Question of the Day #964

Why chief sustainability officers are in a pickle

From the headline of this article at Green Biz.

  上記の文で、in a pickleの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "in a pickle" mean?

  答えは、コメントに書いてください。
Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎によると、

《be ～》困っている、厄介なことになっている、困った立場に陥っている、苦境にある

   

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

In a troublesome or difficult situation. The adjectives "pretty" and "right" are commonly used before "pickle."

 

語源

英辞郎によると、

◆【語源】in de pekel zitten（漬け汁の中に座っている ⇒ どうすればよいのか分からない）というオランダ語のイディオムの直訳に由来する。

とありますが、下記英語の語源の説明では、ShakespeareのThe Tempestが語源とされています。
 

Etymology

According to Business Insider,

In "The Tempest," King Alonso asks his jester, Trinculo, "How camest thou in this pickle?" (In other words, "How did you get so drunk?")

The inebriated Trinculo responds, "I have been in such a pickle since I saw you last ... " (Act 5, Scene 1).

Trinculo's drinking does cause trouble for him, which gives the modern use its meaning. Shakespeare's original intent makes sense, though, as many pickling processes require alcohol.

   

Examples

• We're in a pretty pickle now because the hotel gave our room away.
• Boy, am I in a pickle—I accidentally made plans to meet with two different clients today.
• Rate cut puts savers in a pickle, but good for borrowers (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• In a pickle…forklift truck driver buried under tons of cheese (The Belfast Telegraph)
• A walk to Mahlena O’Neal and a single by MacKenzie Veuve loaded the bases, putting Benicia ace McKenna Gregory in a pickle. (The Modesto Bee)

   

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