Question of the Day #233

"EPA staff in ‘despair’ after Pruitt blame game"
From the headline of this article at Politico.

上記の文で、blame game の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "blame game" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


責任のなすり合い

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

 a situation in which different individuals or groups attempt to assign blame to each other for some problem or failure

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

記録にある限り初めて使用されたのは、1958年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of blame game: 1958

Examples

• "… yet another example of the blame game that has become endemic in American life. It's always someone else's fault, and government makes an easy and familiar target." —Zachary Karabell,  Time,  18 Oct. 2010
• "Anyone who has watched the … congressional hearings on the government's inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina has witnessed officials high and low playing the blame game." — Business Week,  10 Oct. 2005
• The 'Blame Game' pumps people up emotionally.
• Coal magnate Bob Murray is no stranger to the blame game.
• The blame game has already started in Miami and surprise, surprise, Erik Spoelstra has emerged as the clear target.

Question of the Day #232

"Pruitt declares that burning wood is carbon neutral"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、carbon neutral の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "carbon neutral" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


カーボンニュートラルな◆植物由来の原料の場合、燃やして炭酸ガスを放出しても、その炭酸ガス中の炭素は元来植物が光合成によって大気中の炭酸ガスから取り込んだものなので、大気中の炭酸ガス濃度は常に一定に保たれる。このような炭素循環の考え方をカーボンニュートラルという。

という、ちょっと怪しい考え方です。が、下記英語の説明でわかるように、別のもっとそれらしい定義もあります。

組織や活動等がカーボンニュートラルであれば、大気に排出する二酸化炭素と同じ量の二酸化炭素を何らかの方法で減らすことを意味する。

Answer

According to Cambridge Dictionary:

if something such as an organization or activity is carbon neutral, it removes the same amount of carbon dioxide from the environment as it releases into the environment

Etymology/語源

Dictionary.comによると、

初めて記録されたのが、1990-1995年の間。

According to Dictionary.com:

First recorded in 1990-95

Examples

• Norway plans to become totally carbon-neutral by 2050.
• The university has made a commitment to make its operations carbon neutral.
• More organizations are becoming carbon neutral.
• "It refurbished an existing building to become carbon-neutral." Times, Sunday Times (2008)
• "He said banks would have to give discounted mortgages for carbon-neutral homes." The Sun (2007)

Question of the Day #231

"Trump official won’t rule out firing Mueller"
From the headline of this article at Politico.

上記の文で、rule out の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rule out" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎の訳の中で最も適切なのは、


無視する、除外する、排除する

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

exclude, eliminate

Examples

• another loss would rule them out of the tournament
• It’s unlikely that he’ll run for president, but you can never rule anything out.
• The Prime Minister is believed to have ruled out cuts in child benefit or pensions.
• Local detectives have ruled out foul play.
• The president has ruled out the use of U.S. troops.

Question of the Day #230

"Trump attorney Cohen overshadows Mueller probe"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、overshadow の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "overshadow" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


～に影を投げ掛ける、～を暗くする、見劣りさせる

なので、この場合は「見劣りさせる」が適切でしょう。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. to cast a shadow over
2. to exceed in importance

So, I guess it's pretty obvious that the latter of the two definitions is more suitable in the above case.

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

古英語のofersceadwian（「～に影を投げ掛ける）、「見えなくする）の意」から。隠喩的な使い方は、1580年代より。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Old English ofersceadwian "to cast a shadow over, obscure;"...Figurative sense is from 1580s.

Examples

• The pitcher's outstanding performance should not overshadow the achievements of the rest of the team.
• Get our daily newsletter Mr Orban’s thumping victory was overshadowed by strong criticism from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which had deployed observers. — The Economist, "Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, wins another landslide," 12 Apr. 2018
• Jimmie Johnson is a seven-time champion and Kevin Harvick has been outspoken, but both were overshadowed by Earnhardt Jr. and Stewart and Gordon in their heyday. — Drew Davison, star-telegram, "Is there any driver in NASCAR worth watching these days?,"9 Apr. 2018
• Here are the big developments at EPA that will have real consequences for the long-term health of Americans, and for the climate, that were overshadowed by the scandal coverage this week. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Scott Pruitt’s ethics scandals aren’t stopping him from gutting the EPA,"6 Apr. 2018
• Karen has always felt overshadowed by her famous elder sister.

