“单词背后的故事”是一个电台节目,通过讲故事和举例子,让英语学习者更系统地了解到英语习语的意思与用法。当然,要学以致用才能真正掌握这些习语哦。
Throughout history, gold has been a sign of purity, beauty and power. Calling something 1)golden means it has great quality and value.
For example, the 2)golden rule is possibly the world’s most widespread moral rule.
It says people should treat others the way they themselves would like to be treated. Every major religion has its own version of this idea.
The 3)golden ratio is found in art, architecture and nature. It describes a rectangle with a length about one and one-half times its width. Objects using this ratio in their design seem to please the eye more than others.
Philosophers have their own 4)golden idea. The 5)golden mean says moderation in all things is the best way to live one’s life. It is an idea linked to the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Similar thoughts exist in Buddhism and Confucianism.
Ancient Greek myths told of a time long ago when people lived in peace and happiness. Poets called it “the 6)Golden Age.” A golden age now describes a historical period of great artistic, scientific or economic progress. It can even recall a time of success and popularity for an industry. For example, the 1930s and ’40s were called “the Golden Age of Radio.”
You may have heard the proverb “7)silence is golden.” This means silence is of great value. It is sometimes better to say nothing than to speak.
You might say your child was 8)good as gold when he behaved well at school. British writer Charles Dickens used this expression in 1843. He was describing the child Tiny Tim in the book A Christmas Carol.
In 1937, American playwright Clifford Odets wrote a play called 9)The Golden Boy. This expression describes a young man who has many good qualities and a bright future.
You might tell someone “10)you are golden” when that person does something very well.
11)Gold digger is another description. But this does not say something nice about a person. A gold digger is someone who seeks to marry a rich person because he or she is only interested in that person’s money.
Maybe you like old songs from the 1950s or ’60s that are still well-known and popular today. These are called “12)golden oldies.”
In the 1980s and ’90s, an American television comedy series told about four older women living in Miami,
Florida. 13)The Golden Girls often dealt with social issues in a funny way.
Today, most older people look forward to reaching their 14)golden years. This is when hard-working people can retire to a life of ease and fulfillment.
Notes
1) golden 特别的,美好的
2) golden rule 成功的重要原则,指导原则,金科玉律
3) golden ratio 黄金比例
4) golden idea 金点子
5) golden/happy mean 中庸之道,这里“golden mean”指崇尚中庸之道的人。
6) golden age(尤指过去的)黄金时代,鼎盛时期
7) Silence is golden. 沉默是金,免开尊口。
8) (as) good as gold 规规矩矩,很乖,表现好
9)《金童》是美国现代著名剧作家、上世纪30年代美国左翼戏剧的代表人物克利福德·奥德茨(1906-1963)的作品。golden boy现用以形容具有良好素质和光明前途的年轻男子。
10) You are golden! 你真棒!
11) gold digger 淘金者,(俗)以美色诱惑骗取男人金钱的女人
12) golden oldie 经久不衰的歌曲(或影片),经典歌曲,经典影片
13)《黄金女郎》是美国全国广播公司(NBC)1985年推出的情景喜剧,描述四个性格古怪的老女人在迈阿密同居的生活趣事,叫好又叫座,是上世纪90年代最成功的连续剧之一,获奖无数。而“golden girl”与“golden boy”相对应,指非常健康美丽的女孩。
14) golden year (退休后)金色年华,流金岁月