Happy Birthday us!

祝我們生日快樂!

We even got you a cake! Actually, we got ourselves a cake. Hold on, I'm gonna make a wish.

我甚至準備了蛋糕呢!其實，這是給我們自己的。等等，我要許個願。

I can't tell you what I wished for, but I can say that I sure hope Beyonce is a guest

我不能跟你們說我許了什麼願，但是我可以透漏，我真的希望碧昂絲

host of Mental Floss next year.

明年可以當Mental Floss的主持嘉賓

So the Mental Floss List Show is officially one year old. Today, I'm going to talk about

好的，Mental Floss正是滿一周年。今天我要告訴大家

some ways that people celebrate birthdays around the world in different cultures and

全世界不同文化和信仰的人如何慶生

different religions. Plus, I'm going to demonstrate some of these so that we can properly celebrate

而且，我還要展示一下某些儀式，這樣我們才能隆重地慶祝

our birthday!

我們的生日

And for those of you who've been complaining that we've been a little bit USA-centric lately,

那些近期抱怨我們有點大美國主義的觀眾們

we're gonna get very worldwide today!

我們今天會非常的全球化!

Let's start with the actual origins of birthdays themselves. They may have started with the

我們先從慶生的起源開始。這可能源自於

ancient Egyptians, like the Bible notes a Pharaoh's birthday, although it's possible

古埃及，例如聖經註記了某位法老的生日，雖然這也可能

that could mean the date of the Pharaoh's death, like the day that he became a god.

是這位法老的忌日，也就是他成為天神的那一天

The ancient Romans definitely celebrated birthdays, though, and were probably the first people

古羅馬人肯定慶祝自己的生日，也很可能是第一群

to celebrate their family and friends birthdays, not just those of rulers and gods.

慶祝他們親友，而不是統治者或是神祇的生日

In Denmark, a Danish flag placed outside the home means that it's somebody's birthday.

在丹麥，如果有一面丹麥國旗掛在屋子上，就意味著這家有人生日

If it's a child's birthday, the presents are usually placed on or around the child's bed

如果是小孩子出生，禮物通常會擺在小孩的床上或邊上

so they can wake up surrounded by presents. That's nice! Sometimes a "cake man" or "cake

這樣他們就會在禮物簇擁中醒來。真是不錯!有時候他們會放"蛋糕先生"或是"蛋糕小姐"

lady" is served, depending on whether the party is for a boy or a girl. The head of

要看這是為男孩或女孩辦的派對。這個蛋糕人的頭

the cake person is usually chopped off first, which I will now demonstrate. This was a camel

通常是最先被扳斷的，現在讓我展示一下。這是一隻駱駝

- And now it is a decapitated camel.

現在，變成斷頭的駱駝

At birthday parties for children in Australia and New Zealand, you might find Fairy Bread,

在澳洲和紐西蘭，為孩子舉辦的派對上，你會看到Fairy Bread精靈麵包

which is white bread, butter, and sprinkles. By the way, the round and colorful sprinkles

這是一種白麵包，上面有奶油和糖球。順道一提，這些圓圓多彩的糖球

are called "hundreds-and-thousands" there.

在這裡稱為"hundreds and thousands"千彩糖

I'm now going to make some Fairy Bread because it is basically the perfect food so far as

現在我要來做精靈麵包，因為基本上在我看來，它是種很好的食物

I can tell. What I'm not an expert in? Butter spreading. All right, then you just. What

有什麼我做不好的呢?抹奶油。好的，現在你只要

do you do, you just kinda - WOAH! Can you fold it up into, like, a Fairy Bread sandwich?

只要做什麼，只要- 哇!有辦法把它摺起來，像這樣，一個精靈麵包三明治?

Is that frowned upon, Australians? I don't know, I'm gonna try it. Good!

我看到的是皺眉的表情嗎?澳洲人?不管啦，我要試吃一下。讚!

At a Brazilian birthday party, people might pull the earlobes of the guest of honor. You

在巴西的生日派對上，大家會拉榮譽嘉賓的耳垂

can also probably expect to see Brigaderio there, which are a kind of chocolate truffle.

你可能會看到Brigaderio，就是一種巧克力太妃糖

Ear-pulling is also a thing in Hungary where there's in fact a rhyming song that accompanies

拉耳朵也是匈牙利的習俗，他們還有一首搭配的童謠呢

it! The translation is, "God bless you, live so long your ears reach your ankles."

翻譯過來大概是"上帝保佑你，長命百歲就像你的耳垂拉到腳踝一樣長"

Earlobe pulling is kind of similar to what other cultures refer to as "the bumps." The

拉耳垂就像在我們文化中的"the bumps"

bumps are especially common in the UK and Ireland where the birthday boy or girl is

the bumps的習俗尤其在英國和愛爾蘭特別普遍，壽星會被

lifted up and bumped on the ground once per each year they have been alive. The U.S. and

抬起來，過幾歲生日就會被蹬到地上幾下。美國

Canada also have a similar tradition, but with punches instead of bumps because we're

和加拿大也有類似的傳統，但是是用"揍"的而不是"蹬"的，因為

much more violent.

