Question of the Day #109

"The Simpsons' verdict on Trump's first 100 days is in and it's scathing"
From the headline of this article at Mashable.

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

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


厳しく批判する、酷評する

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

bitterly severe, as a remark

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

比喩的な使い方は、1852年から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Of words, speech, etc., from 1852.

Examples

• a scathing review of the book
• a scathing rebuttal of the latest theory concerning the assassination
• "scathing as some of the portraits are, the writer is by no means merely cynical." The Marriage of William Ashe, Mrs. Humphry Ward
• "scathing comments by Franklin on Thomas Penn's meanness, 138." Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume I (of 2), Wiliam Cabell Bruce
• "scathing sentences already took shape in his brain, but deeper investigation would be necessary before he could write anything." We Two, Edna Lyall

Question of the Day #108

"James Comey Wasn't a Partisan Hack. He Was Worse."
From the headline of this article at Mother Jones.

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

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


金のために何でもやる人

この場合は、これが適切な訳ですが、hackには名詞や動詞として色々な意味があるので、上記の英辞郎のページをぜひ参照してください。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

a person who works solely for mercenary reasons

This is the most appropriate definition in the example, but there are many other noun and verb definitions, so I encourage you to click the Merriam-Webster link to check them out.

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「一般的な仕事をするために雇われた人」という意味は1700年頃から。Hackneyを略した単語。Hackneyは、1300年頃からの単語で、イギリスのMiddlesexのHackneyの地名から。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

"person hired to do routine work," c. 1700, ultimately short for hackney "an ordinary horse, horse for general service (especially for driving or riding, as opposed to war, hunting, or hauling)," c. 1300. This word is probably from the place name Hackney, Middlesex.

Question of the Day #107

"Arvia: Docs want single-payer and so should you"
From the headline of this article at the Chicago Tribune.

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

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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.

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解答

意味： Physicians for a National Health Programによると、


Single-payer national health insuranceとは、「全国民のためのMedicare」とも呼ばれていて、単一の公的機関が医療保険を提供するが、実際の治療等は、主に民間の医療機関に委ねる制度である。この制度のもとでは、アメリカのすべての住人の医療費、長期介護費等が公的機関によって支払われることになる。

Answer

According to Physicians for a National Health Program:

Single-payer national health insurance, also known as “Medicare for all,” is a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes health care financing, but the delivery of care remains largely in private hands. Under a single-payer system, all residents of the U.S. would be covered for all medically necessary services, including doctor, hospital, preventive, long-term care, mental health, reproductive health care, dental, vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs.

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

初めて使用されたのが、1987年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First know use of single-player: 1987

Examples

• Our organization has for many, many years supported a single-payer system.
• After all, there was never even a public option, let alone the single-payer fantasy.
• Unfortunately Brill's piece is also inspiring more comment that the only solution is to extend Medicare to all: single-payer.
• But those long wait times are not necessarily a by-product of their single-payer system.
• They would have preferred a Canadian-style single-payer system.

Question of the Day #106

"The internet unleashes Photoshop on Donald Trump Jr.'s brand new t-shirt"
From the headline of this article at Mashable.

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

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


1. 〔感情・強い力などを〕爆発させる
2. 〔犬を〕ひもから放す、解き放つ
3. ～を束縛から解放する

例文の場合の主語は、Internetであるが、二つ目の訳の「解き放つ」が一番いいと思う。
leashは、米英語で犬の「リード」のことであることから、unleashが「ひもから放す、解き放つ」ということになる。日本語で使用されている「リード」は、イギリスで使用されているleadからきている。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. to free from or as if from a leash :  let loose
2. to throw, shoot, or set in motion forcefully

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

1670年ごろから使用されている。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

1670s, from un- (2) "reverse, opposite of" + leash (v.).

Examples

• The storm unleashed its fury.
• The editorial unleashed a torrent of angry responses.
• Keep in mind that this is just the first round of legislation the newly empowered Republicans are planning to unleash.
• Many are certain that China will unleash something sinister in the territory this week if the protests continue.
• Watch him unleash a magnificent, expletive-ridden rant—and be grateful for the Internet, where this harangue will live forever.

Question of the Day #105

ここのところ、アメリカのUnited Airlinesがいろいろ問題を起こしているので、二回連続Unitedの問題が続きます。

"Although Harris did his due diligence to land authorization for the Segway mini-pro, he was barred from taking it with him on his honeymoon. "
From this article at Advocate.com.

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

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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.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


相当［適切・正当］な注意［配慮］

Answer

According to Cambridge Dictionary:

action that is considered reasonable for people to be expected to take in order tokeep themselves or others and their property safe

Examples

• People have to exercise due diligence and watch what's being bought on their credit cards.
• Consumers are required to use their credit cards with due diligence, which includes making sure that strangers cannot find or see their PIN.‎
• You are required to exercise due diligence by immediately reporting unauthorized withdrawals from your account and unauthorized use of your credit card.‎
• It is the employer’s duty to exercise due diligence when appointing new staff.

Question of the Day #104

"United CEO Oscar Munoz initially made things worse with a tone-deaf apology for 'having to re-accommodate' customers. "
From this article at the Huffington Post.

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

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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.

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解答

意味：

本来は、「音痴の」という意味であるが、metaphorとしては、英辞郎の二つ目の訳でいいと思います。


感覚の鈍い、正しい判断［選択］ができない

Answer

I find it interesting that many of the "major" online dictionaries only include the medical meaning of tone-deaf. However, there are some that include the metaphorical meaning as well. According to Your Dictionary:

1. of or demonstrating an inability to recognize the complexity, possible cause for offense, etc. of an issue or situation
2. of or showing a lack of sensitivity to the effect that one's statements or positions have on others

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

Tone-deafは1880年から

となっているが、これは「音痴の」の意味だと思います。もしmetaphorとしての語源がわかったら、ぜひコメントに投稿してください。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Tone-deaf is from 1880

However, I'm pretty sure that this is for the medical definition. If someone can find the origin for the metaphorical use, I'd appreciate it if you would add it to the comments.

Examples

• Some hated his tone-deaf assertion that he has behaved with “lightness”　toward women.
• The story writes itself: ‘President Proves She Is tone-deaf on Economy.’
• This “ surprising option” (as the tone-deaf Times headline calls it) is often viewed as caddish.

Question of the Day #103

"Chinese Media Can’t Stop Making Fun Of Donald Trump"
From the headline of this article at the Huffington Post.

上記の文で、make fun ofの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "make fun of" 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、 


• ～を物笑いの種にする
• 〜をからかう
• 〜をちゃかす
• 〜を笑いものにする

と、対象によって色々な訳し方ができるが、大体の傾向がわかると思う。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

Mock, ridicule

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

to make fun ofは、1737年から使われている。

According to Online Etymology Dictionary:

Older senses are preserved in phrase to make fun of (1737)

Examples

• The girls madefun of Mary's shoes
• Are you making fun of me?
• I am making fun of your hat.
• When she first moved north, some people made fun of her southern accent.
• At first the kids made fun of her because she spoke with a Dutch accent.