Fun with Playing Cards 小小紙牌，大大樂趣‏

What is something that is used for games, magic tricks, building miniature1 houses, and even tarot2 readings3? Playing cards4! They are part of everyday life all around the world. Did you ever stop to wonder where they came from? The first playing cards originated in as early as the ninth century in the country that invented paper—China. These Chinese playing cards were called money cards since they showed coins or strings of coins. 　 哪樣東西可以用來玩遊戲、變魔術、搭迷你房子，甚至是算塔羅牌呢？撲克牌是也！在全球，它們已經成為日常生活中的一部分。您可曾停下來好好想想它們是從哪裡來的呢？第一副紙牌早在九世紀時就出現於發明紙張的國家——中國。這些中國紙牌被稱為『錢牌』，因為紙牌上頭是錢幣或一串串錢幣的圖案。 　　By the late 1300s, the Egyptian Mameluke deck5 of cards was introduced into Europe. This version contained 52 cards made up of four suits6 of 13 cards each. Just like modern-day playing cards, the suits, which were polo sticks, coins, swords, and cups, had 10 numbered cards and three face cards each. The use of playing cards was recorded in Spain, Switzerland, France, and Italy, with many adopting their own suits and styles. 　　1300年代晚期，埃及的Mameluke紙牌被引進了歐洲。這種版本的紙牌包含由四種花色組成的五十二張牌，每種花色都各有十三張。這四種花色分別為馬球球棍、錢幣、寶劍和酒杯，就如同現今的撲克牌一樣，每組花色都有十張數字牌和三張人頭牌。撲克牌的使用在西班牙、瑞士、法國和義大利的歷史中皆有記載，而且各國還會採用自己的花色和風格。 　　The popularity of playing cards spread thanks to the Germans, who started printing large quantities of the once handmade product in 1418. Then with colonization7 and time, the playing cards we know today came to be the standard. 至於撲克牌的普及則要歸功於德國人，他們在1418年時開始大量印刷這種曾是手工製作的產品。之後由於殖民化和時間的因素，今日我們所熟知的撲克牌於焉成為標準。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. originate　vi. 發源，起源
The tango originated in both Argentina and Uruguay.
探戈起源於阿根廷與烏拉圭。
2. version　n. 版本
Rachel prefers the book to the movie version.
相較於改拍成電影的那個版本，瑞秋比較喜歡書本身。
3. modern-day　a. 現代的，當代的
Modern-day cellphones have many useful built-in functions.
現代的手機有許多好用的內建功能。
4. adopt　vt. 採用，採取
After a week's consideration, the boss decided to adopt Mike's suggestion.
經過一星期的考慮後，老闆決定採取麥克的建議。
5. quantity　n. 量，數量
There is a small quantity of wine left in the glass.
玻璃杯裡還剩下一點點酒。
6. handmade　a. 手工的
This suit is entirely handmade, so it is well worth the price.
這套衣服完全是手工縫製的，所以它很值得這個價錢。

Phrases for Learning

1. a string of...　　一串∕一列……
My mom wore a string of pearls to the banquet.
我母親戴著一串珍珠項鍊出席那場宴會。
2. be introduced into/to + 地方　　被引進某地
The designer brand was introduced to Taiwan's market this past year.
這個設計師品牌在今年稍早的時候被引進了台灣市場。

Extra Words

1. miniature　a. 小型的
2. tarot　n. 塔羅牌（占卜用的紙牌）
3. reading　n. 解讀
4. playing card　n. 撲克牌，紙牌
5. deck　n.（紙牌的）一副
6. suit　n.（撲克牌的）花色
7. colonization　n. 殖民

Tips In Use

The use of playing cards was recorded in..., with many adopting their own suits and styles.
（撲克牌的使用在……皆有記載，而且各國還會採用自己的花色和風格。）
　　本句為使用 with 所引導的『情狀介詞片語』之用法，此種介詞片語乃用來表示句中主詞所處的情形或狀況，其結構有兩種：
1. with + 受詞 + 現在分詞∕過去分詞（用現在分詞時則表主動狀態，用過去分詞時表被動狀態）
Erica came home with a bag loaded with groceries.
（艾芮卡回家時手上拿著一袋滿滿的雜貨。）
2. with + 受詞 + 介詞片語
With a big vase in her hands, Jessica carefully walked up the stairs.
（雙手捧著一個大花瓶的潔西卡小心地走上樓。）