Friday, May 18, 2007

Wordplay Warning

Yet another 7-word couplet, written in a pleasing way. This one was spotted in 毛毛, a late-night barbecue favourite.
Directed at staff rather than customers, it says: 今天工作不努力,明天努力找工作.

While it doesn't rhyme, it does possess a certain pleasing symmetry. Each line begins with two time-words, and both contain the words 'effort' and 'work' in the 3, 4 and 6, 7 positions.

Translated: "If you don't work hard today, tomorrow you can work hard at finding a job", which lacks the original's charm.

Well-written as it is, service remained, as ever, humourless and terrible.

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