【趣谈英语】Nice的讽刺意义-“Nice” Hasn’t Always Been Nice
英语课
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
evolve: to change over time
drastic: very noticeable; extreme
appealing: likeable
satisfactory: acceptable
sarcastic 1: not sincere; opposite of one’s true feelings
tasteful: having an appropriate sense of style or fashion
cliché: too expected or common; lacking in originality 2
“Nice” Hasn’t Always Been Nice -Nice 并不总是意味着美好
The meaning of a word often evolves over time. Some word meanings change more drastically than others. The word “nice” has a number of meanings, including appealing, kind, or satisfactory. The same word is used sarcastically 3 to mean just the opposite. For example, you will often hear someone exclaim, “Nice!” when their true reaction is that something is rude, bad, or gross. This sarcastic use of the word “nice” is similar to its Latin origin. The Latin word “nescius” means unaware 4. By the thirteenth century people were using the word “nice” to mean foolish, senseless, or clumsy. Its meaning then evolved to mean shy and later tasteful. By the late 1800s, expressions with “nice” in a positive sense became common. Today the word “nice” is so common that it is often considered cliché.
1 sarcastic
adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的
- I squashed him with a sarcastic remark.我说了一句讽刺的话把他给镇住了。
- She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.她冷嘲热讽地拿别人的缺点开玩笑。
2 originality
n.创造力，独创性；新颖
- The name of the game in pop music is originality.流行音乐的本质是独创性。
- He displayed an originality amounting almost to genius.他显示出近乎天才的创造性。
3 sarcastically
adv.挖苦地，讽刺地
- 'What a surprise!' Caroline murmured sarcastically.“太神奇了!”卡罗琳轻声挖苦道。
- Pierce mocked her and bowed sarcastically. 皮尔斯嘲笑她，讽刺地鞠了一躬。