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Idioms, words and catch phrases (IV)

shaomiao(少淼)
本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛4. Popular culture and history

This may be the area that takes most time to improve. If you haven’t read or seen “Harry Potter”, you probably find it hard to understand the conversation of two kids talking excitedly about the chamber of secrets.

One rolian heard “Trekkies vs. Trekkers” and wondered what it meant. Trekkies and Trekkers are two different kinds of "Star Trek" fans. Although they may look the same to outsiders, they resent each other, and try to differentiate from one another. I would imagine two political parties can be an example.

My wife heard her colleague saying “Bob’s you uncle” and didn’t understand its meaning. This phrase means everything is perfect, everything is okay. It is commonly thought to have originated as a catchphrase after a Prime Minister of England named Robert prompted his own nephew to an important position. The expression was initially an ironic or bitter comment, to the effect that everything will be all right for you if Bob is your uncle, though it has now lost this shade of meaning. Sometimes it means no more than 'that's that'.

Learning another language can be very fun. Come to English forum and share your questions, confusions, new findings, or any thoughts, you will find learning English a pleasure.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
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Last Updated: 2003-5-11
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  • 工作学习 / English / Idioms, words and catch phrases (IV) -shaomiao(少淼); 2003-5-11 {1288} (#1183304@0)
    • Sometimes I have to work with teenage boys. When they gather together they often talk about games and there are a lot of terms and names that I totally know nothing about. -erinca(erinca); 2003-5-12 (#1184418@0)
    • Could you shed some light on this: -rochester(Cory J); 2003-5-12 {187} (#1184743@0)
      "Smarty Pants": what does it mean? Is it pejorative?
      It's really a pain when you are not sure if people want to be friendly with you or want to make fun of you...
      Thanks in advance.
      • Hard to say, please come in -shaomiao(少淼); 2003-5-12 {897} (#1185207@0)
        In many cases, "smarty-pants" is a sarcasm. It is used to refer to the people who think they are very smart, but only as a result of their own over-confidence. It is mild, not very pejorative.

        But we need to put it in its context to see if it is really a sarcasm or a compliment. It depends on the tone, and who said it. "You bastard!" may be a compliments from an old friend; while it may be very offensive from a stranger.

        I would suggest when you are not sure, confront the person with a neutral question. For example:

        A: You are such a smarty-pants!
        B: Seriouly, what do you think about my idea?
        A: I think it is a great idea!

        A: You are such a smarty-pants!
        B: Seriouly, what do you think about my idea?
        A: I think we can come up something better.

        Again, observe the tone and other non-verbal languages, and you will know what the person really means.

        Hope it helps.
        • Thanks for your very helpful explaination. How could you know all these? Would you mind sharing some of your learning experiences? -patpat(胡侃而已); 2003-5-13 (#1186353@0)
          • 多谢鼓励。 -shaomiao(少淼); 2003-5-13 {331} (#1187107@0)
            学习方法因人而异，咱们可以互相切磋。其实我并无心得，也差距很大。总的感觉是要多听，多读；然后多说，多写。用英文的时候，尽量不用汉语思考；用中文的时候，尽量避免英文思考。很多移过来的小孩学英文好，大概就是中文干扰少的缘故。词汇量虽小，表达意思也总能将就， 比把中文想法翻译成英文更好。用的多了，词汇量自然也就扩展了。点滴积累吧。见笑。

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