Thursday, 17 January 2019

Big Bang Theory: Series 08 Episode 21 – The Communication Deterioration

dig in I. If you dig a substance in, or dig it into the soil, you mix it into the soil by digging.  to mix something into the ground by digging You need to dig the compost 肥料 in.( compost [ˈkɑmˌpoʊst] 草料肥: a mixture of decaying plants and vegetables that is added to soil to improve its quality.) I usually dig in a small barrow load of compost in late summer. To dig calcium into the soil, he warned, does not help the plant. if something digs in, it presses hard into something else She gripped his arm so hard that her nails dug in. II. When soldiers dig in or dig themselves in, they dig trenches and prepare themselves for an attack by the enemy. The battalion went directly to the airport to begin digging in. The enemy must be digging themselves in now ready for the attack. Our forces are dug in along the river. III. If you say that someone is digging in, you mean that they are not changing their mind or weakening their efforts, although they may be losing a contest or facing difficult problems. A yawning North-South gulf has opened up with both sides digging in. to prepare yourself for a difficult situation. dig in for: Both sides are digging in for a long and bitter dispute. IV. If someone digs in, or digs into some food, they start eating eagerly. If you tell someone to dig in, you are inviting them to start eating, and encouraging them to eat as much as they want. to start eating food with a lot of enthusiasm Come on, everybody – dig in'Listen,' said Daisy, digging into her oatmeal. Pull up a chair and dig in!

1. Sheldon: Hey, would you like to hear some songs I've rewritten to get children interested in the hard sciences 自然科学, 理工科 (Hard science and soft science are colloquial terms used to compare scientific fields on the basis of perceived methodological rigor, exactitude, and objectivity. Roughly speaking, the natural sciences are considered "hard", whereas the social sciences are usually described as "soft".)? Howard: Sure. Leonard: Really? Howard: Yeah. Well, I like music, I like science, I like making fun of Sheldon. Hit it(music slang start playing) Sheldon: There was a scientist who had a theory and James Clerk Maxwell was his name-o. J-A-M-E-S, C-L-E-R-K space M-A-X-W-E-L-L, And James Clerk Maxwell was his name-o. There was a scientist who had a theory and James Clerk Maxwell was his name-o, A-M-E-S… Leonard: Uh, okay, okay. Uh, we, we get it. Sheldon: Perhaps you'd prefer this one. The itsy bitsy spider is not an insect at all, because it has eight legs and two body parts. Leonard: That's pretty cool, Sheldon. Sheldon: Thank you. Do either of you know Beyoncé? I'd love her to get behind it. Raj: Hey. Leonard: Hey. Howard: Hey. Sheldon: Hello. Raj: You guys know the new Discovery class missions that NASA's been working on?Leonard: Yeah. Raj: Well, they're looking to include a message from Earth in case one of them is encountered by alien life 外星人, 外星生命. Leonard: Oh. When I encountered alien life, I discovered that the key thing was not to sit in its spot. Sheldon: All right, you can't breathe our air without an inhaler, he's allergic to Earth nuts, but I'm the alien. Raj: Anyway, I'm among a handful of scientists that have been asked to submit a design proposal for the message and its delivery system. Sheldon: Excellent. Howard: Good for you. Leonard: Congratulations. Raj: And I was wondering if any of you guys would like to help me do it. Leonard: Are you kidding? Yes. What did you have in mind? Sheldon: I'll tell you exactly what you should do, avoid the presumption of the Terran sensory input paradigm. Howard: Yeah, absolutely. You need a device capable of delivering information across a wide range of perceptual modalities. Sheldon: Any intelligent organism would at the very least need the ability to locate the position of objects in space. So the ideal interstellar lingua franca would be haptic. Howard: Ooh, how about a 3-D tactile communicator rigged for cross-sensory transposition? Raj: Exactly what I expected. Two people forcing their ideas on me and only one gentleman who could be bothered to ask me what my thoughts were. You two are out. Congratulations, Leonard, you're on the team. Leonard: My mommy raised a gentleman. 2. Raj: Hey. Thanks for coming by. Leonard: Yeah. I'm excited to help. Raj: I would have included the others, but you know exactly what would've happened. They would've taken over the project and bossed us around. Leonard: I get it. Uh, just this morning, Sheldon wouldn't let me put almond milk on my Grape-Nuts because he said it was a theoretical nut conflict. Raj: You should have told him to mind his own business. Leonard: Yeah. That's better than what I did say, which was, fine, I'll eat them with club soda. Raj: What makes them think they're always in charge of everything? Leonard: Mmm, they're alpha males. Raj: Huh, what does that make us? Leonard: We could be betas. They're second in charge. Raj: Okay, that sounds good. Leonard: Or we could be omegas. They get pushed around 呼来换取的 by the alphas and the betas. Raj: Okay, that sounds like us. Leonard: Whatever. There's no alphas here, and this is your project. You're in charge. How do you want to start? Raj: I don't know. How do you want to start? Leonard: I don't know. Should we call Sheldon and Howard Raj: No. We can do this by ourselves. Leonard: Okay. Great. How do you want to start? Raj: I don't know. How do you want to start? 3. Penny: (Knock, knock, knock) Sheldon. (Knock, knock, knock) Sheldon. (Knock, knock, knock) Sheldon. Sheldon: I bet that started off as a joke, but by the third one you realized there was something strangely enjoyable about it. Penny: Yeah, I kind of want to do it again. Sheldon: I don't recommend it. You'll be doing it the rest of your life. Anyway, if you're looking for Leonard, he's with Koothrappali. Penny: Uh, no, I actually came to talk to you. Sheldon: How nice. Here are some topics that interest me, quantum mechanics, trains, flags. Penny: No, no. It's about my acting career. Sheldon: Oh, sorry. That's not on the list. Penny: Well. Sheldon: Oh, wait. No. How about we split the difference and discuss why Austria was an archduchy 大公国 ( duchy [ˈdʌtʃi]  the land and property of a duke or duchess. The Archduchy of Austria was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire and the nucleus of the Habsburg Monarchy. With its capital at Vienna, the archduchy was centered at the Empire's southeastern periphery. The Archduchy developed out of the Bavarian Margraviate of Austria, elevated to the Duchy of Austria according to the 1156 Privilegium Minus by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The House of Habsburg came to the Austrian throne in Vienna in 1282 and in 1453 Emperor Frederick III, also Austrian ruler, officially adopted the archducal title. From the 15th century onwards, all Holy Roman Emperors but one were Austrian archdukes and with the acquisition of the Bohemian and Hungarian crown lands in 1526, the Habsburg "hereditary lands" became the centre of a major European power. On Epiphany 1453 Emperor Frederick III, regent of Austria for his minor Albertinian cousin Ladislaus the Posthumous, finally acknowledged the archducal title. It was then conferred to all Habsburg emperors and rulers, as well as to the non-ruling princes of the dynasty, however, it still did not carry the right to vote in the Imperial election.) and not just a regular duchy. Penny: Okay, look, here's the thing. I like pharmaceutical sales 药物销售(sale I. [countable/uncountable] the process of selling goods or services for money. sale of: a prohibition on the sale of arms. a. [countable] a single instance of selling goods or services. make/lose a sale: I'm willing to lower the price in order to make a sale. b. [only before noun] relating to the process of selling goods or services. The painting sold for more than double its estimated sale price 售价. II. [countable] 促销. 特价打折. an event or period of time during which a store reduces the prices of some of its goods. the start of the after-Christmas sales 大促销, 大特价. Calvin Klein at the mall is having a sale 在打折 -- up to 80% off. Coles is always having sales 促销. sale on: The store is having a sale on appliances next week. III. [countable] an event at which people meet to buy and sell things, normally at a place that is not regularly used for this purpose. The public library is organizing a secondhand book sale. a. an event at which things are sold to the person who offers to pay the highest price. IV. sales [seɪlz] 销量 [plural] the total number of things that a company sells within a particular period of time, or the money that it earns by selling things.  The newspaper has sales of 1.72 million. Car sales are 5 per cent down on a year ago. Sales are looking very healthy this quarter. Book sales have gone up. We hope to increase sales this year to $50 million. Do you have the sales figures yet? Sales are up for the month of May. a. the activity of trying to sell products or services. I've been in car sales for five years now. b. 销售部门. 销售这项工作. the department of a company that sells its products or services. a sales role. a sales manager. Until 1983 he worked in sales and marketing. She works in sales. You'll have to check availability with sales销售部门. salesperson I. someone whose job is to sell the products or services of a particular company, especially by travelling to different places. II. someone whose job is to help customers and sell things in a shop. for sale 销售, 在售, 开始出售 available for people to buy. That particular item is not for sale. up for sale available for people to buy. I have my car up for sale to help pay my education costs. put something up for sale: We're putting the factory up for sale. on sale I. available for people to buy. Tickets for the performance are on sale at the box office. II. 促销. 