Helen: And I’m Helen.

Neil: This is the programme in which we look at words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary.

Helen: 地道英语和大家一起学习现代英式英语中经常出现的流行词汇和实用表达。What word are we going to learn today Neil?

Neil: Today’s word is scruffy.

Helen: Scruffy.

Neil: S-C-R-U-F-F-Y scruffy.

Helen: And what does it mean?

Neil: Scruffy is used to describe somebody who has an untidy appearance.

Helen: Mmm, I see. 一个人如果被形容成 scruffy， 这就是说他的衣着不整齐，穿的比较乱。

Neil: Yes, perhaps his shirt isn’t tucked in, his hair is messy, and he has ripped jeans.

Helen: He sounds really scruffy. 如果一个男孩穿的牛仔裤已经破了，头发也是乱糟糟的，然后衬衫也是皱巴巴的，那我们就可以说他是 scruffy.

Insert

A: Did you see what Mike wore to the wedding?

B: I know. He was in an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He hadn’t even combed his hair.

A: How could anyone be so scruffy on their own wedding day?

Neil: What a scruff!

Helen: A scruff?

Neil: Yes, scruffy is an adjective, but you can also call someone “a scruff”.

Helen: A scruff. Scruffy 是一个形容词, 你也可以说一个人是 “a scruff”. 这就是个名词了。Is it rude to call someone a scruff?

Neil: The words “scruffy”, or “a scruff” are not rude, but they are informal, so be careful.

Helen: Scruffy, 或者是 a scruff 都不是骂人的话, 不过它们是通俗表达, 所以用的时候还是要注意场合。

Neil: Well, I’m going to an expensive restaurant tonight so I’m going to put some nice clothes on.

Helen: Yeah, you probably should, you are looking a bit scruffy!

Neil: Thank you!

Helen: You’ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon for more up-to-the-minute Real English. Bye.

Neil: See you next time.