Now, the VOA Special
English program "Words and Their Stories".
A person’s name is very important. Some names also have special meanings in
popular American expressions. To better understand what I mean, sit back and
listen. You might even want to get
A CUP OF JOE,
I mean, a cup of coffee.
One day, AN AVERAGE JOE was walking down the street. An average Joe is a common person – either male or female. This average Joe was lost. He DID NOT KNOW JACK about where he was going. By this, I mean he did not know anything about where to find things in the city.
an average Joe: un ciudadano medio, el ciudadano de a pie, el hombre de la calle; he did not know Jack: él desconocía adónde este Jack;
So average Joe asked JOHN Q. PUBLIC for directions to the nearest bank. John Q. Public is also a common person – male or female.
John Q. Public: nombre que designa a un ciudadano característico promedio de Estados Unidos;
“JEEZ LOUISE”, said John Q. Public. This is an expression of surprise. “Jeez Louise, don’t you know that all banks are closed today? It is Saturday”.
Jeez Louise: Caramba, Louise. Exclamación de sorpresa de uso popular;
“FOR PETE'S SAKE”, said average Joe. This is also an expression used to show a feeling like surprise or disappointment.
for Pete's sake: Por amor a Dios;
“For Pete’s sake. I do not believe you,” said average Joe. He was being A
DOUBTING THOMAS, someone who does not believe anything he is told.
a doubting Thomas: un Tomás dubitativo o desconfiado;
At that moment, JOE BLOW was walking down the street with a woman. Joe Blow is also an expression for a common man. Now this Joe Blow was NOT walking next to A PLAIN JANE. A plain Jane is a woman who is neither ugly nor pretty. She is simply plain. No, the woman with Joe Blow was A REAL SHEILA – a beautiful woman.
Joe Blow / Jane Blow: un/a fulano/a, un/a mengano/a; a plain Jane: una mujer de aspecto común o poco agraciada; a real Sheila: una diosa o hermosa mujer;
Average Joe asked the woman if all banks were closed on Saturday. “NO WAY, JOSE”, she answered. This is a way of saying “no.” “No way, Jose. Many banks are open on Saturdays”.
no way, Jose: de ninguna manera, en absoluto. Los españoles suelen usar "Ya voy, Toño", frase para aprobar irónicamente alguna petición;
Average Joe did not know either of these two PEOPLE FROM ADAM. That is, he did not know them at all. But he followed their directions to the nearest bank.
people from Adam: personas desconocidas, gente de la época de Adán;
When he arrived, he walked to the desk of the chief bank employee. Now this man was a true JACK OF ALL TRADES. He knew how to do everything.
Jack of all trades: persona muy habilidosa y que tiene mucha maña para solucionar problemas cotidianos;
“I am here to withdraw some money so I can pay my taxes to UNCLE SAM”, said average Joe. Uncle Sam represents the United States government. The banker produced some papers and told average Joe to sign his JOHN HANCOCK at the bottom. A John Hancock is a person’s signed name – a signature. Historically, John Hancock was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. Hancock had a beautiful signature and signed his name larger than all the others.
Uncle Sam: Tío Sam es la personificación nacional del gobierno estadounidense; your John Hancock: tu firma personal. Este personaje es famoso por su voluminosa firma en la Declaración de Independencia estadounidense;
As average Joe left the bank he began to sing. But sadly, average Joe was not a good singer. He was a JOHNNY ONE NOTE. He could only sing one note.
a Johnny One Note: alguien que no sabe cantar o desafina mucho al hacerlo.
This VOA Special English program, "Words and Their Stories", was written by Jill Moss. I’m Faith Lapidus.
