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发表于 2011-3-13 11:06
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[Homework]Words and Their Stories 2011-03-13
Now the VOA Special English Program- Words and Their Stories.
Monkeys are very similar to us in many ways. Most have tiny fingers, tiny toes and brains much like ours. We enjoy watching them, because they often act like us. In fact, Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution says that monkeys and humans share a common ancestor. Song writer William Gilbert, in the musical Princess Ida, wrote, Darwinian men, though well behaved, at best is only a monkey shaved. His words, Song to Sir. Arthur Sullivan's Music, listeners smiles.
Monkeys make us smile too, because they are creatures full of playful tricks. This is why many monkey expressions are about tricky people or playful acts. One of these expressions is monkey shines meaning tricks or foolish acts. The meaning is clear, if you have ever watched a group of monkeys playfully chasing each other, pulling tails, stealing food, doing tricks. So, when a teacher says to a group of students Stop those monkey shines right now.
You know that the boys and girls are playing instead of studying. You might hear that same teacher warn a student not to monkey around with a valuable piece of equipment. You monkey around was something when you do not know what you are doing. You are touching, or playing something you should leave alone. Also, you can monkey around when you feel like doing something, but have no firm ideal of what to do. For example, you tell your friend, you are going to spend the day monkeying around with your car. While you do not have any job or goal in mind, it is just a way to pass the time.
Monkey business usually means secret, maybe illegal activities. A news report may say there is monkey business in * in building the new airport, with some officials getting secret payments from builders.
You may make a monkey out of someone, when you make that person look foolish. Some people make a monkey out of themselves by acting foolish or silly.
if one monkey has fun, imagine how much fun a burrel of monkey's gonna have. If your friend says he had more fun than a burrel of monkeys at your party, you know that he had a really good time.
moneky suits are common names for clothes or uniforms soldiers wear.
in earlier years in many American cities, you would find man playing musical hand organs on the street. dancing to the music, would be the man's small monkey dressed in a tight fitting,colorful jacket, similar ot a military uniform. so people began to call a military uniform a monkey suit.
This VOA special English Program Words and Their Stories was written by Marilyn Christiano. Morris Joyce was the narrator. I'm Shirley Griffit.
This post was generated by put listening repetition system, Check the original dictation thread! |
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