VOA词汇掌故2023--'Clean As a Whistle'

'Clean As a Whistle'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples, notes on usage², and sometimes we use them in short conversations.

What do you say when something is so spotless, so perfect, so new and so clean?

In American English, we can say it is as clean as a whistle.

We often use this expression to talk about our physical spaces. After we clean our office, we can say it is clean as a whistle. Our home can also be as clean as a whistle.

If you have a car, the inside of it can be ... you guessed it! Clean as a whistle. But, it is harder to keep the outside of a vehicle clean as a whistle.

As you might have noticed, sometimes we add "as" to the beginning, and sometimes we don't.

We can use this expression to describe other things, too.

For example, if you have never been in a car accident, you can say that your driving record is as clean as a whistle. If your school record is clear of any problems or issues, you can say it is as clean as a whistle. And if your elected leader is not involved in corruption³ or any other wrongdoings, you can say she is as clean as a whistle!

Like many of our English expressions and idioms, the origin of clean as a whistle is unclear.

Some word experts say it comes from the sound of a whistle, which is clear and sharp. Other experts suggest that clean as a whistle comes from drinking alcohol⁴. When you finished your drink and your glass was empty, it was said to be clean as a whistle and needed to be refilled.

Now let's hear the expression used between two friends.

A: Did you hear about Wanda? She's been fired!

B: Wanda? Are you sure? Her work record is as clean as a whistle. To my knowledge, she has never missed a deadline. And all her projects come in under budget.

A: That's true. But she got caught working for another company.

B: So. Many people have a second or even a third job.

A: Yeah, but not at the same time. She was working her other job while getting paid by our company.

B: Oh. That's different. How do people have the time and energy to even think about doing that?

A: I don't know. I barely⁵ have the energy to finish my work for this job.

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Practice using this expression in your next English conversation.

Words in This Story

conversation – n. oral exchange of sentiments⁶, observations, opinions, or ideas

corruption – n. dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people

idiom – n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned⁷ as a whole

origin – n. rise, beginning, or derivation from a source

fired – v. dismissed or let go from a job

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

3 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

4 alcohol   

n.酒精，乙醇；含酒精的饮料

参考例句：

• The law forbids shops to sell alcohol to minors.法律禁止商店向未成年者出售含酒精的饮料。
• The alcohol is industrial.这些酒精是供工业用的。

5 barely   

adv.仅仅，几乎没有，几乎不

参考例句：

• The male bird is barely distinguishable from the female.雄鸟和雌鸟几乎无法辨别。
• He took barely enough money to keep the children in bread.他赚很少的钱仅够孩子们勉强糊口。

6 sentiments   

（基于情感的）观点( sentiment的名词复数 )； （对怜悯、怀旧等的）柔情； （失之过度或不恰当的）伤感； 态度或意见

参考例句：

• the spread of nationalist sentiments 民族主义情绪的传播
• He expressed his sentiments about the war with great eloquence. 他雄辩地表达了他对那场战争的看法。

7 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。