英语博客-北美风情 176、Who has to go to the bathroom

　　This week at Culips, our episode¹ is about a topic that most people don’t really like talking about. We finally decided² to talk about going to the bathroom, including how we talk about it in Canada and other details, like what a restroom looks like over here. Harp³ and Maura do their best to teach you about bathroom etiquette⁴ in North America, and the subject only gets gross⁵ a couple of times!

　　Maura:  And when you’re in someone’s home, you wanna use only washroom or bathroom. You wouldn’t say restroom in someone’s home. It just doesn’t work.
Harp:  It’s really only for public spaces.
Maura:  Right. So, what about the word toilet, when people say they are going to the toilet?
Harp:  We don’t really say that very often in Canada.
Maura:  Yeah, it’s not that common. Sometimes you might hear it, though; some people might say it.
Harp:  Some people might use it, but it really does lead to a visual picture, which…
Maura:  It’s a bit direct for Canadians, and I think a lot of Americans to the south of us too, because we usually say washroom or bathroom.
Harp:  Yeah, exactly. If you say, Oh, where is the toilet? It’s very clear what you’re going there to do.
Maura:  Yeah. It is true, though, that in England and Australia, they do say toilet and it’s very common.
Harp:  Because it’s common, I think it’s not a big deal there, but because it’s not common here, it sounds strange when people say it.

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 harp   

n.竖琴；天琴座

参考例句：

• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
• He played an Irish melody on the harp.他用竖琴演奏了一首爱尔兰曲调。

4 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

5 gross   

adj.全部的，粗俗的，肥胖的；vt.获得...总收入

参考例句：

• The gross weight of the box of chocolates is 500 grams.那盒巧克力的全部重量是500克。
• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。