Badass Korean — As Much as a Rat’s Tail

엄창

[eom-chang]

on my mother’s honor; cross my heart

The Flashcard

The original illustrated card, front and back.

Being Bad in Korea card back엄창 — on my mother’s honor; cross my heart

Meaning & context

이것이 만약 거짓말이면, 우리 엄마는 창녀다. 엄마의 엄과 창녀의 창, 두 글자가 합쳐진 단어.(이 표현은 비교적 예전에 많이 쓰였으나, 현재도 유용하다.)

Literally “if it’s a lie my mother is a harlot.” Another acronym, the eom (엄) of omma (엄마) or mom, and the chang (창) of changnyo (창녀) or prostitute and is often accompanied by a gesture. (Though a bit dated, this expression is still useful.)

From As Much as a Rat’s Tail · book pages 170–170. Original published text; historical references and usage are retained.

STORY TIME

See it in conversation

Korean

차 이야기

English

Tea Talk

YuJa

너 둥글레네 엄마가 창녀인거 알고 있었어?

유자

Did you know that DoongGeullae’s mother is a harlot.

PaJeon

오미자?! 진짜로?

파전

OmiJa?! Are you sure?

YuJa

정말로. 그게 바로 둥글레 이름이 긴 이유였어.

유자

Absolutely. That’s why his name is so long.

PaJeon

엄창? 못 믿겠어. 엄마 걸고 맹세해봐!

파전

Eomchang? I don’t believe you. Swear on your mother!

YuJa

알았어, 알았어, 엄창!

유자

OK, OK, eomchang!

As Much as a Rat’s Tail

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As Much as a Rat’s Tail

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