International Dictionary of Spider-Speak

Apparently it is my part in this life to play "perevochik" between languages and cultures. While I take this appointment with joy and backed by the appropriate training, it becomes necessary to document the ideas that appear in my thoughts, so as to help my readers in appropriate word choice and usage. To that end, I now humbly present to you the International Dictionary of Spider-Speak, 1st edition.

Sunday, January 30, 2005


a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 

A
Airen
- Chinese. (Eye ren) Literally "loved one." A term used to describe or address someone with whom one has a close personal relationship. Not to be used lightly, as in with the friend of a friend, or someone with whom your only contact is online. Most appropriately used in context of family or closest personal relationships.

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B
Big nose
- Chinese culture. Non-Asian foreigner. Has bigger nose than a Chinese.

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C


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D

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E
EGR- English abbrev. Extra Grace Required. The kind of person that makes you want to run for cover when you see them coming.

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F

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G

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H

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I
Ich weiss das nicht
- German. (Ick-but with the throat clearing- vice das nicht-same ch as ich) I don't know. (no really, that's what it means...)

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J
Jiejie
- Chinese. (jyejye) Big sister.

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K

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L
Laowai
- Chinese. (rhymes with "ow eye") Foreigner. Has the sense that the speaker is uneducated.

LDPT- Life, Death, and the Power of the Tongue. Used by my GC roommate who was my main competition in self-deprecation.

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M
Mafan
- Chinese. Literally "trouble," but with a bigger impact than the English version. Better rendered as "major pain in the ass." Because the website wouldn't accept my gift certificate, placing the order was mafan.

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N

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O

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P
Pengyou
- Chinese. (pung yo) Friend.

Perevochik- Russian. (peer a vo' chick) Translator/Interpreter. The coolest word I've ever learned.

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Q
Qi pao
- Chinese. (Chee pow) Traditional dress.

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R

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S

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T
Ting bu dong
- Chinese. I hear you, but I don't understand.

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U

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V

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W
Waiguoren
- Chinese. Wai- foreign. Guo- country. Ren- person. Thus, foreigner. Term is used by the educated.

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X

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Y

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Z
Zippy Giggle-Squirt
- The Governator's SpongeBob name

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