ESL Podcast 333 – Quitting Smoking

Vera: Hi, I thought you might be out here. Geez, it’s really cold!

Paul: I know, but I really needed a smoke break after that long meeting. Can I bum¹ one off you? I left my pack of cigarettes on my desk.

Vera: Sure. Here’s my lighter². What do you think about the new incentives³ the company is offering to employees to quit? Have you thought about it?

Paul: Yeah, but I’ve smoked for 20 years. I tried going cold turkey once, but it didn’t work. I’m doomed⁴ to a lifetime of ashtrays⁵ and stained fingers.

Vera: I’ve been butting⁶ heads with my boyfriend for years. He wants me to quit, but I say, to each his own.

Paul: The incentives are pretty good, though, I have to admit: a cash bonus and more money towards our health plans.

Vera: Yeah, I could use the cash. Have you tried one of those nicotine⁷ patches?

Paul: No, I haven’t.

Vera: Well...I’ll try it if you will.

Paul: Do you think it would work? I think I’m a lost cause.

Vera: I’m not sure, but if you’ll try them, I will, too.

Paul: Okay, but I’m warning you. I have no willpower.

Vera: All right, but just remember: no pain, no gain.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 bum   

n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨

参考例句：

• A man pinched her bum on the train so she hit him.在火车上有人捏她屁股，她打了那人。
• The penniless man had to bum a ride home.那个身无分文的人只好乞求搭车回家。

2 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

3 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

4 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

5 ashtrays   

烟灰缸( ashtray的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A simple question: why are there ashtrays in a no-smoking restaurant? 问题是：一个禁止吸烟的餐厅为什么会有烟灰缸呢？
• Avoid temptation by throwing away all cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays. 把所有的香烟，打火机，和烟灰缸扔掉以避免引诱。

6 butting   

用头撞人（犯规动作）

参考例句：

• When they were talking Mary kept butting in. 当他们在谈话时，玛丽老是插嘴。
• A couple of goats are butting each other. 两只山羊在用角互相顶撞。

7 nicotine   

n.(化)尼古丁，烟碱

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。