ESL Podcast 321 – Buying a Jacket or Coat

Michael: Mom, I don’t need a new coat. I like my old trench¹ coat. It’s comfortable, and I can use it as a raincoat and an overcoat. So what do I need a new coat for?

Lisa: If you’re going to visit your aunt in Maine, you’ll need something warmer than a trench coat. This parka is nice.

Michael: I’m not wearing a parka. If I’m not warm enough, I’ll wear my denim² jacket under my trench coat.

Lisa: That’s ridiculous. You can’t wear a jacket and a coat each time you go outside. Look, this down coat will keep you nice and warm. It has a high collar, a hood³, and thick cuffs⁴, and it’s very roomy so you’ll be very comfortable in it.

Michael: It’s too long. I don’t need a knee- length coat.

Lisa: Yes, you do. You’ve never been in really cold weather and when you get there, you’ll be thankful to have something so warm. Now, we also need to buy you a blazer.

Michael: A blazer? What for?

Lisa: Your aunt is probably going to take you to some nice places and I don’t want you to look like a bum⁵. See? This one is nice and fitted.

Michael: It’s trimmed with flowers!

Lisa: Those aren’t flowers. They’re paisleys. You’ll look very nice in it.

Michael: Please, Mom, don’t make me wear that. I’m begging you.

Lisa: You’ll look like a nice young man in this coat and blazer.

Michael: I’ll be the laughing stock of the entire State of Maine.

Lisa: No you won’t. Now, we need to buy you some new underwear.

Michael: Mom! Shhh! Not so loud. This is so embarrassing!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 trench   

n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕

参考例句：

• The soldiers recaptured their trench.兵士夺回了战壕。
• The troops received orders to trench the outpost.部队接到命令在前哨周围筑壕加强防卫。

2 denim   

n.斜纹棉布；斜纹棉布裤，牛仔裤

参考例句：

• She wore pale blue denim shorts and a white denim work shirt.她穿着一条淡蓝色的斜纹粗棉布短裤，一件白粗布工作服上衣。
• Dennis was dressed in denim jeans.丹尼斯穿了一条牛仔裤。

3 hood   

n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖

参考例句：

• She is wearing a red cloak with a hood.她穿着一件红色带兜帽的披风。
• The car hood was dented in.汽车的发动机罩已凹了进去。

4 cuffs   

n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打，拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• a collar and cuffs of white lace 带白色蕾丝花边的衣领和袖口
• The cuffs of his shirt were fraying. 他衬衣的袖口磨破了。

5 bum   

n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨

参考例句：

• A man pinched her bum on the train so she hit him.在火车上有人捏她屁股，她打了那人。
• The penniless man had to bum a ride home.那个身无分文的人只好乞求搭车回家。