打折. American available for people to buy at a price that is less than the usual price. The British expression is on offer. Furniture usually goes on sale in January. on offer I. available. "the number of permanent jobs on offer is relatively small". II. British available for sale at a reduced price. If there is something on offer, it is available to be used or bought. Savings schemes are the best retail investment products on offer. ...country cottages on offer at bargain prices. "the fruit cocktail trifle is on offer at 99p". point of sale 售卖点 the place where a product or service is sold. bill of sale 售货单 a written statement describing the sale of something to someone. deal [countable] a formal agreement, especially in business or politics. a business/peace/land deal. deal with: a deal with a German TV company. deal between: We think there was a deal between the CIA and the FBI. do/cut/make/reach/strike a deal (with someone): We've cut a deal with Germany on wine imports. close a deal (=successfully complete it): Now it was time to close the deal. a deal goes through (=happens as arranged): We're 99% certain the deal will go through. a deal falls through (=does not happen as arranged): He nearly got the job but then the deal fell through. get a good deal (on something) 好价钱 (=get it at a low price): I got a really good deal on my new computer. have a good deal: an informal arrangement that you have with someone that gives you advantages or disadvantages. I've got a really good deal living at Sophie's house. ), it's going great, but I have an audition for a movie, and if I get it, it could screw everything up. Sheldon: Hmm. I know exactly what you should do. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you. Penny: Well, why? Sheldon: I'm attempting to turn over a new leaf. Earlier today, it was pointed out to me that I tend to force my ideas on people. Penny: You're really not gonna tell me? Sheldon: No, that train has left the station. Now, we can play this one of two ways. You can say, trains, tell me more, or you can just look at me like that and I'll start. 4. Bernadette: What's going on in here? Howard: I am making molecular cocktails. This sphere is actually a cosmopolitan. Bernadette: Oh. How do you drink it? Howard: Oh, just put it in your mouth and pop it like a zit. Bernadette: I think I'll have a beer. Howard: First take a picture with me. Bernadette: Why? Howard: Well, Raj and I always talked about learning how to make cocktails like this together, so I taught myself and I'm putting this on Instagram so he can see it and feel like a turd(I. a lump of excrement. a solid piece of waste from a person's or an animal's body. II. an unpleasant person. a person regarded as obnoxious or contemptible.). Say cheese. Bernadette: Is this about the space probe he's working on without you? Howard: You betcha. The very one. Bernadette: Howard, you're grown men. You guys don't have to do everything together. Howard: I know. That's why I'm spending tonight with you. Bernadette: Trying to hurt Raj's feelings. Howard: With my honeybunch (honey; darling: a term of endearment). Bernadette: You're being childish. Howard: No. He is. So I have a dominant personality. We all know that. Bernadette: I'm sorry. What do we know? Howard: In social groupings, I just naturally wind up in charge. Bernadette: Don't take this the wrong way, but how many of these little booze balls have you had? Howard: You don't think I'm a leader? Bernadette: I was kidding. Of course you are. Howard: Right. I couldn't change if I wanted to. Bernadette: You better not change, because I love who you are. Now, will you need help cleaning all this up when you're done or can you do it all by yourself? Howard: All by myself. Bernadette: There's my big boss man. 6. Sheldon: So, often on the front of the locomotive is a large iron wedge for clearing objects off the tracks. Now, while commonly known as a cowcatcher, I prefer the more accurate cow exploder. Penny: Okay. Sheldon, let me ask you a question. Sheldon: Mmm. Penny: If I was at a train station and one train could take me to my current job and the other train could take me to an audition for a movie, which train should I get on? Sheldon: Are you using trains to trick me into giving you advice? Penny: No. Sheldon: All right, then. You should take a third train where you audition for the movie but hold off on making a career decision until you have more information. Penny: Oh. You're right. I'm worried about something that hasn't even happened yet. Huh. You are a wise man. Sheldon: Well, Penny, who's smarter, the wise man or the person who comes to him for advice? Penny: Oh, I guess you're right. Maybe it is the person who asks. Sheldon: No, it's the wise man. That's why he's called the wise man. You know how I know that? I'm the wise man. Penny: I'm sorry. What was I thinking? Sheldon: Uh, just out of curiosity, why didn't you ask Leonard for advice about this? Penny: 'Cause I already know what he'll say. Wah, wah, wah, you shouldn't do it. Sheldon: Ah, it's just like he's here. 6. Raj: Okay, so we know that previous attempts to send a message into space, like the Golden Record on Voyager ([ˈvɔɪɪdʒə(r)]), were heavily criticized. Leonard: Well, aliens could only play the Golden Record if they figured out how to build a record player. Raj: Eh. Although, to be fair, I watched E.T. build a telephone out of a Speak & Spell and an umbrella. Dude was like a little brown MacGyver [məˈɡaɪvə(r)] (In both portrayals MacGyver is shown to possess a genius-level intellect; proficiency in multiple languages; superb engineering skills; excellent knowledge of applied physics; military training in bomb disposal techniques and a preference for non-lethal resolutions to conflicts. He has an extraordinary knack ( [næk] I. a skill or ability. She had a knack of making people feel really special. II. a particular way of doing something, which you have to learn. It's just a matter of getting the knack of using the joystick. ) for unconventional problem solving and an extensive bank of scientific knowledge that he believes can best be put to use saving lives, both of which come in handy when he creates a clandestine organization within the United States government to tackle high-risk missions around the world. Working under the sponsorship of the Department of External Affairs, MacGyver quietly prevents disasters with the help of former CIA agent Jack Dalton.). Leonard: That would be more helpful if E.T. were real. Raj: Well, my feelings were real when he was about to die. Leonard: My God, when he's on the table and they use the paddles 起搏器 ( Medicine A flat electrode that is part of a defibrillator [diːˈfɪbrɪleɪtə(r)] and is put on a patient's chest to deliver an electric shock to the heart. If you DO NOT use a defibrillator on a cardiac arrest patient suffering a lethal heart rhythm, they will die. Sadly it's that simple. The risk of someone suffering a cardiac arrest in your workplace, or home, increases with an ageing population, including from accidents such as electrical shock.) on him. Raj: And he's all white. Leonard: They zip him up in that bag. Raj: And Gertie can't stop crying. Leonard: The flower dies. Raj: Okay, let's talk about something else. Leonard: All right, so it sounds like we need a way to communicate that's simple. Raj: And doesn't require outside machinery to be built to access it. Leonard: It's also a problem because we don't even know if the aliens who find this can see. I mean, they might communicate in a totally different way than us. Raj: Like when my dog is mad at me, she tells me by peeing in my slippers. Leonard: That's actually a valid example. Animals do deliver messages through scent. Raj: Bees talk to each other by dancing. Whales have their songs. Leonard: Yeah. Penny has about twenty different ways of rolling her eyes that each mean something different. Raj: Okay, so, what it sounds like is, what we want is a device that can deliver a message through not only sight, but other senses, as well. Leonard: The most basic sense that any space-faring ( To be spacefaring is to be capable of and active in space travel or space transport, the operation of spacecraft or spaceplanes. It involves a knowledge of a variety of topics and development of specialised skills. engaging in space travel. spacefarer 太空旅行者 (chiefly science fiction) A person who travels in space. seafaring working or travelling regularly on the sea. fare n. I. [countable] the money that you pay for a trip. She had argued with a cab driver after refusing to pay her fare. air/bus/train/taxi fare: Have you given the kids their bus fare? II. [countable] a passenger in a taxi. III. The fare at a restaurant or café is the type of food that is served there. More traditional fare can be found at the Plaka restaurant. The fare has much improved since Hugh has taken charge of the kitchen. ...traditional Portuguese fare in a traditional setting. v. used for saying how well or how badly someone does something. If you say that someone or something fares well or badly, you are referring to the degree of success they achieve in a particular situation or activity. It is unlikely that the marine industry will fare any better in September. Some later expeditions fared better, though they were no better equipped. We now have a much clearer picture of how schools are faring. fare well/badly/better/worse etc.: The party didn't fare as well in last year’s elections.) civilization would have to possess is touch. Raj: Ooh. Ooh, ooh. We could make a video-playing device that simultaneously translates the information into a tactile medium. Leonard: All we have to do is rig up a 3-D communication system. Raj: We, we can totally do that. Leonard: I know. Raj: This is great. Leonard: Yeah, you know what else it is? Raj: What? Howard: Exactly what Sheldon and Howard said. Raj: Well, thank you for peeing in my slippers. 