뽀록
[bbo-rok]
pure luck or dumb luck
Meaning & context
때때로, 우리는 제비뽑기의 운을 바래야 할 때가 있다... 그래서 우리는 이렇게 말한다: 국 어에서 “뽀록나다”는 속어로 ‘들통나다’의 의미로 쓰인다. ‘뽀록’은 일본어 ‘보로’에서 온 말로 파생적의미 ‘허술한’의 뜻이다. 어쩌면 이 표현은 영어표현 “but luck.”으로부터 온 표현이라고.(어쨌든 이는 그저 행운을 의미한다.)
Every once in a while, we have to grasp at straws . . . so here we go: The dictionary meaning is to be caught in a lie, as in “a lie is detected” or has “come out.” Which is originally from the Japanese for humble or shabby. However, we believe the slang usage is derived from English, similar to “but luck” (I know just a stab in the dark, but the sources tell us it means “pure luck” or simply “dumb luck”).
From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 135–135. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.
STORY TIME
See it in conversation
Korean
럭키 스트라이크
English
Lucky Strike
그거 봤어? 창현이 안타쳤어.
Did you see that? ChangHyun got a base hit.
에이, 걔 그냥 눈감고 방망이 휘두른거야! 그거 뽀록이야.
Hell, he just closed his eyes and swung! That’s bborok.
아니야. 난 스타야! 넌 삼진 아웃!
No it’s not, I’m a star! You struck out!
두번째 타석에서는 아웃당했잖아.
You were out at second!
초짜의 운보다 좋은건 없지. 뽀록 야구.
Nothing better than beginners luck. Baseball bborok.
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 →