I was lucky to work at and old people’s home when I first came to America.
As my English was poor, my aim at that time was to do more but speak less.
One day I gave an old lady, Linda, her medicine.
Linda was over 90 years old suffering from aged dementia.
I tried several times, but Linda refused to open her mouth.
Feeling anxious,I said without thinking.
“Linda, open your big mouth.”Unexpectedly, Mrs Linda got angry and shouted,
“You have a big mouth. Leave me alone!”
I was dumbstrucked and did not know where my mistake laid.
Later on a few pointers from others made it clear to me that “big mouth”:
in American slang refers to a person who talks too much and spreads sercets around.
No wonder Mrs Linda got angry when she heard what I said.
Acturall, I should have said: “Open our mouth wide.”
喋喋不休,随便乱说
我是一名护士,初来美国时有幸在一家养老院工作。由于英语水平差,我的宗旨是:“多干活,少开口。”有一天,我给一位年龄九十多岁身患老年性痴呆症的老太太琳达喂药,试了几次,琳达就是不肯张嘴,情急之下,我脱口而出:“Linda,open your big mouth.”不料琳达生气起来,大声叫喊道,“You have a big mouth.Leave me alone!”(你才是大嘴巴,走开,别管我!)我一下子呆住了,不知错在哪里。