英语里面的委婉语

厕所 bathroom

身体机能是文雅人士需避免的话题。（Bodily functions are "taboo" in polite company.）

▌restroom

▷Can I use the restroom?

我可以用下洗手间吗？

▷Where can I wash my hands?

哪儿有洗手间？

▌public conveniences

▷Are there any public conveniences nearby?

附近可有公共卫生间？

▌ladies / gents

▷The ladies and gents are down the corridor on your right.

女士和男士卫生间就在你右手边的走廊里。

还有一些幽默表达：

▌the smallest room of the house

房子里最小的一间屋，这种诙谐说法于20世纪30年代出现在英文里，现在已经有些过时，较少被使用。

▷I'd like to pay a visit to the smallest room of the house.

我要去参观一下厕所。

▌powder my nose

女士用补妆来委婉表达上厕所，当然爱开玩笑的男士也可以这么说。

▷Where can I powder my nose?

我上哪儿能补个粉？

▌see a man about a dog

这种说法原始意思是指为赛马或者赛狗下注，后来通常作为离开或缺席的借口。原因通常是去上厕所，或者买酒。

▷He's gone to see a man about a dog.

他去方便了。

失业unemployment

▌between jobs

在前一个和后一个工作之间，也就是待业啦。

▷Interviewer: Tell me about your current position.

面试官：请告诉我你目前的职位。

▷Job candidate: I'm between jobs right now.

求职者：我目前暂时待业。

▌a resting actor

这种说法多指演员。

▷Harry's a resting actor.

哈利是个待业演员。

怀孕pregnancy

▌expect

即期待婴儿出生。

▷His wife is expecting.

他妻子怀孕了。

▷She is expecting in March.

她预产期是三月。

▌have a bun in the oven

烤箱里有面包了。英式英语，诙谐用法。

▷Have you heard that Katy has a bun in the oven?

你听说没，Katy有啦？

▌in the family way

这是比较老式的说法（old-fashioned）。

▷Have you heard that Jean's in the family way?

你听说没，Jean怀上啦？

▷They plan to get married now that he's put her in the family way.

他弄大了她的肚子，俩人只好结婚。

喝醉drunk

▌tired and emotional

这是一种较为礼貌和幽默的方式表示某人喝醉了。

▷

You must excuse me, I'm a bit tired and emotional just now. I think I'd best be going home.

请原谅我，我眼下醉意朦胧，最好还是回家吧。

▌have a bit too much to drink

也就是喝多了。

▷He had a bit too much to drink last night.

他昨晚喝多了。

▌to be a bit worse for wear

The worse for wear是指衣服穿久，破烂不堪的样子。如果某人喝太多，走路东倒西歪，形象全无，那么你就可以用这个表达来形容他醉的程度。

▷The three came stumbling in, the worse for wear again.

这三人跌跌撞撞进门，又是烂醉如泥的。

▷John looked a bit worse for wear as he got home.

约翰到家的时候看起来醉得一塌糊涂。

撒谎lying

▌economical with the truth

很少提供实情的，谎话连篇的。

▷

I discovered that my boss had been economical with the truth when she said t hat the company was making money.

我发现老板说公司盈利其实隐瞒了真相。

争吵 arguments

▌full and frank discussion

表面意思即深入而坦率的探讨，这是一种礼貌的说法，表示争吵或责难（reprimand）。

▷The directors had a full and frank discussion in the meeting.

主管们在会上争执不休。

▌have words with someone

Words（注意是复数）有口角、争论（altercation）的意思。这个表达指可以指吵架，也可以指训斥某人。

▷Elaine had words with Tony over his driving habits.

伊莲和托尼因为后者的开车习惯问题而吵起来。

▷If Pete keeps on pushing Billy I'm going to have words with him.