Abstract :   Language is the carrier of culture, loaded with specific cultural information. Idiom is the crystallization of the development of a language; it is a concentrated reflection of a nation`s culture. Idioms reflect the rich geographical and ethnic color by using different rhetorical devices and the local language, and we also can see a long tradition of national culture and its historical background. Idioms can most reflect folk custom. Idioms can most reflect folk culture. Food is essential for human survival, people in different area and of different nationalities have their own customs and food culture. According to these kinds of differences, there are some unique idioms about food come into being, and the English, of course, is no exception.Study of idioms is not only help us to learn idiomatic English, also help us to expand our knowledge of society, history and culture of English spoken countries and local conditions and customs, so we can naturally accept and learn English by using the language. This paper mainly discusses the food culture and English idioms and the rhetorical traits mainly used in food idioms.

 Key words :  Traditional culture Food Culture English Idioms Rhetoric Traits 

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Introduction-5

1.Idiom and food culture-5

1.1  Definition of idiom-5

1.2  Relationship between idioms and culture-6

1.3  Food culture in English spoken countries-7

2. Functions of idiom-7

3. Food related idioms-8

3.1 Idioms related to bread-8

3.2  Idioms related to egg-9

3.3 Idioms related to cakes, pastry, pies, pudding, potato and hamburger-10

3.4  Idioms related to tea-10

3.5  Idioms related to fruits and vegetable-11

3.6  Idioms related to Eat-12

4. Main rhetorical characteristics used in idioms-13

4.1  Simile and metaphor -13

4.2  Metonymy -14

4.3 symbolize  -15

5. Conclusion-15

Bibliography.15

Acknowledgment16