pleasantry

exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business.

在开始做生意前的寒喧

after an exchange of pleasantries, I proceeded to outline a plan.

打趣一番后，我接着讲了一个计划的提纲。

Swapping pleasantries, two cardinals prepare to enter the Synod Hall for a consistory, an assembly of cardinals that advises the pope.

两位红衣主教边开玩笑边走入宗教会堂准备参加红衣教会议，这个红衣主教集合的会议作用是献策于教皇。

For many years Jess had been employed about the cemetery as a man-of-all-work and it was his favourite pleasantry that he knew 'every soul in the place.

许多年来，墓做杂差，而最得意的玩笑就是认识“墓里的每个幽灵”。