[ti:'Rolling Stones Gather No Moss'] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:08.20]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. [00:17.72]On today's program, we will talk about the expression: [00:21.44]A rolling stone gathers no moss. [00:25.40]Most of you probably know that a stone is the same thing as a rock. [00:31.48]But what about moss? [00:34.04]Well, moss is a very soft, green plant. [00:38.52]It has very small leaves and does not flower. [00:44.12]It loves shade and water. [00:46.80]So, moss grows well on wet ground, trees and rocks. [00:52.16]In fact, rocks and stones that line shady creeks and rivers are often mossy. [01:00.28]Moss grows slowly and is a rootless plant. [01:04.92]It spreads well over non-moving surfaces. [01:09.40]In fact, to prevent moss from growing on stones in your garden, [01:14.36]you can just move the rocks around, turning them over now and then. [01:19.24]Why? Because "A rolling stone gathers no moss." [01:24.28]Now, years ago this expression was covered in another Words and Their Stories. [01:30.24]That story explained the expression's connection to rock-and-roll. [01:35.80]Writer Shelley Gollust explained that "a rolling stone gathers no moss" [01:40.96]can be understood in a couple of ways. [01:44.96]It can mean that a person who never settles down in one place [01:49.80]will not gather wealth or long-lasting relationships. [01:55.68]The moss that slowly spreads across the rock [01:58.92]represents the money and friends we make over time. [02:04.40]How does it feel? [02:09.48]To be on your own, [02:13.80]With no direction home, [02:18.52]A complete unknown, [02:23.32]Like a rolling stone. [02:31.08]But there is another way we use this expression. [02:35.60]Think about a rolling stone. [02:38.44]It leads a carefree existence, [02:41.12]on the move with no moss to worry about. [02:45.92]People who are "rolling stones" live without the restrictions [02:50.32]that come with responsibilities. [02:53.08]They go where they choose when they choose. [02:57.88]And, they don't stay anywhere long enough to form attachments. [03:02.48]Or moss. [03:04.20]A free spirit is also a term we use to describe such a person. [03:10.16]They are not tied down with lots of traditional responsibilities. [03:16.44]A rolling stone could also be described as "nomadic," often moving. [03:22.88]Experts at the Merriam-Webster online dictionary define a nomad [03:28.24]as a "member of a group of people who move from place to place." [03:33.20]Often nomads move around to find food. [03:37.88]However, these days we can use the word "nomadic" [03:41.60]to describe anyone who moves around a lot. [03:46.36]Now, the rolling stone lifestyle has been explored in many songs [03:51.20]including work by Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan. [03:55.68]One of the best came from The Temptations in 1972. [04:02.68]"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is about a man who leaves his family. [04:08.16]In the song the mother tries to explain the father her son never knew. [04:14.32]Papa was a rolling stone (my son, yeah) [04:19.04]Wherever he laid his hat was his home ... [04:22.88]And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. [04:26.16]Until next time ... [04:27.36]I'm Anna Matteo. [04:29.04]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM