VOA慢速英语2017--Learn How to 'Get a Clue'

 

Now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.

On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in everyday conversation. Today we are going to talk about mysteries. And, more importantly, how to solve them.

So, what are the keys to solving a mystery? If you said clues, you are right. Clues are pieces of information that help you find an answer.

The word "clue" has an origin story that may surprise both native English speakers and those learning English. The origin of the word combines a Greek myth, a labyrinth¹, danger and knitting.

That's right, knitting!

But first, let’s start with the myth. In this story, a monster called the Minotaur lived in a labyrinth on the island of Crete. From time to time, people were sent inside the labyrinth as sacrifices. They could not find their way out, and the Minotaur killed and ate them.

Except for one man.

As the story goes, Theseus volunteered to go into the Minotaur's labyrinth. But before going in, Theseus unraveled a ball of yarn³. He battled the Minotaur and killed it. Then he followed the yarn back to the opening of the labyrinth and came out alive.

The detective Sherlock Holmes is good at finding clues! Here, a performer poses as a human statue of the famous detective at King's Cross Square rail station in London, 2013.

You may be saying to yourself, "That is a great story. But what does it have to do with the word ‘clue’?"

Well, in the 1590s, a ball of yarn was called a clew, spelled c-l-e-w. Because of this Greek myth about Theseus -- and possibly other stories, too -- the meaning of "clew" began to change. By the 1620s, the word meant something that will lead to a solution. After more time passed, the spelling changed to c-l-u-e, the way we spell it today.

"Clue" continued to become even more widely used.

By the late 1940s, someone who didn't have a clue meant someone who didn't understand something. Today, we commonly use this "clue" in many expressions. You can use it to talk about someone who doesn't know a specific thing or about someone who is generally ignorant.

For example, I am organizing a surprise birthday party for my friend. She doesn’t have a clue what I am planning! When the guests jump out of their hiding places and yell “Surprise!” she will be shocked.

That is a friendly use of the expression. But it can also be used in a more critical way.

For example, I could say, "I have a friend who was born into a very rich family. I feel uncomfortable when she complains about people who struggle to pay their bills on time. She doesn't have a clue how hard it can be to make a living!"

Instead of "didn't have a clue" you could also say “she is clueless” for both of these examples.

Here's another example of “clueless” meaning a general state of ignorance.

"I can't believe the boss made his son our manager. That kid is so clueless. He has no idea how this company works. We're doomed⁴!"

That's an insult.

Now, if someone is clueless or doesn't have a clue in the sense that he or she is simply ignorant, you can tell them angrily to get a clue. This like telling them to wake up or to get with it!

You can also gently clue them in. This phrase means to let someone know the way something happens. We often use it when something is difficult to understand or see on the surface.

So, if you are simply sharing your homemade apple pie recipe with a friend, you probably wouldn't say, "I'll clue you in on how to make this apple pie." I mean, you could say that. But it sounds much too dramatic.

But let's say a friend of yours moves into the apartment building where you live. Many strange and difficult people also live in that building. You might want to pull your friend aside and say, "Look, if you want to be happy here, let me clue you in on some of the characters who live here. Never talk directly to the guy who walks his turtle. If you need to say something to him, just say it to the turtle. And don't hang your laundry on your balcony. The woman living above you will shoot at your dry clothes with a water gun. And whatever you do, DO NOT play classical music after 6 p.m. Your next door neighbor was a conductor in an orchestra and misses it terribly. You will hear him crying for hours afterward⁵."

Now, I hope you feel a bit clued in on the different ways to use the word "clue."

And that's all for this Words and Their Stories.

I'm Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

myth – n. a story that was told in an ancient culture to explain a practice, belief, or natural occurrence : an idea or story that is believed by many people but that is not true

knit – v. to make (a piece of clothing) from yarn or thread by using long needles or a special machine

Minotaur – n. a monster shaped half like a man and half like a bull, confined in the labyrinth built by Daedalus for Minos, and given a periodic tribute of youths and maidens⁶ as food until killed by Theseus

labyrinth – n. a place that has many confusing paths or passages

yarn – n. a long, thin piece of cotton, wool, etc., that is thicker than thread and that is used for knitting and weaving

unravel² – v. to cause the separate threads of something to come apart

specific – adj. relating to a particular person, situation, etc.

dramatic – adj. attracting attention : causing people to carefully listen, look, etc. often showing a lot of emotion : tending to behave and react in an exaggerated way

turtle – n. a reptile⁷ that lives on land, in water, or both and has a toothless horny beak⁸ and a shell of bony plates which covers the body and into which the head, legs, and tail can usually be drawn⁹

water gun – n. a toy gun made to squirt a jet of water or other liquids — called also water pistol, squirt gun

balcony – n. a raised platform that is connected to the side of a building and surrounded by a low wall or railing

conductor – n. a person who stands in front of people while they sing or play musical instruments and directs their performance

orchestra – n. a group of musicians who play usually classical music together and who are led by a conductor

1 labyrinth   

n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路

参考例句：

• He wandered through the labyrinth of the alleyways.他在迷宫似的小巷中闲逛。
• The human mind is a labyrinth.人的心灵是一座迷宫。

2 unravel   

v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开

参考例句：

• He was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn't even attempt.他的手很灵巧，其他人甚至都不敢尝试的一些难解的绳结或缠在一起的纱线，他都能解开。
• This is the attitude that led him to unravel a mystery that long puzzled Chinese historians.正是这种态度使他解决了长期以来使中国历史学家们大惑不解的谜。

3 yarn   

n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

参考例句：

• I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。
• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

4 doomed   

命定的

参考例句：

• The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
• A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。

5 afterward   

adv.后来；以后

参考例句：

• Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏，然后吃饭。
• Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来，这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。

6 maidens   

处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• Transplantation is not always successful in the matter of flowers or maidens. 花儿移栽往往并不成功，少女们换了环境也是如此。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

7 reptile   

n.爬行动物；两栖动物

参考例句：

• The frog is not a true reptile.青蛙并非真正的爬行动物。
• So you should not be surprised to see someone keep a reptile as a pet.所以，你不必惊奇有人养了一只爬行动物作为宠物。

8 beak   

n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻

参考例句：

• The bird had a worm in its beak.鸟儿嘴里叼着一条虫。
• This bird employs its beak as a weapon.这种鸟用嘴作武器。

9 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。