密歇根新闻广播 剖析gambit这个单词

 

We'd like to address some concerns regarding the word "gambit." However, to do that, we're going to have to address the word "gamut¹" too.

That's because many of us have a tendency to say "run the gambit," when what we mean is "run the gamut."

Since these are both relatively² rare words, it's not surprising that we sometimes get them confused. Learning their origin should help you keep them straight.

"Gambit" comes from the game of chess. It originally referred to a strategic move at the start of the game in which a player sacrifices one of their pieces, typically a pawn³, in order to gain an advantage. You may have heard someone use "gambit" with "opening" as in, "That was my opening gambit." Some would argue that "opening" is redundant⁴ since, as discussed above, a "gambit" is an opening move. Over time, the meaning of "gambit" became more generalized. By the 19th century, it could refer to a remark designed to open or change the direction of a conversation. It could also refer to a plan used to gain advantage, such as a political gambit. "Gamut," on the other hand, is related to medieval music. It could refer to the lowest note on the musical scale, or it could mean the scale of notes expanding over two octaves and a sixth. Today, "gamut" has generalized to mean the full range or scope of something. For example, someone might say they've experienced the whole gamut of emotions. That means they've experienced everything from rock-bottom sadness to over-the-top elation⁵. You might hear someone say something like, "I ran the whole gamut of emotions, from frustration⁶ to anger." People concerned about the "correct" use of "gamut," would argue that "frustration to anger" doesn't cover the whole range of emotions.

1 gamut   

n.全音阶，(一领域的)全部知识

参考例句：

• The exhibition runs the whole gamut of artistic styles.这次展览包括了所有艺术风格的作品。
• This poem runs the gamut of emotions from despair to joy.这首诗展现了从绝望到喜悦的感情历程。

2 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

3 pawn   

n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押

参考例句：

• He is contemplating pawning his watch.他正在考虑抵押他的手表。
• It looks as though he is being used as a political pawn by the President.看起来他似乎被总统当作了政治卒子。

4 redundant   

adj.多余的，过剩的；(食物)丰富的；被解雇的

参考例句：

• There are too many redundant words in this book.这本书里多余的词太多。
• Nearly all the redundant worker have been absorbed into other departments.几乎所有冗员，都已调往其他部门任职。

5 elation   

n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意

参考例句：

• She showed her elation at having finally achieved her ambition.最终实现了抱负，她显得十分高兴。
• His supporters have reacted to the news with elation.他的支持者听到那条消息后兴高采烈。

6 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。