Reader’s Digest
●Normal
Pisa ’s tower is easily beaten in Suurhusen ,
Germany
● A Word Is Born – Pecha Kucha
【答】 1. C; 2. 紅色; 3. A; 4. B;
5. 逆時鐘
●
Q: When people are eating, I can’t stand the sound of a fork or spoon
clanking on a plate or bowl. I get chills, nausea and a headache. I’m also
sickened by the sound of people chewing with their mouth open. Is there
something wrong with me?
A: Possibly nuts. It’s tempting to suggest there is something wrong with
everyone else you know. How come they don’t chew with their mouths closed? At
the very least, you are overly sensitive to minor irritations. You may also be
suffering from an obscure malady called
misophonia – a condition characterized by an intense loathing of a range of
sounds, such as those made by trains, certain musical instruments and people
(their breathing, for instance). Try to focus your
attention away from the source of irritation. Instead, concentrate as hard as
you can on something else when you eat with your friends: the background music,
the scenery, even what your friends are talking about (what a concept!). You
may be able to train yourself to be less bothered by the noise. (RD2012, Sept., p.117-118)
正常還是不正常？(下)
問：別人吃東西的時候，我總是無法忍受他們叉子或湯匙碰撞碗盤的聲音；我會感到掃興、想吐、頭痛。而且，我對別人張口大嚼的聲音也很討厭。請問我是不是有問題？
答：可能有問題。由此似乎顯示你跟每個朋友之間出了問題；你叫他們嘴巴閉起來怎麼吃東西嘛？至少我可以說，你太吹毛求疵了。你還可能罹患一種叫做「憎聲症」的罕見疾病——患這種病的人極端憎恨某些聲音，例如火車、某些樂器、以及某些人所發出的聲音(如他們的呼吸聲)。當你跟朋友吃飯時，最好能將注意力從不愉快的聲源移開，盡可能將注意力集中在別的事物上：例如背景音樂、周遭風景、和朋友的談話內容(這個最重要！)。也許你更應該訓練自己不要太在意朋友發出的噪音。 (RD2012, 9月號, 117-118頁)
● Normal
Q: I sometimes have strange dreams when taking a nap, and I think they’re
real when I wake up. Then, as I come around, I realize they aren’t. Is there something
wrong with me?
A: Not nuts! What’s wrong is that you get to take naps and most of us
don’t! But are you unhinged? The unanimous consensus among our panel is: no. We
all have wild dreams, and it’s normal, upon waking, to be fuzzy for a little
while or even not remember where we are, especially if we wake up someplace
unfamiliar, like a hotel. (Or a crater on Mars filled with unfinished history
homework.) Confusion is normal because it lasts only a
few seconds. What’s abnormal is if you don’t snap out of it. Since you did – at
least long enough to write a letter – you’re fine. (RD2012, Sept., p.116)
正常還是不正常？(上)
問：我小睡片刻時有時候會做些奇怪的夢，當我剛醒來時會以為那些夢是真的；但我回過神來之後，我發現它們不是真的。我是不是不正常？
答：沒有不正常！不正常的是你需要常常小睡，而一般大多數人是不需要的！言歸正傳，你算不算精神失常？我們小組一致的結論是：不算。我們每個人都會做怪夢；醒來時短暫的迷糊(甚至在陌生環境中 – 例如旅館 – 醒來，一時搞不清楚自己身在何處)都是正常現象。或者醒來發現身處火星上的隕石坑，裡面有一大堆寫不完的歷史作業；但只要這種迷糊狀態持續時間不超過幾秒鐘，都是正常的。不過如果這種狀態揮之不去，那就不正常了。至於你的情況，至少你還能寫這封信給我們，所以放心啦！ (RD2012, 9月號, 116頁)
● Exit Strategy
Driving with my mother can be an
interesting experience. Recently, I was with her as she tried to find the way
out of a new multistory car park.
“Ah!” she cried with delight as she turned
the car towards a ramp, “No entry. That must be the exit!” (RD2012, Sept., p.49)
停車場出口
跟我老媽一起開車常常會有趣事發生。最近，我就有這麼一次經驗，當時她試圖把車從一座新的立體停車場開出來。
「啊，這就對了！」她一邊把車開往一處斜坡，一邊高興地大喊：「那邊寫『非入口』，那一定是出口啦！」 (RD2012, 9月號, 49頁)
【譯註】No entry 是「禁止進入」的意思，不是「非入口」也。有「禁止進入」的標示表示那是入口，不是出口。
● Excessive Exercise
Exercising to the extreme tests our natural
defenses. Moderate exercise boosts immunity, but overdoing it leaves us
susceptible to upper-respiratory tract infections (URTIs) such as colds, flu,
tonsillitis and sinusitis. Studies show in the weeks after a marathon, runners
have a two to six times greater risk of developing URTIs. (RD2012, Sept., p.11)
過度運動
過度運動會考驗我們的自然防疫機能。適當的運動固然會增強免疫力，但過度運動會讓我們易患上呼吸道感染諸病症(URTIs)，如感冒、流感、扁桃腺發炎、以及竇炎。研究顯示跑完馬拉松的選手在幾個禮拜內罹患URTIs的風險比平常高出二至六倍。 (RD2012, 9月號, 11頁)
● Phat Joke
Q: How much does a hipster weigh?
A: An instagram.
(RD2012, Sept., p.98)
笑 譚
問：一個時尚追求者的體重有多少？
答：1 因斯達公克。 (RD2012, 9月號, 98頁)
【譯註】instagram是蘋果公司最新推出的iPad內建軟體，用iPad照相後可以利用它立即將照片傳上網。這個新字是由instant(立即)和photogram(照片)合成的；但這裡故意將gram解釋為重量單位「公克」來製造笑果。另外，標題phat joke原來應該是fat joke(大笑話)，此處故意將f寫成同音的ph，以便與photogram的字首ph相呼應。
● When You Are Right,
You’re Right
Question on a Year Two math test: “Tony
drank one-sixth of a glass of juice. Emily drank one-quarter of a glass of
juice. Emily drank more. Explain.”
My grandson’s answer impressed his teacher:
”She was more thirsty.” (RD2012,
Sept., p.60)
言之成理
國小二年級的數學考題：「東尼喝了1/6杯果汁，艾蜜莉喝了1/4杯果汁；艾蜜莉喝得比較多，為什麼？」
我的孫子的答案讓老師拍案叫絕：「因為艾蜜莉比較口渴。」 (RD2012, 9月號, 60頁)
● The Passage of Time
Three men are deciding where to meet for
lunch to celebrate their 40th birthdays. Finally they settle on the Ocean View
restaurant, because the waitresses there are gorgeous.
Ten years later, at age 50, the friends
once again discuss where they should meet for lunch. Finally it’s agreed that
they will dine at the Ocean View restaurant, because the food is good and the
wine selection excellent.
Ten years later, at age 60, the friends
again discuss where they should have lunch, and finally agree to meet at the
Ocean View restaurant, because they can dine in peace and quiet while looking
at the beautiful view.
Ten years later, at age 70, the friends
discuss where they should meet for lunch. The Ocean View restaurant is agreed
upon because it has wheelchair access and a lift.
Ten years later, at age 80, the three men
discuss where they should meet for lunch. Finally it’s agreed that they will
meet at the Ocean View restaurant, because they have never been there
before. (RD2012, Sept., p.99)
歲月不饒人
三個男人正在討論聚餐地點，以慶祝他們的40歲生日。最後決定在海景餐廳，因為那裏的女服務生最正點。
十年後，他們50歲，再次討論聚餐的地點。最後決定在海景餐廳，因為那裏的食物最棒，酒也好得沒話說。
十年後，他們60歲，再次討論聚餐地點，最後決定在海景餐廳，因為在那裏可以一邊欣賞美景，一邊享受安詳寧靜的氣氛。
十年後，他們70歲，再度討論聚餐地點，最後決定在海景餐廳，因為那裏可以坐輪椅進去，而且有一部電梯可搭。
十年後，他們80歲，又在討論聚餐地點，最後決定在海景餐廳，因為他們以前從來沒有去過。 (RD2012, 9月號, 99頁)
● Listen Closely
A wife asks her husband, “Could you go to
the shops for me? Buy one carton of milk and, if they have eggs, get six.”
