MacGuffin
noun[C]
theatre & filmspecialized(alsoMcGuffin)uk/məˈɡʌf.ɪn/us/məˈɡʌf.ɪn/something in afilmthatmovestheplot(=story)forwardbut is notimportantitself:
麦加芬（指推动电影情节发展，但本身并不重要的细节）Mostmysterieshave a MacGuffin, aneventoritemdesignedtomotivatethecharactersbut which isactuallyjust ameaninglessplaceholder.大多数悬疑片都有所谓的“麦加芬”，即为塑造角色而设计的事件或物品，但其本身不过是形式而已，没有什么意义。
Hitchcockdescribedthe "MacGuffin" as ameaningless,unimportantdetailthatsolelyexistedtoserveas areasonfor thestorytoexist.希区柯克将 "麦加芬"定义为一个毫无意义、不重要的细节，其存在完全是为了作为故事存在的理由。
- A MacGuffin is something that anentirestoryisbuiltaround andyethas norealrelevance.
- Thepregnancyiskindof a MacGuffin: itmotivatesher torealizeherfeelingsfor the man whofatheredthechild.
- Thecharacters'literaryobsessionisultimatelya MacGuffin, since it's not what they do as aprofession, but what they do withtheirlives, that thefilmisinterestedin.
- A MacGuffin'simportanceis usuallydebunkedorforgottenas thestoryunfolds.
Cinema & theatre: parts of plays, shows & films
- act
- beat
- blooper reel
- byplay
- coup de théâtre
- curtain call
- denouement
- dream sequence
- exeunt
- exit
- finale
- flashback
- fourth wall
- interval
- meet-cute
- scene
- set piece
- showstopper
- stage direction
- wrap party