A second-string person is not on the main team, or in the main group, but is kept ready to step in when someone else cannot. The picture comes from sport: the first-string players start the game; the second-string sit on the bench and play if a starter is hurt, tired, or having a bad day. Coaches still train them, because a team needs that extra layer.

A second-string personsecond-string的人 is not on the main team, or in the main group不在主力隊伍或主要團體裡, but is kept ready to step in when someone else cannot但隨時準備在別人不能上場時遞補。The picture comes from sport這個畫面來自運動: the first-string players start the gamefirst-string球員負責先發上場; the second-string sit on the bench and play if a starter is hurt, tired, or having a bad daysecond-string則坐板凳，等先發球員受傷、累了或狀況不好時上場。Coaches still train them教練還是會訓練他們, because a team needs that extra layer因為球隊需要這一層額外的人力。

People then carry the idea into work, clubs, and even friendship groups: a second-string reporter covers the story when the usual one is away; a second-string singer goes on if the star is ill.

People then carry the idea into work, clubs, and even friendship groups後來人們也把這個概念用到工作、社團甚至朋友圈裡: a second-string reporter covers the story when the usual one is away像平常的記者不在時，由second-string記者接手報導; a second-string singer goes on if the star is ill或明星歌手生病時由second-string歌手上場。

It is not a kind label. It says, without shouting, that you are useful but not first choice.

It is not a kind label這不是個溫和的稱呼。It says, without shouting它不用大聲就能表達, that you are useful but not first choice你有用，但不是第一人選。

In casual talk it can sound a little sharp, almost a put-down; in sport it is just a ranking, not an insult. It is about the job you hold in the group, not about whether you are a good person.

In casual talk在日常口語裡 it can sound a little sharp這聽起來可能有點刺耳, almost a put-down幾乎像在貶低人; in sport it is just a ranking但在運動裡這只是個排名, not an insult不是侮辱。It is about the job you hold in the group這跟你在團體裡擔任的角色有關, not about whether you are a good person跟你是不是好人無關。