每日单词：platitude

platitude  /ˈplætɪtjuːd/

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 基本释义 

A platitude is a statement that is considered meaningless and boring because it has been made many times before in similar situations.

n. 老生常谈，陈词滥调

 外刊例句 

That does not mean executives have to speak entirely in platitudes. There is nothing wrong with having strong opinions about things that are relevant to the business. Warren Buffett’s annual letter to shareholders shows how to combine shrewd observations with humour. But managers should leave the philosophical and political musings to people who stand for election.

这并不意味着高管们必须完全用陈词滥调说话，对与业务相关的事情有强烈的看法并没有错，沃伦·巴菲特的年度致股东信展示了如何将敏锐的观察与幽默结合起来，但管理者应该把哲学上和政治上的思考留给那些参加选举的人。  

 追根溯源 

单词platitude里面的plat部分，来源于古法语platel，意思是flat，即“ 平，平坦的”。所以，在英语里，单词中出现plat时，多与此相关：

plate  /pleɪt/  

n. 盘子，板子

plateau /ˈplætəʊ/  

n. 高原，稳定水平

platform  /ˈplætfɔːm/  

n. 平台，讲台

platen  /ˈplætən/  

n. 压盘，压印板

 视频讲解 

 影视例句 

在美剧《生活大爆炸》S1E5中，Leonard对Penny安慰他的话有疑问，在问Sheldon时，就用到了今天的单词：

Penny: Well, hey, don't worry. I'm sure there's someone out there who's just right for you.

Leonard: What did she mean by that?! Was that just a generic platitude, or was that a subtle bid for attention?

-别担心，我相信会有合适你的人的。

-她那么说什么意思？是习惯性的说词，还是巧妙地在吸引我的注意？

 上期复习 

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