Every Tom Dick and Harry

Kaz: Hello I'm Kaz.

Yang Li: And I'm Yang Li. Hey Kaz I see you have brought some guests to the studio.

Kaz: Indeed I have. Li I'd like you to meet Tom... Dick... and Harry.

TDH: How do you do?

Yang Li: How do you do. It's always nice to meet new people Kaz, but I suspect these young men are here for a reason. Am I right?

Kaz: Yes Li I've invited them because their names are Tom, Dick and Harry.

Yang Li: Tom, Dick and Harry. Three popular English names - connected to a popular phrase by any chance Kaz?

Kaz: Absolutely right Li. Our phrase today is 'every Tom, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: 'Every Tom, Dick and Harry' - meaning everyone with a common name I suppose.

Kaz: Yes, In English if you want to talk about lots of unspecified people you can use the phrase 'every Tom, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: So it's like saying 'everyone', right?

Kaz: That's right but it's more informal and slightly略帶 humorous幽默.

Yang Li: OK, I think you should demonstrate its use Kaz.

Kaz: Good idea Li. Imagine I tell you something in confidence, in private... I could ask you not to repeat it.

Yang Li: Because we don't want everyone knowing about it.

Kaz: Exactly. We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing about it.

Yang Li: We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry knowing our secret Kaz.

Kaz: You've got it Li!

Yang Li: OK, let's listen to some more examples:

• Shhhhh! Lower your voice! We don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry to hear us.

• Make sure you send out invitations, otherwise you'll have every Tom, Dick and Harry showing up at your party.

• Whatever you do, don't tell Doug. He can't keep a secret and soon every Tom, Dick and Harry will know about it.

Yang Li: Those three names are interesting and each is a short form of a longer name. I know Tom is the diminutive of Thomas and Harry is short for簡稱 Harold. But what's Dick short for?

Kaz: Dick is short for Richard.

Yang Li: Ah yes, of course, Dick is short for Richard. So what's Kaz short for?

Kaz: We don't need to know that Li.

Yang Li: Why not Kaz?

Kaz: Because we are very unlikely to ever say 'every Kaz, Dick and Harry'.

Yang Li: Very funny Kaz but it's time to say goodbye to our guests 'Tom, Dick and Harry'. So, goodbye chaps!

TDH: Goodbye!

Kaz: And it's goodbye from us.

Kaz/Yang Li: Bye!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/02/130219_tews_111_every_tom_dick_and_harry.shtml

Penguins and sea lion returned to Atlantic

A special day for 62 penguins and one sea lion rescued獲救 late last year off the Brazilian coast after getting lost during migration.

They've been looked after in a rehabilitation centre and now, after having been tagged, are being released into the ocean to catch a current海流 to take them home.

The sea is choppy波濤洶湧 but, with a little help, one by one they slip back into the sea.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/02/130206_vwitn_penguins_release.shtml

Act your age, not your shoe size

Abigail: Hello, I'm Abigail and I'm with Rob and we're doing some shoe shopping.

Rob: Yes I'm looking for some new trainers.

Abigail: Well, we're not really supposed to be looking for your trainers, Rob. We're here because we have an amusing有趣的 phrase which our listeners might like to learn.

Rob: Oh well, I know that, but while we're here, I can look at trainers.

Abigail: Well, I suppose you can look at some trainers. But let's not forget why we're here.

Rob: ... (long pause)

Abigail: Rob? Why we're here?

Rob: Oh, yes of course - look that lady has really funny hair!

Abigail: Rob, you're being very childish today. But that's useful because I can use our phrase for today - act your age not your shoe size.

Rob: 'Act your age, not your shoe size' it's a good phrase. How shall we explain it?

Abigail: I think you have explained it beautifully already, through everything you've said and done Rob. But here are some more clues to what it means:

• I was really upset. She just told me to act my age not my shoe size!
• These people are so childish. They need to act their age not their shoe size.

• (Laughing in background)
  Will you please act your age not your shoe size?!

Rob: If someone thinks you're being childish, immature, too young for your age, they can tell you to act your age, not your shoe size.

Abigail: Mmm, yes they can.

Rob: But look at these trainers here - it says size 44. My age is 30. So I have to act younger?

Abigail: Ah - yes well, 44 - that's a European size. This saying, 'act your age not your shoe size', only works for British and American sizes. So, for example in UK sizes, your feet are size 10.

Rob: I see. So I shouldn't act like I'm ten.

Abigail: Exactly.

Rob: Maybe to be accurate we should change the phrase to 'act your European shoe size, not your British shoe size'.

Abigail: Hmm. Well, we could. It's not quite as catchy容易記住...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/02/130212_tews_110_act_your_age.shtml

Ceremony for new Archbishop of Canterbury

Even by the standards of Church ritua儀式l, the confirmation of an Archbishop of Canterbury's election is an extraordinary特殊, 不同的 event. Senior bishops主教 will sit in St Paul's Cathedral as a court of law, using elaborate闡述 language and flowery華麗的 titles to certify Justin Welby in his new post.

The ceremony, little changed over centuries, was originally intended to prevent false claimants索賠 being appointed to what were lucrative posts肥缺 as bishop. Bishop Welby's enthronement登基,即位, amid在...中 colourful ritual and soaring沖天的 music, is next month in Canterbury Cathedral, and the event has usually eclipsed失色 this legal ceremony.

However, Justin Welby requested that today's event be set in a full church service - including hymns and a sermon講到 - to reflect the essentially religious nature of his new post. As the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, reads and signs a 'final proclamation公告, 發表', Bishop Welby will become archbishop大主教, and spiritual精神上 leader of some 80 million Anglicans聖公會 across the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/02/130204_witn_archbishop.shtml

Austerity for Chinese New Year

During Chinese New Year it's common to give gifts to bosses and officials as a way of gaining favour.獲得好處 But now the authorities have announced a ban on advertisements that have been encouraging people to give luxury items. 

In a statement, the authorities said these radio and TV ads were spreading "incorrect values" and creating a "bad social ethos風氣". According to reports, the ban relates to promotions which suggest products are "must-have items for superiors". 

It's the latest move by China's leader, Xi Jinping, to try and cut down on government extravagance揮霍 and corruption腐敗. At many official occasions, banquets have been banned or scaled back, red carpets地毯 are out, and the floral花卉 arrangements are no longer there. China's new generation of leaders are keen to display a more frugal節儉 administration in the face of growing public anger over official corruption. 

Senior officials have repeatedly warned that corruption poses構成 the greatest threat最大威脅 to the rule of the Communist party.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/02/130208_witn_china_gifts.shtml

Go to town

Abigail: Hi. You're listening to The English We Speak. I'm Abigail and... actually Neil, sorry, I can't stay long, I've got a lot to do.

Neil: Hi, I'm Neil. And - what do you mean you've got a lot to do?

Abigail: Oh, well, you know I'm having that dinner party this evening.

Neil: I know you're having a dinner party, I'm coming. So? That's this evening, why do you need to start now?

Abigail: Oh no but I have really big ideas. I'm really going to town.

Neil: You're going to go to town? We're in town already. Just go to the supermarket and buy a ready meal. No one will know.

Abigail: A ready meal?! No, I'm really going to town.

Neil: Will you stop saying you're going to town? You're supposed to be working.

Abigail: Come on, you know - 'Going to town'. As in... going to a lot of trouble, making it really special.

Neil: Oh I thought you were just making some simple snacks. Actually, I was going to eat before I came round to your house.

Abigail: Eat before my dinner party? That's so rude! No it isn't going to be a snack. As I say, I'm going to town. And I'm not the only person to use this very useful expression. Have a listen to these people:

• The wedding was beautiful, they really went to town. Everything was decorated pink and white.
• This is lovely food – they've really gone to town.
• Have you seen the admin team? They're really going to town on that paperwork.

Neil: Well, I can see you can go to town on a party, a wedding, a big meal... But how can you go to town on paperwork?

Abigail: Hmm - good point. I suppose they're going to a lot of trouble, making a special effort?

Neil: Being very thorough徹底, 周全 perhaps. So, if you're not doing paperwork tonight - in what way are you 'going to town' at this dinner party?

Abigail: I still have to think about it. Maybe I'll buy flowers. I could make cocktails. Oh, I know - all the food could be red!

Neil: All the food will be red! When you go to town you really go to town!

Abigail: Oh, wait, no. All the food could be silver!

Neil: Silver food? You keep planning, I'm just going to get some ready meals.

Abigail: Oh, no, wait, everyone could dress as animals! We could eat on the roof!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2013/02/130205_tews_109_go_to_town.shtml

Beyonce admits not singing live

It was one of the most talked about moments of the inauguration典禮: Beyonce's soaring, flawless完美的 rendition演繹 of the Star Spangled Banner美國國歌名 in front of President Obama and millions more.

But doubt was soon cast on the authenticity of the performance. There was speculation猜測 it was taped, that the megastar超級巨星 had mimed.對嘴

Today came her response. She strolled慢步 into a news conference for Sunday's Super Bowl超級杯, at which she will sing, asked the audience to stand and raised her microphone:

Beyonce singing American national anthem:
"Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light?"

After belting out高歌 the national anthem國歌 she asked, with a laugh, if there were any questions. And then she admitted to singing along to a pre-recorded track last week because she didn't have time to practise.

Beyonce said she had not wanted to risk anything going wrong on such a big occasion場合.

But she will be singing live during the half-time show on Sunday, to one of the biggest audiences of her career.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/02/130201_witn_beyonce.shtml

Greeks cut forests to stay warm

Greece's Mount Olympus is experiencing a rise in unauthorised logging.砍伐

It's estimated over 100,000 trees have been felled illegally.

With fuel燃料 prices soaring直線上升 and temperatures dropping, many people are turning to wood to heat their homes.

Wood markets are thriving興旺的 but not all sources of wood are legitimate.合法的

Racketeers犯罪者 are among those who have been caught taking trees from the home of Greece's ancient gods.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/01/130130_vwitn_greek_wood.shtml