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精選詞彙播客Vocab Ep.170: 雙語 Vocab ft. 週報時光機 精品品牌與他們的發音Luxury brands and their pronunciation

· 15Mins英語咖啡館

Godiva 巧克力

Godiva品牌源自1926年比利時的布魯塞爾,從一個小攤販起家。1960年代起從歐洲市場進入美國,直至今日,Godiva 在美國、加拿大、歐洲和亞洲擁有並經營 600 多家商店,並通過 10,000 多家專業零售商銷售。

Godiva這個名字其實源自於一個傳說人物叫做 Lady godiva,他是中世紀英格蘭伯爵的妻子。當時百姓生活並不好過,伯爵不僅沒有苦民所苦,還變本加厲地增加了百姓們的稅收,使得人民生活更加苦不堪言。

眼看人民生活品質越來越差,Lady godiva的惻隱之心開始隱隱作痛,於是她懇求自己的伯爵老公能夠減免稅收,讓百姓好過一點。一開始伯爵不以為然,始終將Lady Godiva的建議視為耳邊風,後來因為受不了她多次請求,伯爵竟然朝著自己的妻子大吼:「夠了,想要減免百姓稅收的話,你只要裸體騎馬,在市區繞行一圈,我就答應你的請求!」

原以為這樣的說法,可以勸退自己的妻子,誰知Lady Godiva當天晚上,就派人傳消息告知百姓,她明天將會答應伯爵的要求,裸體騎馬上街,但為了顧及隱私,請大家緊閉門窗,不要偷開。隔天一早,Lady Godiva跨上馬匹,僅靠她的秀麗長髮遮蓋上半身,獨自一人上街繞行。

大部分的百姓都遵守與她的規定,伯爵為了信守承諾,最終減免了稅收。然而,Godiva繞行時,有一個好色的裁縫師Tom,從門縫偷看著裸體的Godiva,沒想到就在Tom偷窺的同時,他的雙眼竟然失明了,這段故事後來也延伸出了Pepping Tom的用法,意思就是偷窺狂。

It's typically pronounced in English-speaking countries as "goh-DYE-vah." However, in Belgium where it was founded, it's pronounced as "goh-DEE-vah."

Godiva Chocolatier is a Belgian manufacturer of chocolates and related products. The company was founded in 1926 in Brussels, Belgium, by the Draps family, who crafted their chocolates in the back of their small shop. They named the company after Lady Godiva, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode naked through the streets of Coventry, England, in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants.

Lady Godiva's story was an inspiration to the brand due to her boldness and generosity, traits they aspired to capture in their chocolates. In the 1960s, Godiva was appointed an official chocolatier to the Royal Court of Belgium. This high honor served as a testament to the high quality and craftsmanship of Godiva's chocolates.

Godiva chocolates made their way to the United States in 1966 and opened their first boutique in North America on New York's fashionable Fifth Avenue. They have since expanded to more than 80 countries around the world and are recognized for their premium chocolates and elegant packaging.

Versace 凡賽斯

成立於1978年的義大利米蘭,時尚之都。該品牌採取的是華麗的圖案設計以及鮮豔的配色,創辦人叫做Gianni Versace,他接觸到服裝設計,是因為母親本身就是裁縫師,據說Gianni 9歲的時候,就自己設計出一件藍色的晚禮服了,據說有次黛安娜王妃出席活動的服裝,就是以那件晚禮服的基礎,再重新設計出來的。

該品牌的主力商品是服飾類以及皮革類的商品,後來才延伸出了香水、珠寶跟其他首飾。Versace的Logo設計,靈感來自蛇髮美人 – 梅杜莎,因此部分圖騰的設計,也參考了希臘神話的成分。Versace給人的品牌印象是用色大膽、前衛而且也跟梅杜莎一樣有性感的成分,創辦人也希望人們可以像看見梅杜莎一樣,會忍不住想要一直欣賞。

Versace is an Italian word and it's pronounced in Italian as "vair-SAH-chee". However, in English-speaking countries, it is commonly pronounced as "vur-SAH-see" or "vur-SAY-see".

Versace is an Italian luxury fashion company and trade name that was established by Gianni Versace in 1978. Versace was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, and gained an interest in fashion from his mother, who was a dressmaker.

Versace's innovative and provocative style quickly gained popularity and made a significant impact on the fashion industry. His designs often referenced art history and were characterized by vibrant colors, bold prints, and sexy cuts. Unfortunately, Gianni Versace was tragically murdered in 1997.

Montblanc 萬寶龍

於1906年的德國柏林成立,公司最有名的產品就是鋼筆,鋼筆於20世紀初期開始大量出現,不少人投入生產研發。進入1910年代,萬寶龍的品牌名稱才終於確立,也是從這時候開始,他們的能見度逐漸提升,之所以會選用伯朗峰(Mont blanc)作為品牌名稱的靈感,是為了強調品牌卓越的願景如山一樣高,以及製筆上對性能、創新和精密技術的追求。1930年代,產品更從鋼筆,拓展到皮革配件、錶帶等等

1997年還發展出了手錶系列,等於是拓展了其他男性配件的市場。1998年,萬寶龍被瑞士歷峰集團收購,並與卡地亞、蔻伊等奢侈品牌成為同伴。根據網路上我查到的資料,萬寶龍最貴的一枝鋼筆,泰姬瑪哈陵限量版鋼筆,要之所以那麼貴,不外乎鋼筆上的各種寶石,包含鑽石、藍寶石、紅寶石等等,泰姬瑪哈陵系列總共有三隻,分別叫做月之淚、黑色神話以及權力,致敬的是蓋出泰姬瑪哈陵的蒙兀兒王朝

這三隻基本上都是兩百萬美元起跳的,折合台幣來說,至少都是6、7千萬元,貧窮限制了我的想像。

Montblanc is pronounced "mon-blahn," with a silent "c" at the end. The name is French and means "white mountain," again referencing the Alpine peak.

Montblanc is a German company known for its high-quality luxury goods, including writing instruments, watches, jewelry, eyewear, leather goods, and perfumes. The company was founded by stationer Claus-Johannes Voss, banker Alfred Nehemias, and engineer August Eberstein in 1906.

The company's first model was the Rouge et Noir in 1909. In 1910, the pen model that gave the company its name, Montblanc, was released. The Montblanc name was chosen to symbolize the high quality and craftsmanship of their products, as it was inspired by the highest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc, a symbol of the highest standards of quality.

Montblanc's most famous product is arguably the Meisterstück (Masterpiece) line of writing instruments, introduced in 1924. These pens have become iconic and are known for their distinctive white six-pointed logo, which represents the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc.