Work for peanuts
Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, I'm Li. And here with me is Neil. Hi Neil! Hi Neil! Neil: Hi Li! But before we start the programme I've got some good news for you. I've just fixed your bike tyres as I promised! It wasn't easy to find the punctures on them but I managed to do it and the bike, I have to say, is as good as new! Li: Oh, great! I am so happy, Neil! You know, I use the bicycle every day. I ride it when I come to work and when I go home. You know, I took it to the mechanic last week to have it fixed and he didn't do it properly. Thank you! You are a star! Neil: It wasn't easy but I am glad to have been of service. Well, you told me that you'd pay me for the work so now would be a good time to do that because actually I am a bit short of cash at the moment, you know. Li: Oh, you want to receive some payment? Yes, I remember that I promised you'd get paid. That's fair. Okay. Here you are!
大家好！欢迎收听地道英语，我是Li。 Neil跟我在一块主持呢，嗨， Neil！ 嗨，Neil！ 嗨，Li。 但是在我们开始这个节目之前，我有些好消息。 我说过会给你修单车轮胎的，我做到了。 要找到被扎的气孔不容易呢，但是我还是找到了，我不得不说，现在单车又像新的一样了。 哦，太好了。 我太开心了， Neil。 你知道的，我每天都骑单车。 我上班或是回家都骑单车。 你知道的，我上星期把它拿到修理师傅那里，但是好像并没有修好。 谢谢你，太感谢啦！ 老实说，不是很容易，但是，可以帮到忙，还是蛮高兴的。 呃，你说你会因此而付钱的，现在正是时候呢，因为，说实话我眼下有点缺钱。 哦，你想要报酬是吗？ 是的，我记得我说过我会付你钱。 很公平啊。 好。 给你吧。
Neil: What are these? Li: Your payment, Neil. Neil: Peanuts? Li: Yes, Neil. You keep saying that there are people who work for peanuts! Neil: Yes I have said that on occasions but it's got nothing to do with food! To work for peanuts is an expression in English that means to work for a very small payment. Li: Now you tell me, Neil! So people are not really paid in peanuts, are they? Neil: No, they are not! Just think. A peanut is something small and cheap. Woman 1: My cousin is a catwalk model and she travels all over the world! Woman 2: She must be a millionaire! Woman 1: Yes, she is! But before she become famous she used to work for peanuts! She could hardly buy a lipstick.
这是什么啊？ 你的报酬啊，Neil。 花生？ 是的，Neil。 你老说很多人工作，报酬是花生。 是的，我是间或有提过peanuts，但是跟食物一点关系都没有。 在英语中To work for peanuts是指为了很少的报酬而工作。 现在，告诉我，Neil。 有些人的报酬根本不是花生，对吧？ 嗯，是的。 想想吧，花生很小很便宜。 我的表妹是个走猫台的模特，她全世界走呢？ 她一定是个百万富翁。 是的，她就是。 但是，在她出名之前，她的收入也是很低的。 她甚至连唇膏都买不起。
Man: I am going to ask for a pay rise. I am tired of working for peanuts! Li: Oh, I am sorry, Neil, when you said that some people work for peanuts I thought you wanted to be paid in peanuts! Neil: That's alright Li. But now that you know that I don't work for peanuts will you give me some money? Li: Yes, of course I will. I left my wallet in my drawer in the office but as soon as we finish this programme I'll pay you with cash. So give me back my peanuts then. Neil: (sound of chewing) Li: Neil, the peanuts! I am hungry! Neil: I am hungry too and these peanuts taste great! Li: I know they do. You know, I bought them in the new grocery shop around the corner. Neil: Don't worry, Li. As soon as you pay me we can go down there and I'll buy you some of these delicious peanuts myself. Li: Okay. I don't work for peanuts either but I am glad to eat some. Let's go then. Neil: (sound of monkey) I want more peanuts! (sound of monkey) Li: So do I, Neil, but why are you making this odd noise? You sound like a monkey! Neil: Well, you know what they say: if you pay peanuts you get monkeys. Li: Okay, I got the message. Bye!
我会要求加薪的。 我受够了为了微薄的薪水工作的日子。 哦，对不起，Neil，当你说有人为了peanuts而工作的时候，我以为你是在说你想我用花生来付给你报酬呢。 没关系啊，Li。 但是既然现在你知道我并不是为了peanut工作，那你可不可以给我一些钱了呢？ 是的，我当然会。 我把我的钱包放在办公室的抽屉里了，节目一结束我就给你现金。 那，把我的花生给我。 叫东西的声音。 Neil，花生呢？ 我饿了。 我也饿，啊，这些花生还真好吃。 我知道。 你知道的，我在转角的那家新开的杂货店里买的。 别担心，Li。 只要你给了我钱，我们可以去那里，我会给你买一些这种美味的花生。 好啊。 我也不愿意为了可怜的报酬(peanuts)工作但是我倒是很喜欢吃peanuts. 走吧。 （猴子的声音）我还要花生，还要！（猴子的声音） 我也要，Neil。但是你什么发出这种奇怪的声音啊？ 你听起来像个猴子！ 呵，你知道他们说什么来着，假如你给的是花生就只能招到猴子（这同汉语中的“微薪养蠢材” 类似）。 好啦，我明白你的意思啦。 拜！