kelly 觉得，gambling can be as addictive as illegal drugs. 赌博跟毒品差不多，让人上瘾。John 表示赞同，他说自己虽然自控能力比较强，and don't have an addictive personality by nature 也不是那种做事喜欢上瘾的人，但是赌钱的时候，还是不止一次输得超出了自己的承受能力，这里说的 more than one occasion 意思是不止一次。
　　A: Kelly和Patricia讨论去澳门该不该赌博，Patricia觉得他们可能会win some serious money, 赢一大笔，但是Kelly说，同事Joe就很爱赌钱, he has a serious gambling problem, 赌钱上瘾，结果老婆房子都没了。
　　B: Yeah, I guess if you have an addictive personality by nature, you should just stay away from casinos.
　　A: 没错! 我去Las Vegas赌场的时候都不带卡，这样你有多少钱，就只能赌多少钱。
　　B: That sounds like a smart idea for not overspending, period! Let's keep listen to Patricia and Kelly!
　　礼节美语BE-230 Gambling II
　　Patricia和同事Kelly要去澳门出差，准备去赌场试试手气。另一个同事John提到，自己有个朋友嗜赌成性，倾家荡产。Patricia问：
　　P: So what happened to Joe? How is he holding up?
　　J: Joe is in Gamblers Anonymous right now. He sent me an e-mail the other day and he says he's doing better...but recovering from any addiction is a long process.
　　K: What's Gamblers Anonymous?
　　P: Have you ever heard of Alcoholics Anonymous or AA?
　　K: Not really.
　　J: Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that tries to help people with alcohol problems overcome their addiction. Gamblers Anonymous does the same thing for gamblers.
　　K: I see, so it's sort of like rehab.
　　Patricia问起Joe近况。John说，Joe现在加入了Gamblers Anonymous嗜赌者互诫协会。Gamblers Anonymous跟Alcoholic Anonymous嗜酒者互诫协会差不多，是帮助赌徒戒赌的组织。在英语里，有某件事情上瘾可以用problem这个字，比如，He has a drinking problem. 他酗酒成性。He has a gambling problem. 他赌博成性。因此说，嗜赌者互诫协会差不多就是一种戒赌组织，it's like a rehab. Rehab is spelled r-e-h-a-b, rehab 是戒毒，戒赌中心的意思。 John 接着说：
　　J: That's right. Gamblers Anonymous offers a support system to gamblers who have a problem.
　　K: Well, I hope your friend gets better soon. So....what casino games do you usually play?
　　P: I've always liked card games....poker, especially. I don't like slot machines because I don't think there are any skills involved.
　　J: I like poker and all kinds of table games, but my favorite is Blackjack. Blackjack is a nice mix of skill and luck.
　　嗜赌互诫协会为赌博上瘾的人提供了一个 support system 相互支持的系统。话说到这，Kelly问Patricia和John去赌场一般都玩些什么。Patricia说自己一般都是玩card games玩牌，不喜欢拉老虎机slot machines, 因为他觉得老虎机完全凭运气，一点技术含量也没有。John说，凡是table games他都喜欢玩。在赌场里，table games除了扑克牌以外，还包括 craps轮盘骰子和罗莱特 Roulette等。John还说，但是他最爱玩的还是Blackjack, 21点。
　　K: I think I might be able to enjoy a game or two of Poker or Blackjack. Do you think I'll get addicted?
　　P: Kelly, I've known you for a few years and you have excellent self-control. I don't think you'll have a problem controlling yourself.
　　J: Besides, you only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. What I suggest is you set yourself a reasonable budget of money that you can afford to lose. Don't go beyond that limit.
　　P: A little bit of legal gambling can be a lot of fun...but we have to know when to call it a night.
　　K: All right. You're on! Let's hit the casinos on Friday night.
　　Kelly 担心自己赌钱上瘾 get addicted. John建议她给自己设定一个合理的限度，set yourself a reasonable budget that you can afford to lose. 给自己定个输得起的预算，不要超过那个限度。John还说，况且，You only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. 去澳门的机会少之又少，once in a blue moon 是非常罕见的意思。Patricia 也说，we know when to call it a night. 我们知道什么时候该打住。Kelly 在两人说服下，最后说，You're on. Let's hit the casinos on Friday night. 星期五去赌场，我们就这么说定了。
　　A: Exactly! A little bit of legal gambling can be a lot of fun...偶尔去一次赌场玩玩，其实还挺有意思的。
　　B: I don't think you should ever try it， 杨琳。Remember your addiction to Korean sitcoms? or Cheese-cake? or Ice-cream?
　　A: Ugh....maybe I have an addictive personality by nature...
　　B: Haha, I don't think so, but I do know of a good "Korean Sitcoms Antonymous" group if you ready to kick the habit.
　　A: 哈! 咱们接着来听下面的Learn a Word,  再来多学学additive这个词儿的用法!
