Learning English

Presenter

여러분 안녕하세요 English Expressions에 오신것을 환영합니다. 저희 프로그램은 여러분들에게 새로운 영어표현들을 소개해드리고 쉽게 배울 수 있도록 도와드리겠습니다.

제 이름은 채승훈 입니다. 오늘 이 시간에는 영어 표현 중에 “treading on eggshells” 계란 껍질을 밟다 라는 표현을 배워보겠습니다.

Li가 슈퍼마켓에 갔습니다. 그런데 그녀가 슈퍼마켓에서 ‘tricky’ 어려웠다, 힘들었다고 얘기했네요. 왜 Li는 ‘tricky’ 어려웠다고 얘기했을까요? 지금부터 한번 알아보겠습니다.

Rob                

Hi Li. It looks like you've been busy.

Li        

I've just picked up some groceries from the local shop, you know - milk, eggs, bread, flour – I'm going to make a cake.

Rob

Oh good. So how was Mr Brown, the shopkeeper? Hasn't he just split up with his wife?

Li

He has. It was tricky in the shop. I didn't want to say anything to him just in case I mentioned his wife. I only said: "Good morning" and he just said: "Is it?"

Presenter

슈퍼마켓 주인인 Brown씨는 와이프와 헤어젔습니다. 그래서 Li는 Brown씨 와이프의 이름은 말하고 싶지 않았어요. Li가 ‘good morning’ 좋은 아침이에요 라고 말했을때 Brown씨는 ‘is it?’ 그런가요? 라고 말했습니다. 여러분들이 생각하기에 과연 오늘은 Brown씨에게 ‘좋은’ 아침이었을까요? 아마 Li도 이러한 ‘sensitive situation’ 민감한 상황에 아주 조심을 해야할 것 같은데요. 한 번 계속 들어보겠습니다.

Rob

Hmm, it sounds like you've been treading on eggshells.

Li

Oh no, the shop was very clean, nothing on the floor – I don't really think he's the sort of person to throw food around!

Rob

No Li – I mean you were trying very hard not to upset him – that's what treading on eggshells means.

Li

Oh! So it's about being nice - it's about being sensitive to the situation?

Rob

Yes.

Li

Well, I was very sensitive. But what have eggshells got to do with it?

Rob

Well, if there were eggshells on the floor literally you would have to be very careful where you put your feet!  

Presenter

Rob은 ‘treading on eggshells’ 계란껍질을 밟았다라고 Li에게 얘기하였습니다. 왜냐하면 Brown씨의 기분을 상하지 않게 하려고 최대한 조심해야 했기 때문이었습니다. 여기에서 이제 아셨을텐데요, ‘계란껍질을 밟다’라는 의미는 ‘누군가의 기분을 상하지 않게 하다’라는 의미로 쓰이는 표현입니다. 만약에 여러분들도 연인과 헤어진 친구가 있으시다면, 그 친구와 얘기할때, 예전 연인의 이름은 얘기하지 않으려고 노력하시겠죠. 왜냐하면 안좋은 기억을 떠올릴 수 있으니까요.

이 표현이 사용된 다른 예문도 한번 들어보겠습니다.

Examples:

I had to be so careful with what I said to my ex-girlfriend. The smallest thing made her angry: it was like treading on eggshells.

Ever since my argument with my neighbour about parking, I feel like I've been treading on eggshells.

Since my friend's father died, I don't know what to say to him: it's like treading on eggshells.

Li

So, treading on eggshells can be awkward because you don't know what to say and you don't want to offend someone. So Rob, what should I have said to Mr Brown?

Rob

You could have said 'plenty more fish in the sea!'

Li

What?!

Rob

Or… 'I didn't like her much anyway'?

Li

Rob, I think that's the opposite of treading on eggshells.

Rob

Really? Anyway let me help you with your shopping… oops (Rob drops the eggs!).

Li

Rob! You've dropped the eggs all over my kitchen floor.

Rob

Now you really will be walking on eggshells!

Li

That's not funny.

Rob

I didn't like your cakes much anyway.

Presenter

오우 이런.. Rob이 Li의 부엌에 계란을 떨어뜨려서 엉망이 되었군요. 이제 정말 이 두사람은 계란껍질 밟게 되었네요. 오늘 배운 ‘계란 껍질을 밟다’ Treading on eggshells 라는 표현에서 꼭 기억해야 할 점은, 다른 사람들의 기분을 상하지 않도록, 말이나 행동을 조심해야 한다는 것입니다. 특히 쉽게 화가 날 수 있는 민감한 상황에서는 더욱 더 말이죠. 여러분들도 ‘tread on eggshells’ 하신 적이 있으신가요? 그럼 다음 이 시간 ‘English Expressions’에서 뵙겠습니다. Bye!