A: And I'm Lin Yang.

　　B: Today we will tell you how to dress to impress! Get ready to learn all the different kinds of dress codes in the business world.

　　A: 成天兴高采烈得到升职的机会比较小? 我们在下面的课程里为你介绍。

　　B: And in words and idioms, we will learn what  "ride high" and "blessing in disguise" means!

　　A: All coming up on American English Mosaic!

　　B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!

　　Learn A Word 1807 critical

　　今天我们要学的词是critical. Critical is spelled c-r-i-t-i-c-a-l, critical. Critical 形容词，重要的。Proactively managing your health is critical to staying healthy. 积极注意自己的身体对保持健康很重要。Experts say getting enough sleep plays a critical role in maintaining good health. 有关专家说，保证睡眠充足对身体健康有很重要的作用。

　　Location is a critical factor for the success of any business. 对于任何商业机构来说，地理位置是成功的一个重要因素。Job creation is critical to the growth of any economy. 创造就业对任何一个经济体的成长来说都很重要。好的，今天我们学习的词是 critical, critical, critical...

　　A: Enough sleep is critical in maintaining good health. 我就是，要是睡不好昏沉沉的，我一天什么都干不好。

　　B: Yeah, I definitely agree with that. I once read a scientific study that said sleep deprivation will not only affect how you behave, but can also permanently damage your brain. That's why sleep deprivation is used as a torture technique in some countries.

　　A: 哎呀太可怕了! Having a good night sleep can make your brain function at peak efficiency, thus everything will ride high!

　　B: See, that's what I'm talking about. All you need is more sleep, Yang Lin.

　　A: What?

　　B: Haha, OK, you know I'm kidding! Well, you just mentioned an interesting idiom: ride high. Let's check it out in today's word's idioms!

　　Words and Idioms 861 RIDE HIGH

　　美国习惯用语第 861 讲。

　　真希望每个礼拜都象上星期一样。先是推出新节目受领导表扬，接下来是一个接受采访的嘉宾请我去给他学生做报告，居然还有一个以前的实习生请我吃饭，感谢我对他的关照。喔赛，简直让我不知道姓什么了。这也让我想起了一个习惯用语，

　　M: Ride high. Ride is spelled r-i-d-e, and high; h-i-g-h. Ride-high.

　　Ride 是骑、驾驭的意思； high 是高的意思。Ride high 连在一起，意思是“大获成功”。我最近的生活就是这句话，I've been RIDING HIGH. 做什么事儿都顺。如果能一直这样该多好！我敢说，美国总统奥巴马一定了解我的感受，让我们听听下面这段报道。

　　M: "After a U.S. President is inaugurated, he usually RIDES HIGH in the polls. Such is the case with Barack Obama, who enjoyed the support of a significant majority of the population. After a number of months, however, his standing began to slip. Some Americans became more critical of his performance in office."

　　这个人说：美国总统宣誓就职后，民意调查的支持率向来很高，奥巴马也是一样，得到了大多数美国人的支持。然后，短短几个月后，他的民众支持率就开始下滑了，一些美国人开始对他的业绩感到不满。

　　这就是我们常说的蜜月期结束，Honeymoon is over. 这也让我想起了参加 British Got Talent “英国达人”比赛而轰动一时的 Susan Boyle 苏珊.波伊尔。一夜之间，世界各地的人都从互联网上知道了苏格兰有个天才歌手，叫苏珊.波伊尔。 She was RIDING HIGH. 可是没过多久，媒体的狂轰滥炸就让她承受不起了。看来，不管是谁，一夜成名都是很难适应的。让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "After a U.S. President is inaugurated, he usually RIDES HIGH in the polls. Such is the case with Barack Obama, who enjoyed the support of a significant majority of the population. After a number of months, however, his standing began to slip. Some Americans became more critical of his performance in office."

　　你知道全球最大的咖啡连锁店是哪一家吗？没错，就是1971年在美国西雅图成立的星巴克。让我们听听下面的报道。

　　M: "Throughout the 1990s, Starbuck's Coffee opened a new store every workday. It was RIDING HIGH. But lately, despite its more than 16,000 locations in 49 countries, success hasn't come as easily. A struggling economy and increased competition have created challenges for the world's largest coffeehouse."