7. Sheldon (singing): It's the eye of the tiger, it's the ear of the bat, it's the whiskers of the catfish and the walrus. Howard: Hang on. Not that your song isn't terrible, it is. but how do you mention bats and leave out sonar? Sheldon: You didn't let me finish. And also regarding the bat, it has sonar. Leonard: Hey. Howard: Hello. Raj: Look, I know you guys are upset, but we've talked about it, and we think it'd be beneficial for you to be part of the project(something that is beneficial has a good effect or influence on someone or something. One or two glasses of wine a day can be beneficial 有益处的, 有好处的. The relationship was mutually beneficial (=helped both sides). beneficial to: a discovery that should prove beneficial to many AIDS patients. beneficial owner the person or people that enjoy the benefits of owning an asset, who may be different from the person or people whose name the asset is held in. The legal owner or owners will not necessarily be the same as the beneficial owner or owners.). Howard: Well, well, well, did you hear that, Sheldon? Sheldon: I'm sorry. I was trying to think of what rhymes with nose of the aardvark. Leonard: We want you back on the project with us. Sheldon: Well, well, well, did you hear that, Howard? Raj: Look, we admit it. The idea that you guys came up with was really good, and I'd love your help. Howard: I suppose it couldn't have been easy for you to say that. Raj: It wasn't, so are you in? Sheldon: Certainly. Howard: Sure. Leonard: Great. Now that we're all on the same page, let's get together tonight and work on it. Sheldon: Get together tonight? Leonard, stop trying to control everything, and give poor Raj a chance to come up with what we should do. Go ahead, Raj. Raj: Okay, I think we should do it right now. Sheldon: Tonight works better for me. Raj: Okay. 8. Penny (voiceover): Okay, it's just an audition. Why am I nervous? Maybe it's a good thing. Just means I want it. And I can have it. This feels right. Why did I ever give this up? (Out loud) I'm starting to remember. 9. Raj: So, I'd like to try a technique where no one gets steamrolled 碾压(steamroll = streamroller I. to defeat or destroy an opponent completely. If you steamroller someone who disagrees with you or opposes you, you defeat them or you force them to do what you want by using your power or by putting a lot of pressure on them. They could simply steamroller all opposition. She tried to steamroller him into a job he did not want. II. to make sure something happens by using all your power. A steamroller 压路机 is a large, heavy vehicle with wide, solid metal wheels, which is used to make the surface of a road flat. In the past steamrollers were powered by steam. ). When you talk, instead of bringing up a new idea, respect what was just said by building on it. Sheldon: Uh, building on that, we should order dinner. Leonard: How is that building on what he just said? Howard: Building on what Sheldon said, I could go for Chinese. Raj: Hang on. Building on what Leonard said, no one built on what I said. Sheldon: Building on building on that, there's a new build-your-own pizza place on Colorado. Leonard: Building on that, I'd like to remind you, I'm lactose intolerant. Howard: I saw the menu. They have soy cheese. Sheldon: Bah, you didn't say building on. You're out. Leonard: It's not Simon Says. Raj: Yeah, you're missing the point, Sheldon. Sheldon: You're out, and you're out. I win. Who wants pizza? 10. Girl: Penny? Penny: Oh, hey. Girl: Hey. I haven't seen you auditioning in a while. Penny: Yeah, uh, I got a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep. Girl: You quit acting? Penny: Well, kind of. But now I get to act like inflamed heart is only a mild side effect. Second Girl: I heard you can make good money doing that. Penny: Yeah, it's going okay, but I do miss this sometimes. First Girl: Really? Penny: Mmm. First Girl: 'Cause I got to tell you, I am so sick of the humiliation and being treated like a piece of meat. Audiitoner: Chelsea? First Girl: Wish me luck. Second Girl: They're gonna love you. I heard she's pushing 40 and everything's fake. Penny: Yeah. I started that rumour. 11. Leonard: Okay, since we agree on the delivery system for the message, maybe we should talk about what the message could be. Raj: Well, I think we should show what earthlings look like. Howard: The plaque they sent up on the Pioneer probe had a drawing of a naked man and woman on it. Sheldon: Yeah, I never cared for that. It's advertising to predator races just how soft and squishy we are. Leonard: Squeeze yourself (squeeze I. [transitive] to press something firmly together with your fingers or hand She smiled as he squeezed her hand. He squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened. II. [transitive] to get liquid from something by pressing it Squeeze the oranges. squeeze something out Try to squeeze a bit more out. squeeze something on/onto something Squeeze a bit of lemon juice onto the fish. III. [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to try to make something fit into a space that is too small, or to try to get into such a space. squeeze into Five of us squeezed into the back seat. squeeze through/past 挤过去 He had squeezed through a gap in the fence. squeeze somebody/something in 硬挤进去 We could probably squeeze in a few more people.). Sheldon: Oh, don't be offended. You know, of the four of us, you have the most veal-like consistency. Raj: Well, maybe there's a way to appear non-aggressive, but also be able to protect ourselves if necessary. Like smiling and waving with one hand, but the other hand holding the severed head of a tiger. Howard: You want to send a passive-aggressive message out into the universe? That's ridiculous. Raj: Oh, you mean passive-aggressive like posting pictures of you and your wife eating cosmopolitan balls that you know belong in my mouth? Sheldon: Perhaps Howard meant passive-aggressive like asking our group to help on your project, and then only choosing Leonard. Raj: Look, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, but you do have strong personalities and always end up taking over. Howard: It's not always. Leonard: What about when we went to Comic-Con and dressed like Jabba the Hutt? You got to be Jabba's head, and I got to be his fat slug butt. Sheldon: We looked great. Leonard: You let a guy sit on me. Howard: He was dressed as Princess Leia. It made a nice picture. Leonard: I'm just saying, sometimes Raj and I feel pushed aside 推到了一边儿. Raj: Yeah. Like when you took Sheldon to Texas and showed him all around NASA, you didn't even think to ask me and Leonard. Howard: You know what? You're right. I should have asked you. Sheldon: Yeah, and if he does ask you, go. It's amazing. Howard: Okay, and if we're talking about being left out of things, you guys went to Skywalker Ranch without us. Sheldon: Oh, I recommend that, too. That was a magical experience. Leonard: Wait a minute. Sheldon spent a whole day with James Earl Jones and never told any of us. Sheldon: I sure did. Oh, my goodness. Well, from Jabba's head to ice cream with Darth Vader, I'm having a heck of a ride. Yeah, look, clearly, good things happen when I'm in charge. Now, why don't you boys step aside 让到一边, let me knock this project out? Leonard: Sheldon, you're not in charge. Raj is in charge. Sheldon: Leonard, who's really in charge? The person in charge, or those who put him in charge? Raj: He's right. If you think about it, we're all in charge. Sheldon: No, the guy in charge is in ch… why is everyone so bad at these? 12. Penny: I mean, the whole experience reminded me about how much I hated about that world. You, you know, the anxiety, the depression, the negativity. I don't want to feel those things. I want to sell drugs to people who feel those things. Amy: I can't believe you got up and walked out of an audition for a big movie. Penny: I did. I mean, I walked in, read for the part, then stunk up the place ( stink up something 熏臭, 搞臭 to make a place smell unpleasant. to fill a place with a very unpleasant smell. I've had enough of their stinking up the place with those cigars! That perfume stunk up the whole store. ), but then I walked right out. Bernadette: Well, I'm glad you have a new appreciation for your job. Penny: I do, and you know, I don't think I've ever thanked you properly 好好谢谢你 for helping me get it. Bernadette: Properly, at all. It's just words I've never heard. Penny: Well, thank you. You're a good friend, and you changed my life. Bernadette: You're welcome. Hey, now that you're making some real money, maybe you can take your friend out for a nice thank-you dinner. Penny: Sure. Amy: And you probably have to invite your other friend 'cause she overheard you talking about it, and it would be awkward to exclude her. Penny: Okay. Bernadette: How about now? Penny: All right. Bernadette: Don't forget your wallet. Penny: I, uh, huh. 13. Sheldon (on screen): Greetings from planet Earth. Just turn left at Alpha Centauri. You can't miss it. First Alien: That soft pink alien looks delicious. Second Alien: I could eat.

Big Bang Theory: Series 08 Episode 20 – The Fortification Implementation

Dante thinks life is a series of down endings and this day is proving to no different. calamity [kəˈlæməti] an event that causes serious damage, or causes a lot of people to suffer, for example a flood or fire. enunciate [ɪˈnʌnsiˌeɪt] [intransitive/transitive] to pronounce words clearly so that they can be easily understood. When you enunciate a word or part of a word, you pronounce it clearly. His voice was harsh as he enunciated each word carefully. She enunciates very slowly and carefully. enunciation [ɪnʌnsieɪʃən] ... his grammar always precise, his enunciation always perfect. II. [transitive] to express an idea clearly and in detail. When you enunciate a thought, idea, or plan, you express it very clearly and precisely. ...the enunciation of grand moral principles. He was ever ready to enunciate his views to all who would listen. gif的读音: In 2017, an informal poll on programming website Stack Overflow showed some numerical preference for hard-"G" pronunciation, especially among respondents in eastern Europe, though both soft-"G" and enunciating each letter individually were found to be popular in Asia and emerging countries.

