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  • 工作学习 / English / 必须知道的几个英文用法出处 -wjiang(wjiang); 2001-2-23 {1505} (#28195@0)
    本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛1. In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
    When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer
    to sleep on. That's where the phrase, "goodnight, sleep tight" came from.

    2. It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a
    month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law
    with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their
    calendar was lunar based, this period was called the "honey month" or what
    we know today as the honeymoon.

    3. In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England,
    when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at to mind their own
    pints and quarts and settle down. It's where we get the phrase "mind your
    P's and Q's."

    4. Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the
    rim or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used
    the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle," is the phrase
    inspired by this practice.

    5. Here's the best one... In ancient England a person could not have sex
    unless you had consent of the King (unless you were in the Royal Family).
    When anyone wanted to have a baby, they got the consent of the King and
    the King gave them a placard that they hung on their door while they were
    having sex. The placard had F. U. C. K. on it (Fornication Under Consent
    of the King). Now you know where that came from.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
    • very interesting, it happens that i know a little more about #3 mind your Ps and Qs ---other versions than the story told here -guest:guest; 2001-2-23 {1269} (#28210@0)
      本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛A, in old England, there was no public school, children were taught at home. When writing, kids often confused the letters 'p' and 'q', at this moment their teacher (mom, most likely) would tell the kids: "mind your Ps and Qs".

      B. in old England, and French language was very a la mode in King's palace, and all the servants needed to wear their wig (jia fa). when they met the king, they had to pay heed to their courtesey---must walk in an elegant manner and meanwhile, must bow to the king (while keep the wig not falling off), therefore they often alerted each other: "mind your Pieds (=foot in English) and Q...s (sorrry i don't remember the spelling, but=wig in English)".

      C. a more modern version---to teach people (young or old) be polite---when you start a request, say 'Please', when you receive help, say 'thank YOU', this is often a kind reminder to some people :'mind your Ps and Qs'.

      D, slightly different from JiAng:
      in old England, taverns sold beer by pints and quarts, it is no difficult for drinkers to get drunk and hence be unable to stand (or walk, or more importantly, to pay), so u can hear bartender's advice---don't drink TOO much, this becomes "Mind your Ps and Qs".

      all these which version you like? :-)更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
      • We have somebody from the real Old England. Thank you, both of you. -rolling(Rollor); 2001-2-23 (#28220@0)
      • Abbreviations. :-) -diao_david(David Diao); 2001-2-23 {122} (#28223@0)
        KINT -- Kiss Ever Never Teach
        MARLBORO -- Man Always Remembers Love Because of Romantic Only
        FORD -- Fix Or Repair Daily
        • Ph.D: PizzaHut Delivery -bloor(bloor); 2001-2-23 (#28228@0)
        • KINT=Kiss Ever Never Touch -wjiang(wjiang); 2001-2-23 {62} (#28256@0)
          Marlboro=Man Always Read Ladies Because Otherwise Regret Often
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