Singaporean Mandarin Database

This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.

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戏

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Smith Street

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Smith Street

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释义

名词

史密斯街（Smith Street）的俗称。位于牛车水的中心，新桥路（New Bridge Road）与桥南路（South Bridge Road）之间。

DEFINITION

Noun

The colloquial name of Smith Street, located in the centre of Chinatown between New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road.

由来
  • 关于史密斯街名字的由来有两种说法。第一种说法是这条街是以1887至1893年间担任海峡殖民地总督（Governor of the Straits Settlements）的丝丝 金文泰 史密斯爵士（Sir Cecil Clementi Smith）命名。然而，根据相关文献记载，“史密斯路”这个名称第一次出现于1853年，因此这条路可能不是以他命名。
  • 第二种说法是这条路是以约翰•科尔森•史密斯（John Colson Smith）命名。他于1844年抵达新加坡，担任新加坡书院（Sin - gapore Institution），即如今的莱佛士书院（Raffles Institution ）的校长。史密斯路段的土地原是一个名为“ J . T . Dickson”的人所拥有，但在他回美国养病前，曾委任史密斯为代理人。1853年九月的一则报章报道提到了史密斯愿意捐出200元修补这条路，因此便是以他命名。
  • “戏院街”这一俗称的由来，则与原坐落在史密斯街36号的梨春园有关。建立于1880年代的梨春园是早期牛车水一带最大的戏院，演出以粤剧为主。
  • 20世纪初，戏园街上有至少25间妓院。
  • 2001年，新加坡旅游局（Singapore Tourism Board）在史密斯街开设了长约100米的户外美食街，称为“牛车水美食街”（Chinatown Food Street），但在2021年十月因冠病疫情的冲击而 关闭。
ETYMOLOGY
  • There are two beliefs regarding the origin of Smith Street’s name. The first belief is that the street was named after Sir Cecil Clementi Smith, who was the Governor of the Straits Settlements from 1887 to 1893. However, documents show that references to Smith Street appeared as early as 1853. Hence, Smith Street may not be named after him.
  • The second belief is that the road is named after John Colson Smith. He arrived in Singapore in 1844 and was the Principal of Singapore Institution (Raffles Institution today). The land on which Smith Street is located was originally owned by a J.T. Dickson, but he appointed Smith as his agent before returning to the United States to recuperate from an illness. A newspaper report in September 1853 mentioned that John Colson Smith was willing to donate $200 to repair Smith Street. As a result, it is believed that Smith Street is named after him.
  • The origin of the colloquial name “戏院街” (literally, “theatre street”) is related to Lai Chun Yuen, which was originally located at 36 Smith Street. Established in the 1880s, it was the largest theatre in Chinatown in the early days, primarily showcasing Cantonese opera performances.
  • At the beginning of the 20th century, there were at least 25 brothels along Smith Street.
  • In 2001, the Singapore Tourism Board developed an outdoor food street stretching 100 metres on Smith Street. It was known as Chinatown Food Street before closing in October 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
例句
同往年一样，牛车水的临时年货摊位主要分布在史密斯街（俗称戏院街）、邓波街（俗称戏院后街或牛车水）和欧南园地铁站与珠光大厦之间的行人道。（《联合早报》，23/1/1997）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
As in previous years, stalls selling Chinese New Year goods have sprouted up in Chinatown, mainly along Smith Street, Temple Street and the pedestrian street between Outram Park Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station and Pearls Centre. (Lianhe Zaobao, 23/1/1997)
参考资料
点击查看戏院街的参考资料
REFERENCES

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