1. Raj: You're wrong. Howard: No, I'm not. Raj: Yes, you are. Howard: No, I'm not. Settle this. Those little animated pictures on the Internet, are they called gifs or jifs? Leonard: Well, the G stands for graphics. That's a hard G, so I'd say gif (应该是jif) (Hard and Soft C and G: The letters c and g can make spelling tricky. Each of these letters has a hard sound: hard c sound (kuh): cat, cuphard g sound (guh): gap, goat. as well as a soft sound. soft c sound (suh): cell, citysoft g sound (juh): gerbil, gymUsually, a c or g sound is hard or soft depending on the vowel that follows it. Here's the general rule: When c or g meets a, o, or u, its sound is hardcap, cave, colt, comedy, curly, cuddle. gas, gather, goblet, goddess, gum, gutter. When c or g meets e, i, or y, its sound is softcensus, center, circle, citizen, cycle, cymbal. gel, general, giant, ginger, gypsy, gyrate. Words Including Both Hard and Soft SoundsComplicating matters, there are a few words that include both hard and soft sounds. Some examples include: Success, circulate, clearance; Bicycle, vacancy, garage; Gauge, geography, gigantic, gorgeousIn the first example, each word contains both a hard c and a soft c. In the second example, the first word, bicycle, first uses a soft c and then a hard c, but the second word, vacancy, first uses a hard c and then a soft c. The third example uses a hard and soft c, respectively, in "gauge" and "gorgeous," while the second and third words—geography and gigantic—use a soft g followed by a hard g. When a hard pronunciation is needed, but the letter following the "c" or "g" would make it soft, add "h" after c (as in architect) or "u" after g (as in guest). Alternatively, the following letter is doubled to achieve a hard pronunciation, as in outrigger. Also, when an "e" follows "g" at the end of a word, a hard g becomes a soft one, as in: Sag > sage; Rag > rage; ExceptionsNothing is easy when it comes to the hard and soft g and c, and, of course, there are some exceptions to the previously discussed rules. These mostly involve giving hard pronunciation to words where the rule indicates a soft sound would normally be used. These exceptions include: Gear, get, gelding, give, girl, gift, tiger, celtAdditionally, present participles of some verbs that end with g, such as banging and ringing, use hard g's where the rules would normally indicate a soft g. Other exceptions are foreign words that have been adopted into the English language, such as gestalt and geisha.). Raj: The guy who invented it says it's jif. Howard: I'm sorry, do you mean the guy or the juy? Sheldon: Well, I'll give you three guesses 三次机会猜测 why I'm so irritated. Howard: Something happened different from the way you wanted it. Sheldon: I guess news travels fast. It's true, a select group of scientists was invited to a weekend symposium at a former home of Richard Feynman, and I wasn't included. Leonard: Oh, Sheldon, I'm sure it's not because they don't think you're an elite scientist. Howard: Yeah, I bet you anything it's just 'cause you're a pain in the ass. Sheldon: You're just saying that to make me feel better. Leonard: Look, you can spend the rest of the day being bitter about this. Sheldon: Agreed. Leonard: I was gonna say or, but why bother? 2. Bernadette: Hey, Raj. Raj: Hey, I got you a little gift. Bernadette: Oh, that's a lot of Girl Scout Cookies. Raj: You know me. I'm from India. I can't resist 抵抗不住, 受不了 children begging. So, how's it going with the title to the house? Howard: Great, it's all done. The lawyer tracked down my father and got him to sign it over. I didn't have to meet him, I didn't have to talk to him, I don't even know where he is. Raj: Wow, so you're not curious at all? Howard: Nope. Raj: Hmm. What if he's in prison? What if he's a spy? What if he's in a Beatles cover band? I'm just saying, if he's got your nose and haircut, he'd make a killer Ringo. 3. Wil Wheaton: Thanks again for agreeing to do this. Penny: Oh, it's cool, I've never been on a podcast before. Leonard: Well, you picked a good one to start. Wil's had lots of great guests. Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden. Penny: Those are Star Trek people. Leonard: Yes. Penny: I only figured that out because I've never heard of any of them. Wil: I deserve that. I invited you on my show and I drove here. Penny: Sorry. Wil: Okay, so, this is basically gonna be just like a little talk show. Uh, we're gonna take some calls, we'll talk about what it was like on the set of Serial Ape-ist 2. It should be really fun. Leonard: This is exciting. Penny: Yeah, so, how many people listen? Wil: Most people download it later, but usually a few thousand people listen live. Penny: What? A few thousand people listen to you talk about nerd stuff? Wil: Again, right in the ears, straight to the feelings. 4. Amy: Can you please pass the salt? Sheldon: Sure. It's not like I was invited to Richard Feynman's house and have anything better to do. Amy: Is this how the rest of the night's going to be? Sheldon: I don't know the future. Do you think there's a chance that an asteroid could hit the Earth, destroying Feynman's house and everyone in it? Amy: No, Sheldon. Sheldon: Then buckle up, you're in for a cranky night. Amy: According to the codicil (Ireland [ˈkəʊdɪsɪl] UK US [ˈkɒdɪsɪl] 附加条款. an addition that makes changes to a will (=a legal document saying who gets your money and property when you die) ) of the Relationship Agreement which you insisted upon, we're not allowed to pout or be moody on date night. Sheldon: You know I just put that in because of uterus stuff. Amy: Well, it applies to you, too. Sheldon: I was afraid you might bring this up, so I have a work-around 规避措施, 绕开的办法. There you go. As far as you're concerned, I'm smiling. Although, I must admit, I'm smiling a little bit at the moment because this loophole is so brilliant. 5. Raj: So, Bernadette, have you thought about how you're going to redecorate this place? Bernadette: You know, I'm thinking ripping up the carpets, maybe lose the wallpaper, all new light fixtures. Raj: You know, if you knocked out this wall, it would give you an open floor plan, and then, it's a little scary, but could be fun, indoor fire pit. Howard: Hey, I grew up in this house, okay? No one's knocking anything down. Bernadette: Okay, okay. When he's at Comic-Con, I'm bringing in a wrecking ball. 6. Howard (answering door): Can I help you? Guy at door: Hi. Are you Howard Wolowitz? Howard: Yes. Guy: Um, this is a little weird, but a lawyer was trying to contact my father, because his name was still on the title 产权 for this house. Howard: Wuh, uh, who's your father? Guy: Sam Wolowitz. Howard: Sam Wolowitz is my father. Guy: I know. Howard: Well, wait, so if we have the same father, are, are you saying you're my half-brother? Guy: I think so. Howard: Bernadette, weird things are happening out here. 7. Penny: I think I started to suspect it was a bad movie when I looked at the script and saw the title, Serial Ape-ist 2: Monkey See, Monkey Kill. Wil: Uh, spoiler alert, after the monkey sees, it kills. Leonard: Psst. Wil: I've just been handed a note. I'm going to read it. Wil, do you want more Diet Coke? Also, we have juice. Leonard: I, I didn't want to interrupt. Wil: Uh, that voice you just heard belongs to Leonard, Penny's fiancé. Uh, Leonard, why don't you grab some headphones and join us? Leonard: Really? Wil: Yeah. Leonard: Hey, great. Wil: So, while Leonard gets set up, let's take a call. Hello, caller, you are on with Penny and Wil from Serial Ape-ist 2. Caller: I don't have a question. I just want to say I'm a big fan of the movie. I've seen it, like, ten times. Penny: Okay, well, I'll apologize for the first time, but the other nine are on you. Wil: Thanks a lot, caller. You know that the movie actually has a little bit of a cult following. Penny: Really? Wil: Yeah. I was at a science-fiction convention, and I saw a woman dressed as your half-ape character. Leonard: Oh, if she was with an Indian guy dressed like a banana, that was just my friends, Howard and Raj. Wil: All right, it's time for a very special guest caller, a friend of mine, who you probably know as the director of such movies as Clerks(clerk I. American 店员. someone whose job is to serve people in a store. A clerk is someone who works in a store. The British word is shop assistant. Gene clerked at the auction. He clerked for the chief justice of the Supreme Court. II. American someone whose job is to welcome guests to a hotel and provide them with information and other services. In a hotel, office, or hospital, a clerk is the person whose job is to answer the telephone and deal with people when they arrive. ...a hotel clerk. The British word is receptionist. III. someone whose job is to take care of the documents in an office, court, etc. A clerk is a person who works in an office, bank, or law court and whose job is to look after the records or accounts. She was offered a job as an accounts clerk with a travel firm. wiki: A retail clerk 零售店员, also known as a salesclerk, shop clerk, retail associate or (in the United Kingdom) shop assistant or customer service assistant, is a service occupation in a retail business. A retail clerk obtains or receives merchandise, totals bills, accepts payment, takes orders and makes change for customers in retail stores such as drug stores,candy stores, or liquor stores (thus, the position may partially overlap 重叠 with that of cashier and teller). They clean shelves, counters, or tables; stock shelves, or tables with merchandise; set up advertising displays or arrange merchandise on counters or tables to promote sales; stamp, mark, or tag prices on merchandise; and obtain merchandise requested by customers or receive merchandise selected by customers. They are expected to answer customers' questions concerning location, price, and use of merchandise; to total price and tax on merchandise purchased by customers to determine bill; and to accept payment, make change, and wrap or bag the merchandise for customers. They may remove and record the amount of cash in register at end of shift. A retail clerk, particularly in a smaller store, may keep record of sales, prepare inventory of stock, or order merchandise. ), or from podcasts and books where he often reminds you that he's the guy who directed Clerks. Hello, Kevin Smith. Kevn: Hey, man, yo, is everything okay, Wil? 