Paris Hilton joins Confucius and Oscar Wilde in latest Oxford Dictionary of Quotes - Entertainment News - SINA EnglishParis Hilton joins Confucius and Oscar Wilde in latest Oxford Dictionary of Quotes
2009-09-10 02:19:39 GMT2009-09-10 10:19:39 (Beijing Time) SINA.com
Philosophers or whatever: Paris Hilton and Chinese thinker Confucius (right)
She is famous for her love of short skirts and small dogs - not for her wit or wisdom.
But Paris Hilton has somehow joined the ranks of the quotable notables.
The hotel heiress makes a surprise appearance in the latest edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.
Her pithy observation: 'Dress cute wherever you go, life is too short to blend in', will stand alongside words from luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and Stephen Hawking.
Paris's saying is one of more than 20,000 new quotations to enter the seventh edition of the prestigious tome published today.
Another new entry is from former U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who said: 'What's the difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick.'
Others come from the likes of British authors Terry Pratchett and Philip Pullman, Stephen Hawking, Aung San Suu Kyi and late comedy host and jazzman Humphrey Lyttelton.
Some are not as new as they seem. Barack Obama's contribution, 'The arc of history is long but it bends towards justice', is similar to one used by Martin Luther King in 1968.
The dictionary, which is in its 65th year, has also added several 'new' quotes from the distant past, such as one from Confucius, the 5th century BC Chinese philosopher.
This may be because they have been used or referenced by others in recent years or that the researchers have, after decades, managed to source and verify them as genuine.
Some have taken on new relevance, such as former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson's: 'Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies', uttered 200 years ago.
The dictionary's editor-Elizabeth Knowles, said: 'Events may give an older utterance very topical significance - for example, Thomas Jefferson has for obvious reasons been quoted quite widely in the last year.'
She added that other quotes from the past sometimes become familiar to new audiences because of the internet. 'Anything quoted today, verbally or "written" in electronic-form, can be and probably will be encountered by people all over the globe,' she said.
'As more data is added to online sources, more voices from the past find a route to us today. The new edition of the dictionary reflects the impact of these changes.'
Tony Blair could perhaps do with a copy of the dictionary in his Christmas stocking. He made an embarrassing error on television in the U.S. this week by wrongly attributing a famous quote to either Winston Churchill or Oscar Wilde.
The line: 'England and America are two countries divided by a common language,' was actually said by playwright George Bernard Shaw. Mr Blair was appearing on the David Letterman show.
September 18, 2009
Paris Hilton joins Confucius and Oscar Wilde in latest Oxford Dictionary of Quotes - Entertainment News - SINA English
September 17, 2009
Jane Aldridge's New Office Completed in Wangjiing, Beijing - Octopus-Style Sea of Shoes Headquarters - Lifestyle News
Building in shape of octopus
2009-09-13 08:38:15 GMT2009-09-13 16:38:15 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English
Photo taken on Sept. 12, 2009 shows the bottom of a business building in the shape of an octopus near a crossroad in Wangjing region of Beijing, capital of China. The newly-completed building, featuring its shape character, attracted many citizens. (Xinhua/Fan Jiashan)
Photo taken on Sept. 12, 2009 shows the bottom of a business building in the shape of an octopus near a crossroad in Wangjing region of Beijing, capital of China. The newly-completed building, featuring its shape character, attracted many citizens. (Xinhua/Fan Jiashan)
Photo taken on Sept. 12, 2009 shows the bottom of a business building in the shape of an octopus near a crossroad in Wangjing region of Beijing, capital of China. The newly-completed building, featuring its shape character, attracted many citizens.
A chocolate theme park? - SINA English
A chocolate theme park? - SINA English
A chocolate theme park?
It may sound too good to be true, but a Willy Wonka-style chocolate theme park is about to open in Beijing.
The world chocolate dream park will feature exhibitions with imitation Ming Dynasty porcelain cups made entirely of the sweet stuff, and life-size Terracotta Warriors that are good enough to eat.
It will open in the Olympic Green near the Bird's Nest on Jan 29, adding another sweet layer to the famous Olympic Games venue.
Tina Cheng, general manager of Beijing-based Artsource Planning Co Ltd, which will operate the park, said visitors will be offered a full chocolate experience and be able to see, touch, taste and smell the delicacy.
The park will contain five pavilions and two outdoor sites where chocolate-made objects will be on display, including chocolate versions of famous paintings and even the Great Wall.
Master chocolatiers will run chocolate making courses and sweet tooths will be able to make purchases to take home.
"Our 'chocolate wonderland' will be beyond the imagination," Cheng told Metro.
Plans for the theme park are sure to evoke memories of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl.
In the film, Charlie is introduced to Willy Wonka's workshop where there were edible flowers and a chocolate river.
Su Yan, from the Olympic Park Organizing Committee, said between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors are expected to visit the theme park every day.
Cheng said there is a growing fascination with chocolate among young Chinese and this was one of the reasons she wanted to open the park.
"None of my friends, including myself, could resist the temptation of chocolate," Cheng said.
She said a number of prestigious chocolate makers from Europe, including Belgium, Switzerland and Italy wanted to join the project, but she declined to reveal their names or any details yet.
"There is the potential for a huge market in China in regards to chocolate consumption," she said.
"That's why many overseas chocolate producers are vying to joining our project."