釋義:
Having suitable skill in multiple things, but not being an expert in any of them.了解很多事情,但是沒有一件是擅長的;
來源:
The word 'jack' can refer to the common man. Jack指一個人。Thus, a 'jack of all trades' meant a man who is competant at many different skills. Jack of all trades指的是一個錯才多藝的人。The first half of the phrase was being used in the 1600s, 這個詞組的第一部分剛開始是在16世紀使用的,and was apparently spoken in a complimentary fashion when describing people. 是用來贊揚某人。
An early example comes from a book published in 1612, titled Essays and characters of a Prison and Prisoners. 這個詞組比較早的來源是1612年標題是Essays and characters of a Prison and Prisoners 的書中。
From what I could find, it looks like it was somewhere around the 1800s when the expression developed a less praiseful meaning, as that was when the 'master of none' part was attached to it. 慢慢地從18世紀開始,隨著master of none的加入,這個詞組的意思就慢慢不再表示夸獎了。
舉例:
1.He seems to know almost everything, no wonder he is referred to as a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
他似乎對所有的事情都知曉,難怪人們稱他為萬事通,但其實他樣樣不精。
2. I was planning on earning an associate's degree in numerous subjects, but my family suggested to not be jack of all trades and master of none, so I had to rethink my future plans with college.
我準備去拿許多科目的副學士學位,可是我家人建議我不要變得萬事皆通,但一無所長的人,所以我準備重新思考下大學的學習計劃。