英语俚语天天说 第67期:一瓶不满半瓶晃荡的人jack of all trades and master of none(在线收听

   半瓶水.jpg

  释义:
  Having suitable skill in multiple things, but not being an expert in any of them.了解很多事情,但是没有一件是擅长的;
  来源:
  The word 'jack' can refer to the common man. Jack指一个人。Thus, a 'jack of all trades' meant a man who is competant at many different skills. Jack of all trades指的是一个错才多艺的人。The first half of the phrase was being used in the 1600s, 这个词组的第一部分刚开始是在16世纪使用的,and was apparently spoken in a complimentary fashion when describing people. 是用来赞扬某人。
  An early example comes from a book published in 1612, titled Essays and characters of a Prison and Prisoners. 这个词组比较早的来源是1612年标题是Essays and characters of a Prison and Prisoners 的书中。
  From what I could find, it looks like it was somewhere around the 1800s when the expression developed a less praiseful meaning, as that was when the 'master of none' part was attached to it. 慢慢地从18世纪开始,随着master of none的加入,这个词组的意思就慢慢不再表示夸奖了。
  举例:
  1.He seems to know almost everything, no wonder he is referred to as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
  他似乎对所有的事情都知晓,难怪人们称他为万事通,但其实他样样不精。
  2. I was planning on earning an associate's degree in numerous subjects, but my family suggested to not be jack of all trades and master of none, so I had to rethink my future plans with college.
  我准备去拿许多科目的副学士学位,可是我家人建议我不要变得万事皆通,但一无所长的人,所以我准备重新思考下大学的学习计划。
  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/lytts/299363.html