When people talk about eating as a communalactivity, they generally refer to the feeling of friendship and togethernessthat comes from sitting down and sharing a meal with others. Yet, there is another way in which eating can be seen as a group experience: eating contests.
Competitive eating contests challenge a person’s eating speed or overallfood consumption. Such events draw huge crowds and have become more and more popular with the streamingcapabilitiesof the internet. While no one knows for sure how long food competitions have been around, there is a 13th-century Norsemyththat features an eating contest between the trickstergod Loki and a giant’s servant. If the concept was prevalentenough to appear in ancient folklore, it had probably existed for a long time before that.
In the realm ofcontemporaryeating contests, the governing bodyof the sport traces its roots back to 1916, when Nathan’s Famous in New York City held a hot dog eating contest. However, these early competitions were mostly publicity stuntsor county fairsideshows. It wasn’t until the 1990s that competitive eating took offand rigorousregulations were also formed. A pair of brothers relaunched Nathan’s Famous’ contest as a major sporting event, and since then, the world has been introduced tofast-eating champions like Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.
In more recent years, a viralvideo trend known as mukbang, or eating shows, arosein South Korea in 2010. Either prerecorded or streamed, such videos show creators consuminglarge quantities of food in front of cameras. Viewers who often dine alone claim that watching these people eat makes them feel less lonely. Others find fulfillmentin watching someone eat quantities that they themselves could never manage.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
spectator
[spɛkˋtetɚ]
n. 觀點
From the voter’s viewpoint, the state of the economy is far more important than who is elected president. 從選民的觀點來看，經濟情況遠比誰當選總統來得重要。
From the voter’s point of view, the state of the economy is far more important than who is elected president. 從選民的觀點來看，經濟情況遠比誰當選總統來得重要。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
communal
[ˈkɑmjʊnl̩ / kəˈmjʊnl̩]
a. 集體的
Students living in the dorm can experience a communal life.
住宿的學生可以體驗集體生活。
●
competitive
[kəmˋpɛtətɪv]
a. 競爭的
The boss admired Brian’s competitive spirit.
老闆很賞識布萊恩的競爭精神。
John became a college student through the highly competitive entrance examination.
約翰通過競爭激烈的入學考試成為大學生。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
overall
[ˋovɚ͵ɔl]
a. 整體的，大致的
=
entire
Just give me the overall picture instead of detailed information.
只要告訴我大概的情況就好了，而不是細節資訊。
The principal thought that the overall result of the exams was quite satisfactory.
校長認為考試整體結果是很令人滿意的。
Overall, imports account for half of our economy. 大體而言，進口貿易占了我們一半的經濟。
I thought John was wearing overalls to protect his clothes, but it turns out they were a fashion statement.
我以為約翰穿連身工作褲來保護他的衣服，但結果那只是一種時尚。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
consumption
[kənˋsʌmpʃən]
n. (能源、資源) 消耗 (量) ; 攝取 (食物) ; 消費 (皆不可數)
The rapid increase in oil consumption has led scientists to search for alternative energy.
石油消耗量的快速增加促使科學家找尋替代能源。
After my liver operation, Dr. Peterson warned me to stop all alcohol consumption.
我動完肝臟手術後，彼得森醫師警告我要停止攝取酒精。
When consumption increases, businesses make more money and the economy improves. 消費增加時，企業就賺更多錢，經濟也會改善。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
consume
[kənˋsjum]
vt. 消費；吃；喝；消耗
Our bodies consume more energy in winter.
我們身體在冬天會消耗更多的能量。
Helen was consumedby her husband’s sudden death.
丈夫的突然過世令海倫受盡煎熬。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
capability
[͵kepəˋbɪlətɪ]
n. 能力；軍事武力
With his background in Latin, John has the capability to learn Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
With his background in Latin, John has the capability of learning Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
I can understand German in daily conversations, but understanding technical discussions is beyond my capability.
我可以聽得懂德文的日常會話，但是若要聽懂專業的對話對我來說就太難了。
It is reported that the nation is trying to develop its nuclear capability.
據報導該國正在發展核子武力。
高中 Level 5
●
myth
[mɪθ]
n. 神話；迷思，錯誤的想法
=
legend
Contrary to the general myth, pigs are actually animals that love to be clean. 與一般傳統想法不同的是，豬其實是愛乾淨的動物。
The story in the magazine is just a myth. There’s not a single grain of truth in it.
雜誌裡的這則報導不過是無稽之談。毫無事實根據。
多益藍色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
folklore
[ˋfok͵lor]
n. . 民間傳說（不可數）
=
legend
In folklore, foxes often represent cunning and evil. 民間傳說裡，狐狸通常象徵狡猾與邪惡。
高中 Level 6
●
prevalent
[ˋprɛvələnt]
adj. 盛行的，流行的
英檢中高
●
contemporary
[kənˋtɛmpə͵rɛrɪ]
n. 同時期的人
adj. 現代的；同時期的
=
modern
=
ancient
Although it was built a long time ago, the bridge still has a little contemporary touch.
雖然這座橋是很久以前建造的，它還是有一點現代化的風格 在裡面。
Nearly all of the contemporary accounts of the battle suggested that the outcome was unavoidable.
幾乎所有關於這場戰役同時期的報導都暗指著這樣的結果 是無可避免的。
Christopher Marlowe was a contemporary of William Shakespeare’s.
