Quote:
Mike Sigman wrote:
The "best translation" turns out to be the idiomatic translation.... which refers to the windings of a silk worm as it lays out the cocoon. Probably the best translation is still going to be vague and not very explicative: chansi gung would be "winding exercises".
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Right, you twister. That's why "CHINESE" sources have been saying "reeling silk" for decades when they were using English. That's why they all describe
pulling the silk
from the coccoon: they are referring to the worm putting the silk
on the coccoon. It makes sense...in Sigmanland.
Chan
to bother; wind around; wrap round; coil; involve; annoy; tangle
Si
Silk, thread, trace
The detailed description of the effort always refers to drawing the silk from the coccoon and onto a "reel."
So yes, "they" do "call it reeling silk" when they're speaking English, and their illustrations prove that they're not talking about the worm, you silk producing fellow.
David