(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
On this program we will explore English expressions.
在本期节目中，我们来探索一下英语短语。
On today's program we talk about animal expressions!
在今天的节目中，我们谈论有关动物的短语！
English has many animal expressions—too many to name.
英语中有很多有关动物的短语，数不胜数。
Also, in English, as in many other languages, some animals have come to have certain reputations.
此外，在英语中，就像在许多其他语言中一样，一些动物已经有了一定的名声。
That is to say, they are known for certain behaviors.
也就是说，它们因某些行为而闻名。
For example, dogs are loyal.
例如，狗是忠诚的。
We often call them "man's best friend."
我们常称它们为“人类最好的朋友”。
Cats are independent and mysterious.
猫是独立的、神秘的。
In old stories, snakes and foxes are not to be trusted.
在古老的故事中，蛇和狐狸是不可信的。
Turtles do things slowly. While rabbits are full of energy.
乌龟做事很慢。而兔子则精力充沛。
Then there are monkeys. Monkeys have a reputation for being silly and causing trouble.
还有猴子。猴子以愚蠢和惹麻烦而闻名。
Good words for that are naughty and mischievous.
说得好听点，就是调皮捣蛋。
Monkeys are especially known for being fun.
猴子尤其以有趣著称。
And if one monkey is fun, just think how much fun many monkeys would be!
如果一只猴子很有趣，想想多只猴子该多有趣啊!
If an activity or event is super fun, we can say it is "as fun as a barrel of monkeys."
如果一项活动或事件是超级有趣的，我们可以说它是“as fun as a barrel of monkeys”。
Even a fun person can be described as a barrel of monkeys.
即使是一个有趣的人也可以被形容为“a barrel of monkeys”。
Now, a barrel is a large wooden container.
“a barrel”是指一个大的木制容器。
I'm not sure how to get monkeys into a barrel.
我不知道怎么把猴子放进桶里。
But I'm guessing it would be fun.
但我猜这会很有趣。
While we are on the subject, keep in mind that fun and funny are used differently.
当我们谈到这个话题时，请记住“fun”和“funny”的用法是不同的。
If something is funny it makes you laugh.
如果某件事很好笑，它会让你发笑。
If something is fun it is simply enjoyable.
如果某件事很有趣，那它就只是有乐趣的。
For example, last weekend I went to a party and it was really fun.
例如，上周末我去参加了一个聚会，真的很有趣。
At the party, my friend told me a funny story, and I laughed out loud.
在聚会上，我的朋友给我讲了一个有趣的故事，我大声笑了起来
Some word historians think that the expression "barrel of monkeys" was first recorded in 1895.
一些词汇历史学家认为，“barrel of monkeys”这个表达最早记录于1895年。
It describes the playful behavior of these primates.
它描述了这些灵长类动物的嬉戏行为。
We use it to describe any type of fun of activity or person.
我们用这个短语来形容任何类型的活动或人的乐趣。
To call something a barrel of monkeys is definitely informal.
称某事是“a barrel of monkeys”绝对是非正式的。
You could call a really fun event a riot.
你可以把一个真正有趣的事件称为“a riot”。
Where I grew up in West Virginia, people might call something really fun a hoot.
我在西弗吉尼亚州长大，那里的人们可能会把一些真正有趣的事情称为“a hoot”。
That is also informal and a bit rural.
这也是非正式的，有点乡村风味。
Now, monkeys do more than have fun.
猴子做的不仅仅是娱乐。
Because they are also smart, they are known for causing trouble.
因为它们也很聪明，所以它们以制造麻烦而闻名。
So, it is not surprising that we have monkey expressions that describe causing trouble.
所以，我们用有关猴子的短语来描述制造麻烦也就不足为奇了。
The first is to simply "monkey around."
第一个就是“monkey around”。
To monkey around means to goof around or cause harmless trouble.
“monkey around”的意思是到处闲逛或制造无害的麻烦。
But it could lead to more serious trouble.
但这可能会导致更严重的麻烦。
So, a parent may warn a child, "If you monkey around someone could get hurt. So, stop it!"
因此，父母可能会警告孩子：“如果你胡闹，可能会有人受伤。所以，别闹了！”
If I make a funny joke at a work meeting, someone could tell me to stop "monkeying around and get serious."
如果我在工作会议上讲了一个有趣的笑话，有人可能会告诉我别“胡闹了，认真点”。
Our last expression is "monkey business."
我们最后的一个短语是“monkey business”。
Monkey business usually means dishonest activities.
“monkey business”通常指不诚实的活动。
For example, most people expect a little monkey business in politics.
例如，大多数人都希望在政治活动中搞点骗人的小把戏。
It just seems to come with the territory, as we like to say.
就像我们喜欢说的那样，这似乎是自然而然的。
Here at VOA Learning English, we don't monkey around with English.
在VOA慢速英语，我们不会玩弄英语。
We take it very seriously. We are all business.
我们对此非常重视。这是我们的职责所在。
But not, you know, monkey business—that would be bad.
但是，你知道，这不是胡闹，那样会很糟糕的。
And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。下次见……我是安娜·马特奥。
重点解析
1.as fun as a barrel of monkeys 非常有趣
Roger always makes me laugh! He is as much fun as a barrel of monkeys.
罗杰总是能让我开怀大笑！他很有趣。
2.monkey around 到处闲逛；胡闹
It is dangerous to monkey around in the workshop.
在车间里胡闹是危险的。
3.monkey business 欺骗；胡闹；恶作剧
If you keep up this monkey business，you will be grounded.
如果你继续恶作剧，你将会被禁足。
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