Birds of a feather flock together 意為「物以類聚;一丘之貉;志趣相投」,是個已有幾百年歷史的諺語。這個諺語本身並無負面的意涵,但由於經常被用在負面的情境中而被賦予「物以類聚」、「一丘之貉」等負面意思。當它用於正面的情境時,它的意思應該是「志趣相投」才對。與許多諺語通常僅被引用前半部一樣,這個諺語亦常略作 birds of a feather。
Birds of a feather flock together 可追溯到 1545 年英國自然主義作家威廉‧特納 (William Turner) 諷刺天主教之作《The Rescuynge of the Romishe Fox》(拯救天主教狐狸)。他在其中寫了這麼一句話:”Byrdes of on kynde and color flok and flye allwayes together.” (同種類與同顏色的鳥總是聚成一群一起飛)。在此之前,這個諺語是不是已被普遍使用則不得而知。
例句:
- Don’t complain about your friends. Remember birds of a feather flock together. They are just like you. (別抱怨你的朋友。記得物以類聚。他們就像你)
- I knew you and Allen would get along well since you both enjoy skateboarding. Birds of a feather flock together. (我知道你跟艾倫會很合得來,因為你們倆都喜歡溜滑板。志趣相投)
- Paul: Why do you think Amy is snobbish? (保羅:你為何認為艾美愛慕虛榮呢?)
Peter: All her friends are snobbish. Birds of a feather flock together. (彼得:她的所有朋友都愛慕虛榮。物以類聚)