'Cause it's been, like, two minutes and you haven't even brought up Stand By Me. Penny: Hey, Kevin. It's really exciting to talk to you. Leonard: It really is. Kevin: Oh, you guys are very sweet. So, Penny, listen, I saw your movie. Penny: Oh, wow. I wish it was better. Wil: Oh, don't worry about it. Have you seen some of Kevin's films? Kevin: You're cruisin' for a beatin' ( cruising for a bruising 找骂, 找打 (informal) Following a course of action likely to result in injury or other trouble for oneself. Acting in a way that is likely to result in punishment or harm. asking for trouble. You are cruising for a bruising, you know that? Who's cruisin' for a bruisin'? Oh, you're cruising for a bruising talking to me like thatriding for a fall too confident or taking too many risks, so that you are likely to fail badly.), Wheaton. Anyway, man, I dug the ape movie, Penny. And I thought you were, like, really great in it. Penny: Aw. Wil: You know, I'm in the movie, too. Kevin: Yeah, whatever. Penny. Penny, how come you're not in more stuff, man? I'd cast you in a minute. Penny: Seriously Kevin: Oh, yeah, man. I'm actually in pre-production on a movie right now. Way different than anything I've ever done before. It's called Clerks 3. You should come over and read for a part. Penny: Oh, my, I would love that. Leonard: You have a new job. Penny: Well, maybe I can do both. Leonard: I don't think you can do both. Penny: I don't think I asked you. Kevin: Yeah, you tell him, Penny. Leonard: Stay out of it, Kevin Smith. 8. Sheldon: Do you think there comes a point in life when it stops feeling bad to be left out of things? Amy: Probably not. It's an evolutionary advantage to be included in group activities. Sheldon: You know what? I used to be a fan of evolution, but I've since evolved, and now I think it's dumb. Amy: Being left out is a terrible feeling. No one understands that better than I do. Sheldon: Hey, look at that. Even in your example, you're all by yourself. Amy: When there was a lice epidemic at my school, everybody got it except me. I tried to fool everyone by sprinkling sugar in my hair, but I just got attacked by bees. Sheldon: I can just picture them all right now at Feynman's house, probably discussing Schrodinger and at the same time, not discussing Schrodinger. See? They're missing out on hilarious jokes like that. Amy: And at the same time, not. Sheldon: It reminds me of when my stupid brother and sister would build forts in the living room and wouldn't let me in. I hated that so much. Amy: You know, there's nothing I can do about getting you invited to the symposium, but if you wanted, we could build a fort. Sheldon: Isn't that a little juvenile 幼稚的? Amy: More juvenile than this? Sheldon: I'll get the blankets. You Google how to have childlike fun. 9. Howard: You know what, I'm being a bad host. Let me get some more coffee. Bernadette: Oh, let me do it, Howard. Howard: No, I got it. Bernadette: So, Josh, what do you do Josh: I'm studying oceanography down in San Diego. Bernadette: Oh, how nice. I loved Finding Nemo. Raj: Enough chitchat. How do we know you are who you say you are? Josh: Why would I lie? Raj: Okay, you got me there. You here looking for money? Josh: No. Raj: A kidney, cornea, piece of his liver? Josh: No. Raj: You're in a Beatles cover band and you need Howard to replace your dad as Ringo. Bernadette: Why don't you help with the coffee? Raj: Okay, but something smells fishy. And not just because you work around sea animals. That actually sounds interesting, and I'd like to learn more about it. Hey, you okay? Howard: Not really. This guy shows up out of the blue, and now I have a brother? My father has another family? Raj: I get it. What do you want to do? Howard: I don't know. I, I'd just like him to go away. I can't deal with this. Raj: All right, I've got your back. Howard: Thank you. Come on. And I'd like to point out, this wall just provided a lot of privacy. Josh: I can't believe my brother's an astronaut. That's amazing. What was it like? Raj: Listen, dude, it's time for you to hit the road. Howard: Hey, hey, the young man asked a good question. 10. Wil: So, for those of you just tuning in, we are listening to a really fun fight between my co-star… Leonard: No, no, no. We're not fighting, we're just having a conversation. Wil: All right. We're listening to a really fun conversation between my co-star from Serial Ape-ist 2 and her fiancé, who doesn't believe women should have dreams. Leonard: Give me back that juice. Penny: What is the harm 有什么不好的, 有什么不可以的, 有什么坏处 if I audition? Leonard: Well, what if you get it? Penny: I don't know, I make a movie, become rich and famous, win an Oscar, a Golden Globe and live an incredibly wonderful life. Leonard: From a Kevin Smith movie? Kevin: Oh, I'm hanging up now. Wil: Don't you listen to him, buddy. You're awesome. You're one of the greatest directors of our time. Kevin: I don't have a part for you, Wheaton. Wil: And that was Kevin Smith. Penny: Thanks a lot. Leonard: I'm just trying to protect you. How many times did I see you get your heart broken trying to make it as an actress? Penny: Okay, instead of protecting me, why don't you try being excited when something good happens? Leonard: I'm always excited for you. I'm excited that you found this new job where you're making decent money. Penny: Decent? I make twice what you make. Leonard: Wait, twice? Penny: Yeah. Leonard: Like, times two twice? Wil: For those of you at home, Leonard just found out his fiancée makes way more money than he does. Let's listen. Leonard: I went to school for half my life. I have a doctorate 博士学位. I'm still paying off 大学贷款 college loans. Penny: Well, how much do you owe? Maybe I can help you out. Leonard: Wil, can we just turn off the podcast for a little bit? Wil: For those of you at home, I am shaking my head no. 11. Amy: How's it going, Sheldon? Sheldon: Wonderful. I just finished hanging the lights. Amy: Can I come in? Sheldon: Yes, oh, but enter through the side. Batman is a load-bearing blanket. Amy: Amazing. Sheldon: I know. This isn't the printout. This is my real face. Amy: What are we doing? This is a fort. Let's sit on the floor. Sheldon: Roughing it? Okay. Everything looks so big from down here. This must be how Leonard feels. 12. Howard: I'm surprised you could hear me with this Thin Mint in your ear. Yeah, pretty cool, huh? Josh: Yeah. Anyway, I should probably get going. Bernadette: Howie, have you noticed how often people say that when you start to do magic? Josh: Sorry, I have a long drive. Howard: Well, I hope I get to see you again. Josh: I hope so, too. I've always dreamed of having a brother to play catch with. Bernadette: Keep dreaming. Howard: Hey, I threw out the first pitch (The ceremonial first pitch 开球 is a longstanding ritual of baseball in which a guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from his/her place in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team, but the ritual changed after President Ronald Reagan threw the first pitch on the field at an unscheduled appearance at a Baltimore Orioles game. Now, the guest stands in front of the pitcher's mound and throws towards home plate. He or she may also sometimes stand on the mound (as a pitcher would). The recipient of the pitch is usually a player from the home team. The ceremonial thrower may be a notable person (dignitary, celebrity, former player, etc.) who is in attendance, an executive from a company that sponsors the team (especially when that company has sponsored that night's promotional giveaway), or a person who won the first pitch opportunity as a contest prize. Often, especially in the minor leagues, multiple first pitches are made. Threw out the first pitch Jerking your dong in the bathroom of a stadium. I threw out the first pitch at Yankee stadium right on my hotdog.) at an Angels game. Josh: Wow. Bernadette: He did it with a robot. Josh: You had sex with a robot? Howard: That's not what she meant. Raj: But technically, yes. 13. Leonard: Hang on, if you're making all this money, where is it? Penny: In a safe place. Leonard: What does that mean, under your bed? Penny: No, it means a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds. I'm not overly conservative. I'm young, so my guy said I can afford to take some risks. Leonard: Wait a minute, you have a guy? Penny: Don't you have a guy? Leonard: Why would I have a guy? I don't have any money. Penny: Oh, sweetie, you should really get some money. Wil: For those of you listening at home, how great is this? Leonard: Wil, I'm begging you, just please turn that off. Wil: Sure. And we're back. Penny: Leonard, why are you making such a big deal out of this? So our roles have changed a bit over the last couple years. This is the way life is. And I'm sure in time they'll change again. Leonard: Great, you're not only more successful than me, now you're more mature. Penny: Okay, look, would it make you feel better if I did something dumb like sneak out of work one day to go audition for a Kevin Smith movie. Leonard: That would be great, thank you. Wil: I'm just gonna jump in here real quick 插一句嘴. Leonard, a moment ago, you were dead set against 坚决反对 Penny resuming her acting career, but now you're all for it. Is it fair to say that she played you like a violin? Leonard: Yes, it is, Wil. 14. Josh: So, I have to ask, was the robot sexy? Howard: It was actually just a mechanical hand. Josh: 'Cause that's all you need, right? Howard: You are my brother. 15. Sheldon: Okay, so the final four forts in the first annual best fort ever contest, or fort off, are, Fort Knox, Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Sumter and Fort Cozy McBlanket. Amy: I'd say, Knox over Ticonderoga, 'cause it's got the gold. Sheldon: Mm-hmm. Amy: And McBlanket over Sumter 'cause it has a higher thread count. Oh. Ten o'clock. Date night's over. Sheldon: Wait, no. We haven't picked a winner. Amy: We both know this one's gonna win. Sheldon: Well, of course we do. Fort Knox doesn't have a secret physics lending library(A lending library is a library from which books and other media are lent out.). Amy: Come on, I'll help you take this down. Sheldon: Well, wait. What if, just this once, we suspend the date night parameters and you stay later? Amy: Well, as long as we're suspending the parameters, I could stay really late and we could have our first sleepover. Sheldon: That's a big step. Amy: It's a big fort. Sheldon: Very well. I will agree to a family-friendly, G-rated, boy-girl sleepover. Amy: PG. Some scenes may be too intense for younger viewers. Sheldon: G-rated, with a warning for families with babies and toddlers. Amy: You got yourself a sleepover. Sheldon: Do you need to borrow a toothbrush or pajamas? Amy: Would it alarm you to know that I hid those things here two years ago just in case this ever came up?  Sheldon: It would, but you know how much I admire preparedness 有备无患, 有准备, 有备而来. How did you know we'd be in the living room? Amy: Who says this is the only one I hid? 16. Leonard: Hello? What is this? Sheldon: We built a fort. Leonard: Are those my sheets? Amy: Yes, they are. Leonard: Okay. Well, you kids have fun. I'm gonna go to sleep. Sheldon: Well, Leonard, don't you want to see the inside of the fort? Leonard: Yeah, I'm good. Sheldon: Oh, come on. I really wanted to tell someone they can't come in. Leonard: Okay, fine. Sheldon, may I please visit your fort? Sheldon: I want to say no, but it's too glorious. Get in here. Leonard: Thank you. Amy: Okay, have a seat on the floor. Sheldon: Not there. That's my spot.