Question of the Day #229

"Boston holds moment of silence for anniversary of bombing"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、moment of silence の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "moment of silence" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、


沈黙の時間、黙とうの時間

となっているが、holds moment of silenceを全体で考えると、「黙祷をした」でいいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

 a short period of silent thought or prayer

Etymology/語源

いくつかの説はありますが、Time magazineによると、

英国中でmoment of silence（黙祷）を捧げることを初めて提案したのは、オーストラリア人ジャーナリストのEdward George Honey氏とされている。Honey氏が1919年5月当時住んでいたイギリスで、London Evening New新聞に送った手紙の中で1918年11月11日に終戦した第一次世界大戦の死者を追悼するという意味で提案したとされている。Honey氏は、「五分間だけ。五分間だけ、国のために亡くなった人たちを追悼しましょう。」と書いたとされている。

There are a number of theories about the origin of this phrase, but according to Time magazine:

The idea to observe a nationwide moment of silence is widely believed to have originated with Australian journalist Edward George Honey. In May 1919 he wrote a letter to the London Evening News (he was living there at the time) wherein he proposed commemorating the first anniversary of the armistice that brought World War I to an end on November 11, 1918 with a moment of silence. "Five little minutes only," he wrote. "Five silent minutes of national remembrance."

Examples

• The crowd observed a moment of silence for those who died in the tragedy.
• The pastor always opened his Sunday service with a moment of silence.
• The principal requested a moment of silence in memory of the two girls who died in a car accident over the weekend.

Question of the Day #228

"US to impose sanctions on Russia in wake of Syrian chemical attack"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、in (the) wake of の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "in (the) wake of" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎の訳の中で最も適切なのは、


～の結果（として）、～があった［起こった・分かった］今［この時点で］

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

In the aftermath of something, often as a consequence.

Examples

• In the wake of the scandal, several committee members resigned.
• We had no place to live in the wake of thefire.
• Famine often comes in the wake of war.
• Airport security was extra tight in the wake of yesterday's bomb attacks.
• ‘the committee was set up in the wake of the inquiry’

Question of the Day #227

"Why Ryan called it quits"
From the headline of this article at Politico.

上記の文で、call it quits の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "call it quits" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎の訳の中で最も適切なのは、


〔今まで続けてきたこと・職業などを〕やめる

Answer

According to :

to leave a job or stop doing something permanently

Examples

• He’s decided to call it quits after three years as editor-in-chief.
• They raised $630,000 through listener donations, and then called it quits.
• Peter Buckley called it quits after his 300th contest.
• ‘surely, after covering eleven wars, he could be forgiven for calling it quits?’
• At 10 o'clock I decided to call it quits for the day.

Question of the Day #226

"Five takeaways from Zuckerberg’s testimony"
From the headline of this article at .

上記の文で、takeawayの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "takeaway" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎の訳の中で最も適切なのは、


話し合いや協議などで持ち上がった〕覚えておくべき点、考慮すべき意見◆しばしば複数形takeawaysで用いられる

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a conclusion to be made based on presented facts or information : a main point or key message to be learned or understood from something experienced or observed

Etymology/語源

Grammarphobia.comによると、

「・・・最後に、覚えておくべき点や教訓の意味として使用され始めたのは、1970年台半ば」

According to Grammarphobia.com:

"... and finally to messages or lessons (mid-’70s)"

Examples

• The takeaway is clear: cats are a growing environmental concern because they are driving down some native bird populations … —Bruce Barcott
• One of the main takeaways stressed by the panelists was that social media is about conversation, not just dissemination. —Gabe Habash
• The takeaway from this run of data is that the government is losing itsability to inflict damage on the U.S. economy.
• The takeaway message, whether intended or not, is clear: I became a complete woman when—and only when—I found a good man.
• For me, the takeaway from these results is that creativity—just like grit—does not occupy a separate sphere from academics.

Question of the Day #225

"DOJ watchdog will investigate surveillance of Trump campaign aide"
From the headline of this article at Politico.

上記の文で、watchdog の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "watchdog" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎では、


番犬、番人、お目付け役、監視人、監視員、監視機関［機構］

ということで、記事を読むとDOJ (Department of Justic・司法省) のinspector general（監察長官）が調査することになっているので、「監視人」が適訳でしょう。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or undesirable practices

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

比喩的な使い方は、1845年が初めてと記録されている。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Figurative sense is attested by 1845.

Examples

• The communications shed new light on tensions in city government before the ouster of of the watchdog, D.C. Office of Open Government Director Traci L. Hughes. — Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post, "Emails: Ousted D.C. government watchdog frustrated the mayor’s aides," 5 Apr. 2018
• His inauguration committee has been criticized by watchdog groups for not fully disclosing how the inauguration funds were spent. — Monique Judge, The Root, "Robert Mueller Follows the Money by Questioning Russian Oligarchs," 5 Apr. 2018
• The segments drew the ire of media journalists and watchdogs, many of whom were already closely watching Sinclair for its ties to President Donald Trump and its ambitions to expand its already-sizable U.S. audience. — NBC News, "TV anchors decrying 'fake' news put spotlight on Sinclair Broadcast Group," 2 Apr. 2018
• The Countryside Commission was set up as the government's official watchdog on conservation.
• ‘the consumer watchdog for transport in London’

Question of the Day #224

"Trump: FBI raid on Cohen 'a disgrace'"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、raid の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "raid" mean?

