Palaver 繁琐；麻烦

Jo: Hello, I'm Jo and you're listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. With me today is Lily, hello.

Lily: Hello Jo. 是的，两分钟的地道英语节目，短小精悍，常听常练，你能积累许多书本上见不到的英式新词语。 Jo，今天的新词是什么?

Jo: Well today's Real English word is palaver¹ P.A.L.A.V.E.R. palaver.

Lily: Palaver. 听上去像个名词，什么意思呢 Jo?

Jo: Well if something is a palaver, it means there is an unnecessary fuss² or bother about the way something is done.

Lily: I see. Palaver 意思就是，不必要的繁琐和麻烦。

Jo: So for example, say I'd just bought a new MP3 player, but it was really difficult to work out how to use it and how to put my music on it, that would be a palaver.

Lily: 这太典型了，买了一个新的 MP3 播放器，可是操作太复杂，说明太啰嗦，这时，你就 可以说，it’s a palaver. Let's listen to some more examples.

Examples

A: Oh I can't believe the whole family are coming to dinner – I'll have to buy lots of food, drink and decide what dishes to cook. It's going to be really stressful.

B: For 14 people – I can imagine! What a palaver!

A: Have you applied³ for that new job yet?

B: I'm trying but it's a real palaver. I have to fill in about five forms, and write an essay, and I have about two days left!

Lily: 好了，让我们复习一下今天的新词 palaver，意思就是不必要的麻烦或繁琐。如果大家希望了解更多新词语 请随时上网。我们的网址是 www.bbcchina.com.cn. 谢谢收听，下次节目再会。

Jo: Bye!