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Author Archives: Confanity
The fruit of corruption
As opposed to 湯から出た錆? 身から出た錆 (Mi kara deta sabi; “Tarnished from within.”) Definition: Suffering due to one’s own misdeeds, especially the bad things one has done to others. Paying for one’s mistakes; getting one’s just deserts. The image here is … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 錆, 身から出た, Iroha karuta, just deserts, Kefukigusa, reap what you sow, 毛吹草
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Little Bo Peep and the Paradox of Choice
多岐亡羊 ta.ki.bou.you Literally: many – fork in the road – die – sheep Alternately: Presented with an overabundance of options or possible paths, one ends up confused and lost. By extension, a field of study being so finely divided that … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Liezi, lost sheep, paradox of choice, too many paths, Yang Zhu, 列子, 多岐, 楊朱, 亡羊
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Forthright to an actual fault
身も蓋もない (Mi mo futa mo nai; “No filter”) Definition: Too blunt; too open. Someone’s attitude or words being so blunt and tactless that they lack all nuance or subtlety; by extension, so blunt and tactless that further conversation becomes impossible. … Continue reading
Parental Cognitive Development: Devolution to BUS
The kid continues to grow and learn. He’s picking up all sorts of phrases at daycare… and inventing some of his own? (For example, asking for “don don choo choo” videos. I have no idea what kind of train that might … Continue reading
Posted in Musing, Nonfiction
Tagged brain rewiring, cognitive development, language, Squirrel!, the kid
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A humidifier in the rainy season
夏炉冬扇 ka.ro.tou.sen Literally: summer – furnace – winter – fan Alternately: Useless things. Things inappropriate to the situation, including skills, ideas, or opinions. Sources of warmth in the summer, sources of cooling in the winter, or perhaps pathological narcissists in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Lunheng, summer heater, useless things, winter fan, 冬扇, 夏炉
1 Comment
Magic Monday – YAOSC XP
At the end of each session, expedition or mission, everyone who participated gets experience points (XP). The recommended base value is three points, although this number may be changed according to the length of the session and the needs of … Continue reading
On the red flags of self-hype
Real skill and competence are apparent without needing to declare themselves, so humility is the mark of a true master. 口自慢の仕事下手 (Kuchi jiman no shigoto beta; “Boastful mouth, bad at work”) Definition: If you’re always working your mouth, you’re never … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged all talk no action, 為愚痴物語, the Donald, unskilled, 口自慢, 仕事下手
3 Comments
Yucky cause and yucky effect
畏怖嫌厭 i.fu.ken.en Literally: apprehension – fear – hate – get tired of Alternately: To fear and hate something. “Feelings of dread and aversion.” Afraid to a degree that makes you want to find a way to escape the situation. Notes: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged aversion, cute babies, 畏怖, dread, fear, Trump's America, 嫌厭
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Nice while it lasted
品行方正 hin.kou.hou.sei Literally: dignity – conduct – direction – correct Alternately: Good morals, ethics, and deeds. Someone’s thoughts and actions both being beyond reproach. Notes: 品行 on its own is “behavior,” 方正 on its own is “correct spirit and behavior,” … Continue reading
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