And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. On this program we will explore English expressions.

现在是美国之音慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。在这个节目中，我们将探讨英语表达方式。

On today's program we talk about animal expressions! English has many animal expressions – too many to name.

在今天的节目中，我们讨论动物表达！英语中有很多与动物有关的表达，多得难以名状。

Also, in English, as in many other languages, some animals have come to have certain reputations. That is to say, they are known for certain behaviors.

此外，在英语中，就像在许多其他语言中一样，一些动物已经有了一定的声誉。也就是说，它们因某些行为而闻名。

For example, dogs are loyal. We often call them "man's best friend". Cats are independent and mysterious.

例如，狗是忠诚的。我们经常称它们为"人类最好的朋友"。猫独立又神秘。

In old stories, snakes and foxes are not to be trusted. Turtles do things slowly.

在古老的故事中，蛇和狐狸是不可信的。乌龟做事很慢。

While rabbits are full of energy. Then there are monkeys.

而兔子则精力充沛。还有猴子。

Monkeys have a reputation for being silly and causing trouble. Good words for that are naughty and mischievous.

猴子以不明事理和惹麻烦而闻名。说得好听点，就是顽皮，淘气。

Monkeys are especially known for being fun. And if one monkey is fun, just think how much fun many monkeys would be!

猴子尤其以有趣而闻名。如果一只猴子很有趣，想想多只猴子该多好玩啊！

If an activity or event is super fun, we can say it is "as fun as a barrel of monkeys". Even a fun person can be described as a barrel of monkeys.

如果一项活动或事件非常有趣，我们可以说它"fun as a barrel of monkeys"。即使是一个有趣的人也可以被形容a barrel of monkeys。

Now, a barrel is a large wooden container. I'm not sure how to get monkeys into a barrel.

现在，a barrel是指一个大的木制容器。我不知道怎么把猴子塞进桶里。

But I'm guessing it would be fun. While we are on the subject, keep in mind that fun and funny are used differently.

但我猜会很有趣。当我们谈到这个话题时，请记住fun和funny的用法是不同的。

If something is funny it makes you laugh. If something is fun it is simply enjoyable.

如果某件事很funny，它会令你发笑。如果某件事很fun，那它就是简单地让你感到很享受。

For example, last weekend I went to a party and it was really fun. At the party, my friend told me a funny story, and I laughed out loud.

例如，上个周末我去了一个聚会，真的很令人愉快。在聚会上，我的朋友给我讲了一个有趣的故事，我大声笑了起来。

Some word historians think that the expression "barrel of monkeys" was first recorded in 1895. It describes the playful behavior of these primates.

一些词汇历史学家认为，"barrel of monkeys"这个表达最早记录于1895年。它描述了这些灵长类动物的嬉戏行为。

We use it to describe any type of fun of activity or person. To call something a barrel of monkeys is definitely informal.

我们用这个表达来描述任何类型充满乐趣的活动或人。称某事某物为a barrel of monkeys绝对是非正式的说法。

You could also call a really fun event a riot. Where I grew up in West Virginia, people might call something really fun a hoot.

你可以把一个真正有趣的事件称为a riot。我在西弗吉尼亚州长大，那里的人可能会把一些真正有趣的事情叫做"shoot"。

That is also informal and a bit rural. Now, monkeys do more than have fun.

这也是非正式的说法，有点乡村风味。现在，猴子做的不仅仅是为了趣味。

Because they are also smart, they are known for causing trouble. So, it is not surprising that we have monkey expressions that describe causing trouble.

因为他们也很聪明，所以他们以制造麻烦而闻名。所以，我们用猴子相关的表达方式来描述引起麻烦也就不足为奇了。

The first is to simply "monkey around". To monkey around means to goof around or cause harmless trouble.

第一个表达就是"monkey around"。意思是胡闹或制造无害的麻烦。

But it could lead to more serious trouble. So, a parent may warn a child, "If you monkey around someone could get hurt.

但这可能会导致更严重的麻烦。因此，父母可能会警告孩子，"如果你胡闹，有人可能会受伤。

So, stop it"! If I make a funny joke at a work meeting, someone could tell me to stop "monkeying around and get serious".

所以，住手！"如果我在工作会议上讲了一个有趣的笑话，有人会告诉我" 别胡闹了，认真点。"

Our last expression is "monkey business". Monkey business usually means dishonest activities.

我们介绍的最后一个表达是monkey business。Monkey business通常指不诚实的活动。

For example, most people expect a little monkey business in politics. It just seems to come with the territory, as we like to say.

例如，大多数人都想在政治活动中搞一些骗人的把戏。就像我们所说的那样，这似乎是不可避免天经地义的。

Here at VOA Learning English, we don't monkey around with English. We take it very seriously.

在美国之音慢速英语，我们不会玩弄英语。我们对此非常重视。

We are all business. But not, you know, monkey business – that would be bad.

我们都是生意人，办正事。但是，你知道，不是monkey business（骗人的把戏），那样会很糟糕。

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time . . .

以上就是本期《词汇掌故》的全部内容。

I'm Anna Matteo.

下次见…安娜·马特奥为您播报。