Yajiuma (野次馬 - Rubberneck)

Sep 28, 2017 17:55
When a fire or an accident occurs, many "yajiuma" (野次馬) will gather.

"Yajiuma" means people show interest in a incident unrelated to themselves and make a big deal about it.

It is said that "yajiuma" comes from "oyajiuma" (親父馬), here "oyaji" (親父) means "farther" and "uma" (馬) means "horse."

Because of this, "yajiuma" originally meant an old horse or an unmanageable horse.

Also, since such a horse is useless, "yajiuma" has come to mean people who are useless -- they just watch or make a big deal about an incident unrelated to themselves.
野次馬

火災や事故は発生すると、「野次馬」が集まってきます。

「野次馬」とは、自分とは無関係な事件などに興味を示し、騒ぎ立てる人のことを指します。

「野次馬」は「親父馬(おやじうま)」から来ているとされており、本来は老いた馬や暴れ馬を意味していました。

そして、これらの馬は役に立たないことから、「野次馬」は自分とは無関係な事件などに対し無責任に騒ぐ人や、見物する人を意味するようになりました。
No. 1 Rick M's correction
  • "Yajiuma" means people show interest in a incident unrelated to themselves and make a big deal about it.
  • "Yajiuma" means people who show interest in a incident unrelated to themselves and make a big deal about it.
  • It is said that "yajiuma" comes from "oyajiuma" (親父馬), here "oyaji" (親父) means "farther" and "uma" (馬) means "horse."
  • It is said that "yajiuma" comes from "oyajiuma" (親父馬); here "oyaji" (親父) means "farther", and "uma" (馬) means "horse."
  • Because of this, "yajiuma" originally meant an old horse or an unmanageable horse.
  • Because of this, "yajiuma" originally meant an old horse or an unmanageable horse.
Great writing and a very interesting piece! While the English equivalent "Rubbernecker" certainly has an amusing origin, the Japanese "野次馬" sounds much more entertaining!
Toru
Thank yo so much for correcting my post!
Indeed, although yajiuma is often used as a negative meaning, it may sound entertaining.
No. 2 Fifi's correction
  • It is said that "yajiuma" comes from "oyajiuma" (親父馬), here "oyaji" (親父) means "farther" and "uma" (馬) means "horse."
  • It is said that "yajiuma" comes from "oyajiuma" (親父馬), here "oyaji" (親父) means "farther" and "uma" (馬) means "horse."
Hmmm 'baka' also contains horse....
Toru
Thank you so much for the correction!
Yes, "baka" contains horse, but its etymology doesn't related to horse :)
http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/249370067600550242676184935601705616430
No. 3 Kiwi's correction
この表現がすごく好きです。
Toru
コメントありがとうございます!
何でもかんでも珍しがって見たがる性格のことを、「野次馬根性」と言ったりもします。
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