Donkey's years 很长时间

Donkey's years 很长时间 

内容简介 Rob 牵了一头驴来到了录音间里，他这么做是想在本期《》节目中给大家教一个和“驴 donkey”有关的表达 - “donkey’s years”，这个搭配用来表示“很久，很长时间”。听 Rob 和菲菲的对话，学习这个表达的来源和用法。

大家好！欢迎收听 BBC 英语教学的《》节目，我是冯菲菲。

Rob

And I'm…Rob.

Err…sorry, Rob. What did you say?

Rob

I said I'm…Rob.

Right, and why have you brought a donkey into the studio?

Rob

To help with today's authentic English phrase, which is 'donkey's years'.

原来 Rob 拉了一头驴来是为了教我们一个英语表达“donkey's years”。

Rob

The phrase comes from rhyming slang – ‘donkey's years’ rhymes with 'donkey's ears', yes?

Yes.“Donkey's years”和“donkey's ears”听上去是押韵的。

Rob

Now, donkey’s ears are long and when we say we haven't done something for 'donkey's years' we mean we haven't done something for a long time.

原来是这样。“Donkey’s ears 驴的耳朵”和“donkey’s years 驴的年份”听起来很押韵；那么大家都知道驴的耳朵比较长，所以在英语口语里，人们用“donkey’s years”来形容“很长一段时间”。

Rob

Let's hear the phrase in action.

Examples

I'm so bored; I've been doing this job for donkey's years!

I haven't driven a car for donkey's years; I hope I can remember what to do.

We've got to go to Lily's party; I haven't seen her for donkey's years so it'll be great to catch up.

我们可以用“donkey’s years”来特别强调“很久，很长一段时间没有做一件事情”。So Rob, I could say ‘we haven't been to the cinema for donkey's years?’

Rob

Yes and you'd be correct. We haven't. Shall we go now?

OK. But does your donkey have to come, too?

Rob

Oh look, he's very excited!

Yuk! I can see…What's that on the floor?

Rob

Oh, yes. Perhaps we'll leave him shall we, clear that up later. Perhaps he could present some more programmes while we're away.

Ha! That is donkey work. Bye!

Rob

Bye-bye.