matron主婦,antique古董,shade色度/色調(diào),eccentric古怪的
笑話原文】
I Painted the Vase
A wealthy matron was so proud of a valuable antique vase that she decided to have her bedroom painted the same color as the vase. Several painters tried to match the shade, but none came close enough to satisfy the eccentric woman.
Eventually, a painter approached who was confident that he could mix the proper color. The woman was pleased with the result, and the painter became famous.
Years later, he retired and turned the business over to his son. "Dad," said the son, "there's something I've got to know. How did you get those walls to match the vase so perfectly?"
"
Son," the father replied, "I painted the vase."
中文譯文】
我給花瓶上了色
一個有錢的主婦很驕傲自己有一個價值連城的古董花瓶,所以她決定把她的臥室也油漆成花瓶的顏色。
好幾個油漆匠試著調(diào)色,可是沒一個人能把顏色調(diào)得足夠接近花瓶的,來滿足這個奇怪的女人的要求。
終于,一個油漆匠找到一個自信能調(diào)好顏色的人。主婦對結(jié)果非常滿意,那個調(diào)色的人也出名了。
多年后,他退休了并把家業(yè)移交給了兒子。
“爸爸,”兒子問,“有件事我必須得知道。您是如何那么完美地使墻壁的顏色貼合花瓶呢?”
“兒子,”爸爸回答,“我給花瓶上了色。”
詞匯講解】
1.proud驕傲的。與proud有關(guān)的慣用語除了文中的be proud of,還有do sb. Proud, 是“給某人增光”之意:His honesty did him proud.他的正直為他增光。
2.valuable價值連城的,它的對義詞是valueless,而不是invaluable。Invaluable 是valuable的同義詞,是“非常珍貴的”、“無法估價的”的意思。
3.antique,形容詞“古老的/過時的”,名詞“古董、古玩”
4.have her bedroom painted,這里有一個句型“have sth. done”讓某人做某事,比如:He had his hair cut.他(請人)給他理頭發(fā)了。
5.eccentric,形容詞“古怪的”,名詞“怪人”。
6.turn over,移交,也有“仔細(xì)考慮” 的意思: He turned over the problem for hours.他對這個問題思考了好幾個小時。