when the house is on fire

好文共賞
V25 Sharp Daily - Hong Kong Version 馮強
2012-08-16

"There is no sense in conducting theoretical debates when the house is on fire."

1."In some places, you cannot tell the blood from the vegetables ①."（Ahmed Nouri）

背景：伊拉克警員Ahmed Nouri在巴格達炸彈爆炸炸死13人後對記者描繪他所見。

2."There is no sense ② in conducting ③ theoretical debates ④ when the house is on fire⑤." （Martin Schulz）

背景：歐洲議會（European Parliament）議長舒爾茨（Martin Schulz）告訴歐洲領袖要把精力放在解決財政危機上，不是放在債券的利息上。

3."For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker ⑥, I'm sorry I couldn't carry the ball ⑦ over the finish line ⑧." （Ann Curry）

背景：亞裔主持人Ann Curry在美國NBC電視台新聞部工作不夠一年被公司解僱。在解僱後她向觀眾發表談話。

馮強短評

好辭彙共賞:

①cannot tell the blood from the vegetables = 血和蔬菜混在一起。Victor cannot tell right from wrong = Victor無法辨別是非

②no sense = 沒有意義。The five senses = 五官感覺。A sense of duty = 責任感。Common sense = 常識。Lose one's senses = 發瘋

③conducting = 處理、進行。Conduct a business = 經營生意。Conduct an orchestra = 指揮管弦樂隊。Conduct a campaign = 指揮作戰

④theoretical debates = 理論性討論，假設（性）的。Debating society = 討論會、辯論會

⑤the house is on fire = 大難臨頭。Fire questions at Victor = 向Victor提出（許多）質問。Set the Thames [river] on fire = 作驚人之舉

⑥a groundbreaker = 一個擁有獨創革新精神的人（One that is original or innovative）。Groundbreaker = pioneer（拓荒者、先鋒、先驅）

⑦carry the ball = 身負重任

⑧over the finish line = 完成任務。Carry the ball over the finish line = 把任務完成

短評共賞:

在 英文用法上，球類運動常常被用上。Carry the ball是身負重任。Drop the ball是犯錯誤，錯失機會。Drop the gloves是打架的意思。Victor should get the ball rolling = Victor要開始動工。

馮強

浸會大學傳理學院國際新聞和財經新聞碩士課程主任