老天保佑 Touch Wood （Knock on wood）

圖／老唐

文／Dr.J.J. 圖／老唐

別以為只有東方社會才迷信，其實相較起來，西方人也是不遑多讓呢！

像我們常脫口說出「老天保佑」，好像不這麼你補上一句，一不小心得罪眾神明就慘了。然而，英文裡則會說”touch wood”或”knock on wood”，一面說著，還會一面用手指頭在桌上輕敲個幾下，意思和我們中文裡常說的「老天保佑」亟為相似，都是希望剛剛所說的話（通常是好事）能延續下去，或很快地實現。

英文裡”touch wood”或”knock on wood”這句話的典故，據說是古時候的人們相信樹木裡住著很多精靈，所以在講話的同時若能輕敲桌面幾下，就能趕走邪惡的精靈，而所說的話也就不會被邪靈聽見給壞了好事。

Josh：It looks like our business is doing extremely well for Q1.

Josh：看起來我們第1季的業績超棒的。

Jerry：Yes, I saw the sales report and it’ s certainly encouraging.

Jerry：是啊，我看到業績報表了，真是鼓舞人心。

Josh：With the increasing demands from new markets such as China and India, I can well see it’ s going to continue like this for Q2.

Josh：新興市場像是大陸還有印度的需求不斷增加，我可以預見第2季的業績也會持續看好。

Jerry：You really think so? That’ s wonderful! I mean, we really deserve it. The whole team has been working so hard.

Jerry：你真的這麼想嗎？真是太棒了！我是說，這是我們應得的。一直以來整個團隊都這麼努力。

Josh：If all goes well, I may be able to get a small apartment with the mid-year bonus as down payment, touch wood! Touch wood!

Josh：順利的話，我就可以用年中的獎金當作頭期款買一個小公寓了，老天保佑，老天保佑！

Jerry：Yes,“ touch wood ”, and I can finally afford a car and drive my girl friend around.

Jerry：對啊，老天保佑，而我終於可以買部車，載我女朋友到處兜風了。

來源：自由時報

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