Neil: Today we’re going to look at words and phrases that have recently become part of the English language.
Helen: 在地道英语这个节目中，我们来一块儿学习英语中出现的新鲜词汇短语和习惯表达。那 Neil，今天我们学习的新词是什么呢？
Neil: Today’s new expression is trophy wife.
Helen: Trophy wife，在 wife 前面加个 trophy，这是什么意思呢？
Neil: Well, we all know what wife means.
Helen: Wife 我敢肯定，人家都知道这就是妻子，老婆的意思。
Neil: And a trophy is a medal, something you can show off to your friends and family.
Helen: 嗯，trophy 的意思也挺简单的，就是奖章，奖杯的意思。但是它和 wife 一起说的话，又代表什么呢?
Neil: A trophy wife is a beautiful, young wife that proves you have been successful, as a businessman, for example.
Helen: 哦，我明白了。A trophy wife 就是一个年轻漂亮姑娘嫁给了一个很有钱的男人。那不就是我们常说的绑大款嘛？！那么对男人来说，这样的老婆也只不过是个花瓶罢了。那一般我们都在什么场合用这个词呢？
Neil: Well, it’s an informal word, and it is a negative thing to say about somebody.
Helen: 这是个贬义词，一般用在非正式场合。
Neil: Yes. Don’t say "Ah, this is Helen. She’s my trophy wife".
Insert
A: Have you seen his wife? She’s very pretty, but she must be 20 years younger than him!
B: At least! But you know John ? he’s a millionaire. He wanted a trophy wife to show off at parties, and she just wanted his money!
Neil: In the USA, many rich businessmen have trophy wives.
Helen: 真的吗？在美国很多有钱的商人都有个象花瓶一样的老婆。
Neil: Yes. In Beverly Hills you need a sports car, a big house and a trophy wife.
Helen: I see. So could you see yourself having a trophy wife, then, Neil?
Neil: I don’t think so!
Helen: Why not?
Neil: I want a woman who loves me. It shouldn't matter if I’m rich or poor.
Helen: 贫穷或者富有都不重要的，最重要的是拥有一个爱你的人。
Neil: Anyway, let’s recap ? trophy wife ? means a young, attractive wife married to a successful, rich, often older man.
Helen: 那么 trophy wife 就是那些很有钱的大老板娶回家的漂亮年轻的妻子，这些有钱人一般年纪都很大。 |
