办公室口语谬误：freshen up

20次大中小

下午会议室里的谈话正好告一段落，也到了休息时间。Tim请张先生享用咖啡及茶点。

Tim: They just brought in refreshments. Please help yourself.
茶点已经准备好了，请用。

Mr.Zhang: Thank you.
谢谢。

可是张先生想在吃茶点前先去厕所。这时候Tim说到：

Tim: Would you like to freshen up?

听到这话，张先生以为Tim再次请他去享用refreshments(茶点)：

Mr.Zhang: Thank you, but before that I'd like to use the restroom.
谢谢，但是我想先去趟洗手间。

Tim: Of course. This way.
哦，这边请。

Tim露出诧异的神色一边说着，一边告诉张先生厕所的位置。

Tim为什么会诧异呢？因为张先生把freshen up的含义给搞错了!

原来，"Would you like to freshen up?"、"Would you like to wash your hands?"与 "Would you like to use the restroom?" 是同样的意思，都是委婉地表示“你想不想上厕所？”之意。