昔日文章

The kitchen is the heart of the home because this is the place for the family to prepare and cook food. What do you think are the essential cooking utensils in the kitchen? Most of you might name woks, frying pans and pots. Then what does it mean when the pot is calling the kettle black? My brother always criticises me as a game addict. He sounds like the pot calling the kettle black because he also loves computer games. The saying “the pot calling the kettle black” (五十步笑百步)is used to describe someone who accuses another person of a fault while he or she has the same fault. Its original idea comes from Thomas Shelton’s 1620 translation of “Don Quixote” (《唐吉訶德》), a Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. “You are like what is said that the frying- pan said to the kettle, ‘Avant, black-browes’ [‘Go away, blackface’].” In ancient times, pots and kettles, which were made of cast iron, turned black easily when placed in the fire. In modern times, the quality of cookware is much improved with various material types, such as stainless steel and aluminium. In 1693, a closer-to-modern English version of the idiom appeared in a book entitled “Some Fruits of Solitude” by an American writer, William Penn. “For ... a Lyer [Liar] against Forgery, ... is for the Pot to call the Kettle black.” Nowadays, people sometimes change the wording of the saying to suit their own purpose. “Sam, think carefully before you blame me! Do you know what the pot called the kettle?”  Glossary  Utensils 用具 Accuses 指責 Fault 過失 Cast iron 鑄鐵 Cookware 廚具 Stainless steel 不銹鋼 Aluminium 鋁 Purpose 目的  

Some surveys found that Hong Kong teenagers may not be sleeping long and well enough. Many of them sleep less than seven hours every night and do not “sleep tight”.  The expression “sleep tight” means sleep deeply and well. It first appeared in a diary written by Susan Bradford Eppes, an American writer, in 1866.  “Goodbye little Diary. ‘Sleep tight and wake bright,’ for I will need you when I return.”  Why do people use the word “tight”, which normally means firmly and securely, to describe the quality of their sleep? There are two popular stories behind this saying.  The first one goes back to the early 19th century when people slept on rope-beds. Nowadays, the mattress is put on sturdy wooden boards or metal springs. However, in the past, the mattress was put on bed frames made of ropes. People needed to tighten the ropes regularly to prevent the mattress from sagging.  The second origin is related to a popular bedside nursery rhyme. The first two lines are: “Good night, sleep tight,  Don’t let the bedbugs bite, …”  However, both stories have been rejected by scholars. While rope-beds were invented many years before the first appearance of “sleep tight”（睡個好覺）, the nursery rhyme was created in the late 19th century.  Instead, scholars suggested that the word “tight” in the expression means “soundly” and “well”. This usage can be traced back to the Shakespearean time in the 17th century.  A quality sleep keeps us healthy both physically and mentally. Let’s go to bed early and, most important of all, sleep tight.   

Perhaps all children, without exception, love hot dogs. When we talk about hot dogs, what comes into your mind? A long sausage, a soft bread roll and some ketchup? When you eat a hot dog, do you ever wonder why this kind of food is called a “hot dog”?  It is quite certain that the term “hot dog” originated in the USA in the middle of the 19th century. When it was created, it referred to the sausage itself only. As with a lot of popular sayings, there are also many versions of its origins. One popular but dark story indicates that the sausage contained dog meat. Can you believe it?!  The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, a trade association in the USA, suggests that the phrase “hot dog” might be related to German immigrants in the 19th century. German immigrants brought frankfurters (a type of smoked sausage) and dachshund dogs (also known as “sausage dogs”, short-legged with long, thin bodies) into the USA. Some German hawkers sold these hot dachshund-like sausages in the street stalls. They became very popular among working class people because they were cheap, convenient and tasty. Eventually, the sausage itself, and the sausage in a bun both became called a “hot dog”.  Its written form appeared in an American newspaper as early as 1884:  “… the … man will be barred from dispensing hot dog on the street corner.”  Nowadays, there are many varieties of hot dogs. People create their own recipes using their own favourite condiments and ingredients. What is your recipe?    Glossary Trade association 貿易協會 Immigrants 移民 Frankfurters 法蘭克福香腸 Smoked sausage 燻製香腸 Dachshund 達克斯獵狗;臘腸狗 Recipes 食譜 Condiments  調味品 Ingredients  食物材料     

Between November and April, the WWF-Hong Kong（世界自然基金會香港分會）is organising bird watching sessions at Mai Po Nature Reserve （米埔自然保護區）. Visitors may be able to see thousands of migratory birds inhabiting the marshes. If you have time, try to join this guided walk and find out whether “birds of a feather flock together” or not.  Scientists believe that birds of the same species tend to fly or roost together in flocks to keep themselves safe from predators. Similar to the birds’ behaviour, people with similar interests or backgrounds gather together.  Tom and John like football, and always watch matches together. It seems that birds of a feather flock together（物以類聚，人以群分）.  Many sources suggest that this proverb can be traced back to the 16th century. William Turner, an English natural historian, expressed this idea in Old English in his book entitled “The Rescuing of Romish Fox” in 1545:  “Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” (Birds of one kind and colour flock and fly always together.)  A closer saying in English was found in the “Spanish Grammar” compiled by Richard Percyvall and John Minsheu in 1599.  “Birdes of a feather will flocke togither.”  This expression can be used in both positive and negative ways.  Team A works more effectively than Team B. As birds of a feather flock together（志同道合）, Team A members share similar aims and values.  As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together（一丘之貉；臭味相投）.” It is not surprising that the two robbers can make good friends within such a short period of time.  Do you think that this proverb is relevant to your friendship circle?    Glossary  Migratory birds  候鳥 Marshes  濕地 Species  物種 Roost  棲息