Fields
A field of honour can be a battlefield or the setting for a duel, but ‘having a field day’ was originally a British military expression from about 1747 describing a day of manoeuvres or inspections out of doors rather than in indoor facilities. Soldiers would leave their barracks to practice battle drills and tactics. It was used in the Royal Navy to describe a day of ‘deep cleaning’ a ship.
Now it means deriving a good deal of pleasure, sometimes at the expense of others.
One may have a field day by playing the field, which can be fun for the principal player but not necessarily for the other participants. The others might not consider themselves ‘on a level playing field,’ where everyone has an equal chance of success, and of becoming ‘the best in field.’
‘The Killing Fields’ is the term for mass grave sites in Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge, under the control of Pol Pot, committed the genocide of between 1.3 and 3 million people between 1975 and 1979, about a quarter of Cambodia’s population at the time.
Anyone who posed a threat, real or imagined, was either executed or worked to death. Intellectual and professional people, religious groups, including Christians, Buddhists and Muslims, ethnic Vietnamese and Thai groups, were considered an obstacle to the creation of a Communist agrarian civilisation, a so-called ‘classless’ society.
Ultimately, Vietnam invaded Cambodia, and overwhelmed the Khmer Rouge. Subsequent decades were spent bringing the perpetrators to justice, some of whom died before the conclusion of the trials, which ran from 2006 to 2022.
Interesting history of Fields
ReplyDeleteIt was so horrible what happened in Cambodia. I remember hearing about the trials.
It was horrific.
DeleteCertainly not my "field of expertise" but, what happened in Cambodia tarnished forever the beautiful connotations associated with the word "field."
ReplyDeleteAn ideology cannot be imposed on a people, but fanatics never realise that.
DeleteAs an old hockey player in the olden days, I always thought of a hockey field. Now the word still has a sporting reference eg ‘on a level playing field,’ and ‘the best in field.’
ReplyDelete'Play up! play up! and play the game.'
DeleteWhere does "fielding a question" come from, do you know? Or isn't that a real expression? (I'm not always 100 % sure, English not being my first language.)
ReplyDeleteInteresting question, Meike. I found the following:
Delete"Fielding a question" originates from 19th-century sports metaphors (cricket, then baseball), where it meant catching or stopping a ball. Metaphorically, it means skillfully handling or answering questions or complaints, particularly when under pressure, as if "fielding" incoming requests. It implies catching and returning a question quickly."
The Cambodian genocide is hard to get the mind round. Terrible.
ReplyDeleteDreadful, and yet how quickly we forget as fresh atrocities come to light. Inevitable, as our minds can only withstand so much cruelty at one time.
DeleteFields are something I rarely see living close to the city as I do, only on road trips to see my sister do I see vast open expanses, sometimes green with crops, sometimes empty.
ReplyDeleteCities and fields don't really go together, do they?
DeleteOur bowls captain always tries to field her best team each week too.
ReplyDeleteNaturally!
DeleteI use these terms often, with young children we often try and balance the level playing field and Molly on form is always having a field day.
ReplyDeleteMolly and her siblings will be lucky to grow up with these expressions, too.
DeleteSo many interestnig ways to use the word field
ReplyDeleteThere are.
DeleteThere are probably few other words that have garnered so many different meanings. English is a flexible language!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is.
DeleteI remember Field Days in pleasant weather in elementary school.
ReplyDeleteHaving a lesson on the field on a fine day was always pleasant.
DeleteHaving a "Field Day" always meant having a great time and doing many things.
ReplyDeleteI think that's what we all enjoy.
ReplyDeleteOh how the meaning has changed through the years. Our local elementary's will be having field day next week. For kids today, field day means loads of fun participating in all kinds of games. Field day in our family is driving through the fields at the farm, checking all of the rows of growing trees and vines that will be ready to sell next Fall. So many different meanings.
ReplyDeleteThat's making the most of one word!
DeleteI like field of dreams.
ReplyDeleteThere was a film of that name, wasn't there?
DeleteI remember the time of the Khmer Rouge. Horrible.
ReplyDeleteIdeologies cannot be imposed on a civilisation and yet factions still keep trying.
DeleteI remember field days when my kids were in elementary school. They were always great fun and a break from the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to escape from the classroom!
DeleteNever knew the background of that expression, thanks.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI had forgotten about this expression. Reminds me of my Dad, a farmer who loved his fields. I loved them too, but more for the horizon lines.
ReplyDeleteFarming is a hard life, and little appreciated.
Deletemy grandson has field days.
ReplyDeleteLucky boy!
DeleteI like how you included different interpretations of the word 'field'.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI too can remember Field Days in pleasant weather in primary school.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
It was so nice to be outside during lesson time.
DeleteField of dreams could be added to the list.
ReplyDeleteYes, the film.
DeleteA fascinating thread from playful idiom to one of history’s darkest chapters showing how language can carry both levity and profound weight
ReplyDeleteKilling fields have not been uncommon in mankind's dark history.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where my previous comment went? Ah well... What about Gracie Fields and Frank Field the influential Labour M.P. who died in 2024? In cricket, when not batting, teams have to take up their fielding positions.
ReplyDeleteDisappearing comments are all too common! Oh, yes, 'Our Gracie.'
ReplyDeleteA fascinating part of history you have shared, thank you. One of the things I enjoy about blogging is what I learn and usually points me into the direction of wanting to learn more on various subject. Just noticed Yorkshire Pudding's comment about disappearing comments. I used to have several of those happen. Even now when looking back at old comments, I only find my answer.
ReplyDeleteI often find comments waiting to be published when I know they have already been published - very odd!
DeleteThat movie was heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteReminiscence can be sad.
ReplyDelete