妙哉！台大出版社的 &&：&青春不開溜&

ampersand

The ampersand (&) normally means "and" as in Jones & Company. However, in the computer world, it is used in various ways. In Windows, it is used as a code to precede an underlined character. As a result, in some input dialogs, you have to enter a double ampersand (&&) to actually define a single ampersand.

In programming, a double ampersand is used to represent the Boolean AND operator such as in the C statement, if (x >= 100 && x >= 199).

In HTML, the ampersand is used to code foreign letters and special characters such as the copyright and trademark symbols. See ampersand codes.

An ampersand (&), also commonly called an "and sign" is a logogram representing the conjunction "and." The symbol is a ligature of the letters in et, Latin for "and." Its origin is apparent in the second example in the image to the left below; the first example, now more common, is a later development.

Name

The roman ampersand at left is stylized, but the italic one at right reveals its origin in the Latin word et.

The word ampersand is a corruption of the phrase "and per se and", meaning "and [the symbol which] by itself [is] and".^[1] The Scots and Scottish English name for & is epershand, derived from "et per se and" with the same meaning.

There is a common rumour that the word comes from an inventor named Linus Amper, hence 'Amper's And' [1].

reserve (KEEP SEPARATE), jersey, Eire, Ireland

Sixty years ago Hayek in The Road to Serfdom had already made the connection. He quoted Peter Drucker: "Fascism is the stage reached after communism has proved an illusion." Communists and fascists, Hayek continues, "compete for the same type of mind and reserve for each other the hatred of the heretic."


eire
n.Air. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Eire


IN BRIEF: n. - A republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland.

Éire formally withdrew from the British Commonwealth and became the Republic of Ireland sixty years ago today. Europe's third largest island, Ireland was controlled by Great Britain — the island located east of Ireland — for many centuries, finally becoming a part of the United Kingdom in 1801. In 1922, after a War of Independence, Ireland was split into two: the Irish Free State, which would have dominion status in the Commonwealth, and Northern Ireland, which chose to rejoin the United Kingdom. Fifteen years later, in 1937, the nation took the next step in its independence declaring itself the sovereign state of Éire.
Quote:

"Ireland is where strange tales begin and happy endings are possible." — Charles Haughey

jersey (CLOTHING) Show phonetics
noun [C]
1 a piece of woollen or cotton clothing with sleeves which is worn on the upper part of the body and which does not open at the front

2 a shirt which is worn by a member of a sports team


Spotlight

Michael Jordan's Final Game

When basketball great Michael Jordan retired (for the first time) in 1993, his team's jersey number 23 was retired along with him. This year, Nike released its 23rd version of Air Jordans. In 1995, Jordan announced his return to professional play with the two word press release, "I'm back." The next day he rejoined the Chicago Bulls on the court, wearing jersey number 45. Today Jordan celebrates his 45th birthday. And if that weren't enough coincidences for one day, tonight is the NBA All-Star game in New Orleans.

Quote

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." — Michael Jordan

reserve (KEEP SEPARATE) Show phonetics
verb [T]
1 to keep something for a particular purpose or time:
I reserve Mondays for tidying my desk and answering letters.
These seats are reserved for the elderly and women with babies.
I reserve judgment on this issue (= I won't give an opinion on it now) until we have more information.

2 If you reserve something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant, you arrange for it to be kept for your use:
I reserved a double room at the Lamb Hotel.
[+ two objects] If you get there early, reserve me a seat/reserve a seat for me.

reservation Show phonetics
noun
1 [C or U] when you arrange to have something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant kept for you:
I'd like to make a table reservation for two people for 9 o'clock.
Please confirm your reservation in writing by Friday.
See also reservation.

2 [C] an area of land made available for a particular group of people to live in:
The family lives on a Native American reservation.

3 [C] (ALSO reserve, US ALSO preserve) an area of land in which wild animals are protected:
He's the chief warden of a big-game reservation.

reserve Show phonetics
noun
1 [C or U] when you keep something or a supply of something until it is needed, or a supply that you keep:
She keeps a little money in reserve (= for use if and when needed).
The librarian has put the book on reserve for me (= will keep it for me when it becomes available).
We still have a reserve of food/food reserves in case of emergency.

2 [C] (ALSO reservation, US ALSO preserve) an area of land kept in its natural state, especially for wild animals to live in to be protected:
a nature/game/wildlife reserve

3 [C] in sports, an extra player who is ready to play if needed:
We had two reserves in case anyone was injured.

the reserves plural noun預備軍人
a group of people who are not permanently in the armed forces but are used only if needed:
They will call up the reserves.

reserved Show phonetics
adjective
May I sit here, or is this seat/table reserved?

reservist Show phonetics
noun [C]
a person who is trained as a soldier and is ready to fight in the army if needed

wrongful-death lawsuit

wrong・ful　━━ a. 悪い; 不正［法］な.
Wikipedia article "Wrongful death claim'

WRONGFUL DEATH

n.

A death that is caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another and that serves as the basis for a civil action for damages on behalf of the decedent's heirs.

