Thursday, January 17, 2013

"Intercourse the penguin!"

     There f-word is one of the most popular and most offensive words in the English language. In the video to the left, the comedy troupe Monty Python  manage to sneak across a reference to it by using one of the more clinical synonyms for the f-word. English, however, is not the only language to have a slang word or phrase like the f-word. Recently, a number of North Koreans have been using their version to strike a small blow for freedom against their new leader, Kim Jong-un.

     January 8th is the 30th birthday of Kim Jong-un and as often happens in dictatorial regimes, the citizens of North Korea are being forced to take part in celebrations and other activities to commemorate his birth. While in most cases there is nothing odd or funny about the date of January 8th, according to NKNews.org: "January 8th is pronounced in Korean as ‘ilpal’ (one-eight). But the Korean word for eighteen, ‘sippal’, happens to be a homophone of the swear-word ‘f**king’. Pyongyang residents have decided to take advantage of this pun. They are referring to Kim Jong-un’s birthday as the ‘f**king birthday celebrations’, and compulsory apple-picking days as ‘f**king Apple-Picking Days’." While these jokes are only whispered among close friends, those who really trust those who they are talking to have been using more direct terms to air their grievances. They have been calling Kim Jong-un, " ‘f**king comrade’, ‘f**king Marshal or ‘f**king Kim the Third’." 

     While we may laugh or cringe at such vulgar language, the mere fact that they are willing to make these jokes is a huge step forward for the North Korean people, even if they aren't willing to make them publicly  In the past, Kim's father and grandfather were given an almost god like reverence. It was considered culturally and criminally a big crime to make fun of them. And while many wish the North Koreans would rise up and pursue freedom, those who do may just have to be satisfied with the small baby steps like this for now.




1. http://www.businessinsider.com/kim-jong-uns-birthday-prompts-pun-2013-1?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29
2. http://gawker.com/5974144/incredibly-brave-north-koreans-are-mocking-kim-jong+un-on-his-birthday
3. http://www.nknews.org/2013/01/happy-fking-birthday-kid-warrior-lots-of-love-the-people-of-north-korea/

6 comments:

Aurelas said...

Love it! Especially love the way you referenced Monty Python :D

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