在美式英语中，人们穿着的各种服装名称经常是组成一些习惯用语的主要成份。今天我们来讲讲由 shirt 这个词组成的俗语。
1. a stuffed shirt
stuffed 这个词有好几种解释，有时是指装的满满的。在某种情况下是吃得过饱的意思。那么，a stuffed shirt 是什么意思呢？a stuffed shirt 是指那些爱摆架子，表现得神气十足的人。对于这种人我们最好是敬而远之。比如说：
My boss is a stuffed shirt: all he talks about is how important his ancestors are, how he was number one in his class at his university, and the wonderful things he thinks he's done for our company.
我的老板老是爱摆架子，吹嘘自己。他一开口就是说他的祖先的地位有多么重要，他在大学念书时又如何成为他们班里的第一名，还自称对我们公司作出了多大的贡献等等。
2. to give you the shirt off his back
从字面上来解释，to give you the shirt off his back 就是把他的衬衣从背上拿下来给你。一个人要是肯把衬衣脱下来给你的话，那就是一个在你患难的时候能拿出他所有的一切来帮忙的人。这种朋友是很可贵的。我们来举一个例子：
Of course Dad gets mad at me sometimes for no good reason. But if I ever need it, I know he would give me the shirt off his back.
我父亲有时对我发火也不见得有什么道理。但是,只要我需要，他总是会尽一切力量帮助我的。
Peter never says very much. But when he hears about somebody who's sick in the hospital or lost his job, he's always the first to put his hand in his pocket and bring out money to help. Yes, sir, he's the kind of man who'd give you the shirt off his back.
Peter 这个人平时话不多。但是，每当他听说某人有病进了医院，或失了业，他总是第一个拿钱出来帮忙。是的，他是这种会尽力帮助别人的人。
