yingwen

Gung ho

Gung ho

VARIANT FORMS: gung-ho

MEANING: Adj. Slang. Extremely or overly enthusiastic and dedicated.

ETYMOLOGY: Motto of certain U.S. Marine forces in Asia during World War II. The original Mandarin Chinese phrase is Gōnghé (工合), a standard abbreviation for gōngyè hézuòshè (工業合作社), meaning industrial worker’s cooperative. The phrase entered the American vernacular when it was picked up by then-Major Evans F. Carlson, USMC. According to Carlson, it was used as a slogan by the WW2-era Communist Party of China’s 8th Route Army, led by Zhu De (朱德).

History: Most of us are not aware of it today, but the word gung ho has been in English only since 1942 and is one of the many words that entered the language as a result of World War II. It comes from Mandarin Chinese gōnghé, “to work together,” which was used as a motto by the Chinese Industrial Cooperative Society. Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson (1896–1947) borrowed the motto as a moniker for meetings in which problems were discussed and worked out; the motto caught on among his Marines (the famous “Carlson’s Raiders”), who began calling themselves the “Gung Ho Battalion.” From there eager individuals began to be referred to as gung ho.

Examples:

“Bobby is really gung ho on his plan to start his own company.”

“Barron’s interviews investing guru Jim Rogers, who’s gung-ho on China.”

“Some of the crew members are gung-ho about the US presence in Iraq in particular and the Middle East in general; others express serious doubts.”

“We need to avoid being ‘Gung Ho’ at these times. There are many problems ahead.”

“I’m not gung ho on that stock.”

Note that gung ho is usually used with the prepositions on and about.

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Common Illnesses

Malaria (冷热病?) - An infectious disease characterized by cycles of chills, fever, and sweating, which is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Measles (麻疹) - An acute, contagious viral disease, usually occurring in childhood and characterized by eruption of red spots on the skin and fever.

Strep Throat (I think it is 链球菌性喉炎) - An infection of the throat, often epidemic, characterized by fever and inflammation of the tonsils.

Meningitis (脑膜炎) - Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by fever, vomiting, intense headache, and stiff neck.

Herpes (疱疹) - Any of several viral diseases causing the eruption of small blisterlike vesicles on the skin or mucous membranes, can be sexually transmitted.

The Mumps (腮腺炎) - An acute, inflammatory, contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus and characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotids, and sometimes of the pancreas, ovaries, or testes. This disease, mainly affecting children, can be prevented by vaccination.

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Proverbs III

Proverb: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Meaning:

It is much easier to do something to prevent a problem than to deal with it after it has happened.

This proverb expresses a similar idea to A stitch in time saves nine.

Example:

“I strongly recommend backing up your data at least once a day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

“This vaccine costs $25, but it would cost you at least $1500 if you caught the disease and had to be treated in a hospital. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

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Proverb: The pen is mightier than the sword.

Meaning:

Eloquent writing persuades people better than military force.

Example:

“Believing that the pen is mightier than the sword, the rebels began publishing an underground newspaper.”

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Proverb: Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Meaning:

Too many people trying to manage something simply spoil it.

Example:

“Everyone is giving orders, but no one is following them! Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

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The Devil

The Devil is the title given to the supernatural being, who, in mainstream Christianity, Islam, and some other religions, is believed to be a powerful, evil entity and the tempter of humankind. Or: the rebellious angel who in Christian belief is the adversary of God and lord of evil.

The Devil has many different names:

• Satan
• Lucifer
• Beelzebub
• The Prince of Darkness
• The Evil One

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Athletic Equipment

Shoulder Pads - a piece of protective equipment used in American and Canadian football. Most modern shoulder pads consist of a shock absorbing foam material with a hard plastic outer covering.

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Jockstrap - (also known as a jock, supporter, or athletic supporter) is an undergarment designed for supporting the male genitalia during the performance of sports or other vigorous physical activity. Note: The word jock is also slang for penis.

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Mouthguard (or mouth guard) - Protective wear that fits into the mouth and covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce levels of harm (injury) to the teeth, particularly when playing sports.

