Shaking Like a Poor Man

Posted on 22. Dec, 2008 @ 10:26 am by in Language Views: 407

I have a bad habit of shaking my leg when I’m listening to someone speak about something, or when I get sleepy… or when it’s cold… or… anyway.

I think I do it to try to keep myself from falling asleep…

Anyway, this kind of nervous shaking is called bimbo yusuri 「貧乏揺すり」in Japanese.

Literally, bimbo yusuri means, “poor man shake”.

To be honest I have no idea what it’s called that.

Somebody explain it to me!

- Harvey

  • Jesus

    貧乏揺すり is not so much about being poor as it is about being low class. For some reason or another, it has entered their culture that the low-bred mongrels and peasants are more likely to shake their body nervously than those of more esteemed blood.
    Silly and superstitious of course, but so many parts of any culture are. If someone accuses you of this, be sure to punch them in the face and call them a 部落民.

  • http://nihonhacks.com Thomas (nihonhacks.com)

    When I thought about this, I was reminded of Tea Ceremony, where every little action you do is so controlled and precise. I think that maybe high class people at one time really valued mindfulness and control of your posture and body. Shaking your leg absentmindedly would be the opposite of this ideal. So maybe it was looked down upon, seen as unrefined and something poor people do. I have no facts to back any of this up, its just a guess.

  • http://www.zdwonline.de Haf

    I agree with Thomas, but unfortunately I also don’t have any sources to back this up. :)
    But honestly, I can’t think of any other reason that would make as much sense as this.
    Educated people have learned self-control and that’s that.

  • http://zoey473 zoey

    I used to do that when I was a kid… I think the meaning of “Shaking like a poor man” comes from an old Chinese saying: 人搖福薄, 樹搖葉落 [Person-move-fortune-shallow, trees-move-leaves-fall] It rhymes in Chinese.

    Somehow I got rid of the habit as I grow up. :)

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