Manzai (漫才)

Japanify lesson of the day: Manzai (漫才).

Similar to the two-man comedy routine of Abbott and Costello, Manzai is the concept of comedy based on one person being boke, or the funny man, and the other being tsukkomi, or the straight man, usually one who tries to reason with the funny man's intellect.

Japanese Flag Head

According to Miyuki, this is Japanese Flag Head, a.k.a. Toad from Mario.

How cool?

Talking about 2d matrix bar codes, not 3d matrix bar codes because those don't exist yet.

K: "What the hell is that? We don't want "transaction code cool", we want "check-in code cool".

Trouble focusing

Jo: What's the opposite of focus?
M: Ah... zoom?

b... *thinking* bo.... bi..... ba..... *thinking*

Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa--- *hands splitting apart*

Sarcasm - Hiniku 皮肉

Today's discussion is on sarcasm. The idea of sarcasm is relatively straightforward in Western language. You say something in a sarcastic tone, usually a dramatic flair, where you mean to imply the opposite of what you say. This subtextual method of communication is a means of exaggeration and either a light joke or a serious insult.
In the Japanese culture, sarcasm or 'hiniku' is only used in the form of harsh commentary. It is not used for lighthearted joking as it is in Western society and could start conflict.

It's hot hot hot

"It's a hot hot hot"
"TZZT!"

I have no idea how this makes any sense because as far as I know, heating elements don't make electric "bzzt!" sounds if you make contact. It's more like "ssssss" of your skin searing on the hot surface.

Segueing from this, John had a discussion about how boys and girls are wired differently. Boys have the innate ability of making and imitating battle/weapon sounds like "ratatatta" "brr-rr-rr-rr-rrrrrt" "bwoooom" and other onomatopoeia, while girls apparently can't do it as John's daughters asked him how boys do it.

Stephen is "Stephen". (with emphasis on the air quotes)