[ti:'One-Trick Pony' Has Limits] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:07.40]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. [00:20.04]On today's program, we talk about an animal idiom. [00:25.60]What do you think it means to be a one-trick pony? [00:31.12]Let's start with a pony. [00:33.92]That is a small horse. [00:37.84]And one definition of a "trick" is a special act or skill. [00:44.96]So, pony tricks can be fun to see. [00:48.96]But who would want to watch a pony [00:51.52]that does the same trick over and over? [00:56.00]A one-trick pony is a person that has only one skill. [01:01.36]So, the term is an insult. [01:05.00]A one-trick pony is of low value. [01:09.84]A one-trick pony can also describe a person [01:13.48]who has had success only once. [01:17.76]So, for example, let's say you know a champion weightlifter. [01:24.56]He is big and strong and successful in the sport. [01:29.68]But it is the only thing he does: [01:32.60]He eats, drinks, and sleeps weightlifting. [01:37.44]You could truthfully tell him he is a one-trick pony. [01:41.32]But, be prepared to run away as soon as the words leave your mouth. [01:47.60]He probably won't be very happy. [01:52.16]Some word experts say the idiom "one-trick pony" comes from the circus. [01:59.40]A circus pony that can only do one trick [02:02.36]is not going to entertain a crowd for very long. [02:07.80]The term "one-trick pony" [02:09.64]appeared around the turn of the twentieth century. [02:13.76]Within about fifty years, the term had become an idiom. [02:19.84]Note that one-trick is usually hyphenated. [02:24.52]And if you have more than one, you have one-trick ponies. [02:30.60]Now, a one-trick pony usually describes a person. [02:35.08]But sometimes it can describe other things, such as a company. [02:42.04]If a company only does one thing such as make ice cream cones, [02:47.64]it might be called a one-trick pony. [02:51.40]However, that usage is less common. [02:55.52]Now, let's hear two friends use the expression in a conversation. [03:01.00]A: Guess who will perform at my outdoor party next week? [03:05.12]Sam the Entertainer! [03:07.40]B: Please, not Sam the Entertainer! [03:10.36]He's anything BUT entertaining. [03:13.16]A: What do you mean? He has such energy! [03:16.88]B: He may be "energetic," but he's a one-trick pony. [03:20.84]A: Sam is the best bagpipe player around. [03:25.20]B: But that's ALL he does. [03:27.72]I hope your guests like loud bagpipe music. [03:31.64]A: I'm sure they'll love it! ! [03:33.64]I've invited all my Ren-Fest friends! [03:41.64]Now, keep in mind that people who specialize [03:45.00]in a certain area of their work are not called one-trick ponies. [03:49.80]They are specialists. [03:52.44]For example, I would never call a doctor [03:55.72]specializing in children's illnesses a one-trick pony. [04:00.64]She is a specialist and has many skills to do her job. [04:07.28]And we here at VOA Learning English [04:10.12]specialize in using stories to teach English. [04:14.24]But I hope you don't consider us one-trick ponies. [04:20.56]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. [04:24.60]Until next time...I'm Anna Matteo. [04:27.32]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM