Drive-through (or drive-thru) restaurants provide people with the immense convenience of being able to purchase and pick up meals without needing to leave their vehicles. These restaurants have been around for decades, and their success has spawned a number of equally handy services.
The drive-through concept originated with the drive-in restaurant, the first of which was established in the US in 1921. Patrons would order and eat the food that was delivered to their cars by workers called “carhops.” Ten years later, a drive-through service was introduced, but it was not until 1947 that the first exclusively drive-through restaurant opened its doors: Red’s Giant Hamburg in Missouri, US. A year later, Harry Snyder, owner of the In-N-Out Burger chain, devised a two-way speaker system to facilitate the ordering process. This innovative system allowed drivers to order while still in their cars, thereby eliminating delays. Numerous fast-food restaurants, including McDonald’s and Burger King, jumped on the bandwagon. As a result of their popularity, drive-through restaurants had mostly replaced drive-ins by the 1970s.
It should be no surprise, therefore, that the drive-through model has expanded into other walks of life. People can collect their medical prescriptions at drive-through pharmacies or mail letters at drive-through mailboxes. One unique variation is the drive-through marriage chapels in Las Vegas, US, where couples can tie the knot in their cars. Who knows what creative and convenient drive-through services might become available in the future.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons / 照片：維基共享資源提供
得來速（音譯自drive-through，也寫作drive-thru）餐廳為人們提供了極大的便利，他們可以在無需下車的情況下購買和領取餐點。這類餐廳已經存在了幾十年，它們的成功催生了一些同樣便捷的服務。
得來速的概念源自免下車餐廳，第一家免下車餐廳於西元1921年在美國成立。顧客可以在車中點餐並享用食物，這些食物由被稱為「車服員」的工作人員送到他們的車上。十年後，得來速服務問世，但直到西元1947 年，第一家專門提供得來速服務的餐廳才開業：位於美國密蘇里州的Red’s Giant Hamburg。一年後，In-N-Out漢堡連鎖店的老闆哈利史奈德設計了一個雙向對講系統以簡化點餐過程。這項創新系統允許駕駛在車上點餐，從而消除了延遲。眾多速食餐廳，包括麥當勞和漢堡王，紛紛效仿。由於它們大受歡迎，因此到了西元1970年代，得來速餐廳取代了大多數的免下車餐廳。
因此，得來速模式已擴展到生活的其他方面也就不足為奇了。人們可以從得來速藥局領取他們的處方藥物，或從得來速郵筒寄信。在美國拉斯維加斯有一種獨特的變化是得來速婚禮教堂，情侶們可以在車上喜結連理。誰知道未來還會有什麼創意和便捷的得來速服務可供使用。
MORE INFORMATION
spawn v. 使產生；促成
originate v. 起源；發源
carhop n.（免下車餐廳的）服務生
pharmacy n. 藥局；藥房
KEY VOCABULARY
1. immense adj. 巨大的；無限的；非常好的
The mountain’s immense height made it a challenging climb for experienced hikers.
這座山巨大的高度對經驗豐富的健行者來說是一項具挑戰性的攀登。
2. convenience n. 方便；便利（設施）
Online shopping offers the convenience of shopping from the comfort of your home.
網路購物提供了在家舒適地購物的便利。
3. concept n. 概念；觀念
The concept of time travel has fascinated scientists and writers for centuries.
時間旅行的概念已經吸引了科學家和作家幾個世紀。
4. patron n. 顧客；贊助者
That restaurant has many loyal patrons who eat there every week.
那家餐廳有很多忠實的顧客，每週都在那裡吃飯。
5. innovative adj. 創新的；新穎的
The innovative design of the eco-friendly car reduces emissions and saves fuel.
這款環保汽車的創新設計降低了排放並節省了燃料。
6. thereby adv. 從而；因此
By studying diligently, Karen improved her grades and thereby earned a scholarship.
通過刻苦學習，凱倫提高了成績並因此獲得了獎學金。
7. popularity n. 人氣；受歡迎；流行
The bakery’s pastries gained popularity due to their delicious taste and quality ingredients.
這家麵包店的糕點因其美味的味道和優質的原料而受到歡迎。
8. expand v. 擴大；增加
To meet the growing demand for online courses, the university decided to expand its e-learning platform.
為了滿足對線上課程不斷增長的需求，該大學決定擴展其電子學習平台。
9. chapel n. 小教堂；禮拜堂
The wedding ceremony was held in a charming chapel with stained
glass windows.
這場婚禮在一座帶有彩色玻璃窗的迷人小教堂舉行。
學習音檔: https://magazine.english4u.net/Magdata/menu/t6rg4
《空中美語》雜誌APP免費下載: https://www.english4u.net/apps/index.aspx
免費收聽當月《空中美語》雜誌課文朗讀及解析 !
文章由AMC空中美語授權使用: https://www.english4u.net
A: The 2025 World Masters Games will begin on May 17 and run until May 30. B: World Masters Games? A: It’s a quadrennial multi-sport event for people over 30, which will be jointly held by Taipei and New Taipei City. B: Cool, maybe we can go cheer for all the athletes from home and abroad. A: There will be an athletes’ parade in downtown Taipei prior to the opening ceremony on Saturday. Let’s go then. A: 2025雙北世界壯年運動會5月17日開幕，持續至5月30日閉幕。 B: 世壯運？ A: 這是四年一度、以30歲以上青壯年為主的運動會，本屆是由台北市和新北市共同舉辦。 B: 好酷喔，我們去幫來自國內外的選手們加油吧！ A: 週六在台北市區會有選手遊行，之後是開幕典禮，我們去看吧。 （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪)
A: Where will the 35 sports of the 2025 World Masters Games be held? B: Apart from Taipei and New Taipei City, some games will take place in Yilan County, Taoyuan County, and Hsinchu County and City. A: The news says about 25,000 people, including many celebrities and sports stars, have already registered for the games. B: Even Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who is 47, registered for softball and squash. New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi, who is 68, also registered for table tennis. A: And it will be the largest sports event ever in Taiwan’s history. How exciting. A:
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican’s papal conclave on May 8 elected a new leader for the Catholic Church. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, who chose to be called Leo XIV, became the 267th pope, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. But what exactly does a pope do? Here is a rundown of his main responsibilities. CATHOLIC LEADER The word pope comes from the Greek “pappas,” meaning “father, patriarch,” which is why believers call him the Holy Father. He is considered the successor of St Peter, to whom Jesus Christ is said to have entrusted
Have you ever wondered who decides what we see in a museum or how one artwork seamlessly connects to the next? Behind every thoughtfully arranged gallery space stands a curator, a skilled professional who combines art and storytelling to craft meaningful experiences. The term “curator” originates from the Latin word cura, meaning “to care.” Curators were originally caretakers of museum collections, but over time, their role has grown to include a broad range of responsibilities that extend far beyond preservation. Today, curators manage, organize and interpret collections in cultural institutions like museums and libraries. They research, acquire and catalogue
RSS