XPost: sci.lang, alt.usage.english
On Sun, 29 Jun 2025 18:40:00 +0000, Carl G. wrote:
On 6/28/2025 10:27 PM, HenHanna wrote:
Why did the chicken join a band?
Because .............
Because he thought he could pullet off.
Why do fish always know what’s up?
They know everything about escalation.
How do you make a cat go “woof”?
You give it a hiss-terectomy.
nice!
__________________________
Yes, "escalation" is etymologically related to "scale" (as in "to
climb"), but not to "scale" as in fish scales.
Origin: "Escalation" comes from the verb "escalate," which is a
back-formation from "escalator." The root of all these words
is the Latin scala, meaning "ladder" or "staircase." This root also gave
rise to the French escalade (to climb, especially with ladders), and the English verb "to scale" (as in "to scale a wall").
Meaning: The original sense was about climbing or ascending, and the
modern figurative meaning ("to increase in intensity or scope") evolved
from this idea of rising or going up.
Not related to fish scales: The "scale" in "escalation" and "escalate"
is unrelated to "scale" as in the small plates on fish or reptiles,
which comes from a different Latin root (squama).
__________________________
Oogiri is making a comeback in Japan.
**Oogiri (大喜利, ōgiri) is indeed making a comeback in Japan, especially in the context of comedy and entertainment.**
- **What is Oogiri?**
Oogiri is a comedic format where participants are given a question or
theme and must improvise witty, funny answers on the spot. It’s often presented like a game or quiz show, with comedians competing to deliver
the most humorous responses. The topics can range from simple questions
to captioning random photos for comedic effect[1][3].
- **Cultural resurgence:**
Oogiri has deep roots in Japanese entertainment, originating as the
final act in traditional kabuki performances, but its modern comedic
form was popularized by TV shows such as *Shōten* and is currently a
central feature of popular programs like *Ippon Grand Prix*[2][1]. The format’s improvisational nature and emphasis on quick wit have made it especially appealing to younger audiences and a new generation of
comedians.
- **Why the comeback?**
The renewed popularity of oogiri is linked to:
- The rise of variety shows and comedy competitions on Japanese TV.
- Increased interest in interactive and improvisational comedy.
- Social media and streaming platforms, where short, punchy, and
shareable comedic content thrives.
- **Contemporary relevance:**
Oogiri’s resurgence reflects broader trends in Japanese entertainment, where classic formats are being reinvented for new audiences, and the
demand for spontaneous, relatable humor is high[1][3].
**In summary:**
Oogiri is once again a prominent part of Japanese comedy culture, with
its improvisational style resonating strongly in today’s entertainment landscape[1][3].
[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_owarai_terms
[2]
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E5%96%9C%E5%88%A9
[3]
https://www.japandict.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%96%9C%E5%88%A9
[4]
https://jisho.org/search/%22onigiri%22
[5]
https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-slang/
[6]
https://jisho.org/search/onig
[7]
https://tagvault.org/blog/japanese-slang/
[8]
https://www.fluentin3months.com/japanese-slang/
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