Why Do Married Couples 'Tie the Knot'?

Why Do Married Couples 'Tie the Knot'?

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give you definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we even use them in a conversation.

　　Valentine's Day is February 14. Because it is close to that day that celebrates lovers, we talk today about a romantic idiom: tie the knot.

　　To tie the knot is an informal term for getting married. In some marriage ceremonies, a knot is actually tied around the couple's hands with a piece of cloth or ribbon. This is done as a symbol of unity¹.

　　This wedding tradition can be called a handfasting ceremony.

　　Several websites claim that this is an ancient Celtic wedding tradition. The couple holds hands while someone else ties their hands together with material. This represents the two people being physically³ and spiritually tied to each other.

　　But let's go back to the word "knot."

　　A knot is an interlacing of string, ribbon, rope, or similar material that forms a connection between two, or more, loose ends.

　　The word "knot" can also describe a mass or lump of disordered material that is tangled⁵. Some knots are hard to untangle. For example, if your hair has knots, the ends have become tangled together, and it cannot be straightened or combed. When talking about hair, having knots is not a good thing.

　　Knowing how to tie knots is important in many activities including sailing. For example, rope is used to secure sails. While sailing, you might want ropes to stay knotted at times, but you also need to be able to release knots quickly, at a moment's notice.

　　With a marriage, you want to stay knotted together. You do not want the bond to be easily broken.

　　There are other ways to say to tie the knot. In a formal situation, you can say two people have been wed². A very informal expression is to get hitched⁶.

　　Now, let's hear two friends use the expression "to tie the knot."

　　A: Hey, I have a wonderful secret about our good friends Finn and Polly. They are tying the knot next month!

　　B: What? Finn and Polly? Are you sure?

　　A: Yes! Polly told me last week while we were bowling⁷. She's on my bowling team.

　　B: I cannot believe that.

　　A: Well, believe it. But she made me promise not to say a word. So, don't tell anyone.

　　B: I am shocked.

　　A: Why? Finn and Polly have been dating for years.

　　B: I'm not shocked about that. Polly ... bowls?? I had no idea.

　　And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

　　Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

　　conversation –n. talking or a talk between two or more people

　　romantic –adj. related to love between two people or to romance

　　informal –adj. not used in official or serious writing or speech

　　symbol –n. an object that represents an idea

　　interlace –v. joined in a way that involves crossing thread, string or rope over and under

　　tangle⁴ –v. to become disordered and twisted together

　　bond –n. a strong, lasting connection

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 wed   

v.娶，嫁，与…结婚

参考例句：

• The couple eventually wed after three year engagement.这对夫妇在订婚三年后终于结婚了。
• The prince was very determined to wed one of the king's daughters.王子下定决心要娶国王的其中一位女儿。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 tangle   

n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱

参考例句：

• I shouldn't tangle with Peter.He is bigger than me.我不应该与彼特吵架。他的块头比我大。
• If I were you, I wouldn't tangle with them.我要是你，我就不跟他们争吵。

5 tangled   

adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Your hair's so tangled that I can't comb it. 你的头发太乱了，我梳不动。
• A movement caught his eye in the tangled undergrowth. 乱灌木丛里的晃动引起了他的注意。

6 hitched   

（免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上

参考例句：

• They hitched a ride in a truck. 他们搭乘了一辆路过的货车。
• We hitched a ride in a truck yesterday. 我们昨天顺便搭乘了一辆卡车。

7 bowling   

n.保龄球运动

参考例句：

• Bowling is a popular sport with young and old.保龄球是老少都爱的运动。
• Which sport do you 1ike most,golf or bowling?你最喜欢什么运动，高尔夫还是保龄球？