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Cleats - A type of shoe designed especially for sports played on grass or dirt, such as soccer or American football. Unlike “spikes” for sports such as track and field and baseball, cleats generally have large studs on the bottom to assist in gripping the surface, preventing sliding and assisting in rapid changes of direction. The stud itself is often called a cleat.

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Proverbs II

Proverb: Birds of a feather flock together.

Meaning:

Similar people tend to associate with each other.

This proverb is often shortened. Many people just say “Birds of a feather. . .”

This proverb is the opposite of the saying “Opposites attract.”

Example:

Max and Paula are sitting in the cafeteria at their school. They see a group of people that they do not like very much. All of the people in this group are a little mean. They are often rude to the other students at the school. Paula points to the group and then turns to Max.

“Every one of those people is a little mean. How did they all get to be friends with one another?” she asks.

“Well, birds of a feather flock together. Maybe that is the reason they are friends. They all act the same way,” Max answers.

“Maybe,” says Paula, “but I don’t like any of them very much.”

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Proverb: Curiosity killed the cat.

Meaning:

Being curious can get you into trouble. (Often used to warn someone against prying into other’s affairs.)

Example:

Tom and Steve are walking down the street when they see a building that has been abandoned. There is wood over the windows and locks on the doors. There are weeds everywhere, and the garbage has been blown in by the wind. There is also a fence around the building to keep people out. The two boys hear a noise inside the building.

“I’m going to see what that noise is,” says Tom.

“You’d better not,” warns Steve, “Curiosity killed the cat, you know. It might be very dangerous. Let’s just go home instead.”

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Proverb: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to warn someone not to plan anything that depends on a good thing you expect to happen in the future, and tell him/her to wait until it really happens. It is used to tell people not to be too sure that something good you hope for will really happen. It might not happen after all.

It is often shortened to “Don’t count your chickens.”
The “before they hatch” part can be substituted with “before they are hatched” or “before they’ve hatched.”

Example:

A: Here’s the list of the things I’m going to buy next month when I get money.
B: It looks great, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

“You might think the new president will fix all the problems in our company and we will get a raise, but don’t count your chickens.”

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Proverb: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Meaning:

You use this proverb to say that the things other people have or their situations always look better than your own, even when they are not really so.

It is often shortened to “The grass is greener on the other side,” or even ‘The grass is always greener.”

Example:

“Don’t compare your talents with others. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Just do your best.”

“You might think you’d be happy if you were working in my company, but, well, the grass is greener on the other side.”

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Famous Artists - Part I

Pronunciation of some famous names…

	Monet (莫內) - 1840–1926 French painter. More pictures here.
	Raphael (拉斐尔) - 1483–1520 Italian painter. More pictures here.
	Michelangelo (米開朗基羅) - 1475–1564 Italian sculptor, painter, architect, & poet. More pictures here.
	Picasso (畢卡索) - 1881–1973 Spanish painter & sculptor in France. More pictures here.
	Warhol (華荷) - 1928–1987 American artist & filmmaker. More pictures here.
	Matisse (馬蒂斯) - 1869–1954 French painter. More pictures here.

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Famous Names

Pronunciation of some famous names…

	Beethoven (貝多芬) - 1770–1827 German composer.
	Mozart (莫扎特) - 1756–1791 Austrian composer.
	Aristotle (亚里士多德) - 384–322 b.c. Greek philosopher.
	Plato (柏拉圖) - 428–348 b.c. Greek philosopher.
	Wittgenstein (维特根斯坦) - 1889–1951 British (Austrian-born) philosopher.
	Kant (康德) - 1724–1804 German philosopher.
	Rembrandt (伦勃朗) - 1606–1669 Dutch painter.

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Shit Slang & Idioms

The word “shit” is vulgar, but there are many common idioms that use this word. You shouldn’t use this word in a professional setting, but you will hear these phrases listed below all of the time.

Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence
get/have one’s shit together	to get one’s possessions organized; to get oneself mentally organized; to get one’s life in order	Let me get my shit together, and I’ll be right with you. (let me gather my stuff) You are homeless and unemployed. You better get your shit together, man. (you better get your life in order) He went to Harvard and then to Yale Law School. He really has his shit together. (he really has his life in order; he is really doing well)
shit happens	Bad things just happen and are unavoidable. This is kind of like saying 没办法。	Too bad that your new car got dented, but shit happens. Jack: This has been the worst day of my life. Jill: Hey, shit happens, right?
up shit creek or up a creek (without a paddle)	in an awkward position with no easy way out; in trouble.	You locked your keys in your car and your mother-in-law broke her leg? Wow, you are up shit creek. (you are in a bad/awkward situation) I have to be home by nine or I’ll be up shit creek. (I’ll be in trouble) If we don’t get to the airport by five, we will be up a creek without a paddle. (we will be in a difficult situation)
when the shit hits the fan	when all the expected trouble comes; when bad things happen	When the shit hits the fan some guys run and some guys stay and fight. If we don’t finish this project by Monday, the shit is really going to hit the fan. (there will be big trouble)
Cut the shit!	Stop acting silly and telling jokes! Be serious! or Stop lying! Stop telling me stories and tell me the truth!	Will you guys cut the shit and get back to work? (will you stop goofing off/joking around/playing) Jack: I had to work late and then I had to go to the dentist. Jill: Will you cut the shit!?! I know you are having an affair!

 

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Movie Analysis - It Happened One Night

Words & Phases	Meaning	Example Sentence
just the same (to someone) or all the same (to someone)	of no consequence to someone; doesn’t matter to someone	If it’s just the same to you, I’m going to sit right here and wait until they come. Other examples: It’s all the same to me whether we win or lose. If it’s just the same to you, I’d rather walk than ride. If it’s all the same, I’d rather you didn’t smoke.
penknife	A small pocketknife usually with only one blade. Pictures here.	Here, I got a penknife, though.
Rub it in	to keep reminding someone of his failures; to nag someone about something.	You needn’t rub it in.
panhandling or to panhandle	To approach strangers and beg for money or food.	Hey, you don’t think I’m going around panhandling for you, do you?
a long face	A discontented or sad facial expression.	But it’s no good, though, if you haven’t got a long face to go with it.
smart aleck or smart ass	A person regarded as obnoxiously self-assertive.	You’re such a smart aleck. Nobody knows anything but you.

Notes:

Hitchhiking = 搭便车.

If it’s just the same to you… is similar to saying, “If you don’t mind…” or “If you don’t care…”

 

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Furniture - Part 2

Sectional - A large sofa made up of sections that can be used separately or together. More pictures here.

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Love Seat - A small sofa or double chair that seats two people. More pictures here.

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End Table - A small table, usually placed at either end of a couch or beside a chair. More pictures here.

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Four-poster Bed - A bed having tall corner posts originally intended to support curtains or a canopy. More pictures here.

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Proverbs - Part I

(Note: Proverbs are 谚语. Idioms are 成语.)

Proverb	Meaning	Example Sentence
A stitch in time saves nine.	If you fix a small problem right away, it will not become a bigger problem later.	Let’s patch the roof before that hole gets bigger. A stitch in time saves nine.
Still waters run deep.	Quiet people are often very thoughtful.	Jill: I get the impression that Nathan is not very smart. He never says anything. Jane: Don’t be so sure. Still waters run deep, you know.
A penny saved is a penny earned.	Money that you save is more valuable than money that you spend right away; it is good to save money.	Now that you have your first job, you ought to open a savings account. A penny saved is a penny earned.
People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.	You should not criticize other people for having the same faults that you yourself have.	Jill: Richard sure was drinking a lot at the office party. Jane: I noticed you had quite a few cocktails yourself. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

Notes:

A stitch in time saves nine makes more sense if you think of it with commas like this: a stitch, in time, saves nine. The “in time” here means “after a while” or “after time passes.” So let’s say you get a hole in your pants. If you fix it right away, it will only require one stitch. If you wait until later, the hole will get bigger and it will then require nine stitches to fix it. So one stitch now will save nine stitches later: a stitch in time saves nine.

 

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