请输入您要查询的词汇:

 

词汇 caught flat-flooted
词源
caught flat-flooted. Americans have only used this expres- sion, meaning “to be caught unprepared,” since about 1910. However, it has been traced to the reign of Queen Anne in En- gland, where it was first applied to horses left at the line after the start of a horse race. These horses weren’t dancing forward on their toes, but had all four feet flat on the ground. In fact, the term flat-footed for someone with little or no hollow in the sole and a low instep, was first used to describe animals afflicted with the condition, especially horses with flat hooves and soles near the ground. Later caught flat-footed must have been a good description for a runner not on his toes and left at the mark when a footrace began, and it was eventually generalized to mean anyone asleep at the switch.
随便看

 

英语词源词典收录了13259条英语词源词条,基本涵盖了全部常用英语词汇的起源、历史,是研究英语词汇或通过词源学英语的必备工具。

 

Copyright © 2000-2024 Newdu.com.com All Rights Reserved
更新时间:2024/11/11 7:02:52