April 1 In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated1 in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then in 1562, Pope2 Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian3 world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn’t heard or didn’t believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them April fools. In France today, April first is called Poisson d’Avril. French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends’ backs. When the young fool discovers this trick, the prankster yells4 Poisson d’Avril!
愚人节16 世纪的时候,法国人是在4月1号庆祝新年的。他们那时候过新年的方法和我们现在几乎一样,人们设宴、跳舞直到深夜。到了1562年,教皇格里高利颁布了基督教新历,按照新历,新年这一天改到了1月1号。但是,有些人没能听说或者听说了但不相信新年改天了。他们还是按照老习惯在4月1号这天过年。其他人就拿他们开玩笑,把他们叫做“愚人”。如今,法国人把愚人节叫做“上钩的鱼”。法国孩子会在朋友的背上贴一条鱼,以此来戏弄别人。当那个受骗上当的小朋友发现以后,开玩笑的人就大叫“上钩的鱼儿”!
Today Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One common trick on April Fool’s Day, or All Fool’s Day, is pointing down to a friend’s shoe and saying, Your shoelace is
untied5. School children might tell a classmate that school has been canceled. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, April Fool!
如今,每逢愚人节,不管对方是否相识,美国人都会开些小玩笑。在愚人节比较常见的把戏是指着别人的鞋子说:“你鞋带没系。”学生可能会骗同学说学校放假了。不管是什么样的招数,只要那个无辜的受害者中技了,恶作剧的人就会尖叫:“愚人!”
Most April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The most clever April Fool joke is the one where everyone laughs, especially the person upon whom the joke is played. American humorist Mark Twain has said that the first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.
愚人节开的玩笑基本都是挺逗人的,没什么恶意。最高明的愚人节玩笑能让在场的每个人都捧腹大笑,即使是那个被作弄的人也会忍俊不禁。正如美国幽默作家马克吐温所说的“只有在四月的第一天,我们才记起在过去一年的364天中我们是多么的愚蠢”。
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收听单词发音
1
celebrated
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adj.有名的,声誉卓著的 |
参考例句: |
- He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
- The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
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2
pope
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n.(罗马天主教的)教皇 |
参考例句: |
- The Pope is the spiritual leader of many Christians.教皇是众多基督徒的宗教领袖。
- The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。
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3
Christian
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adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 |
参考例句: |
- They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
- His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
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4
yells
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v.叫喊,号叫,叫着说( yell的第三人称单数 ) |
参考例句: |
- The most savage yells of all came from the schoolchildren. 最野蛮的喊叫声来自那些学童。 来自英汉文学
- Dimes, dimes, "yells another, selling $ 10 vials of crack. 另一个卖瓶装克拉克的青年也在大声叫卖。 来自名作英译部分
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5
untied
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松开,解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 ); 解除,使自由; 解决 |
参考例句: |
- Once untied, we common people are able to conquer nature, too. 只要团结起来,我们老百姓也能移山倒海。
- He untied the ropes. 他解开了绳子。
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