“Thanks, but no thanks” = “no.” —— 用Google解决问题

有读者来信：

请问笑来老师thanks but no thanks什么意思？——谢谢！

其实，这样的问题，只需要使用Google就会很快得到答案。打开Google搜索一下【“Thanks, but no thanks.”】，在第一个页面就可以看到一个结果（我搜索的时候它排在第五位）“Re: What’s the meaning “thanks no thanks”:

8 May 2004 … what’s the meaning “thanks no thanks”. Thanks, but no thanks. It means, “I appreciate the offer, but I decline.” No, but thank you for asking.

多翻几页还能找到一个叫“British Council”的网站上有专门的讲解：

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

You’re listening to British Council’s English Online and I’m Nina.

Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression thanks, but no thanks.

Let’s listen to the dialogue.

A: Tom, we’re all going out for a drink after work. Fancy joining us?

B: Thanks, but no thanks Bob, I’ve got to finish this report before I go home tonight.

A: OK, maybe next time.

Well we know that British people like to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ a lot, but this expression seems like a bit of a contradiction doesn’t it? ‘Thanks, but no thanks’.

In fact, it’s just a friendly way of refusing or turning down an invitation and sounds much better than just saying ‘no’, which can be a little abrupt.

So next time you feel like a night in front of the TV and your friend invites you to karaoke, you know what to say ‘thanks, but no thanks – maybe next time’.

And that’s it for now – join us again for some more Language Snacks.

You’ve been listening to English Online – the podcast for English learners in China.

也许能够直接问出个答案更加方便。但，学学使用Google实在是很值得的。

没想到马上就有个留言问“还有个‘why thank you’!”。请点击这里Google之……