پادکست VOA: اصطلاحات انگلیسی – دردسرساز

سلام با هفتادوهشتمین قسمت از مجموعه “Words and Their Stories” (کلمات و داستان آن ها) از سری پادکست‌های VOA در خدمت شما هستیم. این مجموعه پادکست به توضیح اصطلاحات رایج زبان انگلیسی، داستان ایجاد شدنشون و نحوه استفاده از آن ها در مکالمه می پردازه. در این قسمت از پادکست VOA: اصطلاحات انگلیسی – دردسرساز قراره با کاربرد، تاریخچه و معنی اصطلاح “loose cannon” (گلوله توپ از جا دررفته!) آشنا بشی. در کنارش چندین اصطلاح و کلمه ی جالب و کاربردی دیگه هم یاد میگیری که لیست این کلمه ها به همراه معنی اون ها در پایان مطلب قرار گرفته.

اصطلاح “loose cannon” (گلوله توپ از جا دررفته!) رو برای یه آدم غیر قابل پیش‌بینی و دردسرساز به کار می برن. آدم هایی که اصلا معلوم نیست هر لحظه ممکنه چی کار کنن و چه دردسری به بار بیارن!

VOA – Words and Their Stories – 78: ‘Loose Cannons Are Dangerous’

متن انگلیسی پادکست VOA: اصطلاحات انگلیسی – دردسرساز:

Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories.

On this show, we explore the world of American English. We talk about common expressions, where they come from and, most importantly, how to use them.

Today we talk about behavior and self-control. There are ways of behaving that almost everyone considers normal or comes to expect.

Children learn very early that some behaviors are more accepted than others. They learn how to control themselves and how to behave in certain situations. This learning continues into adulthood.

Well, for most people it does. Not everyone behaves how they are expected to.

So today, we talk about loose cannons!

A good word to describe a loose cannon is unpredictable. You never know how an unpredictable person will act in any given situation.

But not all unpredictable people are loose cannons.

Some people often change their minds about things. Or they surprise you by doing something they do not usually do, or that is out of character. We could describe such people as changeable, uncertain or — here’s a good word — fickle.

But I would not describe a loose cannon as fickle. Fickle people can be annoying but they are not usually dangerous.

Loose cannons, on the other hand, are often unpredictable in violent ways. So, they can be very dangerous! A good word to describe a loose cannon is volatile, or likely to explode!

So where did the expression “loose cannon” come from?

By definition, a cannon is a large gun that shoots heavy metal or stone balls. Because of their weight, cannons have to be firmly tied down.

Hundreds of years ago, cannons were often found on battleships. Sometimes a battle at sea with another warship or a storm would free them from their mounting. As you can imagine, a loose cannon rolling around could do serious damage to a ship and her crew.

We can say the same about a person who is a “loose cannon.”

Loose cannons, both the guns and people, are difficult to control. Their unpredictable behavior can cause problems for them and others. Family, friends, coworkers or larger groups, such as a sports team or political party can all be affected by a loose cannon.

You are not sure how loose cannons will react to something. They could get angry, losing their temper at the smallest thing.

Now, let’s hear how these words and expressions can be used.

Okay. So, local officials are meeting tomorrow night to decide whether or not our neighborhood gets a new school. We need to bring some people who can speak about this issue.

Let’s ask D.J. from across the street. He works at a school.

No way! He’s a loose cannon! One minute he seems fine, but the next he is shouting and hitting the table.

Hmm. What about Helen?

Helen! She’s more unpredictable and volatile than D.J. One wrong word and she could explode. They are both loose cannons.

Well, can you think of any other people? How about Matthew?

No. The city council banned him from attending any meetings for one year.

Are you serious?

Yes. At the last meeting he completely lost his temper and actually hit someone!

Wow! I’m feeling our neighbors are a collection of loose cannons.

Maybe … let’s not tell them about the meeting. They will do more harm than good!

She is dangerous. She has such little self-control.

لیست واژگان این پادکست

out of character (شبیه خود رفتار نکردن) – phrase not in keeping with someone’s usual pattern of behavior : character (شخصیت) – n. the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone’s personality

uncertain (نا معلوم) – adj. not sure : having some doubt about something

fickle (بی ثبات) – adj. changing often : changing opinions often

annoying (آزاردهنده) – adj. causing slight anger

volatile (بی ثبات) – adj. characterized by or subject to rapid or unexpected change

mounting (نصب و استقرار) – n. something on which something else is or can be attached

temper (خوی) – n. heat of mind or emotion : proneness to anger

امیدوارم از پادکست VOA: اصطلاحات انگلیسی – دردسرساز لذت برده باشید. برای دسترسی به قسمت های دیگر این پادکست می توانید از صفحه ی پادکست VOA – اصطلاحات انگلیسی آکادمی مجازی آموزش زبان ۲۴talk دیدن کنید.

همچنین برای گوش دادن به پادکست های سطح بندی شده British Council می توانید به صفحه ی پادکست British Council آکادمی مجازی آموزش زبان ۲۴talk یا برای گوش دادن به پادکست های BBC به صفحه ی پادکست ۶ دقیقه انگلیسی (BBC) آکادمی مجازی آموزش زبان ۲۴talk مراجعه کنید.

گوش دادن به پادکست روش خوبی برای تقویت مهارت شنیداری و هم چنین یادگرفتن کلمات در بستر یک موضوع خاصه که این به تقویت مهارت مکالمه انگلیسی نیز کمک زیادی می کنه.

اگه دنبال این هستی که مهارت های مکالمه زبان انگلیسیت رو بیشتر از این تقویت کنی بهت پیشنهاد میکنم در دوره‌ی مکالمه زبان انگلیسی آکادمی مجازی آموزش زبان انگلیسی ۲۴talk شرکت کنی که با یه برنامه منسجم و خلاقانه کمک میکنه در زمان کوتاه بتونی به راحتی و روانی انگلیسی صحبت کنی.