A person’s name is very important. Some names also have special meanings in popular American expressions. To better understand what I mean, sit back and listen. You might even want to get a cup of Joe(一杯咖啡). I mean a cup of coffee.
One day, an average Joe was walking down the street. An average Joe(普通人) is a common person either male or female. This average Joe was lost. He did not know Jack about(对……一无所知)where he was going. By this, I mean he did not know anything about where to find things in the city.
So, Average Joe asked John Q Public for directions to the nearest bank. John Q Public(普通人) is also a common person, male or female. "She is Louis! (天啊).”said John Q Public. This is an expression of surprise. "She is Louis! Don't you know that all banks are closed today? It is Saturday.”
"For Pete's sake(天啊)," said Average Joe. This is also an expression used to show a feeling like surprise or disappointment. "For Pete's sake, I do not believe you." said Average Joe. He was being a doubting Thomas(生性多疑的人), someone who does not believe anything he is told.
At that moment, Joe Blow(老百姓) was walking down the street with a woman. Joe Blow is also an expression for a common man. Now, this Joe Blow was not working next to a Plain Jane(不出色的女孩). A Plain Jane is a woman who is neither ugly nor pretty, she is simply plain.
Now the woman with Joe Blow was a real Sheila, a beautiful woman. Average Joe asked the woman if all banks were closed on Saturday. "No way, Jose."(“不可能的荷西”，常用于熟人之间的拒绝做某事) she answered. This is a way of saying "No". "No way, Jose." Many banks are open on Saturdays. Average Joe did not know either of these two people from Adam(素不相识). That is he did not know them at all, but he followed their directions to the nearest bank.
When he arrived, he walked to the desk of the chief bank employee. Now this man was a true jack-of-all-trades(万能先生，样样通无一精). He knew how to do everything.
“I am here to withdraw some money, so I can pay my taxes to Uncle Sam.” said Average Joe. Uncle Sam(美国政府) represents the United States government.
The banker produced some papers and told Average Joe to sign his John Hancock at the bottom. A John Hancock(个人签名) is person’s signed name, a signature. Historically, John Hancock was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence. Hancock had a beautiful signature and signed his name larger than all the others.
As Average Joe left the bank, he began to sing, but sadly, Average Joe was not a good singer. He was a Johnny One Note(不善歌唱的人). He could only sing one note.作者: Sylvia_scj 时间: 2008-7-8 08:28
