阅读理解 A number of words, like the tails of kites, somehow get tied to the word“dead”－words such as“dead ringer”,“dead wood”,“deadbeat”,“dead end”, etc． Dying is an unpleasant experience．Why we think about it－it is something that should happen to nobody．Yet, the word“dead”has given American English some of its liveliest expressions． One of the first seems to have arisen in England more than 600 years ago．There was a saying among people that something was as“dead as a doornail”． It is difficult to explain why a doornail is deader than anything else．One can only guess．Perhaps the continual pounding on a doornail would surely put an end to it．One guess is no worse than another． Nevertheless, the expression,“dead as a doornail,”crossed the ocean and settled down among the American people, who use the word“dead”in endless ways． For example, Americans say a car that will not start is dead as a doornail．And if it does get moving it may take you down a“dead end”street．Finally, you will find yourself“dead tired”, because your engine is making so much noise that you may end in a“dead heat”－or“dead tie”－with the police who are after you．They may not perhaps, be friendly．They look you over carefully, with suspicion, for they think you are a“dead ringer”for some escaped criminal who looks like your twin brother． his is a most unhappy situation．Only a“deadhead”would reject this good advice－turn the car in and get a new one, even if you are“dead broke．” You can always borrow the money from friends, unless you are known to be a“deadbeat”－a man who never pays back．You can prove they are“dead wrong”by paying back the money you borrowed! | 
