Sarushibai (猿芝居 - Stupid Trick)

Formerly, I introduced you to the Japanese term 猿真似 (sarumane), which means to imitate acts of others without thinking.
http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/63865845310158804822564330234895781584

Today I would like to talk about another Japanese term, 猿芝居 (sarushibai), which also contains the word 猿 (saru) as well as "sarumane" does.

Since 猿 (saru) means "monkey" and 芝居 (shibai) means "show" or "play," "sarushibai" originally meant a "monkey show" literally.

Later, it has come to mean a "poor show/performance," a "sucky play," and an "inept trick."

Incidentally, "sarushibai" is a little similar to the Japanese term 茶番 (chaban), which was introduced in the following my entry.
http://lang-8.com/kanotown/journals/203983428487821700505159013443589740611

猿芝居

以前私は、「考えもなくむやみに人のまねをすること」を意味する「猿真似」という言葉を紹介しました。

今日は、同じく「猿」を使った言葉「猿芝居」を紹介します。

猿は "monkey," 芝居は "show" を意味するので、もともと猿芝居は文字通り "monkey show" を意味する言葉でした。

これが後に、下手な演技をあざける言葉として使われるようになり、更に、見え透いた浅はかなたくらみを意味するようにもなりました。

この言葉は、以下のリンクで紹介している「茶番」と意味が少し似ています。

ahahaha, it's like the English equivalent of "Monkey see, monkey do." I have a request for a future entry: can you explain the origin of 一か八か?

• Today I would like to talk about another Japanese term, 猿芝居 (sarushibai), which also contains the word 猿 (saru) as well as "sarumane" does.
• Today I would like to talk about another Japanese term, 猿芝居 (sarushibai), which also contains the word 猿 (saru) as well as "sarumane".

• Since 猿 (saru) means "monkey" and 芝居 (shibai) means "show" or "play," "sarushibai" originally meant a "monkey show" literally.
• Since 猿 (saru) means "monkey" and 芝居 (shibai) means "show" or "play," "sarushibai" originally literally meant "monkey show/play".

• Incidentally, "sarushibai" is a little similar to the Japanese term 茶番 (chaban), which was introduced in the following my entry.
• Incidentally, "sarushibai" is a little similar to the Japanese term 茶番 (chaban), which was introduced in the following entry.

Interesting! Frankly I would like to see a play where all roles are performed by monkeys)