go for a spin 復習
トヨタ自動車がパリ・モーターショーにクモの巣の形をした自動車シートを週ピンしました。
Toyota goes for a spin with new spider-themed car seat
Peter Parker must be working as a designer for Toyota Motor Corp. as its futuristic new car seat has his alter ego Spider-Man written all over it.
The seat frame is patterned like a spider web and each "strand" is made from highly shock-absorbent spider silk that was synthesized by a Keio University's venture company.
Spider silk is dubbed “the world’s toughest fiber” and it takes a lot to break it even when stretched.
Toyota is displaying the futuristic seat at the 2016 Paris Motor Show under its luxury brand Lexus, and has called it the Lexus Kinetic Seat Concept.
The spider web-pattern net that spreads out radially from the center of the back rest is thin but strong, and flexible enough to closely fit the driver’s body shape.
Even when taking a bend or driving on a rough road, the seat helps stabilize the head of the driver, keeping the field of vision steady.
The oval shape is said to distribute pressure evenly so that drivers will be able to sit comfortably and will be unlikely to feel tired even on a long run.
The mesh design also aims to make the car seat thin, and the vehicle lighter.
The seat is a prototype so does not carry a price.
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610060044.html
今回取り上げる表現は、“go for a spin”です。『ウィズダム英和辞典』(第３版、三省堂)を引いたところ、“spin”の名詞的用法の第２義には「(特に楽しむための、車などでの)一走り、一乗り」という意味がありました。また、今回の記事で使われている“go for [take] a spin”で「ちょっとドライブをする」という意味になります。
確認のために“spin”をLDOCEで引いたところ、“informal a short trip in a car for pleasure”と定義されていました。
“spin”の「回転」という意味はよく知られていますが、車のタイヤが回転するイメージから今回のような意味が生まれているのではないかと思います。(Blue Sky)
以前に先生が取り上げられておられますので、ぜひご覧ください。
