听到Chew the fat别怕，人家只想和你聊聊天

CHEW THE FAT 竟然不是咀嚼肥肉？

和朋友聊天，通常我们会用talk with sb.或是chat with sb.,但是今天的这个短语很有趣，字面翻译过来就是“吃肥肉”，那么英语中为什么用“吃肥肉”来表达聊天的意思呢？先来看一下这个短语的起源。

Origin

Chewing the fat is speculated to be something that was done at leisure by the North American Indians. Farmers in Britain would chew on pork fat when sitting idle or chatting with other farmers. It is also speculated to be an activity that sailors would do. They would have hardened and salted animal fat which would provide nutrients when on a voyage but would be required to be chewed for a long time.

据推测，咀嚼脂肪是北美印第安人在闲暇时做的事。英国农民闲坐或和其他农民聊天时都会嚼猪肉。也有认为水手们也会嚼咸脂肪。用盐腌制动物脂肪会变硬，这些脂肪在航行时能提供营养，但需要长时间咀嚼。

Meaning

a long and informal conversation with someone

与某人的长而非正式的谈话

to gossip with friends at leisure

闲暇时与朋友八卦

Example Sentences

1. How nice to see you here. Have a seat and let’s chew the fat for a while.

很高兴在这里见到你。请坐，我们聊一会儿。

2. I was able to convince grandma to go with us – after chewing the fat for about an hour with her.

我能说服奶奶和我们一起去——是因为和她聊了快一个小时。

听力测试

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1. The whole purpose for having this event is that school friends can come together and chew the fat. That is why it is known as a reunion.

这次活动的目的是学校的朋友们可以一起闲聊。这就是为什么它叫聚会的原因。

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2. Mommy didn't exactly have time to sit around and chew the fat.

妈妈没空坐下闲聊。