Feeling Punchy

I love it when a term has a literal primary meaning and then a second definition that provides an unexpected figurative twist. These pairs of meanings come across like a 1-2 punch. Then again, maybe it's not as violent as that! Perhaps it's more like the set-up for a joke followed by the punchline.

What's with all the punching?! After two long days of work, I must be feeling punchy.

Anyway, you can see a few great examples in a quiz of sorts. Working without breakdowns, match each numbered word to two definitions:

1. 降板 (こうばん)   
2. 晴耕雨読 (せいこううどく)
3. 呼吸 (こきゅう)

a. breath; respiration
b. leaving the mound (baseball)
c. living in quiet retirement, dividing time between work and intellectual pursuits
d. knack; trick; secret (to doing something)
e. working in the field in fine weather and reading at home in rainy weather
f. resigning from a role or position         

I'll block the answers with a preview of the new essay 1380 on 遵:

Okay, here are the answers! 

1. 降板 (こうばん)     to descend + plate

Literal meaning:
b. leaving the mound (baseball)

Figurative meaning:
f. resigning from a role or position         

As someone who doesn't follow baseball, I had to consult my husband (who grew up halfway around the world) about the Great American Pastime! I had wrongly assumed that, given the figurative meaning of 降板, "leaving the mound" must mean that the pitcher is slinking off in defeat and shame. But my husband said that "leaving the mound" simply means that a pitcher is being replaced. Things may not be going well, but he also may have exhausted himself by throwing too many pitches. As 降板 means that he is being relieved of his pitching duties, it's a pretty good hook on which to hang the figurative definition "resigning from a role or position."

Although 板 often means "board," in this case it refers to a plate (投手板, とうしゅばん) at the top of the pitcher's mound, says my proofreader.

2. 晴耕雨読 (せいこううどく)     fine weather + cultivating + rain + reading

Literal meaning:
e. working in the field in fine weather and reading at home in rainy weather

Figurative meaning:
c. living in quiet retirement, dividing time between work and intellectual pursuits 

This yojijukugo reminds me of the story of the industrious ant and the improvident grasshopper (the one who was terrible about preparing for the future). However, 晴耕雨読 isn't really about either state. Instead, it's a bit more about achieving a suitable balance between hard work and challenging hobbies. (What about watching mindless TV? Is that not an option?)

3. 呼吸 (こきゅう)     to exhale + to inhale

Literal meaning:
a. breath; respiration

Figurative meaning:
d. knack; trick; secret (to doing something)

There are several surprises here. First, who knew that the original meaning of 呼 (よ•ぶ: to call) was "to exhale"? I didn't! Second, look at how exhaling and inhaling combine to mean "breath" or "respiration"! It's logical and yet so unexpectedly neat! Third, how do those same actions add up to "knack; trick; secret (to doing something)"? If there's one thing we all do instinctively, it's breathing. There's not much of a trick to it, although once you get into yoga, you find that people have invented an astounding number of breathing techniques.

My proofreader explains the figurative meaning this way: “The knack" or "the hang of it” is mostly about subtle timing. That concept connects to inhaling and exhaling, which people do repeatedly at a certain pace.

Yes, and with all these great 1-2 punches, you may be hyperventilating with excitement right about now!

Have a great weekend!