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用法学习: 1. come into one's/its own If someone or something comes into their own, they become very successful or start to perform very well because the circumstances are right. The goalkeeper came into his own with a series of brilliant saves. This is when geraniums and petunias come into their own. virile [ˈvɪraɪl] 强势的, 生气勃勃的, 有气势的, 活跃的 I. a man who is virile is strong, active, and full of sexual energy. If you describe a man as virile, you mean that he has the qualities that a man is traditionally expected to have, such as strength and sexual power. He wanted his sons to become strong, virile, and athletic like himself. Children are also considered proof of a man's virility. ...a tall, virile man with rugged good looksRoberts plays a young law student, with Denzel Washington as her virile co-star. Yes, virile is a very good word to describe him. He's only 18 but he struts around like he knows how to fuck! II. something that is virile is strong, powerful, and full of life. Something that is described as virile is considered to be very strong and forceful. ...Prokofiev's most virile, aggressive music. ...a virile approach to difficulties. The strength of national electronics industries has become the new test of industrial virilitya virile performance. macho [ˈmætʃəʊ] behaving in a way traditionally considered typical of a man, for example by being strong and willing to fight, and by hiding your feelings. You use macho to describe men who are very conscious and proud of their masculinity. He was an extremely macho man. ...displays of macho bravadoDoug likes to kid everyone he's the big macho tough guy. 2. A saving grace 唯一优点 is a good quality or feature in a person or thing that prevents them from being completely bad or worthless. the one good thing that makes someone or something acceptable His sense of humour was his only saving graceHer one saving grace is her sense of humour. save face avoid humiliation. "allowing the guerrillas to save face and disarm". circumstance [ˈsəːkəmst(ə)ns,ˈsəːkəmstans,ˈsəːkəmstɑːns] I. a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action. The circumstances of a particular situation are the conditions which affect what happens. Recent opinion polls show that 60 percent favor abortion under certain circumstances. The strategy was too dangerous in the explosive circumstances of the times. I wish we could have met under happier circumstances 不同的情况. "we wanted to marry but circumstances didn't permit 情况不允许". "a combination of favourable political and economic circumstances". Faris recently opened up about her divorce on her "Unqualified" podcast, griping, "Chris and I work really hard 'cause we have Jack, that is sort of the long game idea and making sure Jack is really happy, which makes us really happy. We have sort of the luxury of circumstance. You know, we are both in other loving relationships … But It's like, how do you not in general sink into a place of bitterness?" II. an event or fact that causes or helps to cause something to happen, typically something undesirable. The circumstances of an event are the way it happened or the causes of it. I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of Mary Dean's murder. [+ of] Hundreds of people had died there in terrible circumstances during and after the revolution. "he was found dead but there were no suspicious circumstances". "Jane explained the circumstances to him". III. 现状. 境况. one's state of financial or material welfare. Your circumstances are the conditions of your life, especially the amount of money that you have. ...help and support for the single mother, whatever her circumstances. I wouldn't have expected to find you in such comfortable circumstances. "the artists are living in reduced circumstances". IV. Events and situations which cannot be controlled are sometimes referred to as circumstance. There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless. You might say that we've been victims of circumstance. 3. Bird Box: In the wake of an unknown global terror, a mother must find the strength to flee with her children down a treacherous ( treacherous [tretʃərəs] I. If you describe someone as treacherous, you mean that they are likely to betray you and cannot be trusted. someone who is treacherous pretends that they support you but secretly tries to harm you, for example by helping an enemy. treacherous behavior/thoughts 危险行径. He publicly left the party and denounced its treacherous leaders. The President spoke of the treacherous intentions of the enemy. II. 危机四伏的. 危险重重的. If you say that something is treacherous, you mean that it is very dangerous and unpredictable. very dangerous, especially because the dangers are not obvious. Is it wise to go out in this treacherous weather? a treacherous road/path/journey. The current of the river is fast flowing 流速快 and treacherous. They made the treacherous journey across stormy seas in rotten boats. 解释: Treacherous means either not trusted or dangerous. A treacherous road might be icy or otherwise likely to cause a car accident. A treacherous friend will betray you. I. Guilty of or characterized by betrayal of confidence or trust; perfidious. II. Characterized by unforeseen or hidden hazards; dangerous or deceptive: treacherous waters; treacherous footing. 词源: Treachery refers to harmful acts you might do to someone who trusts you. It can also refer to being disloyal to your native country, but the word treason is more common in this sense. Treachery is from Middle English trecherie, from Old French, from trichier "to trick or cheat." The English word trick is from trikier, a slightly different spelling that was used in some dialects of Old French.) river in search of safety. Due to unseen deadly forces, the perilous([ˈperələs] very dangerous. full of danger or risk. a perilous journey. "a perilous journey south". "a perilous journey through the mountains"The road grew even steeper and more perilous. ...perilous cliffs. The track snaked perilously upwards. ...a perilously narrow bridge. Something that is dangerous or very risky can be described with the adjective perilous. If you are driving in a blizzard, you may kick yourself for making such a perilous journey. II. exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin. "the economy is in a perilous state" 词源: The adjective perilous comes from the Latin word periculum, meaning dangerous. Words from the same root include peril ([ˈpɛrɪl, US ˈpɛrəl]) 危险, a noun meaning a dangerous situation, and imperil 置于危险境地, a verb meaning to put in danger. The last thing you want to do as a parent is to imperil your children. Unfortunately, childhood is filled with peril — from climbing on the monkey bars to eating paste, dirt, or bugs. If you think you can prevent all perilous situations, you haven't been a parent very long! ) journey must be made blindly. 4. primal [ˈpraɪm(ə)l] (Primates 灵长目) I. relating to an early stage in evolutionary development; primeval. primal hunting societies. II. Psychology 最原始的. 最本能的. Relating to or denoting the needs, fears, or behaviour that are postulated (especially in Freudian theory) to form the origins of emotional life. relating to something very basic, especially very basic needs or emotions. primal instincts/urges 原始冲动, 原始本能He preys on people's primal fears. Jealousy is a primal emotion. ...the primal mysteries of the earth. III. Most important; primary or fundamental. Rivers were the primal highways of life. primitive [ˈprɪmɪtɪv] I. 原始部落的. 原始社会的. at a very simple stage of development, before modern technology. Primitive means belonging to a society in which people live in a very simple way, usually without industries or a writing system. ...studies of primitive societies. ...primitive tribesa primitive society/tribe. a. relating to a very early stage in the development of humans, animals, or plants. Primitive means belonging to a very early period in the development of an animal or plant. ...primitive whales. Primitive humans needed to be able to react like this to escape from dangerous animals. It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of dangerprimitive man/life. primitive creatures like jellyfish and corals. II. very simple in design. primitive tools. a primitive camera. a. old-fashioned, simple, and without modern features or comforts. The conditions in the camp were fairly primitive 简单原始的, 初级阶段的. III. natural and done or experienced without thinking. If you describe something as primitive, you mean that it is very simple in style or very old-fashioned. The conditions are primitive by any standards. The primitive surgery of those days left him virtually deaf in one ear. It's using some rather primitive technologya primitive instinctpristine [ˈprɪsti:n] 一尘不染的, 洁净无暇的 I. something that is pristine looks very clean, tidy, or new. pristine snow/beaches/lawnsin pristine conditionThe bike was in pristine condition. II. something that is pristine involves behaviour that is morally good. a pristine image/reputationclean as a hound's tooth and clean as a whistle I. Rur. Cliché very clean. 干净无比. 一尘不染. After his mother scrubbed him thoroughly, the baby was as clean as a hound's tooth. The car was as clean as a whistle after the Girl Scouts washed it. I washed my car yesterday, it's clean as a whistle now. II. Rur. 无一丝污点. Cliché innocent and free from sin or wrong. Jane's record was clean as a whistle; she had never committed even the smallest infractionimmaculate [ɪˈmækjulət] I. so clean and tidy that there is no dirt. The whole house was absolutely immaculate. II. 完美无瑕的. 整洁无比的. correct or perfect in every way. a player whose timing is immaculate. immaculately dressedthe Immaculate Conception the Christian belief that Mary, the mother of Christ, was free from original sin (=the evil that all people are born with).

 Cowlick: a piece of hair that always sticks out on someone's head. a tuft of hair over the forehead. Gabe has straight brown locks that stick up in a cowlick just like his dad's. wiki: A cowlick is a section of hair that stands straight up or lies at an angle at odds with the style in which the rest of an individual's hair is worn. Cowlicks appear when the growth direction of the hair forms in (against) the spiral pattern. A hair whorl [wɜrl] 头发旋(也叫 crown, swirl) (The "double crown" is simply two whorls in the hair at the upper back part of the head, in place of the customary one, the two being about five centimeters apart, and commonly, probably always, turning in the same direction.) is a patch of hair growing in a circular direction around a visible center point. Hair whorls occur in most hairy animals, on the body as well as on the head. Hair whorls, also known as crowns, swirls, or trichoglyphs, can be either clockwise or counterclockwise in direction of growth. Hair whorls on the head (parietal [pəˈraɪɪtəl] whorls) have been studied by some behaviorists. Most people have clockwise scalp hair-whorls. Parietal whorls which are considered to be normal scalp patterns could be a single whorl or double whorls. Cases of triple parietal whorls are less common but do not necessarily indicate abnormality. 关于cowlick: Some people are lucky enough to be blessed with great hair. You know the kind - effortlessly sits there with absolutely no maintenance and still looks good. Yeah you know it. Well perhaps that's not what you have and instead you were cursed with the dreaded cowlick. We know all to well how it is to live with one and we've compiled this guide to let you know how to get rid of one (or at least cope with one) - they aren't the easiest things in the world to live with.   Do you ever fight with your hair? You wash it and comb it and try to get it to look perfect. Just when you think you've succeeded — boing! — an unruly clump of hair stands up as if to shout "Look at me!" Don't worry. You're not alone. Almost everyone has at least one cowlick. Sometimes they're barely noticeable, but sometimes they're a defining feature. Just ask Alfalfa or Dennis the Menace! A cowlick — sometimes called a "hair whorl" — is a small group of hair that either stands straight up or lies in the opposite direction of the way a person wants to comb his or her hair. You can recognize a cowlick by the spiral pattern the hair forms. This characteristic spiral pattern explains how cowlicks got their name. If you've ever spent much time on a cattle farm, you may have noticed that cows have a habit of licking their young. When they do this, their tongues leave a swirling spiral pattern in their hair. The same spiral pattern in human hair has been called a "cowlick" since at least the late 16th century. So do you need to get licked by a cow to have trouble with a cowlick? Nope! Would you believe cowlicks form before you're even born? It's true. And once you're born with a cowlick, you're pretty much stuck with it…unless you lose your hair! Scientists who have studied cowlicks believe your genes play a big role in determining how many cowlicks you have and where they are on your head. Usually, the most visible cowlick can be found at the top of the head. Other cowlicks might also be located at the front hairline where the hair is parted or in the back close to the neckline. Whether you're right-handed or left-handed might also be associated with whether your cowlicks swirl in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Scientists have found an interesting connection between cowlicks and handedness 左撇子, 撇子方向. Right-handed people tend to have cowlicks that have a clockwise spiral pattern. On the other hand (pun totally intended!), left-handed people are more likely to have counterclockwise cowlicks. This curious connection has led some scientists to believe that handedness and cowlick patterns may both come from a common genetic source. Many people find cowlicks very annoying because they often make it hard to style their hair the way they prefer. With patience and the right products, however, cowlicks can be tamed. One way to tame cowlicks is to grow your hair longer. Cowlicks are much more noticeable in short hair. Cowlicks also tend to be more noticeable in straight hair, so growing your hair longer and curling it might solve your cowlick problems. If you have short, straight hair and want to keep it that way, you can use a variety of hair-care products to help tame your cowlicks. Using products like mousse and gel — and combing your hair in the direction of a cowlick's swirl — can help make cowlicks less noticeable.

