流行美语 (Popular American) 266

美式足球超级杯那天，Larry要在家开party, 李华帮他做准备。李华今天要学两个常用语，munchies和spread.

LL: I'm really excited about having a Super Bowl party, Li Hua. I just went to the store and bought lots of munchies, so we will have plenty to eat while we watch the football game.

LH: Munchies? 让我看看？(翻塑料袋的声音)。薯条、花生、开心果，I don't see anything called "munchies."

LL: Munchies is a general word for snacks or things to "munch¹" on, Li Hua. When watching a football game, I love to eat munchies like chips and pretzels.

LH: 噢，原来munchies是零食的意思！有不咸的吗？

LL: Yes, Li Hua, I do. In the refrigerator, I have some other munchies that I've prepared. I also made a vegetable tray and some sour cream dip.

LH: Wow, 你准备了这么多东西！ 看超级杯原来这么重要啊！

LL: Watching the Super Bowl is something many Americans look forward to all year. And part of the fun is inviting² friends over to watch the game and share some munchies.

LH: 这跟中国球迷看足球世界杯差不多。他们也是围着电视机，边吃边看，热闹极了。

LL: Every body loves munchies. Speaking of munchies, are you hungry, Li Hua?

LH: 我确实有点儿饿了，不过我不想把这些零食打开，我们还是等客人都到了再说吧！

LL: Oh, don't worry about it, Li Hua. There are plenty of munchies. Go ahead and open what you like.

LH: 那好，我先吃点花生，我最爱吃花生了。

LL: I've got a bad case of the munchies, too, Li Hua. But instead of peanuts, I think I'll munch on some potato chips.

LH: A *case* of the munchies? 你拿的明明是一带零食啊！

LL: When I said I have a case of the munchies, I meant I was really hungry for snacks.

LH: Well, I guess I have a case of the munchies, too, Larry. 这些花生真是太好吃了。

LL: The trouble with munchies is that once you start eating them - it is hard to stop.

LH: 那我们还是忍忍吧，可别把这些零食都吃完了，否则一会儿看球赛的时候就没的吃了。

******

LL: Thanks for helping³ me put out the food, Li Hua. I hope this is enough of a spread for the Super Bowl party.

LH: Enough of a spread? 这又是什么意思啊？你是说足够大家吃的吧？

LL: A spread does refer to food, Li Hua - and specifically food set out on a table for a party. And the goal is to have lots of food!

LH: 你准备的可真够丰盛的，That's quite a spread, Larry. 你看，有薯条、花生、开心果、蔬菜、饮料、啤酒，真是应有尽有。

LL: Well, when one puts together a spread, Li Hua, you not only want there to be lots of food, but you also want the spread to look good.

LH: 所以说，spread不光是要准备充足的食物，还要摆放得整齐好看，让人看了赏心悦目？

LL: That's right. Like for this spread, I put the snacks in nice bowls, arranged the vegetables so they look attractive, and got these festive⁴ football napkins and cups.

LH: 太棒了，Larry。我知道，你这一桌子食物，从盘子到纸杯，到餐巾纸，都跟橄榄球有关，最适合超级杯的party了.

LL: Thanks, Li Hua. I'm glad you like it.

LH: Larry, 你准备这一桌子东西要花很多钱吗？

LL: This spread wasn't very expensive. But I have been to parties where the hosts clearly spent a lot of money on gourmet⁵ foods and expensive wines.

LH: 我还记得去年到市中心的一家大饭店去参加春节联欢活动。They had quite a spread!

LL: I bet it was some spread. You know how much I like Chinese food.

LH: 那明年咱们一起去，你可以亲眼看看！

LL: While the spread I put together isn't as fancy as that, I just hope my friends will enjoy it.

今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是munchies, 是零食的意思。另一个是spread, 指丰盛的食物。
 

1 munch   

v.用力嚼，大声咀嚼

参考例句：

• We watched her munch through two packets of peanuts.我们看她津津有味地嚼了两包花生米。
• Getting them to munch on vegetable dishes was more difficult.使他们吃素菜就比较困难了。

2 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

5 gourmet   

n.食物品尝家；adj.出于美食家之手的

参考例句：

• What does a gourmet writer do? 美食评论家做什么？
• A gourmet like him always eats in expensive restaurants.像他这样的美食家总是到豪华的餐馆用餐。