In many French-speaking countries and regions, a traditional pastry called galette des rois is served during the Epiphany, a Christian feast day celebrating the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. The pastry’s name __1__ from French as “kings’ cake” and refers to the Magi of the Bible, who were also known as the three kings. The pastry is typically round and filled with an almond cream called frangipane.
The origin of galette des rois dates back to the Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival __2__ the god Saturn and held to celebrate the longer days following the winter solstice. It was not until the Middle Ages __3__ the pastry became associated with the Epiphany, which the Christian church observed on Jan. 6.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of galette des rois is the small figurine hidden within it. Called la feve, the French word for “bean,” this figurine serves as __4__. Whoever finds it in their slice is crowned king or queen for a day. They get to wear a paper crown and will be responsible for bringing the pastry to the gathering next year. Originally, an actual bean was used __5__ it symbolized fertility and the coming of spring. In the 19th century, however, la feve evolved into a small porcelain figurine like the ones found in Nativity scenes.
Photo: Shutterstock I 照片：Shutterstock
Steeped in history and tradition, galette des rois is a delicious and symbolic centerpiece of the Epiphany celebrations, with its hidden figurine adding an element of surprise and delight to the occasion.
在許多法語國家和地區，每到主顯節，人們都會品嚐一種名為galette des rois（編按：中文常稱為國王派，或稱國王餅、國王蛋糕）的傳統糕點，主顯節是基督教的節日，是為了慶祝東方三博士拜訪嬰孩耶穌。這種糕點從法語翻譯過來的意思是「國王們的蛋糕」，指的是聖經中的東方三博士，他們也被稱為三個國王。這種糕點通常是圓形的，內餡為一種叫做frangipane的杏仁奶油。
國王派的起源可以追溯到農神節，農神節是一個專為祭祀農業之神薩圖恩的古羅馬節日，目的是慶祝冬至後白天變長的日子。直到中世紀，這種糕點才與基督教教會於一月六日慶祝的主顯節聯繫起來。
Photo: Shutterstock I 照片：Shutterstock
國王派最有趣的地方或許是藏在其中的小塑像。這個小塑像被稱為la feve（法語意思為「蠶豆」），是一個特殊的獎品。誰在自己拿到的那一片派裡找到它，就能加冕為一日國王或王后。他們可以戴上紙皇冠，並要為下一年的聚會準備國王派。最初，人們使用真實蠶豆，因為它象徵生育和春天的到來。然而在十九世紀，la feve演變成一個小瓷偶，就像耶穌誕生場景中的那些塑像一樣。
國王派深具歷史和傳統色彩，是主顯節慶祝活動中一道美味又有象徵意義的重頭戲，其隱藏在內的小塑像為節日增添幾分驚喜和愉悅。
1. (A) graduates (B) surrenders
Photo: Shutterstock I 照片：Shutterstock
(C) translates (D) resigns
2. (A) showered with (B) dedicated to
(C) equipped with (D) addicted to
3. (A) what (B) why
(C) that (D) how
4. (A) a significant project (B) a serious promise
(C) a secret puzzle (D) a special prize
5. (A) as (B) so
(C) lest (D) while
答案：
1. C 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. A
Words in Use
1. pastry n. 糕點
The bakery sells a variety of delicious pastries.
這家麵包店有賣各式各樣的美味糕點。
2. feast n. （宗教）節日
One of the most celebrated Christian feast days around the world is the Christmas holiday.
世界各地最廣泛慶祝的基督教節日之一是耶誕節。
3. aspect n. 方面
A good education can be helpful in all aspects of life.
良好的教育對人生各方面都有所幫助。
4. crown vt. 為……加冕
Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned King of Thailand on May 5, 1950.
蒲美蓬．阿杜德於 1950 年五月五日被加冕為泰國國王。
5. gathering n. 聚會
We’d like to request the honor of your presence at our gathering.
我們希望有這個榮幸邀請您出席我們的聚會。
Practical Phrases
1. become / be associated with...
和……有關聯
This fashion brand has become associated with the TV series after many of its clothes were featured on the show.
這個時尚品牌因為其許多服裝在該電視劇中亮相而與該劇聯繫在一起。
2. be steeped in...
有豐富的∕富有……
Eric loves visiting small towns that are steeped in history.
