sovay: (Psholtii: in a bad mood)
sovay ([personal profile] sovay) wrote2007-03-12 03:43 am

Is it safe inside your head?

I discovered this afternoon that the name of the Japanese folk hero Momotarō does not really mean "Peach Boy." Rather, Tarō is a popular boy's name—which made me think that, if rendered idiomatically into English, Momotarō should be Peach Jack. Then I realized that while "Peach Boy" may not be a strict translation, "Peach Jack" sounds like a species of moonshine. This is why I am not a professional translator from the Japanese.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' By the Way (2002) is not the album for me to listen to when I'm in a bad mood.

[identity profile] tithenai.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers' By the Way (2002) is not the album for me to listen to when I'm in a bad mood.

Why? Does it compound it, or banish it prematurely? ; ) I love that album so much.

[identity profile] tithenai.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 08:10 am (UTC)(link)
Ohh, yes. That's one of those songs... It really gets to me.

Maybe you should listen to the Decemberists, and let their gleeful madness cheer you? I hope you feel better soon!

[identity profile] setsuled.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
Then I realized that while "Peach Boy" may not be a strict translation, "Peach Jack" sounds like a species of moonshine. This is why I am not a professional translator from the Japanese.

Well, it's not far from "Samurai Jack".

I never really trust Japanese to English translations. I'm usually glad I have some familiarity with Japanese, because there've often been times the English subtitles are just complete rewrites that don't even go with the spirit of the original line. I was just watching a show yesterday where two groups of guys simultaneously shouted "Konnichi wa!" at each other and the subtitle was "Excuse me!"

I'm in a bad mood.

Why're you in a bad mood?

[identity profile] setsuled.livejournal.com 2007-03-13 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
I think time_shark has recommended I see that.

It's a good show. It has an interestingly minimalist style for a modern American action cartoon that allows it to have some rather nice, kinetic action sequences. And it has, at times, a very refreshing lingering pace for what's ostensively a kid's show, though a few episodes seemed somewhat adult.

Samurai Jack's creator, Genndy Tartakovsky, was also responsible for the Star Wars: Clone Wars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Clone_Wars) animated series, which is far superior to the first two prequel movies.

[identity profile] nineweaving.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 09:05 am (UTC)(link)
...not the album for me to listen to when I'm in a bad mood.

You shouldn't drink Peach Jack either.

Sympathies.

Nine

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
Jackie the Peach?

Jack Peach?

No, it just doesn't work, does it?

I guess peaches have a different connotation in Japanese culture. Aren't they symbols of longevity or good fortune of something along those lines.

How about Lucky Jack?

[identity profile] strange-selkie.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 03:37 pm (UTC)(link)
*experimentally hums Ballad von Jackie Pescher*

[identity profile] strange-selkie.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I've almost got it, too.

Dum sum something, down by the river
something something something beach
a little samurai from a peach....

[identity profile] strange-selkie.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Lord. I think it's one of those words like das Autopsie, das Internet, das Medicaid where you slap a neutral article on a Germanized spelling and then politely look the other way, because you've totally wrought a horrible thing, but there's no good way around it. Samurei?

[identity profile] strange-selkie.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
*marvels appropriately* I wouldn't think they'd have too much occasion to bother with such a thing...

[identity profile] stsisyphus.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
From the Wikipedia on Peach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach),

"Due to its luscious taste and soft texture, in ancient China 'peach' was also a slang word for 'young bride', and it has remained in many cultures as a way to define pretty young women..."

There's some interesting play to be had there with Peach Jack, or "Jack" - however it comes out.

"Peach Jack" sounds like a species of moonshine...

Probably some bootleg brandy masquerading as whiskey made in South Carolina. So far, I'm thinking: Mix with chilled tangerine juice, garnish with rind. More flamboyant than plum wine after a meal, but contributes to a convivial atmosphere. But I'm not a mixologist by any degree.

[identity profile] ap-aelfwine.livejournal.com 2007-03-12 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm... "Peach Jack" does sound like some sort of godawful homemade brandy distilled from peaches, but is that a bad thing?

Depends on our friend Context, I suppose. ;-)

Sorry to hear you've been in a bad mood, and I hope you're feeling better soon.