Cowboy Take Me Away 德州牛仔生活‏

每日 EZ Word 
get someone back　報仇
get someone back 是報仇的意思，如果閩南語連續劇「天下第X味」有一天開口說英文的話，I'm gonna get you/ him / her back!（我有一天要報仇）這類台詞應該會層出不窮吧。至於下列例句中的so是年輕人用法，表示「絕對」「一定」。
A: OK, Sara. Time for you to give a speech!
好，莎拉，換你演講了！
B: What? I have to give a speech?!? I'm so getting you back for this.
什麼？我要演講喔？！？你給我記住。 
Y'all
在日常生活會話中，you guys是「你們」，不過對南方人來說，y'all才是「你們」，可以代替you all或everyone。美國其他地方的人常會瞧不起這類南方人的特殊說法與他們的鄉音，但南方人可是為自己的語言和腔調感到光榮。
pull some strings　拉關係，人情
台灣人不論做什麼事都最喜歡「套關係」、「走後門」，也因此累積許多沈重的人情債。假如下次朋友問你為什麼總是可以得到免費的好康、首映票或限量商品，你就可以回答他：Well, I pulled some strings.（我動用了一點關係。）或是I got connections.（我有人脈。）
A: How'd you get tickets to this concert? I thought it was sold-out.
你怎麼拿到演唱會的票啊？我還以為都賣完了咧。
B: I just pulled some strings.
我只是運用了一點人脈。
Howdy!　你好！
Howdy是美國的南方人和西部牛仔的打招呼用語，意思等於How do you do或Hello。Howdy之後除了接對方的名字之外，接partner「伙伴」的機率最高，原因也許是因為partner這個字帶給人一種親切感吧！ 
mighty　超級，非常
南方人喜歡用mighty這個字來代替very當作「很……」的意思。聽起來實在具有鄉下老實人特有的親切感。
We were mighty impressed by the size of the pumpkin you grew.
我們對於你所種的南瓜尺寸，感到超級敬佩。
It's a mighty long way from the Golden Gate to the Empire State.
從金門大橋到帝國大廈的路可是超級長咧。
Cholesterol smesterol!
對於非母語人士來說，這個好用句的箇中真意只能意味無法言傳。對話中Rachel提到了膽固醇Cholesterol，Bob對於Cholesterol很不以為然，因此才會說Cholesterol Smesterol 。這個語言遊戲的規則是，只要在你不以為然的那個字的字首，加上一個sm或shm開頭的自創字，就可以了。有點像是中文的「……你個頭啦。」或「……什麼鬼。」
A: You were speeding back there!
你剛剛在那裡超速了！
B: Speeding, shmeeding. I was driving slow enough!
超速你個頭啦。我剛剛開得夠慢了好不好！
quite a character　狠角色，某人很寶
Character是小說或連續劇裡頭的「角色」，通常這些角色的個性都比現實生活中的人來得誇張，反應也比較戲劇性。因此假如你身旁有這類愛耍寶，總是不按牌理出牌的朋友，形容他(她)是quite a character再恰當不過了。
A: Marcia is quite a character!
瑪莎真的很妙耶！
B: Yeah, I saw she was wearing her rainbow-colored wig again.
是啊，我剛又看到她戴上她那頂彩虹色假髮。 
get to someone　影響某人情緒 
看家庭倫理悲喜劇，把你搞得一把鼻涕一把淚，別人問你怎麼了，你就可以說Oh, It really gets to me. 表示它「真是直達我心深處」。也就是「感人肺腑」。相反的，朋友的行為把你惹毛，你也可以說He/ She really got to me.表示「我快被氣炸了。」
A: Why are you crying?
你幹嘛哭啊？
B: These sad movies really get to me.
這些悲慘的電影真的讓我很感動。
On one condition　只要你答應我一個條件
俗話說「天下沒有白吃的午餐」，朋友答應幫你忙，請先別高興得太早，因為他的回答可能會是OK！…but on one condition:…!
A: Can you help me with these files?
你可以幫我整理這些檔案嗎？
B: Sure, but on one condition: you help me with mine later.