我們暴力多了

Another violent-sounding tradition in the U.S. are "smash cakes." These are small individual

另外一個聽起來很暴力的美國習俗是"smash cakes" 這是一個個為寶寶

cakes given to babies to do what they do best: make a mess of their food. I'm not going to

準備的小蛋糕，好讓他們做他們最拿手的事:把他們的食物弄得一團亂。我不再多做解釋

explain this one because you're on the Internet, so I assume that you've already seen how adorable

這點，因為你們都有網路，我想你們已經看過

it is to watch babies destroy stuff, instead, I'm gonna demonstrate.

許多寶寶破壞東西的影片，我要直接展示

So I am a father, I've seen children do this a lot. Basically you just go in and you just..

因為我是個父親，我常看到小孩這麼做。基本上，你就是這樣然後

Then you go... That's basically it.

這樣...大概就是這個概念

In additions to punches, Canadians have been known to spread butter on the nose of the

除了拳頭以外，加拿大人也以把奶油抹在壽星鼻子上聞名

birthday person. Mark, I know that you're Canadian, but please don't make me do this

Mark，我知道你是加拿大人，但是請不要叫我做這件事情

one because I just finished cleaning myself up after the smash cake. Similarly, it's considered

因為我才剛剛把自己清乾淨。同樣的，

good luck in Nepal to put colored rice yogurt on your forehead for birthdays.

在尼泊爾，生日時，將上色的米優格塗在前額頭上被視為好運

Mexicans have a special birthday song, \'93Las Mananitas (aka "The Little Mornings") which

墨西哥人有首特別的生日快樂歌Las Mananitas(又稱小小的清晨)

is usually sung at a party before the group eats cake. And of course, pinatas are a common

通常會在吃蛋糕前唱。當然皮娜塔(一種紙糊的容器，其內裝滿玩具與糖果)

way to celebrate a birthday in Mexico. Although we usually think of them as Mexican, pinatas

在墨西哥是種常見的慶生方式。雖然我們通常認為皮娜塔來自墨西哥

actually originated in China and were used to celebrate New Years. It was Europeans who

它其實來自於中國，而且是用來慶祝新年。是歐洲人

eventually brought them over to Mexico.

把它帶到墨西哥的

In Ghana, a traditional birthday dish is oto - mashed yams with eggs and onions. In China,

在迦納，傳統的生日餐是--番薯泥加上蛋和洋蔥。在中國

Yi mein is commonly eaten on birthdays. In English, those are

意麵是生日常吃的食物。用英文來說，就是

Longevity noodles" or long life noodles." Also, be sure to avoid

長生麵或長壽麵。另外，在中國千萬要避免

giving a watch or a clock as a gift in China. Those are considered bad luck.

送手錶或是時鐘當禮物。這些都被視為厄運

Celebrating individual birthdays is rare in Vietnam. Instead, all birthdays are celebrated

在越南，慶祝個人的生日是很稀有的，所有人的生日

on the Vietnamese holiday of Tet, which is a New Years celebration. Children do receive

都在越南節日Tet慶祝，就是新年慶典。但是，小孩

gifts though! Their elders give them red envelopes with money inside. Korea operates somewhat

會拿到禮物就是了!長輩會發紅包和壓歲錢給他們。韓國的模式

similarly - first birthdays are celebrated, but subsequent birthdays are all celebrated

有些類似--第一個生日會慶祝，但是接下來的生日

on the New Year.

都在新年慶祝

Wishing someone "happy birthday" before their actual birthday is considered bad luck in

在德國，一般認為，在某人生日前祝他們"生日快樂"會帶來厄運

Germany. On someone's 16th birthday in Germany, they may have flour thrown on their head,

德國人的16歲生日時，可能會有麵粉撒在他們頭上

which may sound rough, but in Jamaica, throwing flour on the head is an every birthday tradition,

聽起來很糟，但是在牙買加，灑麵粉在頭上是每次生日都要做的

not just a one time thing. I'm not going to throw flour on anyone's head here, but I will

不只有在某次才這樣。我不會在任何人頭上撒麵粉，但是

demonstrate with a doll.

我會用玩偶來示範

Happy Birthday, Yoda. What are you, like, a thousand now?

生日快樂，尤達大師。你幾歲了，大概一千歲?

Anyway, back to Germany...On 18th birthdays, the flour is replaced with eggs. And if a

反正，回到德國...在18歲生日時，麵粉會換成雞蛋。如果

man reaches his 25th birthday before he marries, his friends will hang a "sockencranz," or

有人在結婚前過25歲生日，他的朋友會把"sockencranz"

sock wreath, outside of his house. The "old socks" are a symbol of his old age.

