精彩对白：It's a day for desperate women trying to trap themselves a man who clearly doesn't want to get married. You've got to know that if your man wanted to propose, he'd have done it already. Fact!

西方各国有关猫的迷信

西方人普遍认为黑猫是不吉利的，原因有可能是黑猫与传说中的巫婆有关（巫婆是一个面目可憎、气势汹汹的老太婆，她头戴黑毡帽，怀抱一只大黑猫，骑着一把飞帚）。由于黑猫总是不离巫婆左右，所以它被视为不吉利的象征。传说中的黑猫有九个灵魂，巫婆具有变九次黑猫的魔法，杀死一只黑猫，她还可以变八次（所以英语中谚语：A cat has nine lives，即猫有九命），可泛指某人或某物的生命力很强。在西方，黑猫走过的路人走了就会有厄运降临，或如果你看见黑猫从你面前穿过，你就要倒霉。除了有黑猫不吉利的迷信之外，还有关于猫的其他迷信。如果猫静静地在人身边坐着，那意味着平平安安，顺顺当当；如果猫在人身上蹭来蹭去，那意味着这个人将有好运气；如果猫跳到人的腿上，那意味着吉星高照，官运、财运亨通；如果猫从人身边跑开，那意味着他的秘密将很快被泄露。万圣节黑猫还会被一些人以血腥的方法杀掉，或烧死来完成某些迷信活动。无家可归的黑猫也不能得到善待，黑猫似乎没人敢养。但也不全然这样, 请看下面各国关于猫的迷信：

When a cat washes behind his ears you may expect visitors. (Dutch superstition)

A strange Black cat on your porch brings prosperity. (Scottish superstition)

A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. (Italian superstition)

It is bad luck to see a white cat at night. (American superstition)

Dreaming of a white cat means good luck. (American superstition)

If a cat deserts a house, illness will always reign there. (English superstition)

When you see a one-eyed cat, spit on your thumb, stamp it in the palm of your hand, and make a wish. The wish will come true. (American superstition)

If a cat washes behind it's ears, it will rain. (English superstition)

A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under means cold weather ahead. (English superstition)

English schoolchildren believe seeing a white cat on the way to school is sure to bring trouble. To avert bad luck, they must either spit, or turn around completely and make the sign of the cross.

A Black cat crossing one's path by moonlight means death in an epidemic. (Irish superstition)

It is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. (French superstition)

In Britain and many parts of Europe, a black cat crossing the road, or entering your house is considered very good fortune.

In parts of Yorkshire the wives of fishermen keep black cats at home to ensure their husbands safety at sea.

In Southern England a black cat crossing the path of the bride as she leaves the church is said grant a fortunate marriage.

On every black cat there is a single hair that is white. If you remove it without the cat scratching, this white hair will bring you wealth or luck in love.

(Source: http://liu3305602.blog.163.com/blog/static/1485465320077168349600/)

考考你

1. 警察设圈套使他招供。

2. 玩世不恭者是知道一切事物的价格，却不知道任何东西的价值的人。

3. 这个年轻人真是饶舌。

4. 那位疯子认为他的邻居是外星人。

Leap Year《败犬求婚日》精讲之二 参考答案

1. Do not rush into marriage.

2. I can't figure out why he said that.

3. We must figure out how to do it.

4. He was trained as an actor, but diverted to diplomacy.

精彩对白：It's a day for desperate women trying to trap themselves a man who clearly doesn't want to get married. You've got to know that if your man wanted to propose, he'd have done it already. Fact!

（中国日报网英语点津：陈丹妮）

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