on sale廉价出售, dignified高贵的,batter连续猛击
【笑话原文】
I Am Acting Like a Lady
One day when women's dresses were on sale at the FarEast Department Store, a dignified middle-aged man decided to get his wife a piece. But he soon found himself being battered by frantic women. He stood it as long as he could; then, with head lowered and arms flailing, he plowed through the crowed.
“You there!”Yelled a thrill voice. Can't you act like a gentleman?”
“Listen,”he said, “I have been acting like a gentleman for an hour. From now on, I am acting like a lady.”
【中文译文】
我要表现得象位女士
一天,远东百货公司的女装大减价,一位高贵的中年男士想给太太买一件。可是,没过多久,他发现自己已被疯狂的女人冲得踉踉跄跄。 他竭力忍耐着。后来,他低下头,挥动双臂,挤过人群。 你干嘛?有人尖声叫道,你难道不能表现得象位绅士吗? 听着,他说,我已经象绅士一样表现了一个小时。从现在起,我要表现得象个女士。
【词汇讲解】
1.on sale廉价出售。也有“上市”的意思: The book will be on sale next month.这本书将于下个月上市。
2.dignified高贵的。也可以指“庄严的”: He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend.他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
3.frantic发狂似的。也有“手忙脚乱”的意思: things in the office are frantic right now.现在办公室里是忙作一团。
4.flail无法控制地乱动: He flailed about in the water, shouting “I can’t swim!”他在水中胡乱摆动双臂,大叫“我不会游泳!”。