Where is the dialect of dating?

Dating is a kind of Cantonese, originally a shipping idiom in the Pearl River Estuary of Guangdong Province. Shipping in the Pearl River Estuary is developed. Usually, a big ship carries goods and drags a small boat. The main channel is large and small. Nearshore, big ships eat deep water, but it is difficult to land. At this time, the boat will unload the goods and go back and forth. Later, this image was used to describe the mutual concern and inseparable relationship between men and women in love, which is called "dating".

With the evolution of the word "dating", "dumping" has also been used to describe the breakup of couples. This witty and vivid Cantonese proverb was quite popular for a long time before liberation.

Cultural background of dating

Dating is closely related to the traditional culture of China. In the past, after the newlyweds paid New Year greetings to the bride, the husband would lead his wife into the bridal chamber with HongLing or a knot, which meant dragging each other and following. Although this custom is not unique to Lingnan, it has a hidden meaning with subsequent dating.

The old customs of Guangdong government boats and Yuanyang boats are very consistent with the etymology of dating. In the past, whenever Guangdong boatmen got married, similar boats would be tied together in pairs, called Yuanyang boats. As soon as the auspicious day arrived, the two fleets were far away, shouting at each other and having a good time.