a different animal,是“另一种动物”吗?不对,它“完全是另一回事”;谁知道August小写了就是“庄严”的意思呢?go to bed with the chickens不是“和小鸡一块睡觉”而是“睡的很早”……看到这里,你不得不感叹,不光咱们博大精深的汉语让人望文生义,英语也会糊弄人啊……
短语]yellow dirt
[误解]黄色的泥土
[正解]黄金
[助记]只要记住黄金其实是用“黄色的泥土”做的就可以了。
例:
The farmer secretly hid the yellow dirt which was picked up by the roadside.
这个农民把在路边捡到的黄金悄悄地藏了起来。
(1)dirt farmer 自耕农
The dirt farmers improved the land with dung and other sort of soils.
自耕农们用粪便和其他肥料增强土地的肥力。
(2)the yellow press 低级报刊(故作耸人听闻的报道以哗众取宠的报纸)
He is scolded by his parents because he read the yellow press.
他因为看了低级报刊而被爸妈骂了。
(3)yellow dog 卑鄙的人
I hate Ella very much because she is a yellow dog.