每日一词学英语(117): spurn

英国人过去一直用烘干机烘干衣服，现在渐渐开始改为在室外凉衣服，超市里的晾衣绳和卡子因此热销。For the first time in 50 years, Brits are spurning tumble dryers in favour of old-fashioned line-drying: washing lines and wooden clothes pegs are flying off supermarket shelves. (From BBC, 30 April 2008: Drying clothes outside)

无疑，这是保护环境的好方法。看看以下事实：
Tumble dryers are the most energy intensive household applainces - nearly two thirds more than washing machines - and create 310kg of CO2 a year each on average. Drying clothes on a washing line creates no emissions and saves about £70 a year in fuel bills. Plus, drying your clothes in the fresh air doesn't risk shrinking them and shortening their lifespan. 滚筒烘干机是最耗能的家电，比洗衣机多消耗将近三分之二能量，平均每年产生310公斤二氧化碳。室外晾衣碳排放为零，每年节约大约70英镑电费，而且不会让衣服缩水，有助于延长衣服的使用寿命。

看来，英国的好天气虽然不多，烘干机无法完全退出市场，但在可能的条件下，还是多在室外凉衣服比较好。

spurn: verb [及物动词] to reject or refuse sb/sth, especially in a proud way
同义词：shun
*Eve spurned Mark’s invitation.
*a spurned lover
*The president spurned the tight security surrounding him and adopted a more intimate style of campaigning.