ESL Podcast 580 – Retiring From a Job

Meredith: Are you going to Stanley’s retirement¹ party?

Oscar: Sure, I want a glimpse² of the future. I can’t wait to retire.

Meredith: It’ll be a long time before you get the golden handshake. Me? I may be ready for early retirement.

Oscar: Are you seriously thinking about taking the early retirement package the company is offering?

Meredith: I’m thinking about it. My health isn’t getting any better, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my days in this office.

Oscar: But can you afford it?

Meredith: The early retirement package is pretty generous, and I’ve saved up a nice little nest egg over the years.

Oscar: Then what are you waiting for? If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t hem³ and haw about it. I’d make the decision to retire now – today!

Meredith: Why are you getting all worked up? Are you after my job?

Oscar: No way! I just can’t stand to see someone who can retire stay at this job. I’d trade places with you in a minute.

Meredith: I doubt that – not if it meant being a card-carrying member of AARP. You’re too young to be thinking about retirement.

Oscar: I didn’t say I was ready for retirement. I’m just thinking about it – all the time!


Script⁴ by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

2 glimpse   

vt.瞥见；n.一瞥，一看

参考例句：

• One glimpse at himself in the mirror was enough.让他照着镜子看自己一眼就够了。
• She catches a glimpse of a car in the distance.她一眼就瞥见了远处的汽车。

3 hem   

n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制

参考例句：

• The hem on her skirt needs sewing.她裙子上的褶边需要缝一缝。
• The hem of your dress needs to be let down an inch.你衣服的折边有必要放长1英寸。

4 script   

n.剧本，广播稿；文字体系；笔迹，手迹

参考例句：

• It's easy to identify his script.他的笔迹容易辨认。
• The script is massaged into final form.这篇稿子经过修改已定稿。