Tag Archives: current events

Not bread and circuses; fast food and TV and TV and TV

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Confanity

Intro: Once more, with feeling:“Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.” – Commissioner Pravin Lal, “U.N. Declaration of Rights,” Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri 愚民政策gu.min.sei.saku Literally: foolish – people … Continue reading →

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Wolves among the flowers

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Confanity

落花狼藉 ra-.kka.rou.zeki Literally: fall – flower – wolf – spread Alternately: Things are scattered or disorganized. Chaos and disorder. Violence, especially violence directed towards women and children. Notes: As with last week’s yojijukugo, this is a compound of compounds, with … Continue reading →

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There’s a storm coming

Posted on July 15, 2020 by Confanity

(Not to mention the storm that’s already here) 前途多難 zen.to.ta.nan Literally: before / front – road – many – difficult / trouble Alternately: Hard times ahead. Notes: Compare and contrast 前途有望 and 多事多難.

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Turns out it doesn’t matter, though

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Confanity

All you need to do is get mad at the people who caught you doing the crimes!? 白昼堂々 haku.chuu.dou.dou Literally: white – noon – public hall – [kanji doubling mark] Alternately: (Doing something bad) in broad daylight. Notes: This relatively … Continue reading →

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The opposite of charmed

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Confanity

引かれ者の小唄 (Hikaremono no kouta; “The ballad of someone being pulled along”) Definition: Putting on a brave face in the face of despair; refusing to admit defeat in a seemingly impossible situation; defiant confidence against overwhelming odds. Like someone condemned for … 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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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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