improbable fiction荒唐得像编的戏

把眼前的荒唐拿去跟戏比，一句自嘲既出戏又点破，元戏剧的妙笔。

If this were played upon a stage, I could condemn it as ...

现实荒唐到像编的时，可以用来自嘲或调侃；正经场合别乱用。

You could not write this as fiction. ／ No playwright would dare stage this.

literary

were 轻读带过，condemn 与 improbable 两处重音要出来。

If this were played upon a stage, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction. 这事要是在台上演，我准说它编得离谱。

用调味料说火药味，把一封信的刻薄讲得又酸又辣。

there's vinegar and pepper in it

说你听出话里有火气、有讽刺时用这句；写正式报告不要用。

There is real bite in it. ／ That letter has plenty of spice.

口语

vinegar 与 pepper 分两个重音，in't 轻轻收掉。

I warrant there is vinegar and pepper in that reply. 我敢说那封回信里醋和胡椒都没少放。

落款前先说朋友再说死敌，一句自相矛盾的话把整封挑战信的可笑点破。

thy friend ... and thy sworn enemy

半开玩笑地下战书或用来自嘲矛盾立场时可用；对真正的敌人别这么写。

Your friend and your worst enemy. ／ Yours in friendship, and in spite.

literary

sworn enemy 放慢加重，落款名字轻快带过。

My friend as you treat me, and your sworn enemy, Alex. 随你怎么待我，我都是你的朋友，也是你的死对头，亚历克斯。

两个贬义形容词直接砸下，没有客套，贵族的轻蔑一句到顶。

You are idle shallow things.

半开玩笑地骂人不务正业时用；认真骂人会翻脸，别用。

You are idle and shallow. ／ Idle, shallow creatures, all of you.

literary

You are idle 轻带，shallow things 重读收住。

You idle shallow things, the report is due today. 你们这些游手好闲的家伙，报告今天到期。

用 hereafter 把话头悬住，不解释、只预告，权威和悬念一起留在空气里。

You shall know more hereafter.

卖关子、暂不解释时用，带古典腔；正式说明事项时别用，会让人着急。

You will learn more later. ／ More will be revealed in time.

正式

You shall know more 重读，hereafter 放慢收住。

You shall know more hereafter, once the deal is signed. 等合同签了，以后你会知道得更多。