A short time later, the husband comes back
with six cartons of milk. The wife asks him, “Why on earth did you buy so much
milk?”
He replies, “They had eggs.” (RD2012, Sept., p.97)
話要聽清楚
有一個太太叫她老公去買東西：「你能不能替我跑一趟買一盒鮮奶？還有，假如他們有賣蛋的話，就買半打。」
沒多久老公回來了，買了六盒鮮奶。他太太問道：「你買這麼多盒鮮奶幹甚麼？」
他回答說：「他們有賣蛋啊。」 (RD2012, 9月號, 97頁)
● Food for Thought
My girlfriend is a vegetarian. She said
that I’m not a real animal lover because I eat meat, and that if I really loved
animals I would only eat lettuce, vegetables and grains.
I said, “If you really loved animals, you’d
stop eating all their food.” (RD2012,
Sept., p.98)
吃甚麼好呢
我的女朋友是個素食者。她說我不是真正愛動物，因為我吃肉；她還說假如我真正愛動物，我應該只吃萵苣、蔬菜類、和穀類。
我說：「如果妳真正愛動物，妳應該停止跟牠們搶(植物性)食物。」
(RD2012, 9月號, 98頁)
● Laughter
Beside himself with panic, an expectant
father shouts frantically down the phone, “My wife’s having a baby and her
contractions are only two minutes apart!”
“Is this her first child?” asked the
doctor.
“No,” shouts the Dad-to-be, “this is her
husband!” (RD2012, Sept., p.98)
笑 譚
一個驚慌失措的準爸爸正在對著電話瘋狂吼叫：「我太太快要生了啦！收縮的間隔只有兩分鐘了！」
醫生問道：「請問是她的第一個小孩嗎？」
這位準爸爸大叫：「不是，我是她的老公！」 (RD2012, 9月號, 98頁)
● Word Journey
Domino originates from the Latin word dominus, meaning “master”. The link
between these words comes from the hoods worn by a group of Italian priests in
the 16th century. These powerful men were domini
(a type of master) and the black hood they wore – called a domino – was then
copied by Venetian masquerades in the 18th century. Those hoods in turn
resembled the black rectangular blocks in the early 19th-century game, which
were then given the name “dominoes”.
(RD2012, Sept., p.144)
字源探索之旅
「骨牌」的英文domino源自拉丁文dominus，意思是「師父」。這兩個字的關聯來自16世紀義大利的一群僧侶所戴的僧帽。這群有權勢的人被稱為「師父」，而他們所戴的僧帽(稱為師父帽)被18世紀的威尼斯化妝舞會抄襲使用。然後，在19世紀出現的遊戲所使用黑色方塊(骨牌)形狀很像這種僧帽；因此，骨牌就被稱為domino了。 (RD2012, 9月號, 144頁)
● Alzheimer’s Disease
One day you try to read a book, but can’t
understand the words. Later, you get lost in your own neighborhood. Eventually,
you won’t recognize those you love. Your body is still there … but you’re gone.
Alzheimer’s disease was first identified in
1906 by German scientist Alois Alzheimer. Today, it’s one of the leading causes
of dementia, a disease of the brain that affects cognitive ability. Other
common types of dementia include vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease,
dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. All lead to
memory loss and problems with thinking, changed behavior and a loss of ability
to perform everyday tasks.
