[Book Sip] "Ojilp is Wide"... The Discovery of Its Etymology

Editor's NoteSome sentences encapsulate the entire content of a book, while others instantly resonate with the reader's heart, creating a connection with the book. We introduce such meaningful sentences excerpted from books.

Every word and phrase has an origin. For example, the phrase "ojiraph neolda" (literally "having a wide lapel"), used to describe someone who meddles unnecessarily, is related to "ojiraph," the front flap of an outer garment worn over clothes. Since a wide ojiraph can cover other clothes, this image was metaphorically applied to a person who interferes in others' affairs. The author embarks on a journey to uncover the roots of commonly used words like this. Words with unexpected etymologies and frequently used Sino-Korean words whose understanding is aided by knowing their origins are carefully selected and introduced.

When people say "nabureongi" (rag) in expressions like "sulbyeong nabureongi" (bottle rag) or "anju nabureongi" (side dish rag), it often implies something insignificant or worthless. Why is that? Originally, "nabureongi" refers to "small scraps of paper or cloth." "Oragi" means thin and long pieces of thread or cloth. Paper or cloth nabureongi are fragments without a complete form. Therefore, "nabureongi" came to be used to disparage objects or people. - p.44 from Nabureongi

Since ancient times, Gangwon-do has had many trees suitable for construction materials. Because the land route to Seoul was mountainous and rough, timber was transported from Aura-ji in Jeongseon, Gangwon-do, to Hanyang (old name for Seoul) via rafts along the waterways. However, this task was not easy. The Donggang River had many rough rapids, posing a high risk of accidents. Thus, raftmen had to risk their lives to transport the felled trees and were paid a substantial amount of money for their efforts. This is how the term "ttedon" (a large sum of money) originated. - p.80 from Ttedon

The roots of mugwort are long and strong, invading farmland and residential areas and spreading easily. Mugwort's reproductive power is so strong that other crops struggle to grow. Therefore, a ruined or barren land is called a "ssukdaebat" (mugwort field). The phrase "ssukdaebat-i doeeotda" means that mugwort has grown thickly, rendering the land unusable. The term is often shortened to "ssukbat." - p.116 from Ssukdaebat

Discovery of Etymology | Written by Park Young-su | Saramin | 320 pages | 17,000 KRW

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