A common slang term for visually appealing persons or effects used to draw mass attention is eye candy. The implication is that they are eye-catching in a superficial fashion. Like actual "candy", this addition is seen to be neither nutritious nor substantial, but rather provides a potentially addictive appeal which will sustain the attention of a wider audience, possibly despite their better nature.
英语俚语中通常用eye candy这个词来指代在视觉上颇具吸引力的人或者能够吸引人眼球的视觉效果,我们暂且译为“养眼花瓶”。也就是说,这些人或者视觉画面从表面来说很具有吸引力。就像candy(糖果)一样,既没有什么营养价值,也没什么实质内容,而只是能够引起更多人关注的兴趣。至于他们本质如何,则通常少人在意。
The term may have been originated by interactive videodisc, user interface designers working at INTERAC Corp. in 1983. Their work integrated text, audio, graphics, photographic images, and video into a seamless presentation. The "eye candy" referred to visually appealing images supporting the overall message.
Eye candy这个词初见于1983年,是由INTERAC公司的互动视盘、用户界面设计师首先使用的。他们将文本、音频、图标、照片以及视频融合成一个整体的展示界面,而eye candy指的就是为上述整体信息提供支持的视觉画面,这些画面通常都会设计得非常吸引人眼球。
The term is also used to refer to actors or actresses perceived to have been cast primarily for the visual enjoyment of the audience. Various novels, articles, and stories have used this slang term to show a physical attraction one person has toward another.
Eye candy也可以指代那些仅仅用来让观众赏心悦目的演员(通常被我们称为“花瓶”)。很多小说和文章都曾经用这个词来表现一个人的外在吸引力。
来源:可可英语 http://www.kekenet.com/read/201211/211322.shtml