Worldwide there are nearly 35.6 million
people living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization. Up to
70% of these are thought to have Alzheimer disease. Of those people with
dementia, more than half (58%) are from low- and middle-income countries. (RD2012, August, p. 63)
阿茲海默症
有那麼一天，你想看一本書，但看不懂裡面寫甚麼。過後不久，你在自家附近迷路了。然後，你將會認不得那些你親愛的人。你的肉體還在……但神智不在了。
德國科學家阿茲海默於1906年首度發現阿茲海默症。目前它是導致失憶的主要原因之一；這是一種大腦的疾病，會影響人的認知能力。其它一般類型的失憶症包括血栓性失憶症、帕金森氏症、路易體引起的失憶症、以及前顳葉退化症。這些都會導致記憶喪失和思考障礙、行為改變、以及喪失處理日常事務的能力。
根據世界衛生組織的資料，目前全世界約有3560萬人患有失憶症；其中高達70%被認為屬於阿茲海默症。這些患有失憶症的人當中，一半以上(58%)來自中低收入的國家。 (RD2012, 八月號,63頁)
● The Leaning Towers
The words “leaning tower” and the Italian
city of Pisa Pisa
In St.
Moritz , Switzerland
斜塔知多少
一講到「斜塔」兩個字就必然聯想到義大利城市比薩；由於土質的不穩定，這座比薩的鐘塔在1173年開始建造不久就開始傾斜了。不過，於2001年完成的穩定措施已經將它「扳回」0.5度，將傾斜度降到3.9度。但如果想要見識全世界最斜的幾座塔，那就要往北走了。
位在德國的蘇爾胡森的一座方形教堂鐘樓雖然不高，而且其貌不揚，但其傾斜5.19度(左圖)輕易擊敗了比薩斜塔。
在瑞士的聖莫里次也有一座可愛的教堂鐘樓，它跟附近所有建築物都建在逐漸下滑的山坡上，目前已經傾斜了搖搖欲墜的5.36度。不過，想看要快；因為進行中的水壓作業預定在明年會把它扳回接近垂直。 (RD2012, 八月號,24頁)
● Sleep Keeps the Kilos at
Bay
Growing evidence suggests a good sleep
routine plays an important part in weight control – sufficient sleep is needed
to keep our calorie intake on track. Study participants who slept for 80
minutes less than a control group consumed on average an extra 550 calories
each day. Research shows that when people are sleep deprived there are changes
inside the brain and this could be driving them to eat more. The hormones
linked to hunger may be upset, too. Even though they [sleep-deprived study
participants] produced the signal telling them they were full, they still
consumed extra calories. (RD2012,
August, p. 12)
睡覺可以避免肥胖
證據逐漸顯示，經常性的優質睡眠在體重控制上扮演著重要的角色——充分的睡眠是讓我們的卡路里攝取正常化的必要條件。若參與研究的受測者比控制組少睡80分鐘，則每人每天平均會多攝取550卡的熱量。研究顯示，當人們睡眠不足時，大腦裡會產生一些變化，促使他們吃更多東西。與飢餓感有關的賀爾蒙也會被攪亂；這些人(睡眠不足的受測者)體內明明產生了吃飽的訊號，他們還是不停地吃。 (RD2012, 八月號,12頁)
● The Missing Chapels
We were at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
“It’s called the Sistine Chapel, honey,: I
said.
Puzzled, he replied, “So where are the
other fifteen?” (RD2012, August, p. 39)
其它的呢？
我們正在梵諦岡的西斯汀教堂參觀，欣賞米開蘭基羅的傑作；我的兒子又在問說這地方叫作甚麼(他已經不知問過幾遍了)。
我說：「它叫作西斯汀教堂啦，兒子。」
他一臉困惑地回答說：「那其他十五座教堂呢？」 (RD2012, 八月號,39頁)
【譯註】他兒子把西斯汀(Sistine)聽成sixteen(十六)了。
●
Sharing Is Caring
I ran a general store in a small town and
often took calls from remote properties asking me to deliver food and other
goods to them. On one occasion, I was asked to send a toothbrush.
“Do you want an expensive one or a cheap
one?” I asked.
