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04_The_Double_Life_of_Alfred_Bloggs

04 The Double Life of Alfred Bloggs

These days, people (who do manual work) often receive far more money than people (who work in offices). People (who work in offices) are frequently referred to as 'white-collar workers' for the simple reason [that they usually wear a collar and tie to go to work]. Such is human nature, [that a great many people are often willing to sacrifice higher pay for the privilege of becoming white-collar workers]. This can give rise to curious situations, as it did in the case of Alfred Bloggs (who worked as a dustman for the Ellesmere Corporation).

When he got married, Alf was too embarrassed to say anything to his wife about his job. He simply told her that he worked for the Corporation. Every morning, he left home dressed in a smart black suit. He then changed into overalls and spent the next eight hours as a dustman. Before returning home at night, he took a shower and changed back into his suit. Alf did this for over two years and his fellow dustmen kept his secret. Alf's wife has never discovered that she married a dustman and she never will, for Alf has just found another job. He will soon be working in an office. He will be earning only half as much as he used to, but he feels that his rise in status is well worth the loss of money. From now on, he will wear a suit all day and others will call him 'Mr.Bloggs', not 'Alf'.

Words

  • manual /ˈmænjuəl/ 体力
  • frequently /ˈfrikwəntli/ 频繁地
  • white-collar /ˌhwaɪt ˈkɑlɚ/ 白领
  • sacrifice /ˈsækrəˌfaɪs/ 牺牲
  • curious /ˈkjʊriəs/ 奇怪的
  • dustman /ˈdʌstmən/ 清洁工
  • overalls /ˈovɚˌɔlz/ 工装
  • status /ˈstætəs/ 地位

Expressions

  • do manual work... 做体力活
  • white-collar / blue-collar workers 白领/蓝领工人
  • make a sacrifice 做出牺牲
  • sacrifice a for b 为 B 牺牲 A
  • have the privilege of doing sth. 有做某事的特权/荣幸
  • take a shower… 洗澡；淋浴
  • keep a secret 保守秘密
  • the secret of success 成功的秘诀
  • between you and me 就你我知道；私下
  • social status 社会地位
  • status quo 现状
  • keep the status quo 维持现状
  • These days = nowadays 现在, 目前
  • Far more adj./n. 多得多的……
  • a be referred to as...b 称a为b
  • refer to a as b (被称为)
  • for the simple reason that... + 句子 只是因为……这个简单的理由
  • Such is human nature, that + 句子 人类的本性是...
  • be willing to do sth. 愿意做
  • give rise to = lead to = cause 引起；导致
  • too embarrassed to do sth. 太尴尬而不愿做某事
  • be dressed in ... 穿着……
  • change into + ⾐服
  • half as much as ... 只有……的一半
  • from now on 从现在起
  • call me/him/her a. 叫我/他/她……