How to Read “屁を放って尻窄める”
He wo houtte shiri tsubomeru
Meaning of “屁を放って尻窄める”
This proverb represents belated actions of frantically trying to cover up after doing something.
It refers to the behavior of frantically trying to hide or pretend something never happened after an act has already been committed. Since it’s too late to contract your buttocks after releasing a fart, it signifies untimely responses or ineffective damage control.
The situations where this proverb is used are mainly when someone frantically makes excuses after a slip of the tongue, or when someone tries to cover up after causing a problem. It’s also used in obviously belated situations, such as trying to silence someone after a secret has already been revealed.
Even today, we can see the essence of this proverb in actions like frantically deleting inappropriate social media posts after posting them, or desperately trying to follow up after saying something unnecessary in a meeting. In essence, it’s an expression used as sarcasm or warning about responses that have gotten the order backwards.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged from extremely familiar experiences, observing human physiological phenomena and psychological states.
Since similar expressions can be found in Edo period literature, it appears to be a proverb that was used among common people from quite ancient times. People of that era expressed physical phenomena much more frankly than in modern times, and such direct expressions were naturally accepted.
The interesting aspect of this expression lies in how it contrasts unconscious human actions with conscious ones. The act of releasing a fart is, in most cases, done unconsciously or when one can no longer hold it in. However, the act of contracting the buttocks immediately afterward is clearly conscious, a reaction born from regret or embarrassment.
People of ancient times keenly observed such contradictory human behavioral patterns and established them as words. In particular, the archaic word “tsubomeru” means “to narrow” or “tighten” in modern terms, but in those days it was an expression often used when expressing feelings of tension or contrition through the body.
The reason this proverb continues to be beloved is probably because it skillfully expresses human psychology through familiar phenomena that everyone experiences.
Interesting Facts
The verb “tsubomeru” (to contract) that appears in this proverb was used with a much broader meaning in the Edo period than in modern times. It expressed not only the physical meaning of tightening, but also psychological states of shrinking oneself in contrition or becoming withdrawn from embarrassment.
Interestingly, expressions with similar structures to this proverb exist around the world. Expressions that satirize the reversed order of action and reaction may reflect universal human behavioral patterns.
Usage Examples
- He’s frantically trying to silence people after leaking confidential information in the meeting, but it’s truly like Fart releasing and buttocks contracting
- Frantically trying to destroy evidence after misconduct is discovered is like Fart releasing and buttocks contracting
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb increasingly applies to more complex and serious situations. This is especially true in the information age, where once information is transmitted, it becomes difficult to completely erase.
Social media controversies are a typical example. Even if you frantically delete an inappropriate post, screenshots may have already been shared or saved on archive sites. The digital age version of “Fart releasing and buttocks contracting” can potentially lead to far more serious consequences than before.
In corporate crisis management too, we frequently see situations where this proverb applies. The behavior of companies frantically attempting cover-ups or piling on excuses after problems surface can truly be called the modern version of “Fart releasing and buttocks contracting.”
On the other hand, in modern times there are also methods like “controversy marketing,” where attention is intentionally drawn and then apologies are made afterward. This could be called a strategy that turns the traditional proverb concept on its head, but it’s often criticized as a high-risk method.
With technological advancement, our actions are now recorded by more people for longer periods. Therefore, the foolishness of the “closing the barn door after the horse has bolted” type of response that this proverb indicates has become an even more important lesson in modern times.
When AI Hears This
Looking at the “post-controversy silence” phenomenon in the SNS era, we’re struck by how precisely this proverb captures modern behavior. When celebrities make problematic statements and suddenly set their accounts to private or stop posting altogether, it’s exactly this pattern of “farting and then clenching” playing out in real time.
From a psychological perspective, this represents a classic case of “cognitive dissonance.” When someone’s statement (the fart) receives far more criticism than expected, they face two choices: apologize and continue the dialogue, or shrink back and wait for the storm to pass. Most people choose the latter because their defensive instincts kick in.
What’s fascinating is how this “clenching” behavior often backfires. In the digital age, silence gets interpreted as “running away” or “showing no remorse,” which actually amplifies the controversy. A 2022 study found that 67% of cases where people went silent after online backlash saw criticism persist for longer periods.
Whether we’re talking about Edo period townspeople or modern internet users, the reaction after an embarrassing mistake remains the same. This proverb brilliantly captures the contradictory human psychology of acting boldly, then suddenly shrinking when consequences hit. No matter how times change, our tendency to “curl up after messing up” stays constant. On the new stage of social media, the same old human drama keeps repeating itself.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is the universal truth that “prevention is better than cure.” It conveys, in a humorous yet accurate way, the importance of acting carefully from the beginning rather than frantically dealing with problems after they arise.
Especially in modern society, a single slip of the tongue or mistake can potentially spread instantly. That’s why the habit of taking a breath and thinking before speaking or acting becomes important. By exercising imagination to think “what would happen if I said or did this,” we can prevent many troubles before they occur.
Also, this proverb serves as a gentle warning to modern people who tend to fall into perfectionism. Everyone makes mistakes, but if the subsequent response is inappropriate, it can make the situation even worse. The judgment to discern when to honestly acknowledge and apologize versus when to wait and see is also important.
You too should try applying the lessons of this proverb in your daily life. An attitude of facing things honestly from the beginning, rather than frantically trying to cover up, should ultimately bring the best results.
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