【英语趣味课堂】领带的历史-The History of the Tie

 Todd: Mike, you were born in Croatia.

 

Mike: That's right.

 

Todd: Now you told me an interesting story about the necktie. Can you explain where the necktie came from?

 

Mike: Well, my understanding is that the necktie originated¹ from Croatia. Originally, several hundred years ago, when the Croatians went into battle they would have a scarf or a handkerchief that protected their necks when they went into battle, and when they fought, and what they started doing was wearing this scarf or this handkerchief around their neck almost as an accessory² and they wore this in the 17th, I believe it was 18th century maybe, or 17th century. They went to visit Louis the 14th in France on some sort of official visit, a delegation³ of Croatians, that rhymes, and they wore their handkerchiefs, and apparently⁴ Louis the 14th was so impressed and thought is was such a cool looking accessory that he adopted it as a fashion item for the French and it became the necktie, and the French word for necktie comes from the French word for Croatian, which is "cravate", so the cravate origin is from the Croatian. That's the story as far as I know it.

 

Todd: Wow, so today people wear neckties because of Croatia?

 

Mike: Because of Croatians and that doesn't make me feel any better because I hate wearing a necktie, but I guess I can't change history.

 

学习内容：

 

go into battle

 

Originally, several hundred years ago, when the Croatians went into battle they would have a scarf ...

 

To 'go into battle' means that you advance into a war. 

 

Notice the following:

 

The Romans were experts at going into battle. 

A soldier would wear armor to go into battle.

handkerchief

 

... or a handkerchief that protected their necks when they went into battle.

 

A 'handkerchief' is a small piece of fabric⁵ that people use as a serviette. 

 

Notice the following:

 

Do you have a handkerchief?

Nobody really has a handkerchief anymore, do they?

accessory

 

What they started doing was wearing this scarf or this handkerchief around their neck almost as an accessory.

 

An 'accessory' is a non-essential piece of clothing or jewellery that people where in order to make their clothes look better. 

 

Notice the following:

 

I have so many accessories⁶. 

As a woman, you can never have too many accessories. 

official visit

 

They went to visit Louis the 14th in France on some sort of official visit.

 

An 'official visit' is something that important people will do in order to carry out important business. 

 

Notice the following:

 

The mayor⁷ is in town today on an official visit. 

I don't think it is an official visit. 

fashion

 

Louis the 14th was so impressed and thought is was such a cool looking accessory that he adopted it as a fashion item.

 

'Fashion' is the name for the trends or style of dress that come and go in the clothing industry. 

 

Notice the following:

 

I do not really follow fashion. 

They have some lovely boutiques that really keep up with the fashions. 

 

1 originated   

v.起源于，来自，产生( originate的过去式和过去分词 )；创造；创始；开创

参考例句：

• The disease is thought to have originated in the tropics. 这种疾病据说起源于热带地区。
• The art of portrait miniatures was originated in England. 微型画像艺术创始于英国。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 accessory   

n.附件，附属品，（为全套衣服增加美感的）服饰

参考例句：

• He is an accessory to the murderer.他是这个杀人凶手的同谋。
• A radio is an accessory to a car.收音机是汽车的附件。

3 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

4 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

5 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

6 accessories   

n.附件；附件( accessory的名词复数 )；（衣服的）配饰；从犯；妇女饰品

参考例句：

• a range of furnishings and accessories for the home 各种各样的家居装饰物及配件
• These are indispensable accessories. 这些是不可缺少的附件。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 mayor   

n.市长

参考例句：

• The new mayor said he would clean the city up.新市长说，他要整顿本市。
• The mayor hurried into his office,brushing off the reporters.市长赶快走进办公室，拒不接见记者。