catbird(n.)
另外, cat-bird 是1731年北美画眉鸟(Dumetella Carolinensis)的通用名称,与嘲鸫有亲缘关系,因其警告性的叫声像猫的咕噜声而得名; 源自 cat(名词)和 bird(名词)。“它的正确歌声流利、多样且高度音乐化” [世纪词典]。
Catbird seat是19世纪晚期的俚语,由布鲁克林道奇棒球队播音员沃尔特·“红色”·巴伯(1908-1992)和作家詹姆斯·瑟伯(James Thurber)推广:
"She must be a Dodger fan," he had said. "Red Barber announces the Dodger games over the radio and he uses those expressions—picked 'em up down South." Joey had gone on to explain one or two. "Tearing up the pea patch" meant going on a rampage; "sitting in the catbird seat" means sitting pretty, like a batter with three balls and no strikes on him. [Thurber, "The Catbird Seat," The New Yorker, Nov. 14, 1942]
“她一定是道奇队的粉丝,”他说。“红色·巴伯通过广播宣布道奇队的比赛,他使用这些表达方式——在南部地区学到的。”乔伊接着解释了其中一两个。“Tearing up the pea patch”意为狂暴破坏; “sitting in the catbird seat”意为从容不迫,就像一个三球没有被投出,没有任何投手的控制权。[瑟伯,“猫鸟的座位”,《纽约客》杂志,1942年11月14日]
该词起源时间:1731年