新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 6-5

IV. Speaking Out
MODEL 1
This is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts.
Chris: Sue, do you know why people say, “knock on wood” when they want to avoid bad luck?
Susan: It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it has a lot to do with ancient Celtic people. They worshipped trees.
Chris: Sounds interesting.
Susan: They thoughts trees would suck demons¹ back into the ground.
Chris: Well, when you think about the deep roots, their belief seems to make some senses.
Susan: What’s more, knocking on wood was a way to brag² without being punished. People once thought that evil spirits would become jealous if good fortune was pointed³ out to them
Chris: Uh, yes, go on.
Susan: well, by knocking on wood three times, the noise could frightened away the evil spirits, and they couldn’t have to rob the braggart⁴ of that good fortune
Chris: I’m afraid those who don’t know this superstition⁵ might be frightened away as well.
Susan: Now here’s a test. Do you know how the custom of kissing under the mistletoe originated?
Chris: I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’m all ears.
Susan: Again this is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. Since they worshipped trees, they conducted many of their ceremonies in the woods in the shade of trees.
Chris: Now I see. Probably it’s under these mistletoe trees that weddings took place.
Susan: I wish you were standing⁶ under some mistletoe right now.
Chris: Luckily I’m not. Touch wood.

1 demons   

n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念

参考例句：

• demons torturing the sinners in Hell 地狱里折磨罪人的魔鬼
• He is plagued by demons which go back to his traumatic childhood. 他为心魔所困扰，那可追溯至他饱受创伤的童年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 brag   

v./n.吹牛，自夸；adj.第一流的

参考例句：

• He made brag of his skill.他夸耀自己技术高明。
• His wealth is his brag.他夸张他的财富。

3 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

4 braggart   

n.吹牛者；adj.吹牛的，自夸的

参考例句：

• However,Captain Prien was not a braggart.不过，普里恩舰长却不是一个夸大其词的人。
• Sir,I don't seek a quarrel,not being a braggart.先生，我并不想寻衅挑斗，也不是爱吹牛的人。

5 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。

6 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。