英语中满肚子蝴蝶是什么意思?
今天我们来说一个单词butterfly,即“奶油butter + 飞fly”。为什么会是这样的?
传说在很久以前,居住在英国郊区的人们,在早春时节看到在森林中飞翔的黄色粉蝶(yellow brimstone butterfly)。当她们在阳光照射下,就像飞舞般的奶油(butter flying)一样。于是,蝴蝶就被取名为butterfly。
生物学研究表明,温带地区的蝴蝶,大都较小型而色彩单调,而亚热带及热带地区的蝴蝶,都具有美丽鲜艳的颜色。英国的蝴蝶,就属于单调的奶油一类。
而中文的 “蝴蝶”也很有意思。分别都是“虫”字旁,而“蝴”来自“胡思乱想”,犹如梦境一般,飘来飘去,飞忽不定, “蝶”就是形容那种小虫的翅膀宛如两只小碟。
说起butterfly,我首先想到的是Miley Cyrus的那首Butterfly Fly Away:
Butterfly, Butterfly, Butterfly
蝴蝶啊 蝴蝶啊 蝴蝶啊
Butterfly fly away
蝴蝶将会远飞
蝴蝶在我们的中国的文化中,也有典型的角色,如:庄周梦蝶,梁祝化蝶。也能让我联想到Butterfly Effect(蝴蝶效应)。今天要学习的习语也是关于蝴蝶的:butterflies in stomach
它指的是to feel very nervous and restless(让人感到紧张,坐立不安,忐忑的感觉)
这个习语用作“紧张”的意思,最早出现在1943年,
The phrase, as we use it today was first used in 1943 by Bill Gardener describing his first training jump as a paratrooper:
"I landed all right and although I’ll always have butterflies in my stomach every time I go up …"
例句:
1. He had butterflies in his stomach as he walked out onto the stage for his dance performance.
当他走到舞台上要跳舞时,他的感到一阵紧张。
2. Standing in the crowd, waiting for my favorite band to take the stage, I have butterflies in my stomach.
站在人群中,等着我最喜欢的乐队上台,我心里非常紧张。
3. Tomorrow is my first day at a new school, I have butterflies in my stomach. I hope that I am able to find all of my classes.
明天是我在新学校的第一天,我心里七上八下。我希望我能找到我所有的课程。
听力练习:
You might know the feeling of having butterflies in your stomach before a very important event.
你也许能体会到一种紧张的感觉,尤其是在面对一件很重要的事情之前。
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