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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 today's show, we will be talking about an animal that is as impressive and beautiful as it is useful -- the horse.
在今天的节目中，我们将谈论一种既令人印象深刻又美丽实用的动物——马。
Today's expression is straight from the horse's mouth.
今天的短语是straight from the horse's mouth（来自直接参与者；据可靠消息）。
"Straight from the horse's mouth" is about the way we get information and — with this expression — that means directly.
“Straight from the horse's mouth”是有关我们获取信息的方式，这个短语的意思是直接从消息来源获取信息。
When we hear something from the source, we can say we heard it first-hand.
当我们从消息来源听到某件事时，我们可以说我们听到了第一手的消息。
It is coming from a primary source.
它来自一个主要的来源。
When we use this expression, we can drop the word "straight" if necessary.
当我们使用这个短语时，如果有必要的话，我们可以省略“straight”这个词。
So, if you hear something from the horse's mouth, you hear it from the person who has direct personal knowledge of the information.
因此，from the horse's mouth的意思是从对信息有直接个人了解的人那里得到的消息。
For example, a co-worker of mine, Andrew, likes to play the piano.
例如，我的一位同事安德鲁喜欢弹钢琴。
But don't take my word for it, let's hear it straight from the horse's mouth.
但不要相信我的话，我们从直接参与者那里获取消息。
I really like to play the piano.
我真的很喜欢弹钢琴。
Thanks, Andrew!
谢谢你，安德鲁！
The opposite of this expression would be through the grapevine.
这个短语的反义词是through the grapevine（听小道消息知道）。
That is a very indirect way to get information.
这是一种非常间接的获取信息的方式。
Now, let's talk about origin.
现在，我们来谈谈起源。
Experts are not sure how this expression started.
专家们不确定这个短语是如何开始的。
However, there are two common explanations.
然而，有两种常见的解释。
One traditional explanation is about buying horses.
一种传统的解释是和买马有关。
Before buying a horse, a possible buyer would look into the horse's mouth.
在买马之前，可能的买家会仔细查看马的嘴巴。
This is because you can tell a bit about a horse's health and age from its gums and teeth.
这是因为你可以从马的牙龈和牙齿中看出马的健康状况和年龄。
Another explanation involves horse racing.
另一种解释与赛马有关。
At the horse races, people talk about which horses will win and which ones will lose.
在赛马时，人们会谈论哪匹马会赢，哪匹马会输。
The most valuable opinions are from the people who know the horses the best – the riders and trainers.
最有价值的意见来自最了解马的人——骑马的人和驯马师。
Since you can't ask the horse, these people are the next best thing.
既然你不能问马，这些人就是退而求其次的选择。
"Straight from the horse's mouth" suggests the most knowledgeable source of information.
“Straight from the horse's mouth”表示信息来源最丰富。
So, this expression can also mean from a reliable source.
因此，这个短语也可以指来自可靠的来源。
The information is coming from a trustworthy person.
消息来自一个值得信赖的人。
It may even be the definitive source, meaning the best authority.
它甚至可能是权威来源，意思是最权威。
Now, let's hear the expression used in another example:
现在，我们来听一下这个短语在另一个例子中的用法：
Hey, guess what? Stella is moving to Toronto! She's so excited.
嘿，你猜怎么着？斯特拉要搬到多伦多去了！她很兴奋。
Are you sure? She just bought a house a year ago.
你确定吗？她一年前刚买了一栋房子。
She told me herself last night over dinner.
她昨晚吃饭时亲口告诉我的。
I just can't believe it. I mean, she also just got a promotion and a raise at her job. It doesn't make sense.
我简直不敢相信。我的意思是，她也刚刚升职加薪。这说不通啊。
Well, whether it makes sense or not, that's what she told me.
不管这是否合理，她就是这么跟我说的。
Maybe you misheard her.
也许你听错了。
I didn't. I heard it straight from the horse's mouth – Stella's!
我没有。我可是亲耳听到斯特拉本人说的，是第一手的消息！
And that's all the time we have on the show today.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。
If anyone asks you where you learned this expression, tell them you heard it straight from the horse's mouth – from VOA Learning English.
如果有人问你这个短语是从哪里学来的，告诉他们你是直接从美国之音慢速英语上听到的。
Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
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！