　　报道说：上个世纪九十年代，星巴克每天都有新店开张，获得了巨大的成功。但是最近，尽快星巴克在全球49个国家开设了一万六千多家分店，但是成功之路并不平坦。举步维艰的经济和不断加剧的行业竞争都为这家全球最大的咖啡店带来了挑战。

　　是啊，现在象麦当劳这种快餐店都卖咖啡，物美价廉。但是在快餐店买咖啡，跟去星巴克里坐坐感觉还是不一样。毕竟，星巴克的经营策略就是要为顾客提供一个在家庭和公司以外，能跟别人接触的第三类场所。好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。

　　M: "Throughout the 1990s, Starbuck's Coffee opened a new store every workday. It was RIDING HIGH. But lately, despite its more than 16,000 locations in 49 countries, success hasn't come as easily. A struggling economy and increased competition have created challenges for the world's largest coffeehouse."

　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。

　　M: Until next time.

　　下次节目再见。

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.

　　A: 说起苏珊大妈，she was riding high for quite a while! But then she got fed up with the crazy amount of attention on her life. 看来一夜成名真不容易。

　　B: You can say that again. You know, sometimes I watch these talent shows as well. What fascinates me is not only how well they sing, but how ridiculously dressed up they get.

　　A: I guess stars needs to dress differently than normal people. I find that you can tell a person's occupation by observing how he/she dresses.

　　B: That's true. Especially in business world, you need to be a lot more careful about what you are wearing.

　　A: Yep, beauty is skin deep, but first impression do make a difference. Let's learn about different dress codes in today's Business Etiquette!

　　礼节美语 Dress Code I

　　公司高层开会，老板 Frank 建议，规定着装标准，不能太随便。

　　Frank: Good morning everyone. Thanks for being on time.

　　Gary & Penny: Good morning, Frank.

　　F: We've got a whole bunch of topics to go over today, but let's start with a simple one: our company's dress code.

　　G: We have a dress code?

　　F: Well...if we didn't have one before, I'm instituting one, starting now.

　　P: What exactly does this mean?

　　公司老板 Frank 说，首先讨论着装要求，dress code。Gary 觉得奇怪，不知道公司什么时候有了 dress code. Frank表示，以前没有没关系，I'm instituting one starting now. 就从现在开始定。

　　F: I've become concerned that we are getting a bit too casual. I was walking through the office the other day and some people were wearing shorts and T-shirts! I don't think that is appropriate office wear.

　　P: It's true. Our standards have been going down. It used to be that we wore casual clothes only on Fridays, but these days it seems we do it almost everyday.

　　Frank 原来是看到员工穿得太随便，a bit too casual. T恤衫，短裤，什么都有，不合适上班穿。Penny 承认，着装标准是有些下降，原来只有星期五不用穿得太正式，也就是常说的 Casual Friday, 可如今大家每天都穿得很随便。

　　G: But Frank, don't you think maybe this isn't such a big issue? I mean, why does it matter what we are wearing? I think productivity is more important!

　　F: Actually, I agree with you, Gary. Productivity is the most important thing. But I think what we wear is linked to productivity.

　　P: In what way are they linked?

　　F: Police officers wear uniforms, right? It's a symbol to both them and the public that they are serious about what they do.

　　Gary觉得，穿着并不重要，重要的是工作效率，productivity. Frank 却认为，穿着跟效率之间也有密切联系。比如警察穿制服，就是一个象征，a symbol, 告诉自己，也告诉大众，他们觉得自己的工作很重要。

　　G: You're the boss, Frank, so of course it's your call...but I have to say, I'm not so keen on this idea. I think neckties cut off blood circulation. I'm much more in favor of a relaxed workplace environment.

　　F: And for some companies a relaxed atmosphere might work. At Google they let you bring your dog to work! But we are a serious financial company with an image to uphold.

　　Frank 的工作态度论并没有说服Gray. 他说，you're the boss. It's your call. 你是老板，你说了算，但我还是主张有一个轻松的工作环境 I'm in favor of a relaxed workplace environment. Frank 看来已经拿定主意，说轻松的工作环境适合某些公司，但他们是一家严谨的金融公司，with an image to uphold. 要保持公司形象。新的 dress code 是什么呢？我们下次继续听。

　　A: 公司领导Frank给大家开会，希望给公司员工制定 dress code，着装标准，他认为what we wear is linked to productivity, 着装与效率有直接的关系。员工Gary说，I'm in favor of a relaxed workplace environment, 主张有轻松的工作环境。

　　B: I agree with the boss. Sometimes what you wear is like a symbol of your work. It shows that you take your job seriously.