“Make it a good one,” was the reply. “There
are five of us out here.” (RD2012,
August, p. 72)
樂於分享
我在一個小鎮開一家雜貨店，經常接到偏遠住戶的來電，要我配送食物或其他物品給他們。有一次，有人要我送一隻牙刷過去。
我問：「你要貴一點的還是便宜一點的？」
對方的回答是：「貴一點的好了；我們這裡有五個人哩！」 (RD2012, 八月號,72 頁)● A Word Is Born – Pecha Kucha
The word comes from the Japanese for the
sound of conversation, a bit like “chitchat”. In 2003, Pecha Kucha nights began
in Tokyo
Pecha Kucha nights have now caught on cross
the world. A typical presentation may involve between five and ten people
(often writers, film directors or academics). They have to abide by two rules
only: no scripts and 15 minutes’ talking each – perfect in an age of shrinking attention
spans. (RD2012, August, p. 143)
英文新字 –
Pecha Kucha
Pecha Kucha這個字來自日文ぺちゃくちゃ，是形容講話的聲音，類似英文的「chitchat」(閒聊)。Pecha Kucha是一種夜間聚會，於2003年開始在東京流行起來；當初的構想是人們來到酒吧展示自製的幻燈片。但展示是有時間限制的——你只能展示20張幻燈片，每張限20秒鐘；也就是你每次大約只有6分40秒的時間。
Pecha Kucha夜間聚會目前已經風行全球；每次參加的人數通常在5到10人之間(大多是作家、電影導演、或學者)。他們必須遵守兩項規定：幻燈片裡不得有文字說明；而且每次只能講15分鐘——完全配合我們這個不耐長久專注的世代。 (RD2012, 八月號, 143頁)
● Why Baroque?
It may originally come from the Portuguese
word barroco, meaning a misshapen
pearl. Originally applied as a derogatory term to describe the broad, unsubtle
style of art patronized by the Roman Catholic Church to appeal to the
illiterate masses in the early 17th century, it went on to define an
elaborate and ornate artistic movement that encompassed music, literature,
sculpture and architecture – particularly, in the case of the latter, that of
churches and cathedrals. Today, it generally refers to the period of artistic
style spanning the late 16th to the early 18th century. Or
as a critical way to label something over the top or excessive. Jersey Shore
何謂「巴洛克」？
「巴洛克」這個名稱最初可能來自葡萄牙文barroco，意思是形狀不完美的珍珠。本來它是個帶有貶抑之意的字眼，用來泛指十七世紀初期羅馬天主教會為迎合普羅大眾的品味所提倡的庸俗的藝術形式；後來演變成專指一種繁複的、華麗的藝術活動，其範圍包括音樂、文學、雕塑、和建築——尤其在建築方面，專指這種風格的大小教堂。目前，「巴洛克」通常是指從十六世紀末到時八世紀初這段期間的藝術形式。但有時候則是用來批判一些搞過頭的、太過分的東西，例如美國的電視影集《澤西海岸》(或譯《玩咖日記》)之類的。 (RD2012, 八月號, 144頁)
【註】電視影集《澤西海岸》之簡介：
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Shore_(TV_series)
● Are You a Lord of the
Rings?
1.
Which of the following has not
been an Olympic sport? a) tug of war; b) long jump for hoses; c) male
synchronized swimming.
2.
What color flag indicates a
legal throw in an Olympic javelin competition?
3.
The gold medals for the London Olympics
weigh 400 grams. How much of the medal is gold?
a) 6g ; b)36g ; c)396g .
4.
Complete the Olympic Creed: “The
most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just
as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the .” a) walk; b) struggle; c)
journey.
5.
Do Olympic athletes run
clockwise or anti-clockwise in track races?
(RD2012, August, p. 140)
奧運知多少
1.
下列各項運動何者從未被列為奧運項目？
A) 拔河； B) 馬術跳遠； C) 男子水上芭蕾。
2.
在奧運擲標槍比賽中，甚麼顏色的旗子代表投擲成功？
3.
倫敦奧運的金牌重400公克；其中含有幾公克的金子？
A) 6公克； B) 36公克； C) 396公克。
4.