 Strain VS Sprain: If you've ever tried to define sprains and strains but can't quite identify the difference between the two, you're not alone. These two terms are often used interchangeably to describe overstretching or tearing of soft tissues in and around your joints. There is a key difference, and knowing what that is can help you differentiate between joint sprains and strains. Symptoms: A joint sprain is the overstretching 拉伤 or tearing 撕裂 of ligaments 韧带(骨到骨). Ligaments are the bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle joint. A joint strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons 肌腱(骨到肉). Tendons are the dense fibrous cords of tissue that connect bones to muscles. The most common locations for a muscle strain are the hamstring muscle and the lower back. The symptoms of a sprain and a strain are very similar. That's because the injuries themselves are very similar. It's no wonder the two conditions are frequently confused. Common symptoms of sprains Common symptoms of strains: bruising, pain around the affected joint, swelling, limited flexibility, difficulty using the joint's full range of motion, muscle spasm, pain around the affected joint, swelling, limited flexibility, difficulty using the joint's full range of motion, The main difference is that with a sprain you may have bruising around the affected joint, whereas with a strain, you may have spasms in the affected muscle.

Tuesday, 8 January 2019

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用法学习: 1. a figment of your imagination something imagined or created by your mind: The dinosaurs he said he saw were figments of his imagination. rebuttal 反驳, 驳斥 I. a statement showing or saying that something is not true. She issued a point-by-point rebuttal 逐条驳斥, 逐点反驳, 一一驳斥 of the company's accusations. II. a refusal to accept that something is true. If you make a rebuttal of a charge or accusation that has been made against you, you make a statement which gives reasons why the accusation is untrue. He is conducting a point-by-point rebuttal of charges from former colleagues. [+ of/to] Rebuttals to the piece appeared immediately and forcefully. rebut If you rebut a charge or criticism that is made against you, you give reasons why it is untrue or unacceptable. [formal] He spent most of his speech rebutting criticisms of his foreign policy. 2. narrative [nærətɪv] I. A narrative is a story or an account of a series of events. a story, or an account of something that has happened. At this point in her narrative 叙述, Lou suddenly paused. a fast-moving first-person narrative. Sloan began his narrative with the day of the murder. II. Narrative is the description of a series of events, usually in a novel. Neither author was very strong on narrative 叙事. ...Nye's simple narrative style 叙事风格. 约会: The couple ended up going dutch, meaning each paid for their own meal. This was despite the old dating ideal that(I. An ideal is a principle, idea, or standard that seems very good and worth trying to achieve. The party has drifted too far from its socialist ideals 理想. I tried to live up to my ideal of myself. II. Your ideal of something is the person or thing that seems to you to be the best possible example of it. ...the Japanese ideal of beauty. [+ of] Throughout his career she remained his feminine ideal. III. 理想的人选. adj. The ideal person or thing for a particular task or purpose is the best possible person or thing for it. She decided that I was the ideal person to take over the job. I really love the area and see it as an ideal place to start my managerial career. The conditions were ideal for racing. IV. adj. An ideal society or world is the best possible one that you can imagine. We do not live in an ideal world. In an ideal world, there would be no such thing as rubbish. Their ideal society collapsed around them into the Terror and then into the Counterrevolution.) a man should always pay and also went against the more modern approach of whoever does the asking out pays - in this case, the woman. 3. grotesque [ɡroʊˈtesk] n. 奇异风格. 怪异的东西. A grotesque is a person who is very ugly in a strange or unnatural way, especially one in a novel or painting. Grass's novels are peopled with outlandish characters: grotesques, clowns, scarecrows, dwarfs. adj. I. 奇形怪状的, 奇怪的, 可笑的. 荒诞的. 荒谬的. You say that something is grotesque when it is so unnatural, unpleasant, and exaggerated that it upsets or shocks you. ...the grotesque disparities between the wealthy few and nearly everyone else. ...a country where grotesque abuses are taking place. He called it the most grotesquely tragic experience that he's ever had. II.  If someone or something is grotesque, they are very ugly. They tried to avoid looking at his grotesque face and his crippled body. ...grotesquely deformed beggars. Political theatre: A term denoting theatre used for political purposes, usually as part of a campaign or movement, sometimes as part of the work of a political party. At its loosest, it can have a wide application ranging from community theatre to consciousness-raising by groups with a specific identity such as women's, black or gay companies. Its usage is often imprecise, overlapping with other terms like alternative, guerilla (Guerrilla [ɡəˈrɪlə] (gorilla [ɡəˈrɪlə] 大猩猩) 游击队, 游击战 theatre ( Guerrilla [ɡəˈrɪlə] I. a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces. "this town fell to the guerrillas". II. referring to actions or activities performed in an impromptu way, often without authorization. "guerrilla gigs". III. a member of a military group that is not official and usually wants to change a political situation. Their main method is to make unexpected attacks in small groups. a. [only before noun] using unexpected methods of attack to surprise the enemy. guerrilla groups/fighters/leaders. guerrilla warfare: The enemy avoided direct confrontation and concentrated on guerrilla warfare. ), generally rendered "guerrilla theater" in the US, is a form of guerrilla communication originated in 1965 by the San Francisco Mime Troupe, who, in spirit of the Che Guevara writings from which the term guerrilla is taken, engaged in performances in public places committed to "revolutionary sociopolitical change." The group performances, aimed against the Vietnam war and capitalism, sometimes contained nudity, profanity and taboo subjects that were shocking to some members of the audiences of the time. Guerrilla (Spanish for "little war"), as applied to theatrical events, describes the act of spontaneous, surprise performances in unlikely public spaces to an unsuspecting audience. Typically these performances intend to draw attention to a political/social issue through satire, protest, and carnivalesque techniques. Many of these performances were a direct result of the radical social movements of the late 1960s through mid-1970s. Guerrilla Theater, also referred to as guerrilla performance, has been sometimes related to the agitprop theater of the 1930s, but it is differentiated from agitprop by the inclusion of Dada performance tactics.) or radical theatre. Each country has its own tradition of political theatre. 4. pedantic [pɪˈdantɪk] 过于吹毛求疵的 excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous. "his analyses are careful and even painstaking, but never pedantic". Hang nails 指甲刺 although benign, tend to be a nagging and annoying ongoing problem for a lot of people. Hang nails are also a cause of a lot of pain. A hang nail is usually torn skin around the fingernail or toenail. Diplopia 复视, 看重影, commonly known as double vision (Astigmatism)(If you start seeing double images (ghost image) when your eyes normally work well together, you should take it seriously. Temporary episodes of double vision can happen for many reasons, including drinking too much alcohol or being overly tired. This type of short-term double vision is usually not cause for worry. But if the diplopia is long-lasting or keeps coming back, reasons for it can include many possibilities. Double vision occurs when a person sees a double image where there should only be one. The two images can be side by side, on top of one another, or both. The condition can affect balance, movement, and reading ability. If double vision affects just one eye, it is monocular. If it affects both eyes, it is binocular. Treatments depend on the cause and type, but they include eye exercises, specially designed glasses, and surgery. The most common symptom of astigmatism is blurred or double vision. If you are only slightly affected, you may not notice anything wrong. More significant astigmatism may cause noticeable distortions of your vision. It is particularly important to remember that children with vision problems may not realize their vision is blurred. After all, they may never have seen the world in focus. That's why it's a good idea for children to have regular vision checks. Here are some symptoms of astigmatism: Blurring of small print, difficulty reading; Double vision; Inability to see both near and distant without squinting 眯眼. ), is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally, vertically, diagonally (i.e., both vertically and horizontally), or rotationally in relation to each other. It is usually the result of impaired function of the extraocular muscles (EOMs), where both eyes are still functional but they cannot turn to target the desired object. Problems with EOMs may be due to mechanical problems, disorders of the neuromuscular junction, disorders of the cranial nerves (III, IV, and VI) that stimulate the muscles, and occasionally disorders involving the supranuclear oculomotor pathways or ingestion of toxins. Diplopia can be one of the first signs of a systemic disease, particularly to a muscular or neurological process, and it may disrupt a person's balance, movement, and/or reading abilities. 5. fiscal 财政 vs financial 财经: The domains are different (though overlapping to some extent), as these two definitions show (bolding mine): Fiscal Policy: In economics and political science, fiscal policy is the use of government revenue collection (mainly taxes) and expenditure (spending) to influence the economy. According to Keynesian economics, when the government changes the levels of taxation and government spending, it influences aggregate demand and the level of economic activity. Fiscal policy can be used to stabilize the economy over the course of the business cycle. Financial Policy: Criteria describing a corporation's choices regarding its debt/equity mix, currencies of denomination, maturity structure, method of financing investment projects, and hedging decisions with a goal of maximizing the value of the firm to some set of stockholders. There is some overlap in meaning between the terms: financial, meaning (obviously) 'involving financial matters', is a subset of fiscal, which has the additional meaning of 'relating to government revenue and taxes'. Financial policy is related to money and only money. Lending/interest rates are the bellwether of financial policy - it is just pure math. Fiscal policy is more about how (much) a Government wants to spend and earn - this is not pure math as financial policy and is quite discretionary. Fiscal policy is top-level directive/decision and includes financial policy. Fiscal austerity [ɔˈsterəti] 财政紧缩 is a term in common use in the media at the moment. It refers to decisions by a government to reduce the amount of government borrowing (i.e. cut the size of a fiscal deficit 财政赤字) over a period of years. 6. 曼谷旅游: I took their advice, but an even bigger endorsement for the property came immediately after my arrival. I entered the lobby (vibrantly decorated with a towering cone of purple orchids, a distinctly Thai take on a Christmas tree) to find a battalion of security guards, the hotel's top brass [brɑːs] 高层, 大老板们(get down to brass tacks (idiomatic, chiefly US) Deal with the important details. to start talking about the most important or basic facts of a situation. If you get down to brass tacks, you discuss the basic, most important facts of a situation. Let's take a quick look round and then we can get down to brass tacks. Let's get down to brass tacks. Who's paying for all this? Etymology: Earliest attestation in 1863 US, specifically Texas. One theory is that it comes from the brass tacks in the counter of a hardware store or draper’s shop used to measure cloth in precise units (rather than holding one end to the nose and stretching out the arm to approximately one yard). Another possibility is the 19th-century American practice of using brass tacks to spell out the initials of the deceased on the top of their coffin. Alternatively, it may come from Cockney rhyming slang to mean "getting down to the facts." ) and a quartet all in wait as a welcoming committee. But not for me, of course. Right behind me was the only daughter of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana. She and her retinue were due to have dinner in the hotel’s two-Michelin-star French restaurant Le Normandie.

