＜prologue＞
I started a blog called “The Baby Boomer Generation’s Miscellaneous Blog”（Dankai-sedai no garakutatyou:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳） in July 2018, about a year before I fully retired. More than six years have passed since then, and the number of articles has increased considerably.
So, in order to make them accessible to people who don’t understand Japanese, I decided to translate my past articles into English and publish them.
It may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would like to make this my life’s work.
It should be noted that haiku and waka （Japanese short fixed form poems） are quite difficult to translate into English, so some parts are written in Japanese.
If you are interested in haiku or waka and would like to know more, please read introductory or specialized books on haiku or waka written in English.
I also write many articles about the Japanese language. I would be happy if these inspire more people to want to learn Japanese.
my blog’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多（がらくた）帳 | 団塊世代が雑学や面白い話を発信しています
my X’s URL:団塊世代の我楽多帳（@historia49) on X
(Reference) Original article in Japanese
・日本語の面白い語源・由来（その１０）反りが合わない、目溢し、強ちなど
1. Incompatible Curves
反りが合わない（そりがあわない）
“Incompatible curves” means that two people have different ideas or personalities, resulting in a lack of compatibility or inability to get along.
“Curves” refers to the curved part of the blade’s spine. If the curvature doesn’t match the curvature of the scabbard, the sword cannot be sheathed.
This was applied to human relationships, meaning not getting along well. In this case, the only way to deal with someone you don’t get along with is through a “strategic reciprocal relationship.”
Conversely, when you “get along well,” we say “getting along well.”
2. Overlooking (Mekoboshi)
目溢し（めこぼし）
“Overlooking” means “intentionally overlooking something that should be criticized; being lenient.” It’s used in phrases like “We can’t overlook injustice” or “I beg you to overlook it.”
“Overflowing (Meafure)” has the same meaning.
It means “to spill from the eyes,” implying “to avoid letting it get in one’s sight” or “to pretend not to notice and forgive.”
3. Almost (Anagachi)
強ち（あながち）
“Ana” means “oneself,” and the etymology is “one’s own victory.”
(1) Adverb (followed by a negative word)
① (A feeling of not being able to be completely certain) Not necessarily. In general. Used in phrases like, “It can’t be said to be entirely a lie.”
② (Strong negation) Absolutely not. “Noriyori and Yoshitsune’s petition cannot be readily accepted.” (The Tale of the Heike)
(2) Adjectival Noun
① Forceful; by force. “It was something my father, the Minister, forced upon me.” (Ōkagami)
② Single-minded; devoted. “Why is this pursuit of learning so single-minded?” (The Tale of Genji)
③ Selfish; self-centered. “Even the foolish way I’ve passed feels regrettable, but that’s just how it is.” (Izumi Shikibu Nikki)
4. Bluff
はったり
“Bluffing” refers to “exaggerating trivial matters or making non-existent things seem real in an attempt to overwhelm others; also, such words and actions.”
There are various theories regarding its etymology.
① One theory suggests it originates from the gambling chant “Hari-tari haritari” (Come on, place your bets!), which urged customers to gamble.
② Another theory suggests “haru” means to hit, and since it originally meant to threaten by hitting, “haritari” came to mean intimidation or blackmail, and the word evolved from there.
A famous historical figure known for bluffing is Katsu Kaishu. He himself publicly declared himself a “big braggart.”
Shirasu Jiro also seems to have had a tendency to bluff.
Baron Munchausen, famous as the “Baron of Lies,” was also a person who excelled at bluffing.
5. Kamakeru
感ける（かまける）
“Kamakeru” means “to be preoccupied with something and neglect other things,” as in “He was so engrossed in playing that he neglected his studies.”
In older times, it was pronounced “kamaku,” meaning “to be attracted to, to be impressed, to empathize,” as in “How delightful the old man’s song is, how delightful the nine children are, will they be engrossed in it?” (Manyoshu).
There are several theories regarding its etymology:
① The theory that it originated from “kemaku” (気負).
② The theory that it originated from “makeru,” meaning “to stop doing other things.”
③ The theory that it originated from “kakarimakeru,” meaning “to be captivated by something.”
6. Chisou (Gochisou)
馳走（ご馳走）
“Chisou (Gochisou)” refers to a luxurious meal or the act of entertaining someone with a meal.
The word “gochisō” (feast) originally meant “to make a horse run,” “to run around,” or “to run around frantically.”
In the past, the word “gochisō” was used because people would run horses to gather ingredients to prepare meals for guests.
The meaning shifted from running around to preparing the food to include the meaning of hospitality.
Furthermore, from dishes made with ingredients gathered by running around, and meals prepared for hospitality, “gochisō” came to mean a luxurious meal.
7. Chaban (Farce)
茶番（ちゃばん）
“Chaban” refers to transparently ridiculous and absurd behavior. It is also called “chaban-geki” (farce drama).
In the Edo period, amateur skits performed as entertainment, parodies of Kabuki plays, were called “kyōgen chaban,” or simply “chaban.”
Originally, “chaban” referred to the person in charge of serving tea backstage. It is said to have spread from an actor in the backstage area who was assigned to a farce and performed it as entertainment.