流行美语 (Popular American) 275

李华和Larry一起去骑马。李华今天要学两个常用语，mean streak¹和soft spot.

LL: If this is your first time riding a horse, Li Hua, I think you shouldn't ride that black one over there. That horse looks like he's got a mean streak.

LH: A mean streak? 你说那匹黑马吗？如果我没理解错， mean streak就是mean, 坏脾气的意思吧。

LL: That's exactly what I am saying, Li Hua. A mean streak is the potential for meanness.

LH: 那如果马的脾气太烈，会伤害骑手吗？

LL: A horse with a mean streak might refuse to let a rider get on - or even worse might try to throw a rider off their back.

LH: 我在电影里看过，有的马性情暴躁，会把骑手从马背上摔下来，看来真得小心。那匹灰色的小马看着挺随和的。那我就骑它吧。It can't possibly have a mean streak.

LL: You know, Li Hua, it isn't only horses that can have mean streaks². People can, too.

LH: Mean streak也能用在人身上？

LL: Do you remember the super model Naomi Campbell? She was in the news for throwing her cell phone at her housekeeper³.

LH: 我记得，那个英国名模，我们叫他黑珍珠，她还有一次因为行李丢了，大发雷霆，还动手打了警察呢！

LL: That super model reminds me of a famous basketball coach in the U.S. who also had a mean streak.

LH: 篮球教练？你说谁？

LL: The former coach of the Indiana University basketball team Bobby Knight⁴ was famous for his mean streak.

LH: 我知道印第安纳大学校队很厉害，可是没听说过他们教练的故事。那你赶快告诉我！

LL: There was one time he got so mad, Li Hua, he threw a chair out on the basketball court during a game!

LH: 他竟然在比赛的时候把椅子扔到赛场上？太暴躁了！Boy, that coach really did have a mean streak.

LL: Well, it is time to get on our horses, Li Hua. You can take the nice gray horse, and I'll try the black one with the mean streak.

LH: 小心点，Larry.

LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I'll show that horse who is boss! I have a mean streak, too!

******

LL: So, now that we have been riding for a while, Li Hua, I don't think this black horse is so bad. I am actually developing a soft spot for him.

LH: A soft spot? 什么是soft spot啊？

LL: A soft spot is a feeling of tenderness or affection for a person or thing.

LH: 你不会是喜欢上这匹黑马了吧？你忘了，刚才它还对你又踢又咬呢！

LL: I know it may seem funny, but, yes, even though this horse tried to bite me and throw me off his back, I do have a soft spot for him.

LH: 这么烈的马，你怎么会喜欢呢？真搞不清楚！

LL: Well, ever since I showed him I was in control, he's been very good. And he's a handsome horse, too. It's hard to explain, but sometimes you end up having a soft spot for a thing or a person that isn't perfect.

LH: 我有点儿明白了。像是我中文班里有几个特别好的学生，可是不知道为什么，反而是一个学得不怎么样的孩子最让我挂心。

LL: So, why do you have a soft spot for this particular student, Li Hua?

LH: 人跟人不一样，有人就是不擅长学语言，那个学生发音不够标准，而且总也记不住中文方块字的模样。

LL: This person doesn't sound like the kind of person I'd have a soft spot for if I were a teacher, Li Hua.

LH: 他虽然不是个天才型的学生，可是每天上课都特别努力。我想喜欢他，大概是因为希望他能学好吧。

LL: You are such a dedicated⁵ teacher, Li Hua. I know there are students who have a soft spot for you.

LH: 那可不一定，我那些学生肯定觉得我很厉害。

LL: Oh, I don't believe that. Say, why don't we ride back to the ranch⁶ now, Li Hua. I'm getting a little thirsty and could use a drink.

LH: 好啊。哎？我的马怎么不走了？

LL: It looks like your horse is hungry, Li Hua. He apparently⁷ has a soft spot for that clump⁸ of flowers!

LH: 这下可惨了，谁它要吃到什么时候。

今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是mean streak, 指坏脾气。另一个是soft spot, 指为什么事情动心。
 

1 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

2 streaks   

n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹

参考例句：

• streaks of grey in her hair 她头上的绺绺白发
• Bacon has streaks of fat and streaks of lean. 咸肉中有几层肥的和几层瘦的。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 housekeeper   

n.管理家务的主妇，女管家

参考例句：

• A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
• She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。

4 knight   

n.骑士，武士；爵士

参考例句：

• He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
• A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

6 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

7 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

8 clump   

n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走

参考例句：

• A stream meandered gently through a clump of trees.一条小溪从树丛中蜿蜒穿过。
• It was as if he had hacked with his thick boots at a clump of bluebells.仿佛他用自己的厚靴子无情地践踏了一丛野风信子。