也就是襪子花圈，掛在屋外。這些"舊襪子"象徵他的年紀

On that note, some cultures have different traditions for when people turn a certain

在這方面，某些文化中，達到某些年紀時會有不同的傳統

age. Like, you probably already know that girls who practice Judaism have bat mitzvah

例如，你大概已經知道，猶太女孩會執行bat mitzvah(成年禮)

when they turn 12 and boys have a bar mitzvah when they turn 13. Those ceremonies represent

在12歲的時候，男孩則是在13歲會有bar mitzvah。這些儀式象徵

a move into adulthood.

進入成年

Let's finish up with some more age-specific traditions.

我們用一些特定年紀的傳統作結吧

I'm sure you've also heard of a Quinceanera...especially if you were spending all of your free time

我想你大概已經聽過Quinceanera 成年禮...尤其是如果你常常在閒暇的時候

watching "My Super Sweet 16" in 2005. I'm not pointing any fingers, Meredith.

看2005版的"My Super Sweet 16" Meredith,我沒有在指你喔

In South Africa, when a person turns 21, their parents present them with a key that symbolizes

在南非，一個人21歲的時候，他的父母會把一把鑰匙交給他，象徵

responsibility and the future.

責任和未來

In Holland, they celebrate "crown years," which are the ages 5, 10, 15, 20, and 21.

在荷蘭，他們慶祝"crown years"也就是5, 10, 15, 20和21歲

On those birthdays, you get bigger presents.

這些生日時，會得到較大的禮物

The 1st, 5th, 10th, and 15th birthdays are the most important in Nigeria. Up to 100 people

一歲、五歲、十歲、十五歲的生日在奈及利亞是最重要的。超過100多人

might show up to those celebrations, which usually involve a feast.

會出現在這些生日的慶祝會上，通常會有餐宴

For boys who practice Orthodox Judaism and Hasidic Judaism, the third birthday is important

對那些信奉正統派猶太教或哈西德猶太教的男孩而言，三歲生日很重要

because it's the day they receive their first haircut. In fact, that tradition has now spread

這是他們畢生第一次剪頭髮的時間。事實上，這個傳統已經傳至

in Israel and doesn't always apply only to religious people.

以色列，而且不局限於信奉宗教的人

Similarly, people from the Indian island of Minicoy shave their newborn baby's head after

同樣的，米尼科伊島上的人，在新生兒二十天大的時候

twenty days. Then, the hair is weighed. Whatever the weight is will be given to charity in

會幫他們剃頭。然後他們會秤這些頭髮的重量。頭髮有多重，就會將多重的金子、銀子

silver or gold. That's not a birthday thing, really, we just thought it was cool.

給慈善機構。這不算生日傳統，我們只是覺得這很酷

And now I return to my salon to tell you that the Chinese also a special first birthday

現在我又回到我的交誼廳告訴你們，中國人的第一個生日也有個特別

tradition. The baby is placed in front of a bunch of objects, like books, flowers, stationary,

傳統。寶寶會被放在一堆物品前，像是書、花、文具

coins, and toys. Parents believe that the items the baby reaches for are indications

錢幣和玩具。父母相信，寶寶拿到的東西象徵

of future interests. So like if a coin is chosen, it's considered good luck and a sign

他之後的興趣。所以，如果選到錢幣，就是好運和

that the baby in question will one day be rich. We're going to try this out actually

這個寶寶有天會很富有的象徵。現在，我們要試試看

with our office dog, Alex. All right now, let's see what will you choose. Umm.. It turns out Alex is beyond material possession. She chooses life

用我辦公室的狗，Alex. 好了，讓我們瞧瞧你會選什麼? 恩，結果顯示Alex 不受物質綑綁。她選擇了生活

Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube which is made with the help of all of these

感謝您收看YouTube上的Mental Floss，由一群非常好的人一起

nice people. Each week we endeavor to answer one of your mind-blowing questions. This week's

幫忙製作。每個禮拜我們竭盡所能地想為您回答你超炫的問題

question comes from TheNightTroll13, who asks, "Why do we call a sixtieth of a minute a second?"

這是來自於TheNightTroll13的問題"為什麼我們稱六十分之一分鐘為一秒"

Well, NightTroll13, this comes from a Latin word, "secunda," which meant "second diminished

這個嘛，NightTroll13，這來自於拉丁文"secunda"意思是"第二個切割

part" because the hour is divided twice by sixty - the first division of it is minutes,

部分"因為一小時被6切割了兩次--第一次切成分鐘

the second division gives us seconds.

第二次切成秒鐘

If you have a mind-blowing question you'd like answered, please leave it below in and

如果你有很酷的問題急需解答，請在下面留言

we'll endeavor to answer as many as we can. Thanks for watching and as we say in my hometown,

我們會盡可能地回答。感謝您的收看，正如我們常說的

don't forget to be awesome.

別忘了要一直保持酷炫

That's a pretty strong pinata!

這個皮娜塔還真強韌

Aaaahhh! Finally!

啊哈!終於喔!