地道英语：做好事以便获表扬

　　Brownie Points

　　William: Hello and welcome to Authentic Real English, Im William.

　　Feifei: 我是冯菲菲。William, what are you doing with that suitcase and flowers and boxes of chocolates? William 手里拿着一把鲜花和一盒巧克力，一定是给某人的礼物了

　　William: Oh, well Im spending the weekend with my wifes parents so I thought Id get something for my mother-in-law.

　　Feifei: Oh I see! William 这个周末要去看望岳父岳母，所以准备了很多礼物。

　　William: And Im going to do a bit of decorating and gardening for them too.

　　Feifei: Wow, you really are trying to earn some brownie points, arent you? 我看出来了 William 其实在努力表现，以便获得老人的好评与认可。

　　William: Yes, Im trying to earn some brownie points.

　　Feifei: To earn some brownie points. Brownie points 这个词的来历和一个叫 The Brownies 的女童子团有关系 。它的成员做了好事可以得分，类似中国小学生们得到红星或者红旗一样，对做好事的人有一种表扬。这个短语的意思呢就是为获得表扬而做好事。

　　William: Yes, you see Im not sure if my mother-in-law really likes me very much. So thats why Im trying to earn some brownie points. Maybe shell change her attitude towards me.

　　Feifei: Oh dear. William 的岳母好像不再喜欢他，所以他就拼命地表现，买礼物，以便获得丈母娘的欢心。下面请听例句。

　　Example

　　Man: Look at Gary. He keeps offering to do extra work even at weekends

　　Lady: Well hes hoping to earn a few brownie points with the bosses. Theres a new position opening up and I reckon hell apply for it.

　　Feifei: 这个说话的人主动多做工作以便获得老板的赏识，这是很快会有晋升提拔的机会。

　　William: But to earn brownie points is more than just doing someone a favour .

　　Feifei: 是的，这个短语不单纯是为某人帮忙的意思，关键是要得到某人的认可和表扬，是个非常轻松随便的短语。

　　William: When was the last time you earned brownie points from someone, Feifei?

　　Feifei: Oh I dont try to get other peoples approval.

　　William: Hmm, really? So you dont really care what people think about you?

　　Feifei: No, not at all. But William, youve got so much stuff with you. Are you taking the train to your in-laws house? Can I give you a lift to the station?

　　William: Oh thanks! Thats really kind of you. I was beginning to think you were a bit selfish but now I can see youre quite generous Ah, I understand!

　　Feifei: Yes, Im trying to earn some brownie points!

　　William: Well, you succeeded! Goodbye!

　　Feifei: Bye!