as empty experiences go就這類空虛體驗而言

先用一個漂亮的抽象定義把話說滿，再用一個轉折自嘲地承認自己也沒好到哪去。這種先立後破、一本正經說歪理的腔調，是這類英式幽默的招牌，搬到任何自我調侃的場合都能用。

X is an empty experience, but as empty experiences go, it's one of the best.

自嘲某件明知空虛又戒不掉的事時用，語氣像在講哲理。

It's a waste of time, but a very enjoyable one. ／ It's empty, but it's the best kind of empty.

literary

empty experience 兩次重讀，but 後稍頓，one of the best 放慢收尾。

Reality TV is a waste of an evening, but as wastes of an evening go, it's one of the best. 看真人秀是浪費一晚上，但要說浪費晚上，這算浪費得最值的之一。

一句話把整段關係判了刑：連做愛都能說成「除了沒笑，其他都好」。損人不用髒字，靠的是一本正經的比較，聽完才反應過來是在嫌棄。

It was the most fun I've had without ...

半開玩笑地貶低一段經歷或一個人時用，語氣平靜。

That was the best time I've ever had not enjoying myself. ／ Great fun, as long as you don't count the fun.

口語

most fun 重讀，without laughing 放慢，laughing 落尾。

That was the liveliest evening I've had without talking to anyone. 那是我沒跟任何人說話時最熱鬧的一個晚上。

被追問為什麼不用自己的聲音時，他端出一句煞有介事的解釋，把裝腔說成審美選擇。故作正經的辯護本身就是笑點，也能借來調侃任何愛演的人。

I chose a ... to suit the mood.

被人指出太愛演、太做作時，用來自我解嘲式地辯護。

I picked an accent that matched the occasion. ／ It was a tone chosen for effect.

口語

chose 重讀，to suit the mood 放慢，mood 拖長收尾。

I wore the scarf to suit the mood of the evening. 我戴這條圍巾，是為配合今晚的調子。

自嘲到把自己縮成盒子裡的小人：既接住了兩人反覆玩的梗，也搶在別人開口前把要開的玩笑自己先說了。

I'm the small man stuck in a box.

拿身材、處境或某個標籤自黑時用，語氣放鬆；對不熟的人或嚴肅場合別說，會顯得刻意搞笑。

I'm the little guy trapped in here. ／ That's me, the small man in a box.

口語

small man 連讀，stuck in a 弱讀帶過，box 收尾乾脆。

I'm the small man stuck in a box, just doing whatever they ask. 我就是困在盒子裡的那個小人物，讓幹啥就幹啥。