　　A: That's true. I have an uncle who is a business man. He once told me that he needs to drive a Benz to business meetings, so first time customers will take him and his company more seriously. I think that's the  symbol of power.

　　B: That's why luxurious brands are so expensive! They are just selling the social status! Well, let's keep listening to Frank and see what dress code they are going to have!

　　礼节美语 Dress Code II

　　公司高层开会，老板 Frank 建议，严格员工的着装标准，穿得不能太随便。公司主管 Penny 说，

　　P: I'm inclined to agree with Frank. You know that old saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover?" Well, almost everyone DOES judge by what they see on the outside. I think we do need to present a more professional image.

　　F: Some of the ladies may also have to tone down their attire as well. Clothes that are too revealing are not appropriate either.

　　G: What exactly is acceptable and what is not?

　　俗话说，Don't judge a book by its cover. 人不可貌相，可实际上，Penny 表示，几乎所有人都难免以貌取人 judge by what they see on the outside, 因此公司需要树立专业形象。Frank又说，女员工穿着也要 tone down 收敛，不能过于暴露，revealing, r-e-v-e-a-l-i-n-g, revealing 是暴露的意思。 那到底什么样儿才符合要求呢？

　　F: Well, for the men it's pretty simple. They should wear a button-down shirt with a collar and preferably a tie as well. Jeans are not acceptable.

　　P: For the women I'd say professional looking skirts or dresses that go down to at least the knee are acceptable. And blouses or shirts should not show too much skin.

　　F: And of course, no sandals or flip-flops. Shorts are NEVER acceptable.

　　P: Do you think members of the board should try to dress especially well?

　　F: Yes I do. We are representatives of the company and we need to be a good example. I'd say the men should try to wear a full business suit when possible.

　　男人简单，无非是衬衫领带，不穿牛仔。女人则要穿职业女装，裙子过膝，上衣不能太露，一个字，professional looking 看上去要职业化。此外，凉鞋、拖鞋和短裤是万万不能穿的。Frank 还说，理事会成员代表公司，要以身作则，穿得更正式。

　　G: Can we still have "Casual Fridays?"

　　F: (chuckle) Sure, Gary...let's keep that tradition. But "casual" can't be too casual. I'd say jeans are OK on Fridays, but no T-shirts. Polo shirts or short-sleeved sports shirts are OK.

　　G: So I guess we are going to need to send out a memo with these new guidelines. Some people aren't going to be very happy about this.

　　F: Well, we in management can lead by example.

　　P: Actually, I kind of enjoy getting dressed up!  It's fun!

　　G: And I guess I'll get used to the new rules. I do look pretty good in a suit.

　　F&P: (Chuckle)

　　Frank 同意保留星期五随意着装的传统，但不能太过份，牛仔裤可以穿，带领子的马球衫 Polo shirts 和短袖衬衣可以穿，但是没领子的T恤衫还是不行。Gary 最后无可奈何地说，I guess I'll get used to the new rules. 我想我会慢慢习惯新规矩的。

　　A: Frank给大家制定了着装标准，男士要穿a button-down shirt with a collar，有领的衬衫，女士呢要穿professional looking skirts or dresses，职业装。他们将保留casual Friday, 便装星期五。这意味星期五可以穿Jeans和Polo shirt, 牛仔裤和马球衫。Frank说，管理层要穿a full business suit, 全套西装，because they are representatives of the company.他们代表公司的形象。

　　B: I guess if a company is in service industry, it needs to have a dress code. Clients are going to judge how professional you are by what they see on the outside.

　　A: That's true. 好啦，着装这个话题呢就到这。咱们接着今天的课程吧!

　　B: Let's listen to another learn a word!

　　Learn A Word 1808 overly

　　今天我们要学的词是overly. Overly is spelled o-v-e-r-l-y, overly. Overly 过多的，过份的。Critics say the new rules are overly restrictive. 批评人士指责说，新规定过于严格了。一项最新研究显示，Overly cheerful women are less likely to be promoted. 每天老是兴高采烈的女性，跟其他人比，得到升职的机会比较少。家长关爱孩子没有错，但是孩子长大了一定要学会放手。Helicopter parents who are overly involved in their adult children's lives can do more harm than good. 过份介入成人子女正常生活的“直升机”父母，给孩子带来的伤害可能要超过给孩子带来的好处。 好的，今天我们学习的词是 overly, overly, overly...

　　B: You hear that Yang Lin? Overly cheerful women are less likely to be promoted.