可以，但有個條件：等一下換你幫我整理。 
 
 
 
 
[At work, New York City, Culture Magazine]
（紐約市，《文化雜誌》社，上班中）
Rachel:　I can't believe you're sending me to some 1)Podunk place in Texas to report on a cowboy fest!
瑞秋：真不敢相信你要派我去德州那種鳥不生蛋的地方報導牛仔節！
Gene:　Calm down. We all have to do painful projects sometime. And this article will add 2)diversity to our magazine content.
吉尼：冷靜一點。每個人都有一些時候得做一些痛苦的案子。這篇文章會為我們的雜誌內容增添多樣性。
Rachel:　Sending me to Texas is like sending me to prison.
瑞秋：派我去德州就像把我打入地牢一樣。
Gene:　It will be good for you. You may come back "a little country"…(laughs)
吉尼：對你有好處啦，也許妳回來後會多一點「鄉村風」……（大笑）
Rachel:　That's not funny! Look at the 3)brochure. The event is called a "Cowboy 4)Symposium." As if they had culture….
瑞秋：不好笑！看看這本簡介。活動取名為「牛仔研討會」，好像以為他們很有文化素養……
Gene:　And there are 5)trail rides, poetry readings, and storytelling. Ooh…I'm jealous.
吉尼：還有輕騎之旅、詩歌朗誦和說書。噢……真忌妒。
Rachel:　I'm so getting you back for this.
瑞秋：我有一天一定會找你算帳。
Gene:　Now get going or you'll miss your flight, Cowgirl. 6)Giddy up!
吉尼：快上路吧，不然你就搭不上班機了，女牛仔，跑吆！ 
[At the *DFW airport]
[達拉斯／渥爾斯堡機場]
Haley:　Hi. Are you Rachel? I'm Haley, the King Ranch PR *rep.
海莉：嗨，你是瑞秋嗎？我是海莉，國王牧場公關代表。
Rachel:　Yes. You're Haley? You don't look like a ….
瑞秋：我是瑞秋，你是海莉啊？你看起來不像……
Haley:　Cowgirl? Haha. Yes, I work and live on the 1)ranch. Ya'll New Yorkers have a lot to learn about us cowgirls.
海莉：女牛仔嗎？哈哈。是啊，我的工作和生活都在牧場裡。你們紐約人對我們女牛仔實在很不了解呢。
Rachel:　You're right. I didn't know you dressed so fashionably.
瑞秋：你說得對。我不知道妳們會穿得這麼時尚。
Haley:　Well, we do here. And we get our nails done, our hair done, our boobs done…
海莉：呵，我們會啊，我們還修指甲、弄頭髮、隆胸……
Rachel:　Haha! And I thought that was a California thing.
瑞秋：哈哈！我還以為那是加州人的專利。
Haley:　Oh, it's big in Texas, too. But then again, you've heard the phrase: "Everything's bigger in Texas."
海莉：噢，德州也很風行啊，而且，妳一定聽人說過這句話：「德州什麼都比較大。」
Rachel:　Haha. Thanks for picking me up at the airport. That wasn't necessary. 
瑞秋：哈哈。謝謝你來機場接我，你不必這麼周到的。
Haley:　No problem. 2)Hospitality is something we 3)take pride in at the King Ranch.
海莉：沒問題。好客是我們國王牧場引以為傲的特色。 
[A) At the King's Ranch]
[國王牧場裡]
Rachel:　Is this where I'm staying? I thought I was staying at the King Ranch.
瑞秋：這就是我要待的地方嗎？我以為我要住在國王牧場。
Haley:　Yeah, only the biggest ranch in the world! You're lucky to have been invited. Your 1)chief editor must have pulled some strings.
海莉：沒錯，獨一無二，這就是世上最大的牧場！你能受邀來這裡很幸運呢。你們主編一定動用了什麼私人關係。
Rachel:　I had no idea…
瑞秋：沒料到……
Haley:　That our ranch was so rich? I see you didn't do your research! The King Ranch is over 800 thousand 2)acres big, with 60,000 cattle and 300 horses. Any girl would die to spend the night here!
海莉：妳不知道我們的牧場有這麼富饒嗎？看來你沒有先做研究唷！國王牧場佔地八十萬英畝，有六萬頭牛、三百匹馬。來這兒過夜是每個女孩夢寐以求的呢！
Rachel:　Wow. And I thought ranches were more "3)modest."
