In black and white 白紙黑字

Some things are only black and white!

The script of this programme 本節目臺詞

Feifei: 歡迎收聽BBC英語教學制作的《地道英語》。大家好，我是馮菲菲。

Rob: ...and me Rob. Hello. So Feifei have you heard the news?

Feifei: The news? What news?

Rob: We're all going to get a big pay rise!

Feifei: 我們要漲工資？But Rob are you sure? I haven't heard anyone else talk about it.

Rob: Yes, yes, I'm sure. Look at this leaflet... it says that just there in black and white.

Feifei: In black and white? 黑白？這明明是彩色的。But it's in colour - look, it says 'ten per cent' in red letters.

Rob: I don't mean it's printed in black and white - if someone says it's 'in black and white' they mean it's official - it's been printed or written down - so there's no dispute!

Feifei: In black and white 就是我們常說的“白紙黑字”，用來形容一件事情或一項決定被正式的記錄下來，已被認可或已成定局。這么說漲工資的事兒是真的了？So you're saying it's not gossip - it's true?

Rob: Yes, yes – I have proof on this piece of paper.

Feifei: OK, let me read it while we hear some more examples of this phrase…

• I have it here in black and white - I've got the job!
• I'm not going to start celebrating until I've seen the deal in black and white.
• We didn't believe the bank's offer of a loan until we saw it in black and white.

Feifei: 當一件事情被清清楚楚的用白紙黑字記錄下來成為事實后，我們就可以說這件事情 in black and white。But why in 'black and white' and not in 'red and blue' for example?

Rob: Well it comes from the early days of printing when news and information was printed in black ink on white paper. Once something was printed it was official.

Feifei: OK - but hold on Rob - I've read this leaflet and it doesn't say we're getting a 10% pay rise. 這張海報上沒說我們工資會漲 10%，它說我們的工資“應該”漲 10% - it just says we deserve a 10% pay rise. So no pay rise for us Rob.

Rob: What? Are you sure?

Feifei: Yes - look, it says it there - at the top - in black and white!

Rob: Oh I didn't see that.

Feifei: It just shows you - even if something is in black and white - you need to be able to read first!

Rob: OK.

Both: Bye!