The story behind the jolly old man we all know and love.
Christmas is celebrated throughout the world. Almost everyone knows the image of Santa Claus, also known as Old St. Nick. After all, he is hard to miss with his bright red clothing and big whitebeard. But who is Santa Claus, and why is he associatedwith Christmas, a holiday that represents the birth of Jesus?
Long before the birth of Jesus, many cultures already celebrated festivals in winter, where people gathered and shared gifts. Over time, many of these traditions became part of Christmas. Some believe the big, jollyfellow giving gifts in the middle of winter may take afterfigures like Odin from Norse mythology or Dionysus from Greek traditions.
The name Santa Claus comes from Sinterklaas, which is a characterfrom Dutch folklorebased onSaint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a Greek bishopfrom the 4th century. The Catholic Church made him a saint because of his many kind acts, such as giving gifts to the poor. He inspired many people to help those in need. Eventually, people began to celebrate his legacyeach December. Unlike the figures from mythology and folklore, Saint Nicholas was a real historical figure whom we still remember today.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
beard
[bɪrd]
n. 下巴及兩耳下方的鬍鬚
My grandfather wears a bushy beard.
我的爺爺有很濃密的鬍子。
My brother told me he wanted to grow his beard, but I said he would look ugly that way.
我哥哥告訴我說他想留鬍子，但我說那樣他會很醜。
David shaves off his beard every morning.
大衛每天早上剃鬍子。
高中 Level 2
●
represent
[͵rɛprɪˋzɛnt]
vt. 代表；象徵
=
symbolize
George represented his company at the press conference.
喬治代表公司出席記者會。
This ring, though inexpensive, represents my love for you.
這只戒指雖然不貴，卻代表著我對你的愛。
This ring, though inexpensive, stands for my love for you.
這只戒指雖然不貴，卻代表著我對你的愛。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
fellow
[ˋfɛlo]
n. （男）人；同伴；（大學裡有領獎學金的）研究生
adj. 同伴的
=
person
=
guy
Zach seems like a friendly fellow, doesn’t he?
查克看起來是個很和善的人，不是嗎？
Sue often missed her fellows in the dance club.
蘇常想念她在舞蹈社的同伴。
Victor is a research fellow at Harvard University.
維特是哈佛大學領有獎學金的研究生。
This is Michael, a fellow salesman at my company.
這位是邁可，他是我公司的業務同仁。
高中 Level 2
●
character
[ˋkærɪktɚ]
n. 性格；品格（不可數）；（書、劇中的） 角色；（中文、日文等的）文字
Thomas has a quiet character.
湯瑪斯是個性沉靜的人。
David is a man of great character.
大衛是個品德高尚的人。
There are three main characters in that movie.
那部電影有 3 個主角。
The report was written in Chinese characters.
這報告是用國字寫的。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 2
●
jolly
[ˋdʒɑlɪ]
a. . 快樂的
adv. 很，非常
vt. （說好聽的話）哄（某人）
n. 尋歡作樂（可數）
=
cheerful
Everyone had a jolly time at the banquet.
每個人在宴會上都很盡興。
I wasn’t looking forward to going away for the
weekend with my girlfriend’s parents, but we
actually had a jolly good time.
我不想和我女朋友的父母一起去度週末，但我們真的玩得很
開心。
The dog didn’t want to go for a walk, so we had to jolly it along a little.
這條狗不想去散步，所以我們不得不鼓勵它一下。
Tom says he’s going on a business trip, but I think we
all know it’s just a jolly.
湯姆說他要去出差，但我想我們都知道他是出去玩。
高中 Level 6
●
associate
[əˋsoʃɪɪt]
vi. 交往
vt. 使有關聯
=
partner
Lung cancer is mostly associated with smoking.
肺癌大多與吸菸有關。
If I were you, I wouldn’t associate with that guy. He’s a gangster.
如果我是你的話，我不會和那名男子有所往來。他是幫派分子。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
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
●
bishop
[ˋbɪʃəp]
n. 主教
●
legacy
[ˋlɛgəsi]
n. 遺產；歷史遺產
The legacy that Milly was left by her father was enough for her to pay all her debts.
米莉的父親留給她的遺產夠她還清所有債務。
The presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt left a legacy of social programs for the American people.
富蘭克林•德拉諾•羅斯福任職總統期間為美國人民留下了社會福利的制度。
高中 Level 5
Practical Phrases
●
after all
終究；畢竟
You should forgive Laura. She is your sisterafter all.
你應該原諒蘿拉。她終究是你的妹妹啊。
●
take after...
長得像⋯⋯;與⋯⋯相像
It is clear that Tom's son takes after him.
很明顯地,湯姆的兒子長得很像他。
●
be based on / upon sth
依據某物
= be grounded in / on...
The movie was based on a true story.
這部電影是根據一個真實故事所拍攝的。
●
in need
（資源或金錢缺乏而）需要幫助的 / 窮困的
This charity helps Africans in need eat well and stay warm.
這個組織援助需要幫助的非洲人吃飽穿暖。
A kind woman helped Tina when she was in need.
提娜窮困的時候有一位熱心的女士幫了她。
♦「be known + 介詞 + 名詞」的常見組合 1. be known as + 身分／稱號 以⋯⋯身分出名／為人所知；被稱為⋯⋯
※ 本文即為此用法。 例： Mount Everest is known as the tallest mountain in the world.
聖母峰以全世界最高山峰為人所知。
2.be known for sth 因某事物聞名／為人所知 例： The city is known for its rich culture.
該城市因其豐富的文化聞名。
3.be known to sb 為某人所（熟）知 例： The hidden path to the beach is known to the locals.
通往海灘的隱密小徑是當地人所熟知的。
4.be known to sb 為某人所（熟）知 ※ by 之後常接特色或行徑等名詞。 例： The singer is best known by her powerful voice.
這名歌手憑藉她強而有力的歌聲而為人所知。
請從下欄選出最適合的句子來完成該句
___❶ The artist said that the painting
___❷ Every month, Kate gives some money
___❸ Dave wants to look more mature,
A. to help those in need.
B. represents her love for nature.
C. so he is trying to grow a beard.
D. because he takes after his father.
