off-limits 復習
UPDATE: Quake rattles buildings in Tottori; 6 injured
Tottori Prefecture in western Japan was struck by a series of major earthquakes on Oct. 21, causing structural damage to some buildings and homes and at least six injuries.
A quake measuring lower 6 on the Japanese intensity scale of 7 was recorded at 2:07 p.m.
The focus was about 10 kilometers underground, and the temblor had an estimated magnitude of 6.6.
Shaking was felt in a wide area of western Japan and as far as the Kanto and Kyushu regions.
Japan Meteorological Agency officials urged caution because there was a possibility of another quake measuring lower 6 in intensity striking over the next week in areas where the shaking was particularly strong.
Among the buildings damaged was the Kurayoshi city government building. Government workers evacuated as the building has been declared off-limits.
Homes in Yurihama were also heavily damaged, according to Tottori prefectural officials.
以下省略
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201610210040.html
今回はoff-limitsを取り上げます。『ライトハウス英和辞典』（第5版 研究社）で調べますと、形容詞で「立ち入り禁止の」とありました。Merriam-Websterには “not to be entered or used” と説明されており、「立ち入り禁止」以外に「使用禁止」も表すようです。offとlimitsに分けて考えると、offは…から離して、…に乗って（接して）いないという意味を表す接頭辞であり、これにlimitsがつくことで、越えてはいけない境界線の前に留まっているイメージがわきました。
この表現は過去にも取り上げられておりました。（aqua）
off-limits #2 - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から
off limits - 田邉祐司ゼミ 常時英心：言葉の森から
