NOT the most glamorous of metals, tin seems to tarnish whatever it is linked with in the popular mind, whether it be tin-eared musicians, tinpot dictators or tinhorn braggarts.

• 因为没有夺目的光泽，锡在语言中也是倍遭歧视，无论是形容耳聋的（tin-eared）音乐家，恶毒的（tinpot）独裁者还是形容华而不实的（tinhorn）吹嘘，都会有它的存在。