编者按:虽然美国大选的话题已经陈旧,但是美国CBS电视网的丹·拉瑟(Dan Rather主播“选情之夜”时精彩的得州风味绕口令,让人忍俊不禁。而且节目拖得越长,他的比喻就更加多彩多姿。以下我们不依时间顺序,用丹·拉瑟的妙语来重现开票夜大事纪,也让读者们领略一番原汁原味的美语幽默。
　　THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS “hot enough to peel house paint.”
　　总统大选“热得足以让房子的油漆脱落。”
　　“…as hot and tight as a too small bathing suit on a too long car ride back from the beach.”
　　“……又热又紧绷,好像穿着小一号的游泳衣,从海滩开很久的车子回家。”
　　“…as tight as the rusted lug nuts on a’55 Ford.”


　　“……紧得像是1955年份福特车上生锈的螺丝帽。”
　　BUSH“has run through Dixie like a big wheel through a cotton field.”
　　布什:“横扫南方各州,像是大车轮压过棉花田。”(编注:美国南方盛产棉花)
　　WHILE GORE’S“back’s against the wall his shirttail’s on fire and the bill collector’s at the door.”
　　戈尔“被逼到背抵着墙,衬衫下摆着火,讨债的人堵在门口。”
　　AND THE SENATE CAMPAIGNS WERE“as hot and squalid as a New York elevator in August.”
　　参议员竞选“又热又龌龊,有如8月纽约的电梯。”


　　MEANWHILE,“you can bet that they’re smiling like a cat in a creamery down in Austin…”
　　同时,“你可以打赌,在得州奥斯汀的那些人一定正笑得像奶油乳酪工厂里的猫咪……”
　　ALTHOUGH BUSH’S LEAD“is now shakier than cafeteria Jell-O”
　　布什的领先,现在比学校餐厅里的果冻还要摇晃不稳。
　　“…has been melted faster then ice cream in a microwave.”
　　“……融化得比微波炉里的冰淇淋还快。”