瑞秋：哇，我以為牧場都比較「樸實」。
Haley:　Not in Texas. Oil and cattle 4)make for rich cowboys. Just think of this as the Manhattan of Texas. This is 5)prime real estate.
海莉：德州不一樣。石油和牛造就出富有的牛仔，把這裡想成德州的曼哈頓就對了。這裡可是黃金地段呢。 
Shane:　Howdy, Ma'am! I'm Shane. (Takes off his hat, shakes her hand) Welcome to the King Ranch. Let me get your bags.
尚恩：小姐你好啊！我叫尚恩。（脫帽和她握手）歡迎來到國王牧場。讓我幫你拿包包吧。
Rachel:　Oh, I can get it…really.
瑞秋：噢，我可以自己拿……真的。
Shane:　Oh, no. We wouldn't let a lady lift all that weight. You don't want to 1)wear yourself out. Allow me.
尚恩：噢，不行，我們不能讓小姐提那麼重的東西，別把自己累壞了，讓我來吧。
Rachel:　Well, thank you. This is a lovely 2)property. Did I see a museum on the way in?
瑞秋：那就謝謝你了。這地方真美。剛剛進來的途中是不是有座博物館啊？
Shane:　Yes, Ma'am. This ranch has an interesting history. It was started by a man from New York City, just like yourself.
尚恩：是的小姐。這座牧場有段有趣的歷史，最初開闢它的是一個紐約人，就跟你一樣唷。
Rachel: How interesting. I must take a look.
瑞秋：真有趣，我一定要看看。
Shane:　There are many events here that 3)showcase the life here on the ranch in the 1940's. I'd be happy to 4)escort you. Here is your room.
尚恩：這兒有很多活動展現四○年代這裡的牧場生活。我很樂意能陪你參觀，這是妳的房間。
Rachel:　Thank you so much.
瑞秋：非常謝謝你。 
Shane:　Now, I'm sure you're 1)weary from the 2)journey. You have a rest, and we will serve you a meal in two hours.
尚恩：好，我想一路上你一定累壞了。請稍做休息，兩個小時以後我們再請你用餐。
Rachel:　Great. Thanks. Oh - are you going to the cowboy symposium as well?
瑞秋：太好了，謝謝。噢──你也會去牛仔研討會嗎？
Shane:　Of course. I am performing music and poetry. I 3)take part every year.
尚恩：當然，我會表演音樂和詩歌，我每年都參加呢。
Rachel:　I look forward to seeing you.
瑞秋：期待看到你的表現。
Shane:　Why thank you. Now, they've prepared a few things for you to wear to the event. They are here in the closet. 
尚恩：哎呀，謝謝你。他們已經替你準備好一些可以穿去參加活動的衣服，都放在衣櫥裡。
Rachel:　[looking] Cowboy hats! Boots! Oh, I couldn't wear these…
瑞秋：（看了看）牛仔帽！靴子！噢，我沒辦法穿這些……
Shane:　I think you'd look mighty charming in them, Ma'am. But if you're more comfortable in those three-inch 4)heels, we understand. 
尚恩：我想你穿起來一定非常迷人的，小姐，但如果你穿三吋高跟鞋比較舒適，我們也能理解。
Rachel:　Well, we'll see, Shane. Thanks again.
瑞秋：嗯，到時再看看囉，尚恩，再次感謝。 
[At dinner]
Bob:　Welcome, Miss Burns. We're mighty glad to have you here.
巴布：歡迎光臨，柏恩小姐，您的蒞臨是我們的榮幸。
Rachel:　Glad to be here. You can call me Rachel…What smells so wonderful?
瑞秋：我很高興能來這裡，叫我瑞秋就好……什麼味道那麼香啊？
Bob:　Why, Rachel, that's Texas beef, right off the ranch. When you're in Texas, you have to enjoy a nice big, juicy steak.
巴布：哎呀，瑞秋，那是德州牛肉，是這座牧場飼養的唷。來到德州，你一定要享用肉多汁美的大牛排。
Rachel:　Oh, but I don't really eat 1)red meat. I'm watching my 2)cholesterol.
