Why Do Married Couples 'Tie the Knot'?
2024-02-11
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give you definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we even use them in a conversation.
4Valentine's Day is February 14. Because it is close to that day that celebrates lovers, we talk today about a romantic idiom: tie the knot.
5To tie the knot is an informal term for getting married.
6In some marriage ceremonies, a knot is actually tied around the couple's hands with a piece of cloth or ribbon.
7This is done as a symbol of unity.
8This wedding tradition can be called a handfasting ceremony.
9Several websites claim that this is an ancient Celtic wedding tradition.
10The couple holds hands while someone else ties their hands together with material.
11This represents the two people being physically and spiritually tied to each other.
12But let's go back to the word "knot."
13A knot is an interlacing of string, ribbon, rope, or similar material that forms a connection between two, or more, loose ends.
14The word "knot" can also describe a mass or lump of disordered material that is tangled.
15Some knots are hard to untangle. For example, if your hair has knots, the ends have become tangled together, and it cannot be straightened or combed.
16When talking about hair, having knots is not a good thing.
17Knowing how to tie knots is important in many activities including sailing.
18For example, rope is used to secure sails.
19While sailing, you might want ropes to stay knotted at times,
20but you also need to be able to release knots quickly, at a moment's notice.
21With a marriage, you want to stay knotted together.
22You do not want the bond to be easily broken.
23There are other ways to say to tie the knot.
24In a formal situation, you can say two people have been wed.
25A very informal expression is to get hitched.
26Now, let's hear two friends use the expression "to tie the knot."
27A: Hey, I have a wonderful secret about our good friends Finn and Polly.
28They are tying the knot next month!
29B: What? Finn and Polly? Are you sure?
30A: Yes! Polly told me last week while we were bowling. She's on my bowling team.
31B: I cannot believe that.
32A: Well, believe it. But she made me promise not to say a word. So, don't tell anyone.
33B: I am shocked.
34A: Why? Finn and Polly have been dating for years.
35B: I'm not shocked about that. Polly ... bowls?? I had no idea.
36And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
37Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give you definitions, examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we even use them in a conversation. 3Valentine's Day is February 14. Because it is close to that day that celebrates lovers, we talk today about a romantic idiom: tie the knot. 4To tie the knot is an informal term for getting married. In some marriage ceremonies, a knot is actually tied around the couple's hands with a piece of cloth or ribbon. This is done as a symbol of unity. 5This wedding tradition can be called a handfasting ceremony. 6Several websites claim that this is an ancient Celtic wedding tradition. The couple holds hands while someone else ties their hands together with material. This represents the two people being physically and spiritually tied to each other. 7But let's go back to the word "knot." 8A knot is an interlacing of string, ribbon, rope, or similar material that forms a connection between two, or more, loose ends. 9The word "knot" can also describe a mass or lump of disordered material that is tangled. Some knots are hard to untangle. For example, if your hair has knots, the ends have become tangled together, and it cannot be straightened or combed. When talking about hair, having knots is not a good thing. 10Knowing how to tie knots is important in many activities including sailing. For example, rope is used to secure sails. While sailing, you might want ropes to stay knotted at times, but you also need to be able to release knots quickly, at a moment's notice. 11With a marriage, you want to stay knotted together. You do not want the bond to be easily broken. 12There are other ways to say to tie the knot. In a formal situation, you can say two people have been wed. A very informal expression is to get hitched. 13Now, let's hear two friends use the expression "to tie the knot." 14A: Hey, I have a wonderful secret about our good friends Finn and Polly. They are tying the knot next month! 15B: What? Finn and Polly? Are you sure? 16A: Yes! Polly told me last week while we were bowling. She's on my bowling team. 17B: I cannot believe that. 18A: Well, believe it. But she made me promise not to say a word. So, don't tell anyone. 19B: I am shocked. 20A: Why? Finn and Polly have been dating for years. 21B: I'm not shocked about that. Polly ... bowls?? I had no idea. 22And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. 23Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 24Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 25______________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27conversation -n. talking or a talk between two or more people 28romantic -adj. related to love between two people or to romance 29informal -adj. not used in official or serious writing or speech 30symbol -n. an object that represents an idea 31interlace -v. joined in a way that involves crossing thread, string or rope over and under 32tangle -v. to become disordered and twisted together 33bond -n. a strong, lasting connection 34We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here.