艾瑞克喜愛造訪那些歷史悠久的小鎮。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
Street lights are often taken for granted until a power outage plunges the world into darkness. When that happens, the value of these lighting installations becomes evident as the world turns into a more dangerous place for pedestrians and motorists alike. The Chinese could claim to be the first to have constructed a crude type of street light. Around 500 BC, residents of Beijing employed a type of street lamp that used hollow bamboo pipes and natural gas vents to create burning torches. Later, ancient Romans adopted lamps fueled by vegetable oil, which relied on slaves to light and
A: Who else is on Billboard’s list: “The 25 greatest pop stars of the 21st Century?” B: No. 15 to 6 are: Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Usher, Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Britney Spears. A: I can’t believe that Adele’s only at No. 10. B: No. 5 to 1 are: Lady Gaga, Drake, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. A: Well, they surely deserve the honor. A: 《告示牌》雜誌的「21世紀最偉大的25位流行歌手」，還有誰上榜啊？ B: 第15至6名是：麥莉希拉、大賈斯汀、妮姬米娜、阿姆、亞瑟小子、愛黛兒、亞莉安娜、小賈斯汀、肯伊威斯特、小甜甜布蘭妮。 A: 真不敢相信愛黛兒只排第10名。 B: 第5至1名是：女神卡卡、德瑞克、蕾哈娜、泰勒絲、碧昂絲。 A: 這幾位真是實至名歸！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: The 21st Century is now entering its 25th year. B: So Billboard has released a list: “The 25 greatest pop stars of the 21st Century.” A: Who are the greatest pop singers? B: No. 25 to 16 are: Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny, One Direction, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, BTS, The Weeknd, Shakira and Jay-Z. A: Wow, my favorite K-pop supergroup BTS has made it to the list. A: 21世紀正在邁入第25個年頭了。 B: 《告示牌》雜誌特別公布：「21世紀最偉大的25位流行歌手」。 A: 最偉大的歌手有哪些？ B: 第25至16名是：凱蒂佩芮、紅髮艾德、壞痞兔、1世代、小韋恩、火星人布魯諾、防彈少年團（BTS）、威肯、夏奇拉、Jay-Z。 A: 哇，我最愛的韓流天團BTS也上榜了！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
Spoiler alert and shift blame 破梗&甩鍋 在新冠疫情期間，無論是因為封城 (lockdown) 還是居家隔離 (self-isolation at home)，人們關在家中使用網路的時間大增。這也讓一些原本只存在於網路論壇的用語廣為普及。我們來談一下破梗 (spoiler alert) 與甩鍋 (shift blame) 這兩個用語。 有位古典文學教授 Joel Christensen 針對領導統御與疫情控制寫了一篇以古喻今、相當深入的文章：“Plagues follow bad leadership in ancient Greek tales”，文中出現一些講法，可用來翻譯上述的流行語： In the 5th century B.C., the playwright Sophocles begins Oedipus Tyrannos with the title character struggling to identify the cause of a plague striking his city, Thebes. (Spoiler alert: It’s his own bad leadership.) (Joel Christensen, “Plagues follow bad leadership in ancient Greek tales,” The Conversation, March 12, 2020) 作者提到 Oedipus（伊底帕斯）想找出瘟疫何以降臨他的城邦的緣由，加了一句：Spoiler alert: It’s his own bad leadership.（破梗：領導無方）。Spoiler alert 就是「破梗」，如果用在有人洩漏電影劇情的情境中，也可以翻作「小心爆雷」或「劇透警告」。疫情之下，在家看影集、電影成了很多人的娛樂，但要小心劇透 (spoilers)，很多 YouTube 上的影評在開頭也都會說 Spoiler alert!，警告還沒看過電影的觀眾小心爆雷、劇透。 至於「甩鍋」，源自大陸網民用語，通常意指某人犯了錯之後想推卸責任、轉移焦點、甚至讓別人背黑鍋的做法。疫情爆發後，相關網路資訊量爆增，許多中國網民也想找人為這場疫情負責，紛紛呼籲地方政府首長、地方黨書記不要「甩鍋」。 其實，在古代文學《奧德賽》中，就有「將自己的責任怪罪眾神」的說法，試用時下流行的「甩鍋」來重新翻譯： Humans are always blaming the gods for their suffering, but they experience
RSS