　　A: Overly cheerful? It's called having a sunshiny personality! You know, being positive can make your life a lot easier. You should try it Mike.

　　B: Ha! I would rather get promoted! But I do find that if you have a positive attitude, a lot of bad things can actually turn out to be not so terrible. You just need to keep calm and handle things in a logical way.

　　A: I call those blessings in disguise!

　　B: And let's check this idiom out!

　　Words and Idioms 862 BLESSING IN DISGUISE

　　美国习惯用语第 862 讲。工夫不负有心人。我们终于买到房子了。这是我们看着满意，出价想买的第三栋房子，也是我们最满意的一栋。现在看来，好在前两栋都被别人出更高的价钱抢走了，塞翁失马，焉知非福，用英语说，就叫

　　M: Blessing in disguise. Blessing is spelled b-l-e-s-s-i-n-g. Blessing. Disguise is spelled d-i-s-g-u-i-s-e. Disguise. Blessing in disguise.

　　Blessing 在这里是好事，喜事的意思。Disguise 是伪装、掩饰。a blessing in disguise 意思就是原来以为是倒霉事，可结果证明反倒是件好事。塞翁失马，焉知非福。就好象我们家买房子，前两栋房子都没买到手，本来觉得挺沮丧，后来买到第三栋房子，最符合我们的要求，这才意识到，前两栋房子没买到原来是 a blessing in disguise. 在下面的例子里，一名飞机乘客遇到的倒霉事最后居然救了他的命。让我们一起来听听。

　　M: "I was so annoyed when I missed my flight. I knew it meant waiting an extra five hours for the next plane to Hawaii. But when I heard that my original flight had been hijacked. Oh my god, what a BLESSING IN DISGUISE it was to miss it!"

　　这个人说：我误了飞机，心里本来特别烦，因为这就意味着我要在机场多等五个小时，才有下一班飞机去夏威夷。后来听说，我原来要坐的那架客机被劫持了。天啊，错过那架航班原来是塞翁失马，焉知非福。

　　这个人运气可真是够好的。Blessings in disguise 这个习惯用语最早出现于十八世纪，当时，虔诚的清教徒认为，所有好事都是上帝的赐福 blessing，而那些表面上看起来很倒霉的事情，其实都是 blessings in disguise 是好事经过了伪装，不让你一下子识别出来。不过，今天大家说 blessings in disguise 已经不再带有宗教意义了。好的，让我们再来听听上面那段话。

　　M: "I was so annoyed when I missed my flight. I knew it meant waiting an extra five hours for the next plane to Hawaii. But when I heard that my original flight had been hijacked. Oh my god, what a BLESSING IN DISGUISE it was to miss it!"

　　如今经济不景气，很多人都面临失业。对于下面这个例子里的年轻人来说，失业反而变成了他生活的动力。让我们一起来听听。

　　M: "Getting fired turned out to be a BLESSING IN DISGUISE because it made me think about my future for the first time. Now I have clear goals for the first time and I intend to follow them."

　　报道说：被公司解雇让我第一次开始为自己的前途认真思考。这可是塞翁失马，焉知非福。如今，我第一次为自己找到了明确的目标，决定就朝着这个方向发展。

　　我的一个搞室内装修的朋友不久前被公司解雇，只好自己开公司单干，结果反倒做得越来越有起色。看来，有时候人确实不能安于现状，失去朝九晚五，给人打工的饭碗，未必是件坏事，兴许就是 A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. 好的，我们再来听一下上面那个例句。

　　M: "Getting fired turned out to be a BLESSING IN DISGUISE because it made me think about my future for the first time. Now I have clear goals for the first time and I intend to follow them."

　　我侄子去年踢球把小腿踢断了，不能再去参加训练和比赛，结果反倒专心学习，SAT 考了很高的分数，被哈佛大学录取。我姐姐私下里跟我说，这可真是 A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

　　好的，这次美国习惯用语就到此结束了。

　　M: Until next time.

　　下次节目再见。

　　M: This has been Words and Idioms.

　　A: Well, I can honestly say working with you has been a blessing in Disguise.

　　B: huh? Why is that?

　　A: Since your so lazy I've been having to do both of our work, which has taught me how to be more efficient with my time and showed me that I can accomplish more than I ever believed possible!

　　B: Ow Yanglin, just ow........

　　A: You are welcome! 好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。

　　B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!

　　A: See you next time!

　　-