VOA慢速英语2019--Field of Dreams

 

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program Words and Their Stories.

On today’s program we talk about the word “field.” But which one? There are many different kinds of fields.

First, we will talk about fields in which you can work.

A common question when you first meet someone in the States is, “What field do you work in?” or simply “What is your field?” Work fields are usually general. For example, if you are a doctor you would answer that you work in the medical field. A lawyer is in the legal field. And a marketing² specialist’s field is business.

If you are a farmer, you might work in another kind of field --an area of open land planted with crops. Some farmers work in the fields from sunup to sundown.

Now, another kind of field is also outside but we use this one for sports activities. And this type of field has led to several common expressions.

Fair play is an issue in most sports. No one wants to watch or play a game in which one team has an unfair advantage over another. Everyone wants a level playing field -- but not just in sports.

This picture shows an aerial³ view of a tulip field as the sun shines in Korschenbroich, western Germany, on April 18, 2019. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

We use this expression anytime fairness is important. A level playing field is when the conditions of competition are fair or even. Everyone has the same shot at winning.

This expression comes from the fact that for a sports field to be fair, it must be the same for both teams. It would be unfair if one team had to play on a rocky, uneven⁴ part of a field while the other team played on smooth ground.

In “level playing field,” the word “level” is an adjective⁵. But we can also use it as a verb. So, if you level the playing field, you have done a good thing! You have given everyone equal conditions for success.

Now, let’s go back to sports, in particular baseball.

When playing baseball, the infielders and outfielders are the ones who field the balls. They catch the balls hit or thrown in the field and then make the best play they can. So, we can say they are playing in the field.

However, they are not playing the field. That is something completely different!

Playing the field has nothing to do with sports. We use it mostly to talk about dating. Someone who plays the field is romantically involved with more than one person.

Play the field

You gotta look around

Lovin’ is so real

Don't just settle down

Just play the field

(Debbie Gibson, “Play the Field”)

The expression comes from horse racing⁶.

The horses in a race are “the field.” And in that field of horses there are the favorites-- those considered most likely to win. And there are long shots -- those less likely to win. Long shots are riskier⁷ to bet⁸ on, but they pay more money if they win. So gamblers often bet on other horses other than the favorite. They would play the field -- or several horses in the race.

Maybe you have heard of this expression before or maybe it came out of left field. “To come out of left field” or simply “out of left field is another baseball term. It means something is a surprise to you. You were not expecting it at all! Other times it can describe something strange or odd⁹.

Word experts dispute¹⁰ its exact origin. One possibility comes from how a baseball player scores. A runner on third base -- in position to score at home plate -- has his back to left field. As he runs home to score, he cannot see the ball thrown into home base by the left fielder. And then -- surprise! -- he’s out at home plate!

I hope you have enjoyed today’s show on field expressions. And, believe me, there are others. We could have a field day with the subject!

But, that will have to be another day!

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo!

When suddenly out of left field

Out of left field, out of left field.... love came along…

(Hank Williams Jr., “Out of Left Field”)

Words in This Story

general – adj. relating to the main or major parts of something rather than the details : not specific

advantage – n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others

romantically – adv. in a way that involves love between two people

odd – adj. strange or unusual : different from what is normal or expected

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

3 aerial   

adj.飞机（航空）的，空中的；n.天线

参考例句：

• An aerial photograph of the field shows clearly where the buildings were.这一场地的空中照片清晰地显示出这些建筑物的位置。
• Aerial pollution is a problem that should be solved quickly.空气污染是一个亟待解决的问题。

4 uneven   

adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的

参考例句：

• The sidewalk is very uneven—be careful where you walk.这人行道凹凸不平—走路时请小心。
• The country was noted for its uneven distribution of land resources.这个国家以土地资源分布不均匀出名。

5 adjective   

n.形容词；adj.形容词的，用作形容词的

参考例句：

• Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
• The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。

6 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

7 riskier   

冒险的，危险的( risky的比较级 )

参考例句：

• Now they are starting to demand higher returns on riskier assets. 而今他们开始在风险更高的资产上要求更高的回报。
• The problem with that: RIM's business is getting riskier every quarter. 不过问题也随之而来：RIM面临的业务风险正逐季增大。

8 bet   

v.打赌，以(与)...打赌；n.赌注，赌金；打赌

参考例句：

• I bet you can't do this puzzle.我敢说，你解决不了这个难题。
• I offered to bet with him.我提出与他打赌。

9 odd   

adj.奇特的；临时的；奇数的；n.[pl.]机会

参考例句：

• She looks a bit odd.I wonder what has happened to her.她的神色有些异样，不知出了什么事。
• He's an odd character and no mistake!他的确是个怪人！

10 dispute   

n.争端，分歧；v.争论，争吵，辩论，辩驳

参考例句：

• They are trying to find a way of settling the dispute.他们正设法寻找解决争端的办法。
• The parties to the dispute should be more polite to each other.争执双方应相互礼貌些。