The History of the Tie
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Mike
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Todd
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Todd: Mike, you were born in Croatia.
Mike: That's right.
Todd: Now you told me an interesting story about the necktie. Can you explain where the necktie came from?
Mike: Well, my understanding is that the necktie originated from Croatia. Originally, several hundred years ago, when the Croatians went into battle they would have a scarf or a handkerchief that protected their necks when they went into battle, and when they fought, and what they started doing was wearing this scarf or this handkerchief around their neck almost as an accessory and they wore this in the 17th, I believe it was 18th century maybe, or 17th century. They went to visit Louis the 14th in France on some sort of official visit, a delegation of Croatians, that rhymes, and they wore their handkerchiefs, and apparently Louis the 14th was so impressed and thought is was such a cool looking accessory that he adopted it as a fashion item for the French and it became the necktie, and the French word for necktie comes from the French word for Croatian, which is "cravate", so the cravate origin is from the Croatian. That's the story as far as I know it.
Todd: Wow, so today people wear neckties because of Croatia?
Mike: Because of Croatians and that doesn't make me feel any better because I hate wearing a necktie, but I guess I can't change history.
go into battle
Originally, several hundred years ago, when the Croatians
went into battle they would have a scarf ...
To 'go into battle' means that you advance into a war.
Notice the following:
- The Romans were experts at going into battle.
- A soldier would wear armor to go into battle.
handkerchief
... or a handkerchief that protected their necks when they
went into battle.
A 'handkerchief' is a small piece of fabric that people use
as a serviette.
Notice the following:
- Do you have a handkerchief?
- Nobody really has a handkerchief anymore, do they?
accessory
What they started doing was wearing this scarf or this
handkerchief around their neck almost as an accessory.
An 'accessory' is a non-essential piece of clothing or
jewellery that people where in order to make their clothes
look better.
Notice the following:
- I have so many accessories.
- As a woman, you can never have too many accessories.
official visit
They went to visit Louis the 14th in France on some sort of
official visit.
An 'official visit' is something that important people will
do in order to carry out important business.
Notice the following:
- The mayor is in town today on an official visit.
- I don't think it is an official visit.
fashion
Louis the 14th was so impressed and thought is was such a
cool looking accessory that he adopted it as a fashion item.
'Fashion' is the name for the trends or style of dress that
come and go in the clothing industry.
Notice the following:
- I do not really follow fashion.
- They have some lovely boutiques that really keep up with
the fashions.
Vocabulary Quiz
official • fashion
