英语沙龙：圣浴节

Holy Bath

A paper suit is a risky¹ thing to wear to the beach．It’ s even riskier² if you plan to go into the water．But that doesn’ t matter to the people of Oporto’，northern Portugal．Every year on the eve of Saint Bartholomew’s Day which is due on August ２４，they happily don their colorful paper outfits³ and swarm⁴ down to the strand⁵ en masse．One costumed man，designated Neptune――for a day――presides over a mock battle between paper－clad“pirates”and equally paper－clad“landlubbers．”Afterwards，“Neptune”rides his carriage straight into the waves and everyone piles in after him．Locals maintain that their festival，flimsy garb⁶ and all，is of ancient origin，and that the communal⁷ dip taken this day is a “holy bath，”worth seven ordinary baths in its power to cleanse⁸ the swimmer of evil and sin．

圣浴节

穿纸装去海滩是件很冒险的事情，如果你打算穿着它到水里风险就更大了。但葡萄牙北部波尔图市的人对此并不在意。每年，在８月２４日的圣巴托罗缪节的前夕，他们愉快地穿上五彩缤纷的纸制的服装，成群结队涌上海滩。其中一个人在这一天里装扮成海神尼普顿，主持身着纸服的海盗和旱鸭子之间的一场模拟决斗。之后，海神驾着马车直冲海浪，所有的人都蜂拥其后。当地人认为他们的节日，包括薄纸做的服装等习俗都源远流长，并认为这天这种集体性的洗浴是“圣浴”，其洗清游泳者邪恶和罪行的力量相当于普通洗浴的７倍。

1 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

2 riskier   

冒险的，危险的( risky的比较级 )

参考例句：

• Now they are starting to demand higher returns on riskier assets. 而今他们开始在风险更高的资产上要求更高的回报。
• The problem with that: RIM's business is getting riskier every quarter. 不过问题也随之而来：RIM面临的业务风险正逐季增大。

3 outfits   

n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
• Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具，因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句

4 swarm   

n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入

参考例句：

• There is a swarm of bees in the tree.这树上有一窝蜜蜂。
• A swarm of ants are moving busily.一群蚂蚁正在忙碌地搬家。

5 strand   

vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地）

参考例句：

• She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears.她把一缕散发夹到了耳后。
• The climbers had been stranded by a storm.登山者被暴风雨困住了。

6 garb   

n.服装，装束

参考例句：

• He wore the garb of a general.他身着将军的制服。
• Certain political,social,and legal forms reappear in seemingly different garb.一些政治、社会和法律的形式在表面不同的外衣下重复出现。

7 communal   

adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的

参考例句：

• There was a communal toilet on the landing for the four flats.在楼梯平台上有一处公共卫生间供4套公寓使用。
• The toilets and other communal facilities were in a shocking state.厕所及其他公共设施的状况极其糟糕。

8 cleanse   

vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗

参考例句：

• Health experts are trying to cleanse the air in cities. 卫生专家们正设法净化城市里的空气。
• Fresh fruit juices can also cleanse your body and reduce dark circles.新鲜果汁同样可以清洁你的身体,并对黑眼圈同样有抑制作用。