　　Learn A Word 1714 addictive
　　今天我们要学的词是 addictive. Addictive is spelled a-d-d-i-c-t-i-v-e, addictive. Addictive 容易让人上瘾的。Deaths from drug overdoses rose for the 11th straight year in 2010. Most cases were accidents involving addictive painkillers.  2010年，药物服用过量造成的死亡事件连续11年持续上升，其中大部分案例都涉及服用后容易上瘾的止痛药。脸书网和推特网的用户总数加在一起，有十亿多人。美国芝加哥大学的研究人员发现，Social networking can be more addictive than nicotine or alcohol. 使用社交网站甚至可能比尼古丁和酒精更能让人上瘾。好的，今天我们学习的词是 addictive, addictive, addictive...
　　A:Social networking is totally addictive! I can't go on one day without checking my facebook.
　　B:Yeah...the first thing I do in the morning is to check my gmail and facebook accounts on my cell phone, and I definitely check my email more than necessary.
　　A: You are totally addicted to your cell phone! You even take it with you when you go to the bathroom...
　　B: Well...let's...talk about something else!  We still have one last segment to go!
　　A: 哈哈，小样! 好吧，来听今天的最后一个单元!
　　Words and Idioms 830 LOWER THE BOOM
　　美国习惯用语第 830讲
　　我刚刚参加了三天的电脑安全培训班。负责培训的老师对学生要求特别严格，对我们这些大记者丝毫不留情面。我的一个同事就因为培训最后一天迟到了二十分钟，被老师请出了教室，要他下次培训班从头来过。不过，这倒让我想起了今天要学的习惯用语，叫
　　M: Lower the boom. Lower is spelled l-o-w-e-r and boom; b-o-o-m. Lower-the-boom. Lower the boom.
　　大家都知道，low 是低的意思，后面加上 er, 变成 lower, 就是动词，是降低、放低的意思。 Lower the boom 里的 boom 是一个帆船上的专业术语，指的是张帆杆，又叫下桁。Lower the boom 这个习惯用语是严厉惩罚的意思。比如说刚才谈到的培训班的那位老师，对学生迟到进行了严厉的惩罚。She lowered the boom on the student.
　　虽说很多人都觉得这个老师的做法未免有些过火，但是在教育孩子方面，做家长的很多时候恐怕都必需得狠下心来。让我们一起听听下面这位父亲是怎么说的。
　　M: "We warned our teenage son not to come home late again. So when he returned after midnight, we were in the living room waiting. That's when we LOWERED THE BOOM. For the next month, he'd have to stay in except for going to school. It was a harsh but necessary punishment."
　　这位父亲说：我们的儿子十几岁了，我们事先已经警告过他，不要再晚回家，结果这次他又是晚上12点才到家，我们坐在客厅里等他，毫不留情地告诉他，作为惩罚，接下来的一个月里，除了上学以外，哪儿都不能去，这种惩罚虽然严厉，但也是绝对必要的。
　　在美国，家长管教孩子，不讲究打骂，经常用的手段就是在一段时间，比如一个星期内，剥夺孩子出去玩，给朋友打电话，看电视，玩电子游戏等等的权利。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。
　　M: "We warned our teenage son not to come home late again. So when he returned after midnight, we were in the living room waiting. That's when we LOWERED THE BOOM. For the next month, he'd have to stay in except for going to school. It was a harsh but necessary punishment."
　　刚才我们谈到家长管教孩子，是为了让孩子知道，采取行为，就要承担后果，如果违反了规定，就会受到惩罚。这个简单的道理，有时候连成年人都会忘记。让我们听听下面这个人是怎么说的。
　　M: "A buddy of mine is stupid if he thinks he can avoid paying income taxes. Eventually the government will find out and then LOWER THE BOOM on him. That means he'll get a stiff fine. Well, that's what happens when you don't obey the law!"
　　这个人说：我认识的一个朋友觉得自己能逃避缴纳所得税，如果他真这么想，那简直是太愚蠢了。到头来，政府一定会发现，对他进行严厉的惩罚。也就是说，到时候，他必需要缴纳很多罚款。不遵纪守法，就是这个下场。
　　我注意到，一到周末，我们社区路口旁总有一个女交警在那里值勤，对来往车辆的司机进行抽查。一旦发现酒后驾驶的人，毫不留情。She lowers the boom on drunk drivers, immediately taking them to jail。马上把他们带走关起来。好的，我们再听一下上面的例句。
　　M: "A buddy of mine is stupid if he thinks he can avoid paying income taxes. Eventually the government will find out and then LOWER THE BOOM on him. That means he'll get a stiff fine. Well, that's what happens when you don't obey the law!"
　　即使你不精通帆船，可能也会知道，风向发生变化的时候，帆船的张帆杆会剧烈摇摆，这也是最危险的时候。Lower the boom 这个习惯用语是在二十世纪上半叶出现的，可能就来源于此。
　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。我是杨晨，我是 Douglas Johnson。这次节目的制作人是胡小玲。谢谢各位的收听。我知道，大家每天的工作生活都十分繁忙，如果不能每次按时收听美国习惯用语节目，也没有关系。I'm not about to LOWER THE BOOM!
　　M: This has been Words and Idioms. Until next time.
　　我们下次节目再见。
　　A: Never try to escape from your taxes. The IRS will lower the boom on you!
　　B: I think the fashion police are going to lower the boom on you YL, I mean, seriously? That dress with those boots?
　　A:.....好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。
　　B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
　　A: See you next time!
　　-