Celebrating Hogmanay 歡慶霍格莫內 Join in the fun during the biggest Scottish holiday of the year. 到蘇格蘭一年之中最盛大的節日湊湊熱鬧吧。
Scottish people have always done things their own way, and the holiday of Hogmanay is no exception. Most countries begin New Year's celebrations on December 31. The Scots start theirs on December 30, but then keep going until January 2 with Hogmanay. This holiday is said to have been adopted from Viking traditions in the 8th and 9th centuries. Later, celebrating Christmas was not allowed for a period of time in that country, so Hogmanay became the most important holiday in Scotland.
There are a lot of special traditions during Hogmanay for bringing luck and fortune to your family for the coming year. One of the most unique is called first-footing. First-footing is when the first person that comes into your house during the holiday brings a lucky gift, such as coal▼, a black bun▼, shortbread, or sometimes whiskey▼.
Fire and fireworks are another big part of Hogmanay celebrations. This was traditionally a way to chase away evil spirits. In many cities like Edinburgh, partygoers▼ carry torches▼ through the street, and some even dress up in Viking clothing. Then, when the clock strikes midnight, people hold hands and sing "Auld Lang Syne" to ring in the New Year before continuing the party until January 2.
▼coal n. 木炭；煤 ▼bun n. 小圓麵包 ▼whiskey n. 威士忌酒 ▼ partygoer n. 社交聚會常客 ▼torch n. 火把；火炬
celebrate vt. 慶祝 celebration n. 慶祝活動
The Simpsons family threw a party to celebrate the completion of their new house.
辛普森一家辦了個派對來慶祝他們的新居落成。
Evelyn is in charge of the fireworks display for the big celebration.
伊芙琳負責這場大型慶典的煙火表演節目。
be no exception 不例外 exception n. 例外
Every student should follow the rules, and the class leader is no exception.
所有學生都該遵守規矩，就連班長也不例外。
Since it was my birthday, my mother made an exception and let me stay over at Nini's place.
因為那天是我的生日，所以媽媽破例讓我在妮妮家過夜。
adopt vt. 採納；領養
After a long discussion, the boss agreed to adopt my idea.
經過一陣討論後，老闆同意採納我的點子。
Bernice is known for her kindness in adopting stray animals.
柏妮絲以收養流浪動物的善心而為人所知。
tradition n. 傳統
The man broke with tradition and left his business to his daughter instead of his son.
那位男子打破傳統，將他的事業傳給女兒而非兒子。
* break with tradition 打破／破除傳統
fortune n. 財富，大筆的錢
Brook's parents left him a fortune after they died.
布魯克的父母死後留給了他一大筆錢。
unique a. 獨特的
It was Anthony's unique character that made him so popular.
就是安東尼獨特的性格使他如此受歡迎。
chase away... / chase...away 驅逐／趕走……
Dad chased the stray dogs away with a stick.
爸爸用棍子把那些流浪狗趕走了。
spirit n. 幽靈；心靈
Most of the people in this region believe in the existence of evil spirits.
這個地區大多數的人都相信惡靈的存在。
* existence n. 存在
動詞 strike 的用法
本文 "Then, when the clock strikes midnight, ..." 中的動詞 strike 與時間並用時表「敲（鐘），報（時）」，若要表示「整點報時」，則可以用片語 strike the hour。例：
Cinderella has to leave the party when the clock strikes twelve.
（灰姑娘必須在十二點的鐘聲響起時離開舞會。）
When the clock struck the hour, I realized that the train must be running late today.
（整點鐘響時，我才意識到今天的火車一定是誤點了。）