 明星时尚: We have Kim Kardashian to thank for contouring and bodycon dresses(A bodycon dress is a tight figure-hugging dress, often made from stretchy 有弹力的, 有弹性的 material. The name derives from "body conscious".), and Kylie Jenner for lip kits and mini Hermès Birkins. But it may be Kourtney Kardashian who reigns supreme as the most stylish Kardashian-Jenner sibling. On the weekend, Kourtney helped the chart-topping singer celebrate his milestone birthday in an unexpected outfit choice: a half-tuxedo jacket. The slick look 干练的, 干净利索的, which came courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier, sees half a chic black blazer sit on the wearer with the other half missing entirely. With the help of a matching bra wrapped around her, the mother-of-three nailed the look and made us question whether you really need both halves of a garment to feel complete. 男装时尚: Menswear often, sadly, plays second fiddle 居次席 to the endless array of variety clothing available for women. But the oversized parkas, theatrical sweaters, leather pants, grungy ( [ˈɡrʌndʒi] dirty and sometimes messy or smelling bad. dirty, messy, disreputable, etc.; unpleasant in any way. a grungy pair of jeans. a grungy little apartment. ) caps and gold sweatshirts spotted at this week's Milan Menswear Fashion Week is set to change that. In fact, some of the outfits debuted on the runways wouldn't look out of place in Derek Zoolander's wardrobe (headbands anyone?). From Fendi to Emporio Armani and the cutting edge designs of Dan and Dean Caten's streetwear label, Dsquared², weve rounded up 12 must-see looks from this year’s Milan Menswear Fashion Week.

 Woman's JetBlue airport meltdown shocks passengers: A woman shocked stranded passengers at a US airport over the weekend after going nuclear 发疯 when she learned her flight had been cancelled. The female traveller — who was intoxicated at the time, according to a statement from the airline — unleashed an obscenity-riddled 脏话连篇的 tirade [taɪˈreɪd; tɪˈreid; US: 'taɪreɪd] on a JetBlue worker in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2019. The tantrum, which was recorded and uploaded to the internet, quickly went viral. "Goddammit, who does that to a woman like me, who?" the woman can be heard shrieking 尖叫 to a male staff member, while aggressively climbing the gate counter. According to one witness, the passenger also accused the JetBlue agent of being a "rapist" and threatened him with a gun. "I have a f---ing gun on me because I'm hopeless!" she appears to scream in the clip, causing spectators 旁观者 nearby to become alarmed. "She said she had a gun on her," a voice whispers in the background. The woman then picks up her bag and walks off. Another video uploaded to Instagram indicates the woman may have been arrested or detained shortly after going berserk at airline workers, showing her hunched over on the ground and surrounded by authorities. Passenger Dre London first shared the footage online, explaining the trigger for the woman's epic meltdown. The woman's obscene overreaction has garnered thousands of comments and likes on Reddit and Instagram in just one day.

Question of Protocol: US Clashes With EU Over Diplomatic Status of Delegation: The United States downgraded 降级 the diplomatic status of the European Union's delegation in Washington last year without formally announcing the change or telling Brussels, according to EU officials. They say it only came to light when the bloc's envoy in the U.S. capital, Irish diplomat David O'Sullivan, discovered he wasn't being invited to certain events and was invited to the funeral of former U.S. President Herbert Walker Bush after national ambassadors, despite his seniority 资深. Diplomacy is saturated with symbolism and double meanings - and the downgrade, which now has been temporarily reversed 临时反转 - has angered EU officials, who fear the move was meant as a snub 轻蔑, 鄙视. They've requested an explanation for the downgrade, according to EU spokesperson Maja Kocijancic. Politicians and analysts on both sides of the Atlantic are struggling, though, to understand the motives for the demotion, debating whether the move was meant as a rebuff ( [rɪˈbʌf] to refuse to talk to someone or do what they suggest. If you rebuff someone or rebuff a suggestion that they make, you refuse to do what they suggest. His proposals have already been rebuffed by the Prime Minister. n. a blunt refusal or rejection; snub. an abrupt, blunt refusal of offered advice, help, etc. The results of the poll dealt a humiliating rebuff to Mr Jones. [+ to] ) by an administration that has clashed with Brussels over trade and defense issues or whether it was the result of a bureaucratic mix-up. "The demotion of the EU representative was reversed following bilateral talks in December," an EU official told reporters Tuesday in Brussels. President Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of Britain's exit from the EU - describing himself on the campaign trail as Mr. Brexit and frequently lambasting the bloc for running trade surpluses with America. He has embraced anti-EU figures, including Nigel Farage, a leading Brexiter and onetime leader of the UK Independence party, whom he met after his election win ahead of meeting any EU leaders or Britain's prime minister. The president tweeted that he thought Farage should be made Britain's ambassador to the U.S. Because of the partial 部分的 government shutdown in Washington, the State Department is not responding to media requests about the protocol change. Previously, the U.S. treated the EU delegation and its ambassador as representatives of a country would be, say European officials. But the change, which is thought to have been made last October or November, downgraded the diplomatic status of the EU delegation to that of representing an international organization, a much lower pegging with potential impact regarding access to the administration. "We understand that there was a recent change in the way the diplomatic precedence list is implemented by the United States' Protocol," said Kocijancic in a statement. "We are discussing with the relevant services in the administration possible implications for the EU delegation in Washington. We were not notified of any change. We expect the diplomatic practice 外交惯例 established some years ago to be observed 遵守." The status change was first reported by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. "We don't exactly know when they did it, because they conveniently forgot to notify us," an EU official told the broadcaster. "This is clearly not simply a protocol issue, but this is something that has a very obvious political motive," he said. Other EU diplomats in the U.S. capital contacted by VOA expressed the same view. A senior European diplomat maintained the relegation also may have been motivated by a wish to reverse a decision taken by the previous Obama administration, which upgraded the status of the delegation of the 28-nation bloc in 2016. "If this wasn't meant as a snub then the timing is odd," he said. "Normally protocol tweaks are made in the first few months of a new administration, not two years in," he said. "That aside, even if they didn't intend it as a rebuff, they must have realized that's how it would be interpreted. It is in line with what we see as an anti-EU stance by the Trump administration, which also dislikes multilateral organizations." In a speech in Brussels in December, as the diplomatic downgrade was being discussed between U.S. and EU officials, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump's "America First" policy was reshaping the post-Second World War system by recognizing the importance of sovereign states over multilateral institutions. He criticized "bureaucrats" for believing multilateralism is "an end in itself," and cast doubt on the EU's commitment to its citizens. That drew a sharp rebuke from the European Commission, the bloc's executive arm. Several high-profile European politicians reacted to the news of the downgrade Tuesday with frustration. "Soap opera politics: US downgrades EU mission in DC in a petty Trump move(I. You can use petty to describe things such as problems, rules, or arguments which you think are unimportant or relate to unimportant things. [disapproval] He was miserable all the time and rows would start over petty 小事, 不足为道的 things. ...endless rules and petty regulations. The meeting degenerated into petty squabbling. II. If you describe someone's behaviour as petty, you mean that they care too much about small, unimportant things and perhaps that they are unnecessarily unkind. [disapproval] He was petty-minded 爱抠细节, 吹毛求疵的 and obsessed with detail. I think that attitude is a bit petty. Never had she met such spite and pettiness. III. Petty is used of people or actions that are less important, serious, or great than others. Wilson was not a man who dealt with petty officials. ...petty crime 小偷小摸, such as handbag-snatching and minor break-ins.)," tweeted Carl Bildt of the European Council on Foreign Relatios and a former Swedish prime minister. Euro-skeptics cheered. "That should take the EU superstate down a peg or two!" tweeted the pro-Brexit Leave campaign. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom Tuesday heads to Washington for a round of trade talks with U.S. counterpart Robert Lighthizer. Trade tensions between Brussels and Washington have flared since Trump imposed tariffs on European aluminum and steel imports. The U.S. president has threatened to impose tariffs on the European cars, too.