Parents sue People to People over son’s death in Japan
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
AP MINNEAPOLIS | The family of a Minnesota student who died in Japan filed a wrongful-death lawsuit Monday against the People to People exchange program and ...

Earmarks / “pork barrel politics.”

Washington Memo

Question of Timing on Bush’s Push on Earmarks

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

President Bush has never shown much distaste for Congressional pork. But he declared Monday that he had had enough.

earmark Hide phonetics
verb [T often passive]
to keep or intend something for a particular purpose:
Five billion dollars of this year's budget is already earmarked for hospital improvements.

When Congress specifies exactly where and how federal money should be spent—for example, specifying the awarding of a grant to a certain university to conduct weapons research—it is “earmarking” the funds, just as some farm animals are marked on the ear to identify who owns them.


pork barrel　〔米話〕 政府事業計画［交付金］ ((特定選挙区のみに与える)).
When members of Congress try to gain federal funds for projects in their district or state, they are often accused of playing “pork barrel politics.” This curious expression dates back to the days of plantation slavery before the Civil War, when field hands dipped into large barrels of salt pork for their food. Similarly, those senators and representatives who win special projects for their constituents are “bringing home the bacon.”

Legislation authorizing improvements in rivers and harbors, flood control and dams, construction of federal buildings, and highway construction traditionally caused members to scramble to get something in for their state or district. More recently, energy and defense appropriations bills have attracted pork barrel amendments. Members of Congress defend their pork barrel efforts as a way of more evenly distributing federal money throughout the nation. But critics charge that Congress often diverts funds to projects and places not out of national need but to enhance members' chances of reelection. Senator Norris Cotton (Republican–New Hampshire), who served on the Appropriations Committee, spoke for many when he called pork barrel politics “one of the worst features of the whole system of federal grants and subsidies.”

one-man/ one-person

one-man

━━ a. 一人だけの, 個人の (a ～-man show 個展）.
one-man band　1人楽団 ((種々の楽器を1人で演奏する)); 単独行動.

我讀20年前出版的"牛津20世紀藝術辭典"

Emily Carr 都還用它

不過 現在頗注意"性別" 所以:

one-person Show phonetics
adjective [before noun] (ALSO one-man/woman)
describes a play or show which is a performance or show of artistic works by just one person:
This is the first time her one-woman show has been on television.

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

the likes, not for the likes of sb, 'My Word Coach'

Online-autions pioneer eBay said it will retreat from its foray into broad retailing, unable to compete with the likes of Amazon as the Internet landscape has changed.

1. Informal. An equivalent or similar person or thing; an equal or match. Often used in the plural: I've never seen the likes of this before. We'll never see his like again.

likes Show phonetics
plural noun (ALSO like) INFORMAL
not for the likes of sb not for the type of people mentioned:
First-class travel is for posh people - it's not for the likes of us.

Improve Your Vocabulary by Playing a Video GameReview: 'My Word Coach' Is Nintendo's Newest Foray Into Educational Games

(Ubisoft)
A few years back, if a video game even hinted at being educational, it was the kiss of death. Not anymore.

Story

Study: Educational Toys Often Don't Educate

In 2006 brain-training games became all the rage. "Brain Age" and "Big Brain Academy" were designed for the DS, Nintendo's hand-held gaming system. Now comes vocabulary training with "My Word Coach," a new video game that claims to increase your vocabulary with just 20 to 30 minutes a day of play.
"My Word Coach" offers six vocabulary training games, tracking your improvement as you play. Along the way, you're exposed to more than 16,000 words and definitions from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, found in the game as a searchable dictionary. The game was inspired by the ongoing research of Thomas Cobb, a professor of applied linguistics at the University of Quebec.
And you are not alone. The game is available to play with a friend, or a computer-generated opponent will compete with you.

Photos

Gadgets Gone Wild: CES Las Vegas

"My Word Coach" also has two spelling games. One shows you a word with one letter missing. You provide the missing letter by writing it on the bottom screen. In the other, a list of words appears on one screen while alphabet blocks fall slowly into the other. The object is to touch the blocks in order to spell the words on your list before the screen fills completely with blocks.
While drilling words is an activity that requires concentration, "My Word Coach" tries to moderate this intensity by periodically introducing two recreational games that aren't tracked. Plus, after 20 to 30 minutes of training, the game suggests you quit for the day.
To start, you enter a training program called an "Institute," and select from one of four word coaches to guide you. A simple test determines your "Expression Potential," which also also takes into account your age.
If you are a child, your words will be easier than if you are an adult. As you progress, new words are added. The better you do, the harder the words become.

Story

Study: Some Educational TV for Toddlers OK

Four of the games focus on words and their definitions.
In "Split Decision," the upper screen displays a word. You touch arrows displaying "left" and "right" to toggle between two definitions and select the correct one.
With "Word Shuffle," you toggle between four definitions. "Pasta Letters" shows you a definition on the top screen, and you must unscramble alphabet noodles in a bowl of soup. In "Safecracker," a definition appears, and you spell the word using a dial to rotate to letters.

