While the vocabulary of youth slang differs between the Edo period and modern times due to the different historical contexts, a common tendency is to favor abbreviations, emphatic expressions, and the verbalization of nouns. The origins of modern expressions like “maji” (seriously) and “yabai” (terrible/amazing) existed even in the Edo period.
Specifically, Edo-era slang originated in the dressing rooms of Kabuki and other theatrical performances, while modern slang originates from social media and LINE.
1. Youth Slang and Slang in the Edo Period (Townspeople and Pleasure Quarter Culture)
In the Edo period, there was a tendency to shorten words and verbalize nouns to emphasize rhythm.
Maji (serious): Originating from the dressing room jargon (industry terminology) of Edo-period entertainers, it was used to mean “really” or “seriously.”
Yabai (terrible/amazing): Already existed in the Edo period as a word meaning “dangerous” or “inconvenient.”
Bibiru (to be scared/intimidated): A slang term used since the Edo period meaning “to be intimidated.”
~ru (verb formation): The technique of adding “ru” to nouns to shorten them became popular, such as “ocha-ru” for “to eat ochazuke” (rice with tea).
Teyandei, berabōmei: Popular expressions known for their spirited, Edo-style speech.
2. Modern Youth Slang (SNS/SNS Culture)
In modern times, language that exaggerates emotions and facilitates quick communication is preferred.
Emoi: Slang used primarily by Generation Z to describe moments of great emotional impact.
Maji/Yabai (emphasis): An expression dating back to the Edo period, now frequently used to emphasize “very” or “the best (worst).”
KimaZ (Kimaji): A youth slang term using the alphabet to mean “awkward.”
Teetee (Precious): A term originating from otaku culture, used to passionately praise favorite idols or characters.
Ryo (Understood): A shortened form of “understood,” often used in LINE.
3. Similarities in Language Between the Two Eras
The Edo period and modern times share a very similar sense of essential “wordplay.”
Abbreviation and Rhythm: Edo’s “-ru” and modern “-ru (ryo, etc.).”
Evolution of Intensifiers: Edo’s “honki” → “maji,” modern “chō” → “oni” → “geki.”
Edo period language is quite common, and it’s thought that modern youth slang, while changing form over time, retains its core elements (conveying emotions concisely).
While Edo period and modern youth slang (popular words/slang) share the commonality of having many words that have actually been used since the Edo period, there are significant differences in “changes in meaning” and “abbreviations.”
Many Edo period popular words are still understood today and are surprisingly common.
1. Words Existing from the Edo Period (Commonalities)
Some words used by young people today have their roots in Edo period “industry jargon” and “slang.”
Maji: A slang term used in the dressing rooms of entertainers during the Edo period, an abbreviation of “majime” (serious/earnest). It already appears in documents from 1781.
Yabai: At the time, it meant “dangerous” or “inconvenient,” and was mainly used as slang by thieves and the like.
Bibiru: It is said to originate from the sound of armor clashing between soldiers during the Heian period (bibiru), but by the Edo period it had already become established as slang meaning “to feel intimidated.”
Mukatsuku: Derived from the physiological phenomenon of feeling nauseous, it was used from the Edo period to mean “to be angry.”
3. Examples of “Stylish” Expressions of the Time
Here are some unique expressions used by young people and townspeople in the Edo period:
“Sore wa goten da”: Similar in nuance to the modern “ryōkai” (understood/okay).
“Sharakusai”: A rebellious word meaning “presumptuous” or “don’t act like you know everything.”
“Teyandei”: This is an expression similar to the modern Japanese “What are you talking about?”.
Many words from the Edo period were originally “industry jargon” that spread to the general public, while modern language is characterized by extreme shortening and ambiguity (such as using “yabai” for everything) due to the “speed of the digital age.”
コメント