节目梗概：
Helen 告诉 Neil 她碰到了一个 Neil 的老同事。Neil 回想起他的工作史，还用到了一个听似不太礼貌的比喻，听听 Neil 是怎么解释这个比喻的用法吧。

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（关于台词的备注: 这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

Helen
大家好，欢迎收听BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》。 我是 Helen，和我在一起的还有我的同事 Neil。

Neil
Hello everyone.

Helen
Neil, guess who I met yesterday?

Neil
No idea. Anyone I know?

Helen
The name is Jonathan Kendall - he said you guys worked together a long time ago.

Neil
Oh yes, we did. Gosh, it must have been nearly 15 years ago if my memory is right.

Helen
Wow, that is a long time ago.

Neil
So, what is he doing now?

Helen
He works at Radio Melody. He is now the station manager.

Neil
He is still there! Wow, he really is part of the furniture.

Helen
What do you mean 'he's part of the furniture'? 说某人是家具的一部分，这好像不太礼貌吧？That doesn't sound very polite.

Neil
Oh, I don't mean it literally. It's an expression we use to describe someone or something that's been in the same place for a very long time. You almost think they will be there forever.

Helen
Right, I've got it. 说某人是“家具的一部分”的实际意思是“常客”或“长期没有变动的人”犹如家里或办公室常年摆设的家具一样，固定不变，大家都习以为常了。 让我们来听几个例句吧。

Examples
John has been the school caretaker for nearly twenty years. He's become part of the furniture.

We come here so often, it's almost as if we are part of the furniture.

She's had a seat in parliament for over 50 years - she's part of the furniture in the House of Commons.

Helen
So, how long have you been at the BBC?

Neil
I've lost count. Let me see, I left school at 18, did an apprenticeship for 2 years and then I joined BBC in 1995.

Helen
That's twenty years. My goodness! So you are part of the furniture at the BBC!

Neil
Yes, you are absolutely right. Where have all the years gone?

Helen
Will you be here for the next twenty years?

Neil
Who knows? Let's wait and see.