瑞秋：噢，可是我不太吃紅肉耶，我在控制我的膽固醇。
Bob:　Cholesterol smesterol! The King's have been eating beef for decades and not one has had a problem with cholesterol!
巴布：膽固醇？膽固蠢啦！國王牧場吃牛肉吃了幾十年，沒有人有膽固醇的毛病！
Rachel:　Well, I guess I could try a bit… 
瑞秋：呃，那我想我就嚐一點好了……
Bob:　That's a 3)sport! Here you are, Dear! (gives her a huge steak)
巴布：這才對嘛！親愛的，這塊給你！（給她一大塊牛排）
Rachel:　Oh my God. That's enough for four people.
瑞秋：噢我的天啊，這可以給四個人吃了。
Bob:　Eat as much as you'd like. We might just put some meat on your bones here in Texas!
巴布：想吃多少就吃多少。來到德州，我們或許可以讓你多長幾塊肉喔！ 
[The first day of the Cowboy Symposium]
（牛仔研討會首日）
Shane:　How was your first night? Did Bob scare you?
尚恩：你的第一晚過得怎麼樣？巴布有沒有把你嚇壞了？
Rachel:　Haha. He's quite a character. Very 1)animated and 2)enthusiastic.
瑞秋：哈哈，他真是一號人物，朝氣蓬勃又熱情洋溢的。
Shane:　He means well. Don't let him 3)intimidate you. Come on. We're here!
尚恩：他是好意啦，別被他嚇到就是。來吧，我們到囉！
Rachel:　Wow. This is a huge 4)complex! And look at everyone. They're all so 5)decked out!
瑞秋：哇，這棟建築規模好大啊！看看大家，每個人都盛裝出席！
Shane:　People take this event very seriously….now it's poetry time for me. Have a seat here.
尚恩：每個人都非常認真地看待這場盛會……我的詩歌朗誦時間到了，請這裡坐。
Rachel:　May I take photographs and record your 6)performance?
瑞秋：你的表演可以拍照和錄影嗎？
Shane:　Sure. As long as you promise to make me famous back in New York City! 7)tips his cowboy hat to her)
尚恩：當然可以，只要你保證可以讓我在紐約大紅大紫！（壓一下帽緣向她致意）
Rachel:　You got it!
瑞秋：沒問題！
[After the performance]
Shane:　What did you think? Hey…You're eyes are all red. Are you all right?
尚恩：你覺得怎麼樣啊？嘿……你眼睛好紅耶，你沒事吧？
Rachel:　Oh yeah. There was something in my eye…
瑞秋：沒事沒事，有東西跑到眼睛裡了……
Shane:　Now Miss Burns …You're not afraid to tell me that some of our cowboy poetry and love songs got to you. Are you?
尚恩：柏恩小姐……你是不敢告訴我，你被我們牛仔的詩句和抒情歌給打動了吧？
Rachel:　Oh, no. Really….there must be sand in my eye.
瑞秋：噢，不是啦，真的，有沙子跑進我眼睛裡了。
Shane:　All righty. Well, here's some tissue. Now I'd like to introduce you to Austin Meyer, a fellow King rancher.
尚恩：好啦好啦，挪，面紙給你吧。現在我想介紹奧斯汀‧梅爾，我國王牧場的同事給你認識。
Rachel:　Was he the last performer? 
瑞秋：他是最後一個表演的嗎？
Shane:　Yes! And the best-lookin' - how did you know?
尚恩：是啊！也是最帥的一個──你怎麼知道？
Rachel:　Oh…his poetry was very…1)memorable. 
瑞秋：噢……他的詩很……令人難忘。
Shane:　Yes. I can tell by your face that you were 2)smitten, so I asked him to come over.
尚恩：哈，從你的表情就看得出你神魂顛倒了，所以我才會要他過來啊。 
Austin:　Hello, Ma'am. [Takes his hat off to her] Welcome to Texas.
奧斯汀：哈囉，小姐。（脫帽向她致意）歡迎來到德州。
Rachel:　Nice to meet you. Your performance was wonderful. I've never seen anything like it.
瑞秋：很高興認識你，你的表演太棒了，從沒見過這樣的表演。
Austin:　Why, that's very kind of you.
