淘了本書，叫 Chinese Stuff，《中國東西》。

從開裆褲、搓澡巾、關二爺到闆藍根、華容道、三道杠、六味地黃丸......這些熟悉、平凡的中國玩意兒已經成為了時代的符号，這本書圖文并茂地講了一個個東西。像是博物館裡的說明，篇幅短，語言平實，适合做口語素材，有很多小細節還會引人會心一笑。舉幾個例子說明。

錦旗：Embroidered banner

When the Chinese want to express their gratitude in the most respectful manner, they would present a banner embroidered with the praise.

“華佗再世，妙手回春”是這樣解釋的：

"Hua Tuo (an ancient doctor) reborn, bring back spring with wonderful hands" as shown in the picture, or "Virtuous doctor who helps the needed with great skills".

三好學生獎狀：Certificate of merit for "Three-Good Student"

"Three-Good Student" is the most coveted honor for Chinese students and their aspiring parents... Occasionally, a guest would go home and reprimand his or her less diligent child and promise to reward the child if he or she gains such a certificate.（深有體會...）

還記得“三好”是哪三好不？書中是這樣寫的：

"Three Good" refer to "virtue, intelligence and physical health." It is intended for those who are balanced in all three respects. But in reality, most parents and teachers only focus on the second standard, or the scores of examinations.

二鍋頭 Erguotou

為啥叫二鍋頭？讀了這本書我才知道命名是來自釀造方法：

The name Erguotou comes from its production technique. The liquor is distilled three times, but the second distillation produces the most mellow and fragrant liquor.

勸酒常用詞（to persuade guests to down another cup of liquor）：

無酒不成席：a banquet won't be complete without liquor

感情深，一口悶：deep feelings are shown in emptying the glass at a stretch

搓衣闆 Clothes scrubbing board

Before washing machines became affordable for most families, the scubbing board was indispensable for each family.

重點在這裡，紮心不？

There is another function about the scrubbing board. When a husband does something wrong, a wife might punish him by ordering him to kneel down on the scrubbing board... "Kneeling on the scrubbing board" is more of a joke today.

花露水 Toilet water

toilet water 字面意思是“廁所水”，實際上它表示“a weak perfume”。不過盡管“toilet water”确實是“花露水”，産品叫這個名字挺尴尬的。

“花露水”的始祖要追溯到紐約 Lanman & Kemp 公司 1808 年生産的 Florida Water，是一種類似古龍水的香水。後來引進國内被稱為“林文煙花露水”，風靡一時。

Florida Water 譯成“花露水”的靈感可能是來自韋莊的“柳煙輕，花露重，思難任”，也有說是來自歐陽修的“花露重，草煙低，人家簾幕垂。”。

如今國内盛行的花露水不再用作香水，而是以中草藥制成的功能性花露水，用來清熱解毒、祛痱止癢。在 Ebay 上它屬于“Insect Repellent Sprays”，可以用作驅蚊（mosquito repellent），止癢（ itch soother）：

書上用兩句話簡介了花露水的前世今生：

Most people use toilet water to keep mosquitoes and other insects away in summer. But years ago, wearing a bit of slightly scented toilet water was almost like putting on the top quality perfume.

這本書不好買，很多網店都無貨。我是在“多抓魚”上買到的二手書，剛看了一下現在還有貨，欲購從速啊。

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