Odd expression
Douglas G. Wilson
douglas at NB.NET
Fri May 16 16:18:01 UTC 2003
>-"tare" is a very interesting suffix. The literal meaning is
>"leaking" or "oozing," but it collocates with only a few lexical
>items, and is principally used by children to mock a child (as a
>"snot-nose" or "pants-wetter"). "Bakatare" is, therefore, a "leaking
>fool," literally, but, since the suffix is used in childish, mocking
>collocations, one may think of it as a suffix which simply adds
>derision. My first reaction would be to translate "Bakatare papa-san"
>as "Silly old fart."
>
>dInIs (Puresuton-sensei)
I see (thanks)!
Possibly "bakatare" is originally a combination of "baka[yarou]" and
"kusotare"? The latter -- more or less "shit-leaker" I guess -- seems to be
used much like "baka[yarou]" as a term of abuse (like "asshole") without
much specialized content, right?
-- Doug Wilson
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