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And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
在本节目中，我们探索英语中的单词和短语。
We give definitions, notes on usage, and examples.
我们给出定义，对用法进行解释说明并举例子。
Today we talk about innovation.
今天我们谈论的是创新。
Innovation is an improved way of doing something.
创新指的是改进做事方式。
Innovation can lead to change that makes for a better product or idea.
创新可以带来改变，从而产生更好的产品或想法。
Sometimes innovation involves a new, physical invention.
有时，创新涉及新的物理发明。
Some innovations are revolutionary.
有些创新是革命性的。
Innovation brings us to the world of bread and today's expression: “the best thing since sliced bread.”
创新将我们带到了面包世界，并引出了今天的短语是：“the best thing since sliced bread”。
“The best thing since sliced bread” describes a new, excellent thing that makes a great improvement to something.
“the best thing since sliced bread”描述的是一种新的、极好的东西，它对某物进行了极大的改进。
For example, the new map and direction app on my smartphone is the best thing since sliced bread!
例如，我智能手机上的新地图和方向软件是有史以来最好的东西！
Now, when driving I find my destinations easily and only get lost when my phone dies.
现在，我开车时很容易就能找到目的地，只有在手机没电的时候才会迷路。
But where does this expression come from?
但是这个短语从何而来呢？
Well, for many years, bread has been a main part of meals for many people around the world.
多年来，面包一直是世界各地许多人膳食的主要组成部分。
Most bread comes in a long form, called a loaf.
大多数面包都是长条形的，即一条面包。
A bread loaf travels well.
长条形面包很好拿。
You can buy a loaf of bread, stick in your bag, and make it home without the bread getting damaged.
你买一条面包，塞进你的包里，带回家面包也不会变形。
And on the way, you can break off a piece of bread for a little snack.
在路上，你可以掰下一片面包当点心吃。
But when making a sandwich, you need two slices of bread of the same thickness.
但做三明治时，你需要两片厚度相同的面包。
If you had to cut them yourself, that may not happen.
如果你不得不自己切面包，你可能切不出同等厚度的面包片。
One may be thicker than the other -- one of life’s little annoyances.
其中一片面包可能比另一片面包厚——这是生活中的小烦恼之一。
Well, that changed in the late 1920s.
这种情况在20世纪20年代末发生了变化。
An inventor in the United States brought an innovation to the world of bread.
美国的一位发明家为面包世界带来了一项创新。
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the bread slicer.
奥托·弗雷德里克·罗维德发明了面包切片机。
The machine cut the bread into individual slices of the same size.
该机器将面包切成大小相同的单片面包。
Soon after, he invented a machine that sliced the bread and then packaged it.
不久之后，他发明了一种将面包切片并将其包装起来的机器。
Later, a small machine to toast the bread was invented.
再后来，人们发明了一种烤面包的小型机器。
The slices fit neatly into the toaster.
面包片整齐地放进烤面包机里。
Toasters can be found in homes across the U.S. and other countries.
烤面包机在美国和其他国家的家庭中很常见。
Sliced bread became even more popular.
切片面包变得更受欢迎。
People love bread and Rohwedder’s creation revolutionized the bread industry.
人们喜欢面包，罗维德的发明彻底改变了面包行业。
So, being described as the “best thing since sliced bread” is high praise, indeed.
因此，被描述为“有史以来最好的东西”确实是高度赞扬。
Here is another example.
下面是另一个例子。
So, what do you think of the chief’s new policy on paid leave?
你对局长提出的带薪休假的新政策有什么看法？
It’s the best thing since sliced bread! I’m going to use the extra vacation time to visit friends in Paris.
这是有史以来最好的政策！我打算利用额外的假期去巴黎拜访朋友。
Please note: People also use the expression as an insult.
请注意：人们也会用这个短语来侮辱别人。
Let’s say you know someone who thinks very highly of herself.
比方说，你认识一个自视甚高的人。
She thinks she can do no wrong.
她认为自己不会做错事。
You don’t agree. You could say, “She thinks she’s the best thing since sliced bread.”
你不这样认为。你可以说，“她认为她是有史以来最优秀的人。”
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I’m Anna Matteo.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。下次见…… 我是安娜·马特奥。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
