MSG019: Secrets of Chinese Wordplay (Frankie)

1. 吸猫 (xī māo) “Snorting cats”, to be addicted to cats like a drug 2. 缘分 (yuán fèn) Fate, serendipity 3. 脑海 (nǎo hǎi) “Brain ocean,” metaphor for your mental space 4. 枯燥 (kū zào) Dry & withered (like a boring lecture) 5. 陶渊明 (Táo yuān míng) Jin Dynasty poet who loved chrysanthemums 6. 叫兽 (jiào shòu) “Howling beast,” used as an honorific for professors who are sexual predators (because the pronunciation is exactly the same as “professor,” 教授 ) 7. 米兔 (mǐ tù) “Rice bunny,” transliteration of “me too,” the movement 8. 忧郁鱿鱼 (yōuyù yóuyú) “Sad squid.” Look, it’s not really a thing, but if you want a print of Frankie’s sad squid paintings (or any of her other great illustrations or puns), check her out at the links below! Get more of Frankie’s thoughts and art: PutongWords Etc.: https://putongwords.substack.com/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/putongwords/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourobororoboruo Shop: http://www.frankie-huang.c...