Question of the Day #771

“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle,” Orwell wrote.

From the 8th paragraph of this article at The Los Angeles Times.

上記の文で、in front of one's noseの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "in front of one's nose" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
どういうわけか、よく使われるこのイディオムは英辞郎等のオンライン英和辞典に掲載されてなく、近いものは全部直訳になっている。なので、The Free Dictionaryの定義を訳すと、

すぐに明らか、明らかに

になります。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Immediately obvious or clearly apparent.

Examples

• Even people with plenty of money will complain about what they don't have, rather than be grateful for the blessings that are right in front of their noses.
• The solution was right in front of my nose, but I just couldn't grasp it.
• All that time we've been searching for the answer, and it was right in front of our noses.
• The answer to the question was right in front of her nose, but she just couldn't figure it out.
• We've been looking for a solution to our financial problems for a long time while it was right in front of our noses.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #770

People are social creatures, and all that social distancing can take a toll on our mental health and memory function, said Ani Kalayjian, a psychotherapist in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.

From the 11th paragraph of this article at NBC News.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

大きな被害［打撃］を与える、大被害［大打撃］を与える、大損失をもたらす、多くの人命を奪う

注：問題文のように「〜に大きな被害を与える」場合、前置詞のonを使用してtake a toll on~になります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to have a serious, bad effect on someone or something: to cause harm or damage

Examples

• If you keep working so hard, the stress will eventually take its toll.
• Too much sunlight can take a (heavy) toll on your skin.
• The inclement weather in these parts really takes a toll on the exteriors of the buildings.
• She just doesn't have her usual quickness. It seems like the long season has taken a toll.
• Drug abuse takes quite a toll on the lives of people.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #769

Morbius Looks Campy, But That Might Be Its Greatest Strength

From the headline of this article at Game Rant.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〈俗〉〔振る舞いが〕わざとらしい
2. 〈俗〉〔古くさいけれども〕面白い
3. 〈米俗〉同性愛の、いかにもホモ〔差別語〕らしい

注：英辞郎のこの３番の訳は、古い定義で現在このように使用されません。

Answer

According to The Cambridge Dictionary:

used to describe an activity, or someone's behaviour or appearance, that is funny because it is obviously intended to be strange or shocking

Examples

• The result is a mixed bag of campy humour and special effects.
• Witnessing their synchronized routine, he almost expects them to break into some campy chorus line from one of the seedier nightclubs. — Margaret Atwood
• He could modify his outbursts into what were sometimes hilariously campy performances. — Robert Gray
• Not technically a straight horror film as the title might suggest, it also falls in the realm of campy and psychedelia.
• Additionally, the stories generally leaned toward parody, campy humor and cartoonish villains instead of the more realistic action-suspense format of its progenitor.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #768

How did we arrive at the point of Cancel Culture?

From the headline of this article at Critical Hit.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
一般的なオンライン英和辞書に適訳はありませんが、シマウマ用語集のこの記事によると、

キャンセルカルチャー（cancel culture）とは、個人や組織、思想などのある一側面や一要素だけを取り上げて問題視し、その存在すべてを否定するかのように非難すること。文化的なボイコットの一つ。

この定義は概ね正しいのですが、ここ数年間だけでも意味が微妙に変わってきているので注意が必要です。
下記英語の例文に賛否両論の意見がいくつかあります。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure

However, this article at Vox notes,

The idea of canceling began as a tool for marginalized communities to assert their values against public figures who retained power and authority even after committing wrongdoing — but in its current form, we see how warped and imbalanced the power dynamics of the conversation really are.

語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

初めて使用されたのは、2016年。

Etymology

According to Merriam-Webster,

First Known Use of cancel culture: 2016

Examples

• For those of you who aren't aware, cancel culture refers to the mass withdrawal of support from public figures or celebrities who have done things that aren't socially accepted today. This practice of "canceling" or mass shaming often occurs on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. — Demetria Slyt
• Cancel culture is supported as a tool to stop offensive and harmful behavior, while others find it problematic and toxic. — Elise Krumholz
• The main argument against cancel culture is that it doesn’t enable people who have wronged society the opportunity to apologize and learn from their mistakes.
• Cancel culture has its place - it helps to call out and remove problematic people from mainstream culture.
• In a cancel culture, we appoint ourselves the arbiters of right and wrong and also the judge and jury, because thanks to social media, we get to dole out punishment.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #767

His family was subjected to humiliation and close in staff were tortured to confess to trumped up charges against Ninoy.

From the 10th paragraph of this article at Business World.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

でっち上げる

ちなみに、この表現の由来は、前トランプ大統領と全く関係ありません。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

to concoct especially with intent to deceive: FABRICATE, INVENT

Examples

• The accusation, she said, was trumped up in order to get rid of her.
• The whole story was trumped up by our competitors.
• She maintains that the case is based on trumped-up charges.
• Try as they might, they were unable to trump up a convincing case against him.
• Their government has a long history of trumping up charges against citizens who express dissenting opinions.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #766

And when all is said and done, there's a new week's worth of aftermath to sort out, good or bad.

From the 1st paragraph of this article at DallasCowboys.com.

上記の文で、when all is said and doneの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "when all is said and done" mean?

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

結局（のところ）、つまるところ、何だかんだ言っても、全てが終わってしまえば

下記英語の定義にあるように、結論等を述べるときに使用することが多いようです。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

after considering or doing everything —used for a final general statement or judgment

Examples

• It won't be easy, but when all is said and done, we'll be glad we did it.
• The candidates claim to have different views but, when all is said and done, they're very much alike.
• Another problem with strong passibility is that, when all is said and done, it is highly questionable what purpose it serves.
• When all is said and done, this isn't such a bad part of the country to live in after all.
• When all is said and done, I believe I had a very enjoyable time on my vacation.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #765

“Dawn FM” marks The Weeknd’s fifth studio album and a further dive into the world of Abel Tesfaye’s alter ego.

