This is Real English from BBC Learning English. I’m Helen.
Zoe: 大家好，我是劉佳。
Helen: Today we’re going to look at words and phrases that have recently become part of the English language.
Zoe: 在今天的地道英語裡，我們來學習一些當代英語中最新出現的詞彙，短語還有習慣表達。Helen, 快來告訴我們今天的新詞兒吧？
Helen: Today’s expression is 『water cooler chat』.
Zoe: Water cooler chat. What’s that?
Helen+Zoe: Well, listen carefully. A water cooler is where people get water to drink in an office. (就是你平時在辦公室裡喝水的地方) Chat is informal talk (就是聊天). So, water cooler chat is informal talk in the office around the water cooler.
Zoe: So water cooler chat 是個俚語，說的就是在單位和同事們邊喝水邊聊天。
Helen: Yes. It’s like having a break. You go for a drink.
Zoe: 然後你和同事們一起聊電視節目或者體育賽事
Helen: You got it.
Insert 錄音片斷
A: Did you watch 『Lost』 last night on TV?
B: Yes, it was brilliant. What about when….
C: Get back to work you two! There’s too much water cooler chat in this office!
Zoe: Do you like water cooler chat?
Helen: Of course, it’s just being friendly.
Zoe: And the boss?
Helen: Well, if you spend all day chatting round the water cooler, your boss wouldn’t be happy!
Zoe: Of course not!
Helen: And you would probably drink too much water and spend all night in the bathroom! Anyway, to recap water cooler chat means
Zoe: Water cooler chat 說的就是和同事們隨便的聊天. And that’s all we have time for today.
Helen: Yes, that’s all. You』ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon. Bye.
Zoe: See you!