英语词汇burn the candle at both ends的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

“First Fig” (1920) These are the words I remember when I hear the above ex- pression; Millay’s bright brief candle shows how even an old hackneyed phrase can be transmuted into poetry. The phrase goes back to the early 17th century in English and is much older, for it was translated then from the French Bruloient la chandelle par less deux bouts. Originally the expression meant to waste material wealth; that is, to use the candle wastefully. Then it took on its more common modern meaning of wast- ing one’s strength, as when someone goes from his day job to one he holds at night, or works for a worthy cause every mo- ment of his spare time, or even does too much partying after work.

词汇	burn the candle at both ends
词源	burn the candle at both ends. My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light! —Edna St. Vincent Millay, “First Fig” (1920) These are the words I remember when I hear the above ex- pression; Millay’s bright brief candle shows how even an old hackneyed phrase can be transmuted into poetry. The phrase goes back to the early 17th century in English and is much older, for it was translated then from the French Bruloient la chandelle par less deux bouts. Originally the expression meant to waste material wealth; that is, to use the candle wastefully. Then it took on its more common modern meaning of wast- ing one’s strength, as when someone goes from his day job to one he holds at night, or works for a worthy cause every mo- ment of his spare time, or even does too much partying after work.
随便看	a-per-se aphid aphrodisiac api apicius a picture is worth a thousand words a pier six brawl a plague of mice a plague on both your houses a poet mountain climber a poet-s protection apollinaris apollo apollo 11 a poor thing but mine own a pox on you appalachia appaloosa appeal from philip drunk to philip sober appian way applause apple apple cart apple charlotte apple hawk