克里斯多夫•馬羅和威廉•莎士比亞是同時代的人。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
rigorous
[ˋrɪgərəs]
a. . 嚴格的
Before you are qualified as a lifeguard, you will be
given a rigorous training course.
在成為合格的救生員之前，你將接受非常嚴格的訓練。
This truck didn’t pass the rigorous vehicle emissions
test.
這部卡車沒通過嚴格的車輛廢氣排放檢測。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
viral
[ˋvaɪrəl]
a. 網路上迅速流傳的；病毒的
Within days, Sandy’s blog about helping people in need went viral.
短短幾天內，珊蒂那個關於幫助貧困者的部落格在網路上迅速流傳。
多益金色
●
arise
[əˋraɪz]
vi. 產生，形成
Tony’s failure arose from laziness.
東尼的失敗起因於懶惰。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
fulfillment
[fʊlˋfɪlmənt]
n. 實現；成就（感）（= fulfilment〔英〕）
=
achievement
=
accomplishment
=
realization
The release of this book marks the fulfillment of a lifelong ambition.
出版這本書代表實現了一生的抱負。
Being a doctor gives me a sense offulfillment.
當醫生讓我有成就感。
高中 Level 4
●
realm
[rɛlm]
n. 領土；（知識、興趣的）範圍
Henry is an expert in the realm of gardening. 在園藝的領域中，亨利是個專家。
Life existing on other planets is not beyond the realm of possibility.
生命存在於其他星球並非不可能的事。
高中 Level 5
●
introduce
[͵ɪntrəˋdjus]
vt. 介紹；引進，推出（產品等）、使認識
The chairman introduced the speaker to the audience.
主席向聽眾介紹這位演講者。
The company introduced a new product recently.
這家公司最近推出了一項新產品。
Paper, gunpowder, and compasses were introduced into the West from China.
紙張、火藥和指南針從中國傳入西方。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
togetherness
[təˋgɛðɚnɪs]
n. 親密無間
英檢初級
●
streaming
[ˋstrimɪŋ]
n. （影音的）串流
The site offers new subscribers free movie streaming for the first month.
這個網站為新訂戶提供第一個月的免費電影串流。
●
Norse
[nɔrs]
a. 古代斯堪地那維亞的（現在譯為北歐的）
●
trickster
[ˋtrɪkstɚ]
n. 惡作劇者;騙子
●
publicity
[pʌbˋlɪsətɪ]
n. 名氣；（公眾的）關注；宣傳
=
promotion
=
exposure
=
advertising
The hero’s actions brought him a lot of publicity.
這位英雄的事跡為他帶來很大的名氣。
The two stars didn’t want any publicity about their wedding.
這兩個大明星不想公開他倆的婚禮。
Few attended the concert because of bad publicity.
因為宣傳不夠，來聽這場音樂會的人並不多。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
stunt
[stʌnt]
n. (通常指電影中的）特技 動作
Daniel Craig performed many of his own stunts in the James Bond movies.
丹尼爾‧克雷格在 007 電影中親自演出許多特技動作。
英檢中高
●
sideshow
[ˋsaɪd͵ʃo]
n. 穿插節目
●
relaunch
[riˋlɔntʃ]
vt. 重新開辦
Practical Phrases
●
go viral
在網路上迅速流傳
Within days, Sandy's blog about helping people in need went viral.
短短幾天內，珊蒂那個關於幫助貧困者的部落格在網路上迅速流傳。
●
in the realm / area / field of...
在……的範圍 / 領域內
Henry is an expert in the realm of gardening. 在園藝的領域中，亨利是個專家。
●
introduce A to B
把 A 介紹給 B，向 B 介紹 A
The chairmanintroduced the speaker to the audience.
主席向聽眾介紹這位演講者。
The Dutch were the first to introduce tea to Europe.
首次將茶引進歐洲的是荷蘭人。
contestn n. 比賽，競賽 • Eli entered the singing contest and won.
伊萊參加那場歌唱比賽，而且獲勝了。 competition [ :kampJ`tISJn ] n. 比賽，競爭 • The competition between companies in the tech industry is fierce.
科技業裡，各大公司之間的競爭是很激烈的。
英文裡的「比賽」分很多種，以下介紹常見的用字：
a. contest 是指比較誰的能力較出色的比賽，而competition 可以指任何一種競賽或競爭。
b. game 是遊戲類的比賽，如：a card game（紙牌賽）。另外，game 也可以指兩人以上的球類運動比賽，如：a basketball game（籃球賽）。
c. race 表比速度的「競賽」，如：a car race（賽車）。
d. match 通常指兩人或兩隊對打的「運動比賽」，例如：a tennis match（網球比賽）、a boxing match（拳擊賽）。
e. tournament 是指要打很多場、逐漸
淘汰參賽者直到產生冠軍的「錦標賽」。
f. championship 尤指體育比賽的「冠軍賽；錦標賽」。
在現代大胃王比賽的領域中，這項運動的管理機構（編按：指 Major League Eating（職業大胃王聯盟），負責監管所有職業大胃王比賽的世界組織）追溯其起源至 1916
年，當時紐約市的納森熱狗店舉辦了吃熱狗大賽。然而，這些早期的比賽大多是宣傳噱頭，或是縣市集的穿插節目。直到 1990 年代，大胃王比賽才開始成功，也制定了嚴謹的規定。一對兄弟以大型運動賽事的規模重新開辦納森的比賽，自那時起，世界迎來了像是喬伊．徹斯納特和小林尊等快食冠軍。
