Disguise...from...

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John Dick

#57252 Wed, 24 Nov 04 03:21 PM

During Hungry Ghost festival in ancient times, the streets were lined with tables on which livestock and fruit were served . The foods were intended for the ghosts "on parole" on the 7th month of the lunar New Year. It is believed by the Chinese that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then roam to seek food on Earth. The Celts held a similar view that the boundaries between the ghost world and the real world were thin. People had to prepare the livestock for the ghosts. On top of that, people would wear the skins as costume to disguise themselves from the ghosts that were believed to be wandering the lands.

the last two line, "... disguise themselves from the ghosts that ... ," here if the usage "disguise...from..." is appropriate?

John Dick

Joined on Thu, Nov 18 2004

New Member (07)

Mister Micawber

#57337 Thu, 25 Nov 04 06:30 AM

Interesting question, John. The meaning is clear, of course, but the phraseology seems a little uncommon. Still, it would take a lot of extra words to get around it: '...to disguise themselves in order to protect themselves from the ghosts...'.

Since the two words are synonymous in one definition, I suppose that it is based on this parallel:

'I could not conceal my true feelings from her.'
'I could not disguise my true feelings from her.'

At least one respectable precedent in Dickens' Great Expectations:

"As I had grown accustomed to my expectations, I had insensibly begun to notice their effect upon myself and those around me. Their influence on my own character, I disguised from my recognition as much as possible, but I knew very well that it was not good at all good."

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,281)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'