Shinunoga e-wa. A phrase that doesn’t make much sense to non-Japanese speakers. But what does it actually mean? Many have tried to decode the mystery behind the phrase, but its meaning remains elusive. Is it a secret code? A tongue twister? Perhaps we may never know for sure.
What happens when a building’s corner is obliterated by a storm or a car crash? What name do we give to that specific point where two walls should meet but no longer do? Is it a ruined edge, a shattered corner, a demolished angle? Let’s explore the linguistic possibilities of this architectural quandary.
Idle words are the pitfall of our everyday conversations. These expressions are void of substance, lacking in meaning and are spoken without a thought. They often fall under the category of filler words and are used to pad or stretch out a conversation. Despite how seamlessly they blend, they are detrimental to our communication and diminish the impact of our words. It takes a conscious effort to abstain from the idle words trap and use our words with greater purpose.
When it comes to the term “Yankee,” many might think of someone from the northeastern part of the United States. But what is the opposite of a Yankee? Is it a Southerner? A Westerner? In reality, there is no clear-cut answer. The opposite of a Yankee can vary depending on who you ask and their perspective on American culture and identity.