英语词汇rats desert a sinking ship的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

rats desert a sinking ship. That rats are the first to desert a sinking ship can be explained by the fact that water begins enter- ing a sinking ship belowdecks, where they make their homes. An old American proverb instructed “When the water reaches the upper deck, follow the rats.” In both America and England, to rat has long meant “to forsake a losing side for the stronger party” (a “ratfink” would do this today), or to desert one’s party, an allu- sion to rats forsaking unseaworthy ships. Jonathan Swift wrote in “Epistle to Mr. Nugent”: “They fly like rats from sinking ships.”

词汇	rats desert a sinking ship
词源	rats desert a sinking ship. That rats are the first to desert a sinking ship can be explained by the fact that water begins enter- ing a sinking ship belowdecks, where they make their homes. An old American proverb instructed “When the water reaches the upper deck, follow the rats.” In both America and England, to rat has long meant “to forsake a losing side for the stronger party” (a “ratfink” would do this today), or to desert one’s party, an allu- sion to rats forsaking unseaworthy ships. Jonathan Swift wrote in “Epistle to Mr. Nugent”: “They fly like rats from sinking ships.”
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