A sock in a toaster - not a clever thing to do!
The script of this programme 本节目台词
Rob: Welcome to Authentic Real English with me Rob - and today I've come round to Helen's house because she said she needed some help... (Doorbell and door opens)
Helen: Oh, hi Rob. Thanks for coming round. (She shuts the door)
Rob: That's OK, no problem. Now, how can I help you?
Helen: I need you to fix my toaster please. You know me, I love my toast but since yesterday, every time I try to make some, black smoke keeps coming out of it.
Rob: Hmm, black smoke? That doesn't sound good. OK, let's have a look at it. (He fiddles with the toaster) Err, Helen?
Helen: Yes?
Rob: There's a sock in it - that's very dangerous - no wonder you're getting black smoke when you try to make toast!
Helen: Oh - 是啊,我的烤面包机里面有只袜子,但这是我朋友让我放进去的!Rob, I put the sock in there.
Rob: Why did you put a sock in there?
Helen: Well, my friend came round for breakfast yesterday, and I was telling her all about my fantastic holiday… the great weather, the good food and the… handsome men...
Rob: So?
Helen: Well, I was making us both toast when she said "Helen, put a sock in it!"
Rob: Ah! I don't think she actually meant put a sock in the toaster - when people say that, it means 'be quiet'!
Helen: Oh! 原来这个短语和袜子没任何关系,它表示安静点儿,住嘴别说了-多不礼貌呀! It's not a very polite thing to say Rob?
Rob: It's not. It's an impolite way of saying 'stop talking'! It can also mean, keep the noise down. Your friend must have been annoyed by your non-stop chatter if she said that! Let's hear some more examples of this phrase in action...
Examples
Put a sock in it, we're trying to do some work here!
Oh put a sock in it, I've already said I'm going to do the washing-up later.
My Dad was telling me how I should work harder at school so I told him to 'put a sock in it'!
Helen: 这回我明白了。To put a sock in it 意思就是安静点儿,住嘴别说了,是个不太礼貌的说法。But Rob I don't talk that much, it's just I like to tell people about my holidays, my cooking, my boyfriends...
Rob: Err, Helen...
Helen: Yes?
Rob: Put a sock in it will you! In fact, use this one - this dirty sock from your toaster!
Helen: But where should I put it?
Rob: Well, figuratively speaking, the phrase means put a sock in your mouth to stop you talking - so try that!
Helen: Oh thanks. (Toaster pops up) Actually, now my toaster is working, I'm going to have socks on toast!
Rob: (Sniffing the sock) Well, by the smell of this sock, it's going to be cheese on toast.
Both: Bye!