Now the word theory has a very complicated etymological history that I won't trouble you with.

理论这个词的词源非常复杂,你们不需要了解。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选

Instead he develops a highly intricate theory of how he's going to use slavery to save black people.

但他发明了一套非常复杂的理论,是关于如果通过奴隶制解放黑奴的

耶鲁公开课 - 美国内战与重建课程节选

He says, "Boy, this is complicated theory.

他说，哦，这是一个复杂的理论。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选

It isn't to do with something complicated.

这也不是什么复杂的理论

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The trouble with the etymology of theory and the way in which the word has been used traditionally is that sometimes it actually means practice, and then at other historical periods it means something very different from practice, something typically from which practice is derived.

理论这个词在词源,和传统的使用方法上的复杂之处在于,它有时候指的是实践，但在特定的历史时期,它指的是和实践非常不同的东西，也就是实践产生的依据。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选