Question of the Day #41

One day, out of the blue, I got an email from my old teacher.

上記の会話で、out of the blueの意味は？
In the dialogue 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、予告なしに、前ぶれなしに、藪から棒に、唐突に◆【同】out of a clear （blue） sky

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

1. From an unexpected or unforeseen source
2. At a completely unexpected time

Etymology/語源

Jakub Marian'sによると、

もともと、もっと長いイディオムのout of the clear blue skyから生まれたout of the blueのblueは青空のこと。


また、別のイディオムが青空から何が現れるかを教えてくれている。そのバージョンとは、a bolt from the blue。この場合のboltとは、thunderboltすなわち稲妻。誰が、青空から稲妻が落ちると思うでしょうか？

従って、out of the blueは、予期せぬ出来事をいう。

According to Jakub Marian's:

How did people come up with such a strange idiom? The meaning of the word “blue” is revealed by a longer (but much less common) version of the idiom: out of a clear blue sky. “The blue” refers to the blueness of the sky.

Yet another version of the idiom reveals what comes out of a clear blue sky. It is possible to say that something unexpected is a bolt from the blue. While it would make sense that this “bolt” is a projectile fired from a crossbow (these are called “bolts”, not arrows), it is much more likely that it simply refers to a thunderbolt, i.e. lightning accompanied by thunder—who would expect a thunderbolt from a clear blue sky?

Examples

• I haven’t seen her since childhood. Then, completely out of the blue, I received a letter from her.
• One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.
• her brother showed up at the wedding out of the blue”

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 #1321

What Are Blue Tarps Made Of? See What’s Behind the Plastic

From the headline of this article at Protect Preserve Roofing.

  上記の文で、blue tarpの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "blue tarp" 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：
Tarpは、tarpaulinの略で英辞郎によると、

防水布、防水シート◆可算

一般的に、アメリカでは屋根が水漏れする場合等に使用されます。従って、blue tarpは日本で「ブルーシーツ」と呼ばれる養生シーツです。
ちなみに、YouTubeのこのビデオによると、英語でblue sheetは下記のような意味があります。

1. 金融用語として、アメリカではブローカーが顧客の取引を実行するときに使用する青い申請書。インサイダー取引等を塞ぐために使用されます。
2. 米国の営業・マーケティング分野では、戦略的企画書です。営業マンが潜在顧客に対してどのように対応するかを考えるための「道具」です。
3. この他に、青い紙に印刷された公式申請書の呼び名の場合があります。

従って、アメリカで日本でいう「ブルーシーツ」を決してblue sheetと呼んではダメです。

 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary a tarpaulin is defined as:

1. Material, such as waterproofed canvas, used to cover and protect things from moisture.
2. A sheet of this material.

So, a blue tarp is a blue-colored tarpaulin.

Examples

1. What does a blue tarp on a house mean?
2. The blue tarp is a common sight on roofs after hurricanes and tropical storms, especially in Florida.
3. But if you zoom in on any neighborhood, you can see at least half a dozen houses with blue tarps held down with straps or bricks (so not just blue tile roofs).
4. Every time severe weather hits Livingston Parish, a familiar sight emerges: blue tarps flapping across rooftops.
5. A blue tarp is a quick, temporary barrier that keeps rain and debris out of your home until permanent repairs are made.

   

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 #217

"Trump’s “body man,” John McEntee, was unceremoniously frog marched out of the White House after it was revealed that he has a terrible gambling problem, which makes him terribly vulnerable to blackmail."
From the first sentence of the second paragraph of this article at the Washington Press.
この記事の第2段落の最初のセンテンス。

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


〈米〉〔政治家の身の回りを世話する〕付き人

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

US, politics: a male personal assistant to a political candidate or politician

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

わかる限り初めて使用されたのは、1919年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use: 1919

