ESL Podcast 284 – A Friendly Rivalry

Veronica: I’m finishing up for the day. Do you want to walk out together?

Bogdan: Yeah, that would be great, if you don’t mind waiting until I’ve finished sending this email. I’m letting Tom know that I got another account. That makes four new customers this week.

Veronica: Congratulations, but isn’t that rubbing Tom’s nose in it?

Bogdan: Don’t worry about Tom. He’s been getting new clients left and right. For the past six months, he’s been gloating about his big commissions. I’m just turning the tables, that’s all.

Veronica: Tom doesn’t seem like the type to be smug about his successes.

Bogdan: He doesn’t flaunt¹ it, but he lets people know in subtle ways. Don’t worry. I’m going to put him in his place.

Veronica: This is just too much testosterone for me. Why don’t you guys just go outside, duke it out, and get it over with.

Bogdan: What would be the fun in that? This is just a little friendly rivalry². Nobody takes it seriously.

Veronica: If you say so. I know not to get in the way when there are big egos³ involved.

Bogdan: You just don’t understand guys.

Veronica: You got that right.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 flaunt   

vt.夸耀，夸饰

参考例句：

• His behavior was an outrageous flaunt.他的行为是一种无耻的炫耀。
• Why would you flaunt that on a public forum?为什么你们会在公共论坛大肆炫耀？

2 rivalry   

n.竞争，竞赛，对抗

参考例句：

• The quarrel originated in rivalry between the two families.这次争吵是两家不和引起的。
• He had a lot of rivalry with his brothers and sisters.他和兄弟姐妹间经常较劲。

3 egos   

自我，自尊，自负( ego的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Their egos are so easily bruised. 他们的自尊心很容易受到伤害。
• The belief in it issues from the puerile egos of inferior men. 这种信仰是下等人幼稚的自私意识中产生的。