| 词组 | state of the art |
| 释义 | state of the art Here is another term from technical literature that has moved into the general consciousness and into general use. Although it is not as well known to or as widely disliked by the critics as parameter or interface (which see), it is beginning to attract the disapproval of some, including Copperud 1980 and the Harper 1985 usage panel. Janis 1984 notes its popularity in advertising. In general use state of the art more often functions as a hyphenated adjective than as a noun. As a general adjective it is not much more than a flossy version of up-to-date with pleasant overtones of technical know-how. One Harper panelist opined—apparently seriously—that state-of-the-art is less precise than up-to-date. Here are a few general uses of the adjective: • This large Tudor-styled kitchen includes all-ash cabinetry, abundant shelf space, a full state-of-the-art appliance package —Houston Post, 2 Sept. 1984 • ... have added a fresh and pastoral touch to the rooms of the Barbizon ... as well as a state-of-the-art urban spa —Jennifer Kramer, Town & Country, September 1984 • ... providing 20th-century creature comforts such as state-of-the-art plumbing —Marylin Bender, N.Y. Times, 15 July 1984 • ... that spring scale over there is not exactly state of the art —Jacqueline Mallorca, Jour, of Gastronomy, Summer 1984 Occasionally it is pure buzzword: • The speech was state-of-the-art Sam: tough, smart and calm —Nancy Cooper, Newsweek, 27 Oct. 1986 Use as a noun is less common in general prose, but it does turn up now and then: • ... stinted nothing that would make his Comanche Trace horse breeding farm the state of the art — Hugh Best, Town & Country, June 1983 As a popularized technical term state of the art is probably close enough to ordinary language that it is not too mysterious for ready apprehension. It would seem unlikely to produce the sort of mumbo-jumbo that a determined operator can produce from parameter and similar words. But it is a good idea to remember that a reader has the right to be suspicious of what you may be trying to hide behind bright and shiny terminology. |
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