Examples

• Every modern presidential candidate has a factotum, or “body man,” typically an ambitious Washington junkie, overqualified to schlep bags but eager to shake high-powered hands. — Jodi Wilgoren,  New York Times,  28 Apr. 2004
• … he costars as Gary Walsh, the loyal assistant who serves as “the body man,” i.e. the person who totes the veep's papers and accessories and whispers handy reminders when she doesn't know someone's name. — Julie Hinds,  Detroit Free Press,  22 Apr. 2012
• The former low-level Fox News staffer and campaign official now makes $115,000 a year as Trump's personal aide and body man.
• "Mr. Obama's regular basketball buddies include Reggie Love, the candidate's "body man" from the campaign trail who played basketball at Duke University in 2001, the year the Blue Devils won the NCAA championship...." (Wall Street Journal online article)
• "Mr. Love, 26, is Mr. Obama’s body man, the personal aide who shadows the senator and anticipates everything he needs — and everything he does not need. He is not a bodyguard (security is provided by the Secret Service), but rather the ultimate assistant, rarely more than a body length away from the candidate."

Question of the Day #826

Waluigi Proves He's Still The King Of Swagger

From the headline of this article at Kotaku.

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

[自動詞]
威張って歩く、自慢する

[名詞]
威張ること、威張った態度［歩き方］、自慢、自信たっぷりな態度

名詞の場合、「威張った態度［歩き方］」と「自信たっぷりな態度」ではニュアンスがだいぶ違うが、内容や文脈で読み取るしかありません。
問題文の場合は、「ワルイージ」というキャラクターの話なので「威張った態度［歩き方］」でよろしいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

Intransitive verb

1. to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner
   especially: to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence
2. BOAST, BRAG

  Transitive verb

• to force by argument or threat: BULLY

 

1. 1. an arrogantly self-confident way of walking: an act or instance of swaggering
   2. arrogant or conceitedly self-assured behavior
   3. ostentatious display or bravado
2. bold or brash self-confidence

   

Examples

• They swaggered into the room.
• He walked out of the room with a self-confident swagger.
• "Taxi" opens with an argument over capital punishment between a progressive female teacher and a condescending loudmouth who's all macho swagger. — Sheri Linden
• He copped a plea, ratted out a dozen no-neck pals and swaggered off to prison, leaving South Beach temporarily without a pied piper. — Carl Hiaasen, New York Times Book Review, 22 Feb. 2009
• He greeted me with the swagger he's learned since he became a fighter pilot, smiling, his blue eyes glowing. — Matthew Klam, Harper's, February 1999

   

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 #418

"Nobody would’ve expected Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) to romp home with massive margins of victory at the opening Yamaha Finance Australian Round."
From the second paragraph of this article at WorldSBK.

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


大差で勝つ

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

To deftly or easily win a race, contest, or competition. 

Examples

• She is riding the fastest horse and is certain to romp home.
• With her arch-rival out of commission with a pulled hamstring, the defending champion romped home at the Olympics once again.
• Showing their utter superiority on the pitch, the boys in blue look set to romp home to a 6–2 victory.
• The Queen’s horse romped home in the first race.

Question of the Day #1118

Fantasy football: Which NFL teams have bell cow running backs, which have committees?

From the headline of this article at the Philly Voice.

  上記の文で、bell cowの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "bell cow" 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、Weblio等にbell cowは掲載されていないので、Merriam-Websterの定義の訳はこのようになります。

1. 首に鈴をつけた牛
   
特に、先頭を行く牛
2. スラング： リーダー、指導者

問題の見出しの場合、「ファンタジーフットボール的な見解：優れたrunning back（ボールを持って走るポジションの選手）のいるNFLチームと明らかに一本目であるrunning backのいないチーム」ということになります。
なお、Barrons Dictionaryによると、「人気のある小売商品で売値が製造原価よりはるかに高いもの。blue chipとも言う」。
bellcowやbell-cowと書くこともあります。

 

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

1. a cow with a bell attached to its neck
   especially: a lead cow
2. slang: LEADER

Also, according to Barrons Dictionary, "Popular-selling retail item whose selling price far exceeds its cost of manufacture; also called blue chip."


