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 Language Tips > 2004
Grin like a Cheshire cat
 “咧着嘴傻笑”在英文中叫作grin like a Cheshire cat,Cheshire是英国一个郡的名称,这个短语的字面意思就是:“像柴郡的猫一样咧着嘴笑”,为什么会有这样的说法呢?

从前英国柴郡盛产干酪,当时人们喜欢把干酪做成咧着嘴笑的猫的形状,所以,柴郡猫从此就会“笑”了。

在儿童文学名著《艾丽丝漫游仙境》中,艾丽丝在公爵家的厨房看见一只大猫咧着嘴笑,她着实吃了一惊,公爵夫人告诉她说:“这只猫嘛,可是只柴郡猫啊!”Grin like a Cheshire cat这种说法从此就随着《艾丽丝漫游仙境》留传起来。

说人家grin like a Cheshire cat一般微带贬义,例如:He did not say anything, but just looked at me and grinned like a Cheshire cat. (他什么都不说,只是望着我咧着嘴傻笑。)
 
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