On this program we explore the origin and usage of common expressions in American English. We always give examples or dialogues using the expressions. Sometimes we even use the words in a short story. All of these can, hopefully, teach you how to best use the expressions.
在这个节目中，我们将会探讨美式英语中一些常见表达的起源和用法。我们每次都会给出用到这种表达的例句或对话。有时候我们甚至把它编进一段小故事。希望所有这些可以教你如何更好地使用这种表达。
For today's word we turn our eyes toward the sky!
今天的词汇我们会把目光投向天空之中。
There is one natural event that many people want to experience during their lifetime -- an eclipse!
这是很多人一生当中都想经历的一种自然现象，也就是日食。
Whether solar or lunar, partial or total, these astronomical events bring the movement of our solar system a little more to life.
无论是日食还是月食，偏蚀还是全蚀，这些天文事件让太阳系的运动更加生动。
Solar, as we know, means "relating to the sun." So a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. A dark circle either completely or partly covers the sun as a result.
Solar这个单词正如我们所知道的，意思是“与太阳有关的。”所以，solar eclipse（日食）是指月亮经过太阳和地球之间，这样，一个黑色圆盘会完全或部分遮挡住太阳。
Lunar means "related to the moon." So, a lunar eclipse is when the moon looks as if it is completely or partially covered with a dark circle.
Lunar意思是“跟月亮相关的。”所以，lunar eclipse(月食)是指月亮看上去像是被一个黑色圆盘完全或部分遮挡住。
Some ancient cultures considered an eclipse a sign that the world was ending. Other cultures viewed it as a battle between different animals in the sky as they try to eat up the moon or sun. Another cultural belief was that an eclipse was a time for deep thought and thinking about the past.
一些古文化认为日食（或月食）是世界末日的迹象，另一些文化将它视为天空中有不同动物在试图吃掉月亮或太阳时互相争战。还有种文化信仰认为日食是对过去深思熟虑的时候。
The word eclipse comes from a Greek word meaning "to leave," "to abandon," "to forsake a usual place" or fail to appear." Ancient Greeks thought of an eclipse as a time when the sun abandoned the earth.
Eclipse这个单词源于一个希腊单词，这个希腊单词的意思是“离开、放弃、抛弃老地方或未能出现。”古希腊认为日食时是太阳抛弃了地球。
In simple terms, an eclipse happens when a planet or satellite blocks the light of the sun. So, it is not surprising that we also use "eclipse" in the same way when talking about other things besides the sun, the moon and the earth.
简单来说，当有行星或卫星遮挡住阳光时就会发生日食。所以，当我们讨论太阳、月亮和地球以外的其它事情时，也会用同样的方式使用eclipse这个单词，这就毫不奇怪了。
In conversation, when one thing eclipses another it makes it less important or popular. For example, television eclipsed radio in the 1950s as the most popular form of home entertainment. When one person eclipses another, they do something better. For example, a younger child might hate it when her older sister's school and sports success eclipses her own. The older sister outshines the younger one.
在对话中，当某物品盖过另一物品的光芒时，就会让它相形见绌。例如，上世纪50年代，电视盖过了收音机的风头，成为了最受欢迎的家庭娱乐形式。当某人盖过另一人，就是说他们更为出色。例如，小孩可能会怨恨她姐姐的学校成绩或运动成绩盖过了她，这位姐姐使她相形见绌。
This usage of eclipse is not only used when talking about people. Things can also eclipse other things, as in this sentence: The popularity of the company's new product quickly eclipsed all its earlier products.
Eclipse的这种用法不仅可以用于谈论人物，也可以用于谈论物品。例如在这句对话中：该公司新产品的受欢迎度迅速盖过了它所有早期的产品。
Many synonyms of eclipse deal with light and casting shadows, like in the example of the older sister outshining the younger. If a person or a thing outshines another, the light they give off is so bright that no one notices anything else. You could also say the older daughter cast a shadow on her younger sister. Or you could say the younger sister was living in the shadow of her older sister.
