L：Michael，这音乐会真不错，就是太长了。我啊快要饿死了！快去找个地方吃东西吧！

M: Alright. There's a cafe on the corner over there, I think it's open 24-7.

L：对，前面就有家咖啡馆。你说那个cafe 24-7, 24-7是什么意思呀？

M: I said it's open 24-7. You know the number 24, and seven, right? 24-7 means it is open all the time.

L：我知道了！就是说一天二十四小时，一个星期七天它都开门。对不对？

M: You've got it! In the U.S. a lot of small diners, convenience stores and gas stations are open 24-7.

L：对，我看到一些小饭馆，还有一些杂货店还有加油站，他们都是二十四小时营业的。Michael，那24-7是不是只能用在商店哪？

M: Not at all! It can be used for anything. For instance, Li Hua, if you ever have an emergency, you can call me any time, 24-7.

L：噢，24-7可以用在任何场合。你说要是我遇到紧急情况，可以在任何时候打电话给你。Michael，你真是太好了。不过，我想我可能会先打911。

M: Yeah, that's probably a better idea. 911 operates 24-7. Li Hua, can you use this phrase now?

L：让我想想。有了。期终考试前，我肯定很多人为了准备考试，交报告晚上开夜车，所以可以说：Many students worked 24-7 before the finals. 对不对？

M: You're right. I was also up 24-7 studying and writing before the finals.

L：那最后一个礼拜真够呛。现在总算轻松了。

M: That's right! Woo Hoo! Hey, after we eat, let's go dancing somewhere.

L：Michael，你还没有玩够呀！

M: Now that we are on vacation, I'm ready to party 24-7!

L：Michael，这饭馆开门吗？

M: Well, duh, Li Hua! The lights are on and there are people inside. What do you think?

L：你说什么？Duh？那是骂人的意思吗？

M: No, I didn't say anything bad! All I said was "duh". When someone says something that you think is very obvious, or asks you a stupid question, you can say "duh".

L：Duh！也就是说我刚才问这个饭馆有没有开门是个傻问题，所以你就说：duh！就像是我们中文里说的“废话”！Michael，他们这里有咖啡吗？

M: Duh, Li Hua. Of course they have coffee here. Practically every restaurant in the States has coffee.

L：Michael，我只不过随便问一句，你就又来duh, duh, duh...真讨厌！

M: Oooh! Sounds like you are getting a little grumpy, Li Hua. I guess you are pretty tired, huh?

L：Duh, Michael! 现在都已经半夜一点半了，你还问我累不累？我才该对你说“duh”！

M: Ok, Ok, calm down. I'll just get a coffee to go, and give you a ride home. It sounds like you need some sleep.

L：Duh! 我当然想睡觉了！不过，买了咖啡在路上喝，然后你开车送我回家。这倒是个好主意。

M: I see you are not the kind of person who like to party 24-7!

L：Duh! 我悃成这样，你看我是个喜欢整天整夜party的人吗？

　　李华今天学到两个常用语，一个是：24-7，意思是一天二十四小时，一周七天都工作，或者是成天成夜地干什么事。另一个是：duh，意思是：废话，当然咯。