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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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Apsara
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 2142
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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 Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 6:30 am Post subject: |
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I remember being frustrated as a child because my parents told me they were "going to see a man about a dog". I got quite excited because I thought that meant we were getting a dog. They came back with no dog- very crushed. However, Christmas was a few weeks later and I got my first bicycle- it turned out they had been out getting my bicycle. I overcame my disappointment about the dog but never forgot the phrase...  |
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BedTiger
Joined: 22 Aug 2006
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| Is the Japanese OP a natural blonde ? |
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canuck
Joined: 11 May 2003
Posts: 1921
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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To see a man, to see a man about a dog, or to see a man about a horse is usually a smiling apology for one's departure or absence, used as a bland euphemism to conceal one's true purpose. The phrase has several meanings but all refer to taking one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom or going to buy a drink.
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| Maybe i am maive but maybe you are if you believe everything you read in wikipedia. 'To see a man, to see a man about a dog'. Who wrote that? YOU? |
| Apsara wrote: |
| I remember being frustrated as a child because my parents told me they were "going to see a man about a dog". I got quite excited because I thought that meant we were getting a dog. They came back with no dog- very crushed. However, Christmas was a few weeks later and I got my first bicycle- it turned out they had been out getting my bicycle. I overcame my disappointment about the dog but never forgot the phrase... |
Looks like Apsara's parents wrote the wikipedia entry. |
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Like a Rolling Stone
Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Posts: 872
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| canuck wrote: |
To see a man, to see a man about a dog, or to see a man about a horse is usually a smiling apology for one's departure or absence, used as a bland euphemism to conceal one's true purpose. The phrase has several meanings but all refer to taking one's leave for some urgent purpose, especially to go to the bathroom or going to buy a drink.
| Like a Rolling Stone wrote: |
| Maybe i am maive but maybe you are if you believe everything you read in wikipedia. 'To see a man, to see a man about a dog'. Who wrote that? YOU? |
| Apsara wrote: |
| I remember being frustrated as a child because my parents told me they were "going to see a man about a dog". I got quite excited because I thought that meant we were getting a dog. They came back with no dog- very crushed. However, Christmas was a few weeks later and I got my first bicycle- it turned out they had been out getting my bicycle. I overcame my disappointment about the dog but never forgot the phrase... |
Looks like Apsara's parents wrote the wikipedia entry. |
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blondie10
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:36 am Post subject: |
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| BedTiger wrote: |
| Is the Japanese OP a natural blonde ? |
What is OP? Original Poster? What are you asking here? I thought we were talking about polite toilet phrases.
Some interesting toilet phrases on here, and also some helpful ones. Thanks! |
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greatteacherterry
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 38
Location: Yokosuka, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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This is a bit off the thread and I realize that it is pretty late to post this but here goes...
If you are free at 5:30 on Wednesday, August 30th, please attend the meeting of the Labour Relations Board, at the Kanagawa Labor Office. The building is a 10-minute walk from Kannai station, through the Yokohama stadium grounds and past the Board of education building, turn right in front of the main post office and left at the next corner. It�s the second building on the left, next to an office supplies shop.
Tell you friends in the Kanagawa area... We need your support.
Map: http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/osirase/tihosomu/tiroi/zu.htm
The hearing usually lasts about 25 minutes or so. Anyone wishing to attend can contact Bill at: [email protected] or me at [email protected]
For more information, see this website: www.kanagawapft.org
Now for a quick comment on the restroom / men's or lidies' room is most likely the best way to go. My father always said "I've got to see a man about a horse." and still to this day don't understand to real meaning bohind the phrase.
Terry |
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fion
Joined: 03 Feb 2003
Posts: 69
Location: tokyo
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| Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:26 am Post subject: |
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At school in the UK in the sixties I was taught to ask 'may I leave the room?' (I'm not making this up). Would teach it to my J students but doubt if anyone would understand them... What's wrong Mayumi. you bored with the lesson?
My J drinking mates have acquired 'I'm just going to the loo' which sounds quite funny when they speak American English otherwise. |
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sallycat
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 303
Location: behind you. BOO!
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| Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:40 am Post subject: |
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| callmesim wrote: |
"Excuse me, where's the toilet?" if you're after the location.
"Excuse me, may I go to the toilet?" if you're asking permission.
Saying toilet won't confuse anyone. Nor will bathroom in most cases. If someone asked me where the bathroom was, I wouldn't direct them to a seperate bathroom area. Unless they were a eejit and I felt like having fun. |
in some areas of new zealand you might be directed to a seperate bathroom. or at least get quite a double-take. |
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