VOA词汇掌故2024--When Is Something 'Ancient History'?

When Is Something 'Ancient History'?

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

　　Do you like to learn about ancient history? If you do, you could call yourself a history buff. If you are a "buff," you have a strong interest in a subject and want to learn all about it.

　　History buffs can have a special interest in a particular historical period in the past. For example, they might read a lot about ancient Greek or Roman history. History buffs might be interested in ancient Mesopotamia or Carthage. Or perhaps the ancient Mayans or Incas would be up their alley². If something is up your alley, it goes along with your interests. It is something you want to know more about.

　　However, English speakers use the expression ancient history in other ways. And many have nothing to do with exploring cultures from long ago.

　　For example, if something is ancient history, it is no longer meaningful or relevant³. It is outdated⁴ or totally forgotten. Something that is ancient history is old news.

　　Let's say a business owner wants to modernize⁵ and update her workspace. She says she wants to get a new fax machine. But then, her young son tells her fax machines are ancient history.

　　Ancient history can describe events in a person's past. Let's say a co-worker always talks about his time in high school. When he asks about yours, you might say that your high school days are ancient history. You barely⁶ remember them.

　　Sometimes we use ancient history to mean something has been completely forgotten – even if it is a fairly recent event. It just feels like it happened a long time ago.

　　For example, two friends of yours want to start a business together. Last month, it was a café. Now, their latest idea is offering storage units for rent. When you ask about the café idea, they might say, "Oh, that idea is ancient history. We've moved on from that."

　　We also use ancient history in another way. Sometimes ancient history means an issue has been resolved⁷ and is no longer a problem. It is water under the bridge. Water under the bridge is another idiom that means a problem no longer exists.

　　For example, let's say you had an unpleasant experience with a good friend, but it happened years ago. You both value your friendship and choose to forgive and forget. The problem is no longer an issue between the two of you. It is ancient history.

　　And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.

　　Words in This Story

　　relevant –adj. something that is important to the current situation

　　rent –n. paying the owner of property like a home, car or machine for its temporary use

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 alley   

n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路

参考例句：

• We live in the same alley.我们住在同一条小巷里。
• The blind alley ended in a brick wall.这条死胡同的尽头是砖墙。

3 relevant   

adj.有关的，贴切的

参考例句：

• I don't think his remarks are relevant to our discussion.我认为他的话不切我们的议题。
• These materials are relevant to the case.这些材料与这案件有关。

4 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

5 modernize   

vt.使现代化，使适应现代的需要

参考例句：

• It was their manifest failure to modernize the country's industries.他们使国家进行工业现代化，明显失败了。
• There is a pressing need to modernise our electoral system.我们的选举制度迫切需要现代化。

6 barely   

adv.仅仅，几乎没有，几乎不

参考例句：

• The male bird is barely distinguishable from the female.雄鸟和雌鸟几乎无法辨别。
• He took barely enough money to keep the children in bread.他赚很少的钱仅够孩子们勉强糊口。

7 resolved   

adj.下定决心的，断然的；坚决的；已解决的v.做决定，分解(resolve的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• I was resolved not to see him. 我决意不见他。
• The union resolved to strike by 40 votes to 18. 工会以40票对18票通过决议举行罢工。 来自《简明英汉词典》