What do “Oolong Goal” and “Oolong Tea” have in Common?
Have you ever encountered the term “Oolong Goal” while studying Chinese? It is an internet buzzword popular in Mainland China that describes the act of working aimlessly or without a clear direction toward achieving personal goals. And then there’s “oolong tea,” which is a type of popular Chinese tea. But what’s the connection between these two phrases?
The Chinese have a great affinity for tea and are quite knowledgeable about the different varieties. There are many types of tea, including scented, black, and green tea. Oolong tea is especially popular in the southern regions of China, such as Fujian, Guangdong, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Oolong tea (烏龍茶 wūlóngchá) is a type of tea that blends the brewing methods of green and black tea. It is known for its bold flavor and fragrance, similar to green tea. To enjoy oolong tea, it’s recommended first to smell the aroma and then savor its taste slowly. The brewing process for oolong tea is quite laborious and requires great skill and care. This is why oolong tea is often called “kung fu tea.”
Origins of Oolong Tea’s Name
Oolong tea is said to have originated in China during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Some believe that the name “oolong” comes from the Chinese character (烏龍) wūlóng, which translates to “black dragon.” However, in Cantonese, 烏龍 (wūlóng) has a different meaning.
It is said that a long time ago after a tea farmer in Guangdong had finished picking tea leaves on a mountain, he placed them into a bamboo basket and carried them down the mountain. When descending the mountain, the bumpy path caused the tea leaves in the bamboo basket to get mixed up, producing a unique fragrance. This phenomenon was not well understood at the time, and so the tea was named oolong tea. The term “oolong” comes from the Cantonese word for “muddleheaded,” suggesting that this tea was created somewhat unintentionally.
Oolong Goals Meaning
In addition to “oolong tea,” there is another similar term in Chinese called oolong goal (烏龍球wūlóngqiú), which is often used in football games. Oolong goal refers to a situation where a player accidentally kicks the ball into their own goal, resulting in no points for their team and an additional point for the opposing team.
The term “oolong goal” originates from the English phrase “own goal” due to the similar pronunciation to “oolong” in Cantonese. Interestingly, “oolong” in Cantonese means “confused.” Therefore, the phrase “oolong goal” came to describe accidental goals in football and people who act mistakenly to advance their own goals but achieve little.
It’s interesting to note that “oolong tea” and “oolong goal” have a connection to “oolong” in Cantonese, despite their seeming lack of association with each other.
Not finished reading? Take a look at Are you a Lemon Demon to keep learning about Chinese buzzwords.