奧斯汀：哎呀，你人真好。
Rachel:　Would you mind if I interview you for a magazine article I'm writing?
瑞秋：我正在寫一篇雜誌文章，我可以訪問你嗎？
Austin:　Oh, I would be honored. But only on one condition: if you 1)accompany me to the Cowboy's game tonight.
奧斯汀：噢，真是太榮幸了，但有一個條件：如果你願意今天晚上陪我看牛仔的比賽。
Rachel:　What game? Is it a rodeo?
瑞秋：什麼比賽？牛仔競技賽嗎？
Austin:　Haha. No, that's tomorrow. And you're invited to that too. But the Cowboy's Game is football. You know the Dallas Cowboys?
奧斯汀：哈哈，不是啦，那是明天的事，我也想邀妳一起去。但我說的牛仔比賽是指美式足球啦。妳知道達拉斯牛仔隊吧？
Rachel:　OH! Haha. I didn't know real cowboys watched THOSE cowboys.
瑞秋：喔！哈哈，我不知道真正的牛仔也會看「那些」牛仔耶。
[At the Cowboy's game]
（牛仔隊比賽期間）
Austin:　You look 1)stunning tonight. 
奧斯汀：你今天晚上美呆了。
Rachel:　As do you. These are amazing seats! 
瑞秋：你也很帥啊，這真是好位子！
Austin:　Yes, they are. I have season tickets with my 2)fellow cowboys. We never miss a game.
奧斯汀：是啊，位子不錯。我和我牛仔同伴們合買季票，我們一場比賽也不會錯過。
Rachel:　So besides football, rodeos, poetry-writing and guitar playing, what else do you do for fun?
瑞秋：所以除了美式足球、牛仔競技、寫詩和彈吉他，你們還做些什麼消遣？
Austin:　Western Dancing. It's easy, even if you 3)have two left feet. 
奧斯汀：西部舞蹈囉。那很簡單，就算你兩隻腳都是左腳也會跳。
Rachel:　And what do all the cowboys wear dancing?
瑞秋：那牛仔們穿什麼服裝跳舞啊？
Austin:　Just like what I'm wearing now…designer cowboy fashion.
奧斯汀：就像我現在穿的這樣……名牌牛仔服飾。
Rachel:　There is such a thing?
瑞秋：有這種東西啊？
Austin:　Sure. Ya'll ain't the only ones who have fashion!
奧斯汀：當然啊，穿著時髦可不只你們呢！
 
 
 
 
今日EZ單字 
 
Podunk (a.)　荒涼的，鳥不生蛋的，此形容詞來自於美國幾個實際存在的荒涼小鎮名，因此必須大寫
diversity (n.)　多樣性
brochure (n.)　簡介，小冊子
symposium (n.)　研討會，座談會
trail ride　騎馬
giddy up　叫馬兒「上路！」或「快一點！」的命令 
ranch (n.)　牧場
hospitality (n.)　好客
take pride　引以為傲
rep = representative (n.)　代表，代理人
DFW airport = Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport　達拉斯/ 沃爾斯堡機場
chief editor　主編
acre (n.)　英畝
modest (a.)　樸素的
make for　組成，導致，引起，產生
prime (a.)　首要的，首屈一指的 
wear someone out (v.) 使人精疲力盡
property (n.) 財產，土地
showcase (v.) 展覽
escort (v.) 護送 
weary (a.)　疲累的
journey　旅程
take part　參加
heel = high heel　高跟鞋
red meat　紅肉，指牛肉、羊肉
cholesterol (n.)　膽固醇
sport (n.)　有運動精神的人，好玩伴
animated (a.) 生動的
enthusiastic (a.) 熱心的，熱情的
intimidate (v.) 嚇到
complex (a.) 複合住宅 
decked out (n.) 穿著正式
performance (n.) 演出
tip (v.) 使傾斜，將帽緣傾斜（tip one's hat）是禮貌的打招呼方式 
memorable (a.) 印象深刻的
smitten (a.) 煞到（某人）
accompany　陪伴，伴隨
EX: His wife accompanied him to the conference. 
stunning (a.) 令人驚豔的
fellow (a.) 同輩的，同夥的
have two left feet　不會跳舞