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解答

意味：
Raidには、さまざまな訳がありますが、英辞郎の訳の中で最も適切なのは、


強制捜索

Answer

There are many definitions of raid, but the most appropriate in Merriam-Webster is:

 a sudden invasion by officers of the law

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

15世紀初め頃から。「馬に乗った遠征隊」

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

early 15c., "mounted military expedition"

Examples

• Weapons were also seized during the drug raid.
• They caught five smugglers in the raid.
• The last time there was a raid of this scale was in 2001, when 52 menwere arrested on Queen Boat, a floating disco on the Nile.
• The drugs were found during a police raid on the house.

Question of the Day #223

"Sho off! Ohtani hits first career HR"
From the headline of this article at MLB.com.

上記の文で、Sho off の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "Sho off" mean?

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解答

意味：
英語には、shoと綴る単語はありません。（sureの訛った発音としてはあるけれど。）そこで、このsho offは、大谷翔平選手の名前とshow offという句動詞（名詞）をもじったダジャレです。
英辞郎のshow offの訳は、


自己顕示する、注目を集めるために行動［発言］する、目立とうとする

ただし、sho offと書いてありますが、本当は名詞形のshow-offの意味で使用しているので、その意味は、

〈軽蔑的〉目立ちたがり屋、キザなやつ、気取り屋、見えっ張り、知識をひけらかす人

しかし、この場合は、軽蔑的な使い方というより、ある意味敬意を表していると言ってもいいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

Of course, there isn't a word spelled "sho" in English (except as a non-standard spelling of sure). This is just a pun using a combination of Shohei Ohtani's first name and the verbal phrase "show off" or even the noun "show-off":
According to Merriam-Webster, show-off means:

1. the act of showing off
2. one that shows off

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

１８０１年頃からは、「意図的でこれ見よがしの誇示」。このような行動をとる人を表現する使い方は、1924年より。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

1776, "a display;" see show (v.) + off (adv.). From 1801 as "a deliberate and ostentatious display;" in reference to the person who makes such a display, attested from 1924.

Examples

• Jimena's such a show-off, she always wants to be the centre of attention.
• the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started
• she just wants to show off her new jewelry
• Even his theater-buff costars thought he was “right on the money” and“absolutely not a show-off,” despite his celebrity status.
• "Well, he'll see then that this kind of thing was all show-off, and bluff, won't he?" Alice Adams, Booth Tarkington

Question of the Day #222

"Four lawmakers offer bill to permanently ban earmarks"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、earmarkの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "earmark" mean?

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解答

意味：
英辞郎の訳のに適当な名詞形がないけれど、他動詞の訳に中に、


〔費用・金などを〕～のために取っておく、～に割り当てる

があって、さらに下記Merriam-Websterの定義にあるように、特定の企画や組織等の「割り当て金」ということになります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

15世紀中頃から。当初は、所有者の印として羊、牛等の家畜の耳に入れた切り込みや印から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

mid-15c., from ear (n.1) + mark (n.1). Originally a cut or mark in the ear of sheep and cattle, serving as a sign of ownership

Examples

• Topics included firearms, food stamps, Medicare, tariffs on foreign steel, earmarks, differences with Brown and differences with President Donald Trump, himself a Republican. — Stephen Koff, cleveland.com, "These Republicans want to send Sen. Sherrod Brown packing. Read how they answer our questions," 22 Mar. 2018
• Flake, a fellow crusader against congressional earmarks, helped sell McCain's anti-pork record to the state's voters. — Dan Nowicki, azcentral, "Jeff Flake blasts Trump, stokes presidential-campaign speculation with N.H. speech," 16 Mar. 2018
• Before the practice was banned in 2010, Cochran had a long history of steering federal money for special projects, or earmarks, to Mississippi, one of the nation's poorest states. — Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, "Mississippi Republican Sen. Thad Cochran announces he will retire April 1, citing health issues," 5 Mar. 2018
• Earmarks often result in the expenditure of large sums of taxpayer money to help a limited number of people.
• A senator obtained an earmark of $1.5 million last year to deal with a beetle that attacks trees, lawns, and crops.

Question of the Day #221

"Female senators demand changes to workplace misconduct rules"
From the headline of this article at The Hill.

上記の文で、misconductの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "misconduct" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
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解答

意味：
英辞郎訳の中で最も適切なのは、


非行、不品行、違法［不正］行為、職権乱用、不祥事、まずい経営

なお、同じ綴りで動詞形もあるけれど、発音が違うことに注意してください。

Answer

According to :

1. mismanagement especially of governmental or military responsibilities
2. intentional wrongdoing; specifically : deliberate violation of a law or standard especially by a government official
3. improper behavior

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

初めて使用された記録は、1705年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of misconduct: 1705

Examples

• He was forced to defend himself against charges of sexual misconduct.
• There have been reports of misconduct by several employees.
• ‘she was found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal and dismissed’
• ‘the general was pardoned for misconduct of the war’
• He enlisted in the Navy in 2001 but was dishonorably discharged formisconduct two years later, according to CNN.