You’re listening to the British Council’s English Online Podcast and I’m [Presenter].

　　Today on Language Snacks we take a look at the expression the best thing since sliced bread.

　　Let’s listen to the dialogue.

　　A: Is that a new mobile phone?

　　B: Yeah, it’s got a built in camera and mp3 player and I can even browse the web and check my email – it’s the best thing since sliced bread.

　　A: Wow, I’ve got to get one.

　　The best thing since sliced bread is a commonly used way of praising an invention or a gadget. I guess when sliced bread was invented in 1928 it was something which made people’s lives a lot easier. However it still seems like a strange choice by which we judge all later inventions, - but that’s what makes English so interesting I suppose.

　　虽然距离面包片发明问世已经有些年头了，但是它改变人们生活方式的重要性被保留在the best thing since sliced bread这个习语里。现在，任何改变人们生活方式的发明或者新生事物，都可以用面包片来作比喻。

　　I wonder what we’d say in Chinese, errm maybe the best thing since instant noodles!

　　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.