[ti:Seeing an Eclipse Is Good! Being Eclipsed Is Not] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.01]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:06.88]Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. [00:12.48]On this program we explore the origin [00:15.64]and usage of common expressions in American English. [00:20.64]We always give examples or dialogues using the expressions. [00:26.56]Sometimes we even use the words in a short story. [00:31.12]All of these can, hopefully, teach you how to best use the expressions. [00:37.36]For today's word we turn our eyes toward the sky! [00:42.80]There is one natural event that many people want to experience [00:47.32]during their lifetime -- an eclipse! [00:51.64]Whether solar or lunar, partial or total, these astronomical events [00:58.20]bring the movement of our solar system a little more to life. [01:03.64]Solar, as we know, means "relating to the sun." [01:08.12]So a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. [01:14.44]A dark circle either completely or partly covers the sun as a result. [01:21.40]Lunar means "related to the moon." [01:24.72]So, a lunar eclipse is when the moon looks as if it is completely [01:30.12]or partially covered with a dark circle. [01:34.44]Some ancient cultures considered an eclipse a sign that the world was ending. [01:40.92]Other cultures viewed it as a battle between different animals in the sky [01:46.24]as they try to eat up the moon or sun. [01:50.08]Another cultural belief was that an eclipse [01:53.40]was a time for deep thought and thinking about the past. [01:58.28]The word eclipse comes from a Greek word meaning "to leave," "to abandon," [02:04.72]"to forsake a usual place" or fail to appear." [02:10.48]Ancient Greeks thought of an eclipse as a time when the sun abandoned the earth. [02:17.40]In simple terms, an eclipse happens when a planet or satellite [02:23.00]blocks the light of the sun. [02:26.16]So, it is not surprising that we also use "eclipse" in the same way [02:31.74]when talking about other things besides the sun, the moon and the earth. [02:37.80]In conversation, when one thing eclipses another [02:41.72]it makes it less important or popular. [02:45.60]For example, television eclipsed radio in the 1950s [02:50.18]as the most popular form of home entertainment. [02:54.64]When one person eclipses another, they do something better. [02:59.68]For example, a younger child might hate it when her older sister's school [03:05.64]and sports success eclipses her own. [03:10.00]The older sister outshines the younger one. [03:14.92]This usage of eclipse is not only used when talking about people. [03:21.44]Things can also eclipse other things, as in this sentence: [03:26.16]The popularity of the company's new product [03:28.96]quickly eclipsed all its earlier products. [03:33.44]Many synonyms of eclipse deal with light and casting shadows, [03:38.64]like in the example of the older sister outshining the younger. [03:43.80]If a person or a thing outshines another, [03:47.24]the light they give off is so bright that no one notices anything else. [03:53.36]You could also say the older daughter cast a shadow on her younger sister. [04:00.28]Or you could say the younger sister [04:02.99]was living in the shadow of her older sister. [04:07.48]Now, let's hear how we use eclipse this way in everyday conversation. [04:14.04]Let's listen as two people talk as they wait in line to audition for a Broadway musical. [04:22.04]Are you ready for your singing audition today? [04:24.88]As ready as I'll ever be. [04:27.04]The song I'm singing is my favorite and I know it really well. [04:31.32]I'm sure you'll do great. By the way, I'm Corrine. Corrine Mayfield. [04:37.56]I'm Steve Stravinski. [04:39.88]Stravinski? Wait. Are you any relation to Doug Stravinski?! [04:46.36]Yeah. He's my older brother. [04:49.56]Get out! His performance in Les Miserables was so beautiful. [04:55.12]Critics are still talking about it! [04:57.84]Wow! Doug Stravinski. What is he working on these days? [05:03.96]An album. His fourth album. [05:07.88]That is just awesome! [05:10.44]It will probably be another number one seller! [05:13.92]So, what's it like being his brother? [05:17.88]Great. Just great. [05:21.00]It must be tough living in the shadow of Doug Stravinski! [05:26.32]I don't think about it ... you know, until someone brings it up. [05:31.80]Oh, I'm so sorry. But it's just that ... [05:35.08]well, he's so amazing and famous. [05:38.28]He casts a really big shadow! [05:41.68]Yes. Look, do you mind if we don't talk? [05:45.56]I really need to prepare for my audition. [05:48.96]Of course. Of course. It's so typical, isn't it [05:53.96]-- an older brother or sister eclipsing a younger one. [05:58.24]They do everything first, do it longer. And, they're usually better [06:03.24]-- usually the shining star in the family! [06:06.68]Hm-hmm. [06:07.80]Listen to me! I'm doing it again, aren't I? [06:11.48]I am sure at this audition you are going to outshine [06:15.98]everything your brother Doug has done on stage. [06:19.72]Yep. Thanks. [06:21.72]Next person! [06:23.28]Hello I'm next. [06:24.76]Name? Steve Stravinski. [06:27.48]Stravinski? Wait, are you related to Doug Stravinski?! [06:31.32]THE Doug Stravinski?! Oh man, he's amazing! I saw him in this show ... [06:38.32]And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories! [06:41.96]Do you use the word "eclipse" like this in your language? [06:46.04]Let us know in the Comments Section. [06:49.24]I'm Anna Matteo. [06:51.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM