商务礼节美语第213期:early adopters 抢鲜一族(下)

　　Henry买了最新的超小电脑Orange SuperCom 4，拿给同事Sara和Mark看。Sara问他：
Sara: So did you already own an Orange SuperCom 3?
Henry: Yeah, I sold it on eBay last week.
M: I used to rush out and buy the latest gadgets² as well, but I discovered that first generation products often have a lot of bugs³ in them.
H: Actually, Mark is right. Even this Orange SuperCom 4 is not quite up to snuff. The connection to the Internet is a bit slow, and it seems like the computer has a little trouble multitasking.
Mark说，他原来也是科技潮人，一出什么新玩艺儿，the latest gadgets, 马上跑去买。gadget¹ is spelled g-a-d-g-e-t, gadget 是小玩艺的意思，常指科技类产品。不过，Mark发现，很多第一代，第二代产品都有很多 bugs, bugs在这里指技术方面的漏洞。Henry承认，他新买的SuperCom4 is not quite up to snuff. 也不是样样都好， up to snuff 意思是符合标准，相当于 up to standard.
M: The problem is that many times in the beginning they haven't quite ironed out all the wrinkles⁴ in the software. By the third or fourth generation the company's engineers have a better idea of what works and what doesn't.
S: I'm generally pretty content just to stay with the same system until it becomes obsolete⁵. I still play my old cassette tapes at home.
M: That's one way to go. You know the old expression: "If it ain't broke...don't fix it."
S: Exactly, I use things until they literally⁶ fall apart.
H: I prefer the expression: "Out with the old and in with the new!"
Mark说，问题关键是，第一、二代产品时，很多软件中存在的小问题还都没有得到解决。They haven't ironed out all the wrinkles in the software. to iron out 意思是抹平，解决。Sara说，她在这方面从不赶时髦，家里的东西都得用到过时。英语里有一种说法叫：If it ain't broke...don't fix it. 没坏就不要去修它。Henry 崇尚的则是另一种境界：Out with the old and in with the new! 旧的不去，新的不来。
M: I guess the world needs both kinds of people. Early adopters of technology like Henry help pave⁷ the way into the future.
S: And people like me try to keep the pace of change down to a reasonable speed.
H: I have to tell you though...despite all its faults, the new Orange SuperCom 4 is really quite an amazing machine!
M: Maybe after work I can take a quick look at your new toy.
H: Sure! I love showing off my new gadgets! Sara, care to join us?
S: That's OK...I think I'll stay at home and play my cassette tapes. You guys have fun!
Mark说，Sara和Henry这两种人，都是不可缺少的。他问Henry下班能不能去摆弄一下他的新玩具。Henry欣然同意，说：I love showing off my new gadgets! 我就喜欢显摆我的新玩艺，to show off 是显摆的意思，他还问Sara, care to join us? 要不要一起来。Sara开玩笑说，她还是选择回家去听她的磁带录音机。

1 gadget   

n.小巧的机械，精巧的装置，小玩意儿

参考例句：

• This gadget isn't much good.这小机械没什么用处。
• She has invented a nifty little gadget for undoing stubborn nuts and bolts.她发明了一种灵巧的小工具用来松开紧固的螺母和螺栓。

2 gadgets   

n.小机械，小器具（ gadget的名词复数 ）

参考例句：

• Certainly. The idea is not to have a house full of gadgets. 当然。设想是房屋不再充满小配件。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• This meant more gadgets and more experiments. 这意味着要设计出更多的装置，做更多的实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

3 bugs   

adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误

参考例句：

• All programs have bugs and need endless refinement. 所有的程序都有漏洞，都需要不断改进。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sacks of rice were swarming with bugs. 一袋袋的米里长满了虫子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 wrinkles   

n.（尤指皮肤上的）皱纹( wrinkle的名词复数 )；皱褶；有用的建议；妙计v.使起皱纹( wrinkle的第三人称单数 )；（尤指皮肤）起皱纹

参考例句：

• There were fine wrinkles around her eyes. 她眼角上出现了鱼尾纹。
• His face was lined with wrinkles. 他的脸上都是皱纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 obsolete   

adj.已废弃的，过时的

参考例句：

• These goods are obsolete and will not fetch much on the market.这些货品过时了，在市场上卖不了高价。
• They tried to hammer obsolete ideas into the young people's heads.他们竭力把陈旧思想灌输给青年。

6 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

7 pave   

vt.给（道路路面）铺上石板或砖

参考例句：

• The town council decided to pave the square before the Hall.市议会决定把市政厅前的广场铺上石板。
• I believe this treaty will pave the way to peace in Europe.我相信这个条约将为欧洲的和平铺平道路。