作者自述：这可能是我写过的同类文章中最长最详细的了。这类文章写了很多，以前往往都注重分析比较“邪门”的东西，这次我更注重生活和工作中的实用英语的解析，并做了更多的联想和延伸。看这些东西自然能够进步，不过对于英语基础薄弱的朋友来说，学英语就像学功夫，站好马步是最重要的一步，而不能一上来就练把式，热衷学习花里胡哨的东西，整一些没用的。有功夫还是要多看看语法，对于你理解任何文体都是很有帮助的。

1. X.O.X.O. gossip girl

这是片头独白中的一句。X.O.X.O.是什么意思呢？原来=hugs and kisses （亲亲抱抱）。关于这个词的来源，大家不妨看看下面的解释：

Even as little as a hundred and fifty years ago, not many people could read or write. The "X" at the bottom of a document took the place of a signature. They would kiss the "X" as a crucifix or bible was kissed to emphasize the importance of the mark. It was this practice that lead to the "X" representing a kiss.

There isn't much known about the beginnings of the "O". It is a North American custom. The "O" represents the arms in a circle around another person. Arms crossed in front of you do not mean the "X" as a hug! The "O" is the hug.

2. A few simple tips to beat the heat. 告诉你几条解暑的小贴士。

Beat the heat 直译过来并非“战胜暑气”，在这里，beat-=avoid。所以beat the heat的意思是“躲避暑气”，也就是所谓的“避暑”了。根据它的context，理解成“解暑”、“降署”会更贴切。Beat the traffic/rush 就是“避开（交通，上下班）高峰”。

而后来Serena问Dan到底在怕什么，Dan开玩笑说是heatstroke（中暑）。中暑也可以用sunstroke表示。说“他中暑了”，可以说He suffers (from) heatstroke.

By Vincent from www.englishvincent.com