And you are not alone. The game is available to play with a friend, or a computer-generated opponent will compete with you.

Photos

Gadgets Gone Wild: CES Las Vegas

"My Word Coach" also has two spelling games. One shows you a word with one letter missing. You provide the missing letter by writing it on the bottom screen. In the other, a list of words appears on one screen while alphabet blocks fall slowly into the other. The object is to touch the blocks in order to spell the words on your list before the screen fills completely with blocks.
While drilling words is an activity that requires concentration, "My Word Coach" tries to moderate this intensity by periodically introducing two recreational games that aren't tracked. Plus, after 20 to 30 minutes of training, the game suggests you quit for the day.

People who are interested in words will find these training games intriguing. Some adults may resent the emphasis on speed, because for them it is all about learning the new words. But for kids, the speed angle may actually help to sustain their interest. High schoolers who are preparing to take the verbal and writing portion of the SAT might want to add this video game to their backpack — it's more fun than simply memorizing word lists.

Story

Samsung TVs to Have Built-In Games

A companion title is also available on the Wii.
Rating: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
Best for ages 10-up
From Ubisoft, http://mywordcoach.us.ubi.com , $29.99, Nintendo DS
Jinny Gudmundsen is the kid-tech columnist for the Gannett News Service and USA Today.com, and is also the editor of Computing With Kids Ezine.

education

Quote from W. Edwards Deming:
We are here for an education.
戴明博士四日談


education━━ n. 教育; 学識; （学校）教育の課程［種類］; 教育学［法］.
Department of education　〔米〕 （the ～） 教育省.
Ministry of education　（the ～） 文部省.
ed・u・ca・tion・al　━━ a. 教育上の; 教育的な.
ed・u・ca・tion・al・ist　n. 教育家, 教育学者.
ed・u・ca・tion・al・ly　ad.
educational park　（初等・中等・高等学校が集中した）文教地区.
education software　【コンピュータ】教育用ソフト.


educate Show phonetics
verb [T]
to teach someone, especially using the formal system of school, college or university:
The form says he was educated in Africa.
How much does it cost to educate a child privately?
The government say they are trying to do more to educate the public about the consequences of drug abuse.

educated Show phonetics
adjective
having learned a lot at school or university and having a good level of knowledge:
She was probably the most highly educated prime minister of this century.

education Show phonetics
noun [S or U]
the process of teaching or learning in a school or college, or the knowledge that you get from this:
As a child he received most of his education at home.
It's a country which places great importance on education.
She lectures in education (= the study of education) at the teacher training college.
It's important for children to get a good education.

educational Show phonetics
adjective
providing education or relating to education:
Reducing the size of classes may improve educational standards.
She seems to have spent all her life studying in educational establishments.
HUMOROUS My father has never been to a rock concert before - it'll be an educational experience for him (= a new experience from which he can learn).

educationally Show phonetics
adverb
The woman who committed the crime was educationally disadvantaged.

educationalist Show phonetics
noun [C] (ALSO educationist)
a person who has a special knowledge of the principles and methods of teaching

educative Show phonetics
adjective
providing education:
Very few activities at this age have no educative value at all.

educator Show phonetics
noun [C] MAINLY US
a person who teaches people

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

middle class/ median

middle class group noun [S] (ALSO the middle classes)
a social group that consists of well-educated people, such as doctors, lawyers, and teachers, who have good jobs and are neither very rich nor very poor:
The upper middle class tend to go into business or the professions, becoming, for example, lawyers, doctors or accountants.
Compare lower class; upper class; working class.

middle-class Show phonetics
adjective
a middle-class suburb of New York

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)


美國國會圖書館2007年３月公布的一份研究報告就叫《誰是中產階級？》。報告認為如果只從收入多少來屆定中產階級是得不出精確答案的，因為美國人從年收入不到 ２萬美元到２５萬美元的都認為自己是中產階級。美國人口統計局公布的最寬泛的中產階級定義是稅前家庭年收入1.9萬到9.2萬美元，最狹義的中產階級定義 是家庭年收入3.6萬至5.8萬美元。２００５年到２００６年，美國中間家庭稅前年收入（即一半家庭收入在這個水平以上，一半在以下。此數據並非家庭稅前 收入平均數。）為4.8萬美元。

國會圖書館研究報告的結論是是否中產階級或多或少地取決於個人對自己在收入分配鏈中的定位。也就是與周圍的人相比，你對自己收入水平的評價。


median Show phonetics
adjective SPECIALIZED
describes the value which is the middle one in a set of values arranged in order of size:
Median household income fell last year.

median Show phonetics
noun [C] SPECIALIZED 中位數

central reservation UK noun [C usually singular] (US AND AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH median strip)
the narrow piece of land between the two halves of a large road

━━ a. 中間に位置する; 【数】中線の; 【統計】中央値の.
━━ n. 【解】正中動［静］脈; 【数】中数; 中点［線］; 【統計】中央値.
median eye　【生物】中央眼.
median lethal dose　【生化】＝lethal dose 50.
median price share issue　【株】中間発行.
median strip　〔米〕 中央分離帯.