Category Archives: Japanese

When the cover-up actually is worse than the crime

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Confanity

李下に冠を正さず (Rika ni kanmuri wo tadasazu; “Don’t straighten your hat below a plum tree”) Definition: Don’t do things that invite suspicion or misunderstanding. Even if you’re innocent, it’s best to avoid even the accidental appearance of guilt. If you reach … Continue reading →

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Whee!

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Confanity

I only used to have nine pen! 有為転変 u.i.ten.pen Literally: exist – do / change – turn – strange Alternately: Everything in the world is in a constant state of flux. Everything changes; nothing stays the same. A Buddhist comment … Continue reading →

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Out of rain, out of brain

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Confanity

雨晴れて笠を忘れる (Ame harete kasa wo wasureru; “The rain stops and you forget your umbrella (hat)”) Definition: As soon as a painful situation is over, the help one received is forgotten. When rain is threatening or falling people make sure to … Continue reading →

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The flame and the flood

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Confanity

天変地異 ten.pen.chi.i Literally: heaven – change – earth – different Alternately: Natural disasters or bizarre natural phenomena. Bad or weird stuff that’s not man-made. You know, like eclipses, record-breaking storms, and floods. Notes: 天変 refers to unusual celestial events like … Continue reading →

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Hitting the Wong target by accident?

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Confanity

That title feels extra obscure even though I totally explain it below. Weird. 草を打って蛇を驚かす (Kusa wo utte hebi wo odorokasu; “Strike the grass, surprise a snake”) Definition: An innocent or unthinking action that draws unintended, usually bad, consequences. Like idly … Continue reading →

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Laugh ten million laughs

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Confanity

And then stop? 笑止千万 shou.shi.sen.ban Literally: smile – stop – thousand – ten thousand Alternately: Extremely absurd, ridiculous, stupid; pitiful, unfortunate. Notes: 笑止 refers to something funny – or stupid – or pitiable – or worrisome – or embarrassing, while … Continue reading →

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Like how Chelm was created, but almost entirely different

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Confanity

堪忍袋の緒が切れる (Kanninbukuro no o ga kireru; “The string on one’s bag of patience breaks”) Definition: Someone reaches the end of their patience and explodes. Running out of one’s ability to hold back and put up with something, especially after suppressing … Continue reading →

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Fat head, skinny tail

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Confanity

竜頭蛇尾 ryuu.tou.da.bi Literally: dragon – head – snake – tail Alternately: A strong or exciting beginning and a weak or dull ending. In with a bang, out with a whimper. Anticlimax. Alternately, something that looks impressive but in reality is … Continue reading →

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Sham shyness, ferocious fleeing?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Confanity

In like a lamb, out like a lion 始めは処女の如く後は脱兎の如し (Hajime wa shojo no gotoku nochi wa datto no gotoshi; “The beginning is like a virgin, after is like a running hare”) Definition: A battle strategy that begins with a show … Continue reading →

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But in Bizarro World, everything is great!

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Confanity

If you live in a democracy, be in touch with your representatives. Even if you live in a country where things are going fine, be in touch and let them know you’re paying attention. It turns out that taking the … Continue reading →

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