Reader's question: What's going on here? Church calls it compensation, but you and I might know it as the lip-licking anticipation of perfectly salted, golden-brown French fries after a hard trip to the gym. Could you explain “lip-licking anticipation”?
My comments: Usually when we are hungry or thirsty, and the idea of food or something tasty comes into our mind, we often lick our lips. It’s as if we are expecting or just imagining the joyful sensation and pleasure of what it would be like to eat that chocolate cake ‘mmm’ or drink that cool lemon tea on a hot summer’s day ‘ahh’. Think of the famous scientist Pavlov and his dog. When the bell rang and the dog was ready for supper the lip licking anticipation began and he started to drool. So regarding the phrase ‘lip-licking anticipation’ quite simply that is the image we should be thinking of – something really tasty or delicious that is about to be experienced. Another phrase similar in meaning is “lip-smacking’ which is when you suck your lips together and make a sound, similarly used for expressing something that is delicious or pleasant. Now both these phrases can also be used in a more suggestive situation to include not just food but also our taste for people or love e.g. The lip-licking anticipation of Angelina walking into the room saw Brad squeal in delight. I’ll let you work out the rest from here… Related stories: 本文仅代表作者本人观点,与本网立场无关。欢迎大家讨论学术问题,尊重他人,禁止人身攻击和发布一切违反国家现行法律法规的内容。以上讨论问题来自翻吧(translate.chinadaily.com.cn) |
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About the author: |
About the author: Brendan has taught at universities, high schools and primary schools in Japan,the UK, Australia and China. He is a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor and has extensive experience with International English Language Examinations. In the field of writing Brendan has been published in The Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, Inflight magazines and the Asia News Network. He can be contacted at brendanjohnworrell@hotmail.com. |
本文仅代表作者本人观点,与本网立场无关。欢迎大家讨论学术问题,尊重他人,禁止人身攻击和
发布一切违反国家现行法律法规的内容。