Examples

1. The bell cow threw up her head and bellowed till the cow house echoed.
2. The horses hurried ahead; the cows began to trot, the bell cow sending out an eager Moo-oo!
3. For example, a cup of coffee at a cafe may sell for $3 even though it costs only 25 cents to make. If the cafe is nevertheless successful, the coffee may be considered a bell cow.
4. the bell cow in county politics — James Street & J. S. Childers

   

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 #306

"Ikumen: How Japan’s ‘hunky dads’ are changing parenting"
From the headline of this article at .

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


〈俗〉〔特に男性が〕体格のがっしりした、筋肉質でセクシーな

ということになっているが、日本人男性のイメージとちょっと違うと思うので、同じページにあるhunky guyの和訳を見ると、

《a ～》〈俗〉格好いい［セクシーな・たくましい］男性

ということになるので、「格好いいお父さんたち」でいいのではないでしょうか。

Answer

According to Merriam-Webster:

being a hunk : attractive and usually well-built

However, given that "well-built" men aren't all that popular in Japan, the "hunky dads" in the above headline should probably be interpreted as "attractive dads."

Etymology/語源

Merriam-Websterによると、

上記の意味で初めて使用されたのが1972年。

According to Merriam-Webster:

First Known Use of hunky
Adjective
1972, in the meaning defined above

Examples

• Here's how we're used to seeing hunky male superstars in their downtime: tuxedoed up on the red carpet, holding hands with pencil-thin beauties. — Sheila Weller, Good Housekeeping, "Meet Mr. Romance: Hugh Jackman," 11 July 2013
• There’s the winsome barista, Tara (Vanessa Hudgens), caught in a love triangle with a hunky vet, Dr. Mike (Michael Cassidy), and an altruistic but nerdy dog-rescue-center owner, Garrett (Jon Bass). — Katie Walsh, The Seattle Times, "Pups lift the doldrums of ‘Dog Days’," 7 Aug. 2018
• I think he's quite hunky.
• Sam Claflin— hunky , pretty, beautiful Sam Claflin—won the highly sought-after role.
• Hardly anyone could be more blue collar than Palin, out on the fishing boat with her hunky blue-collar husband, Todd.

Question of the Day #54

"You should go commando when wearing blue jeans."

"What? No way!"

上記の会話で、commandoの意味は？
In the dialogue above, what does "commando" 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、


「下着を付けずにズボンをはく」

とあるが、厳密にいうと「下着を付けない」が正しい。

Answer

According to　Cambridge Dictionary:

to not wear any underwear

Etymology/語源

Quoraによると、

この使い方は、１９６０年代のイギリスの主に女性のことに関連しているとGraeme Donald氏が言っている。第二次世界大戦のロンドンのWest Endで働いていたPiccadily Commandosと称された娼婦に由来する。

According to Quora:

Slate magazine's Daniel Engber dates the modern usage to United States college campuses circa 1974, where it was perhaps associated with soldiers in the Vietnam War, who were reputed to go without underwear to "increase ventilation and reduce moisture." However, more recently, Graeme Donald has pointed out that the US Forces refer to "Rangers" rather than "Commandos", and that in any case, the phrase was in use in the UK, referring mainly to women, from the late 1960s. The connection to the UK and women has been suggested to link to a World War II euphemism for prostitutes working in London's West End, who were termed "Piccadilly Commandos".

Examples

• My friends and I are overconfident, thus we always go commando. Jimmy? No, he's just weird.
• "Carl just told me he's going commando. Gross."
• "Are you going commando?" "In this rented costume? No way!"
• My girlfriend thinks it's hot when I go commando. She doesn't know that I do it because I am to lazy to do laundry.

Question of the Day #298

"Finland’s president rakes memory for source of Trump remark"
From the headline of this article at AP News.

上記の文で、rake の意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "rake" 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. 熊手で掃く［かき集める］
2. くまなく［徹底的に］探す
3. 機銃掃射する

なので、例文の答えは2になります。

Answer

According to Oxford Dictionaries:

Search or rummage through something.

Examples

• ‘he raked through his pockets and brought out a five-pound note’
• He raked about in the drawer looking for his passport.
• I've raked through the cupboard but I can't find my blue mug.
• I’ve been raking through my drawers looking for those tickets.