In today’s (Feb.10) article titled Out of Touch, Out of Time written by Thomas L. Friedman, I found a really cool phrase, this is Rip Van Winkle meets Facebook, which I understand describes Hosni Mubarak's preposterous decision. In Japanese, when we encounter such an anachronism, we say it’s like meeting an old ghost on the road, ghost has come back, or return to Genji/Heike-era.
Note:Genji and Heike were two martial clans rivaling for the hegemony of Japan through 11–12 century.
Because Friedman uses a recent word, Facebook, this witty remark seems to be his own coinage to me. I think you have many other well-worn English epigrams corresponding to Rip Van Winkle meets Facebook. Can you give me some of old versions?
Watching President Hosni Mubarak addressing his nation Thursday night, explaining why he would not be drummed out of office by foreigners, I felt embarrassed for him and worried for Egypt. This man is staggeringly out of touch with what is happening inside his country. This is Rip Van Winkle meets Facebook.
