Is it safe inside your head?

[sovay]

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.

Comments

[stsisyphus.livejournal.com]

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.

[sovay]

"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..."

That is interesting. The OED puts the collquial use of "peach"—a particularly fine or desirable person or thing, esp. an attractive young woman; an exceptionally good example of its kind—as far back as the early eighteenth century. I assume it evolved independently.

Probably some bootleg brandy masquerading as whiskey made in South Carolina.

Yeah.

But I'm not a mixologist by any degree.

I'm still impressed with your invention.