
골초 or 꼴초
[gol-cho]
a chain smoker or tobacco fiend
The Flashcard
The original illustrated card, front and back.


Meaning & context
본래는 품질이 나쁜 담배를 의미하였는데, 현재는 담배를 많이 피우는 사람을 이르는 말이 되었다. (담배를 많이 피우는 사람들은 그들의 많은 양의 담배를 사기위해 값이 싼 것을 사야만 했다고 추측된다.) 유사한 영어표현으로는 “굴뚝처럼 담배피다”라는 표현이 있다.
Originally meaning low quality tobacco, golcho has come to refer to someone who smokes heavily. (Presumably they must smoke cheap tobacco to afford their habit.) Related to the English “chain smoker” or “smokes like a chimney.” Other smoking slang: 야리까다[ya-ri-gga-da] to smoke (on the sly)
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 24–24. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
흡연의 고마움
English
Thank You for Smoking
여보, 당신한테 골초냄새 난다. 내가 없는 동안 담배 시작했어?
Honey, you smell like a golcho. Did you start smoking while I was away?
아니요, 단지 “완전 즐거운” 저녁 회식이 있었어요. 담배 안 피는 사람은 나밖에 없었구요.
No, I just had a “wonderful” evening meeting with my coworkers. I must be the only one that doesn’t smoke.
그래, 그럼 일단 그 냄새나는 옷부터 벗고 ~우~ 그 골초냄새 없애려면 내가 좀 씻겨줘야겠어.
Well, then let’s get you out of those smelly clothes and ~oooh~ scrub you down to get rid of that golcho smell.

TAKE THE WHOLE BOOK WITH YOU
As Much as a Rat’s Tail
Illustrated Korean, bilingual conversations, and the stories behind the expressions. Read here, then keep the complete book close.
Find the book Korean for lovers →