Helen: And I’m Helen.

Neil: This is the programme in which we look at words and phrases that you might not find in your dictionary.

Helen: 地道英語和大家一起學習現代英式英語中經常出現的流行詞匯和實用表達。What word are we going to learn today Neil?

Neil: Today’s word is scruffy.

Helen: Scruffy.

Neil: S-C-R-U-F-F-Y scruffy.

Helen: And what does it mean?

Neil: Scruffy is used to describe somebody who has an untidy appearance.

Helen: Mmm, I see. 一個人如果被形容成 scruffy， 這就是說他的衣著不整齊，穿的比較亂。

Neil: Yes, perhaps his shirt isn’t tucked in, his hair is messy, and he has ripped jeans.

Helen: He sounds really scruffy. 如果一個男孩穿的牛仔褲已經破了，頭發也是亂糟糟的，然后襯衫也是皺巴巴的，那我們就可以說他是 scruffy.

Insert

A: Did you see what Mike wore to the wedding?

B: I know. He was in an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He hadn’t even combed his hair.

A: How could anyone be so scruffy on their own wedding day?

Neil: What a scruff!

Helen: A scruff?

Neil: Yes, scruffy is an adjective, but you can also call someone “a scruff”.

Helen: A scruff. Scruffy 是一個形容詞, 你也可以說一個人是 “a scruff”. 這就是個名詞了。Is it rude to call someone a scruff?

Neil: The words “scruffy”, or “a scruff” are not rude, but they are informal, so be careful.

Helen: Scruffy, 或者是 a scruff 都不是罵人的話, 不過它們是通俗表達, 所以用的時候還是要注意場合。

Neil: Well, I’m going to an expensive restaurant tonight so I’m going to put some nice clothes on.

Helen: Yeah, you probably should, you are looking a bit scruffy!

Neil: Thank you!

Helen: You’ve been listening to Real English from BBC Learning English. Join us again soon for more up-to-the-minute Real English. Bye.

Neil: See you next time.