From the caption of the first photo of this article at the Daily Bruin.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

分身、もう一人の自分、無二の親友

Answer

According to :

1. a second self or different version of oneself: such as
   
   1. a trusted friend
   2. the opposite side of a personality
   3. COUNTERPART
2. law: a person or entity vicariously liable for another (such as an agent)

語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

もう一人の自分、片割れ。1530年代頃から。キケロのラテン語の一節「もう一人の自分、信頼できる友」から。

Etymology

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary,

"second self, counterpart," 1530s, from Latin phrase (used by Cicero), "a second self, a trusted friend"

Examples

• Superman is Clark Kent's alter ego.
• If the actress were friends with her alter ego in real life, she knows exactly what advice she'd give.
• The former depicts a singer aware of the damage wreaked upon his brand by his alter ego. Times, Sunday Times (2010)
• The project was released under his alter ego Agust D, and the tune was credited to the same name. — Hugh Mcintyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021
• Robert Pattinson stars in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne, in The Batman. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2021

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #764

Breakthroughs in technology emerge out of the blue from time to time.

From the first line of this article at AARP.org.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

思いがけなく、突然、いきなり、出し抜けに、不意に、前ぶれ［予告］なしに、藪から棒に、唐突に

問題文の場合は、emerge out of the blueでcome out of the blueと同じ意味のため、「青天のへきれきである」と訳してもいいと思います。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

Completely unexpectedly.

Examples

• One of them wrote to us out of the blue several years later.
• She seemed so surprised by the news that it must have come out of the blue.
• She had no idea that anything was wrong until he announced out of the blue that he wanted a divorce.
• One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.
• And my winning ride came out of the blue; you can often win when you are least expecting to. The Sun (2013)

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #763

What is 'flurona' and should you be worried?

From the headline of this article at Yahoo! News.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎には、この単語は掲載されていませんでしたが、RNN時事英語辞典にありました。（過去1週間に追加・更新されたデータのようです。）

フルロナ感染インフルエンザとコロナウイルスに二重感染すること

つまりfluronaは、flu （一般的に使用されるinfluenzaの省略形）とcorona（coronavirusの省略形）からなる混成語です。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

Flurona is an informal term for a case in which a person is simultaneously infected with both the flu and the COVID-19 virus. Flurona refers to a double infection (or co-infection)—two simultaneous but separate infections. It is not a single disease or a new strain of COVID-19.

語源

Phone Mantraによると、

Fluronaは、学術用語ではなく昨年の12月30日にイスラエルの新聞Ynetで使用された造語です。その記事は、コロナやインフルエンザのどちらのワクチンも接種しておらず、二つの病気を同時に罹った妊婦に関するものでした。

Etymology

According to Phone Mantra,

It is not a scientific name but the word was coined last December 30 by an Israeli newspaper, Ynet, which reported a pregnant woman who was neither vaccinated against Covid nor against the flu and who had contracted the two. virus at the same time.

Examples

• Is Flurona a new disease?
• How many cases of Flurona are there?
• The first combo jab could help take aim at the growing phenomena of "flurona" -- in which a person simultaneously contracts the Covid-19 and the flu.
• Last week, unverified reports emerged of a "flurona" or "flurone" virus – a combination of flu and coronavirus – which the World Health Organization (WHO) dismissed on Monday.
• ‘Flurona’ case in Israel draws attention

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #762

Fourth, Glasgow reached a compromise to weed out some, but not all, legacy carbon credits.

From the 23rd paragraph of this article at the International Institute for Sustainable Development website.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

1. 〔雑草を〕引き抜く
2. 〔好ましくないものを〕取り除く、除去［削除］する

問題文の意味は、当然二番です。
ちなみに、1番の訳の「〔雑草を〕引き抜く」は、誤訳だと思います。なぜなら、動詞のweedだけで「雑草を取る」の意味があって、この意味でweed outが使われるのを見たことがありません。

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

(tr, adverb) to separate out, remove, or eliminate (anything unwanted): to weed out troublesome students.

Examples

• They will review the applications to weed out the less qualified candidates.
• The administration plans to weed out failed programs.
• The first round of interviews only really serves to weed out the very weakest of applicants.
• He is keen to weed out the many applicants he believes may be frauds.
• A small group of neo-Nazis have infiltrated the ranks. We must weed them out as soon as possible.

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。

Question of the Day #761

In Georgia, it’s a dead heat, with Republican Herschel Walker, the former football star, at 49 percent and Sen. Raphael Warnock at 48 percent among likely voters.

From the 2nd paragraph of this article at NBC News.

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

答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

---

解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

互角の大接戦

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a tie with no single winner of a race

Examples

• The opinion polls show the three election candidates in a dead heat (with each other).
• The victory was essentially a dead heat. Times, Sunday Times (2013)
• It is really a dead heat. Times, Sunday Times (2016)
• But a Morning Consult poll released Tuesday called the race a dead heat, with 643 likely Minnesota voters favoring Biden over Trump 48% to 44% – within the four percentage point margin of error. — Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2020
• In other Breeders’ Cup races: Aloha West, with a strong stretch ride from Jose Ortiz, caught Dr. Schivel at the wire to win the $2 million Sprint in a near dead heat, snapping the five-race win streak of the 3-year-old Southern California colt. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2021

このサイトが役に立つと思ったら、ぜひ英語に関心のある知り合いとシェアしてください。