請填入下面所示奧運宣言中缺少的一個字：「奧運最重要的事不是獲勝，而是參加；就如同人生最重要的事不是勝利，而是 。」 A)前進； B)奮鬥； C)過程。
5. 奧運徑賽當中，運動員跑的方向是順時鐘還是逆時鐘？ (RD2012, 八月號, 140頁)
● Things Your Vet Won’t
Tell You (II)
6.
We removed the largest granny
panties I have ever seen from the intestine of a Labrador .
The owner was very embarrassed.
7.
If people are going to have big
and potentially aggressive dogs, they should spend time training them and understanding how to interpret their dog’s
behavior.
8.
Our number one frustration is when clients don’t follow our
instructions after bringing their pet to see us. For
instance, they stop treatment too soon, or don’t come back for a revisit. Then
they complain the treatment hasn’t worked.
9.
As the poet Ogden Nash says,
the trouble with a kitten is that it eventually becomes a cat. People should not get cute kittens or
puppies unless they are prepared to look after them for life.
10.
If you live in a one-bedroom apartment with no
patio and minimal space, and you’re gone ten hours a day, getting a Great Dane
may not be the best choice. Maybe start
with a goldfish? (RD2012, August,
p. 55)
獸醫絕對不會告訴你的事(下)
6.
我們曾經從一隻拉不拉多犬的肚子裡取出一條超大的老奶奶內褲。狗主人超尷尬的。
7.
如果你打算養一隻大的、可能很兇的狗，就要花時間訓練牠，並且了解牠一舉一動所代表的含意。
8.
我們最大的挫折感是，顧客們帶寵物來看我們之後，沒有按照我們所交待的事項去做。例如，他們很快就停藥，或者根本不回診；然後抱怨說我們的藥沒有效。
9.
就如詩人納煦所言，養小貓咪的麻煩是有一天牠會變成大貓咪。人們不應該看小貓或小狗可愛就抱回家養，除非有照顧牠們一輩子的決心。
10. 如果你住的公寓只有一間臥房，沒有院子或多餘的空間，而且每天有十個小時不在家，那麼養一隻大丹狗就很不適合。也許養一隻金魚試試看？ (RD2012, 八月號, 55頁)
● Things Your Vet Won’t
Tell You (I)
1.
We know when you’re twisting the facts. If
your dog has a two-kilogram tumor hanging from his skin, don’t tell me it wasn’t
there yesterday.
2.
The reason your pet is fat is because you are. I would never say that to someone in an exam room but the fact of
the matter is if you have an owner who overeats and is inactive, they are very
likely to have an obese pet.
3.
My biggest peeve is people who won’t spend money for their pet’s treatment because their pet was free to obtain.
4.
The cheaper,
over-the-counter flea and tick treatments are extremely dangerous. I’ve seen
animals having violent seizures after using them; I’ve seen animals die. Ironically, most of these animals still
have live fleas crawling all over them.
5.
Pet owners seem to start talking and asking questions the moment I
put my stethoscope on. And it always happens,
without fail. It would seem obvious that if you have rubber earpieces in your
ear holes that you can’t hear! (RD2012,
August, p.54-55)
獸醫絕對不會告訴你的事(上)
1.
你瞎掰時我都知道。如果你的狗狗皮膚上長了一個兩公斤 重的腫瘤，別告訴我說你昨天還沒看到。
2.
你的寵物癡肥的原因是你本人癡肥。這句話我絕不在診療室說給任何人聽；但事實擺在眼前，如果寵物主人好吃懶做，他的寵物極有可能也是肥嘟嘟的。
3.
我最討厭的事是有人不肯花錢給寵物看病，只因為他的寵物是免費得來的。
4. 成藥店購買的廉價的除蝨藥品都是非常危險的。我看過很多動物用了這些藥品之後，出現強烈的抽筋現象，甚至死亡。諷刺的是，這些動物往往身上仍然爬滿了活生生的蝨子。
5. 寵物主人老是喜歡在我戴上聽診器時開始說話和問各種問題。經常都是這樣，幾乎沒有例外。想也知道，當你耳朵裡塞了聽診器的橡皮耳器時，根本聽不到別人在說甚麼。 (RD2012, 八月號, 54-55頁)
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