许多日食的同义词也涉及到了光和投射阴影，例如在上个姐姐盖过妹妹的例子中就用到了outshine这个单词。如果某人或某物盖过另一人或物，就是说他们发射出来的光芒如此明亮，导致没有人会注意到其它东西。你也可以说这个姐姐让妹妹黯然失色，或者说这个妹妹活在姐姐的阴影之下。
Now, let's hear how we use eclipse this way in everyday conversation. Let's listen as two people talk as they wait in line to audition for a Broadway musical.
现在让我们听听如何在日常对话中使用eclipse这个单词。让我们来听听两个人在排队参加百老汇音乐剧试唱时的对话。
Are you ready for your singing audition today?
你做好今天试唱的准备了吗？
As ready as I'll ever be. The song I'm singing is my favorite and I know it really well.
我随时都准备好了。我唱的是自己喜欢和熟悉的歌。
I'm sure you'll do great. By the way, I'm Corrine. Corrine Mayfield.
我相信你一定会唱得很好。嗯，我叫科瑞恩，科瑞恩·梅菲尔德（Corrine Mayfield）。
I'm Steve Stravinski.
我叫史蒂夫·斯塔凡斯基（Steve Stravinski）。
Stravinski? Wait. Are you any relation to Doug Stravinski?!
斯塔凡斯基？等等，你跟道格·斯塔凡斯基（Doug Stravinski）是亲戚吗？
Yeah. He's my older brother.
是的，他是我哥哥。
Get out! His performance in Les Miserables was so beautiful. Critics are still talking about it! Wow! Doug Stravinski. What is he working on these days?
太意外了! 他在《悲惨世界》(Les Miserables)中表现非常好。评论家现在还在谈这些。他最近在干嘛呢？
An album. His fourth album.
录专辑，他的第四张专辑。
That is just awesome! It will probably be another number one seller! So, what's it like being his brother?
太棒了，这可能会是另一张畅销专辑。那么，你作为他的弟弟感觉如何？
Great. Just great.
好着呢，还好吧。
It must be tough living in the shadow of Doug Stravinski!
活在道格·斯塔凡斯基的影子下肯定很艰难。
I don't think about it ... you know, until someone brings it up.
我不去想那么多，直到有人提起这事。
Oh, I'm so sorry. But it's just that ... well, he's so amazing and famous. He casts a really big shadow!
哦，对不起。但是....好吧，他是如此出色和著名，他会投下巨大的阴影。
Yes. Look, do you mind if we don't talk? I really need to prepare for my audition.
是的，咱们能不聊了吗？我确实需要为我的试唱做准备。
Of course. Of course. It's so typical, isn't it -- an older brother or sister eclipsing a younger one. They do everything first, do it longer. And, they're usually better -- usually the shining star in the family!
当然当然。这太典型了，不是吗？哥哥姐姐盖过弟弟妹妹。他们遇事早，干得更久，而且通常也更为出色，往往都是家里的大明星。
Hm-hmm.
嗯。
Listen to me! I'm doing it again, aren't I? I am sure at this audition you are going to outshine everything your brother Doug has done on stage.
我又唠叨了是吧？我相信这次试唱你会盖过你哥哥在舞台上的所有光芒。
Yep. Thanks.
是的，谢谢！
Next person!
下一位！
Hello I'm next.
你好，我是。
Name?
你的名字？
Steve Stravinski.
史蒂夫·斯塔凡斯基。
Stravinski? Wait, are you related to Doug Stravinski?! THE Doug Stravinski?! Oh man, he's amazing! I saw him in this show ...
斯塔凡斯基？等等，你跟道格·斯塔凡斯基是亲戚吗？哦，哥们，他太棒了!我见过他...
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories!
以上就是本期词汇掌故节目的全部内容。