Master List of Obscure and/or Japanese Words/Phrases

This post is for exactly what it says on the tin: a list of words that the hoi polloi might not know the (relevant) meaning of. Most of the words here will (or have already) appear in Maid of Win at some point or another. Expect this to be updated now and again. I'll try to keep it in alphabetical order, and update when necessary. I will also be including words which aren't actual words, but rather made-up words that I use due to my own eccentric nature. Said made-up words will be marked with a *. If anyone sees any words in any of my other posts that are a little unclear, you can post any questions about 'em here and I'll add the definitions.

These are abridged versions; a bit of Google-fu or some quality time with TV Tropes will give you plenty more information. Expect to see both Japanese and English words.



BL = Abbreviation for "Boys' Love".
Boke =  In a boke & tsukkomi comedy duo, the boke is the joker who typically says things that are sometimes funny, and sometimes just plain horrible or ridiculous.
Chou subarashii =  "Chou" is Japanese for "very", while "subarashii" is Japanese for amazing, wonderful, awesome, etc. Thus, "chou subarashii" typically means "very awesome".
Christmas cake = A term used to describe women (and traps, by association) who are older than 25. The term originates from the fact that literal Christmas cake is deemed "too old" after the 25th, and no longer wanted, the same way women (and traps, by association) older than 25 years are no longer wanted.
CQC =  Abbreviation for "Close Quarters Combat".
Cubicle zombie = Someone who works an office job in which they work in a cubicle. It is said that these people are already dead inside. If the job involves talking on the phone with customers/clients, one will degrade into a cubicle zombie in half the usual time it takes.
Dime a dozen = A term used to describe something so common or cheap that it's really not worth anything when you look at the big picture.
Doublogue* =  A monologue, but performed by two people. Also known as ignoring all the other guests at a party, or hijacking an IRC channel.
Facepalm =  The act of putting your face in your palm, either slowly or via a swift smack. Faster speeds typically indicate greater shock at another individual's stupidity or ignorance.
Filial piety = A Confucian phrase; it means to love and respect one's parents and ancestors.
Fujoshi = A Japanese word, meaning "female otaku". It's mainly used to refer to the female otakus who obsess over BL.
Google-fu =  The art of using Google to obtain information rather than asking someone else. It is not only almost always more efficient than relying on others, but it can also save you from potential embarressment. EVERYONE should be a black belt in Google-fu, but that will never happen.
Goshujin =  "Master" in Japanese. Typically, one would say "goshujin-sama", as saying "goshujin" by itself would imply that while the speaker acknowledges the subject's position, they are giving no real respect to them (unless they are really, really close). For example, Noto uses "goshujin" with the customers, while the rest of the maids use "goshujin-sama".
Gullible cancer = A cancer that only affects people who are gullible enough to think they might have it.
Hoi polloi = An old-school term used to rudely refer to "the masses".
IFF = Abbreviation for "Identification, Friend or Foe".
Moe =  A Japanese term which has many, many different interpretations as to its meaning. "Cute", "huggable" and "endearing" are pretty good words to describe a moe character with. It can refer to either a specific character, or to a series on the whole (generally, when it's used to refer to a series, it's also implied that said series has little in the way of a plot). Characters can be moe due to any number of traits they exhibit, be they physical traits or personality traits.
No homo =  A phrase used by an individual who has mistakenly said something that implies that they are homosexual, when they are in fact not.
Ojou =  A Japanese word meaning "my lady". Like goshujin, you usually add a "-sama".
Otaku =  A Japanese word used to describe a nerd or geek. When applied to someone who isn't Japanese, it's almost always used to describe someone who is really into anime and manga. The word "weeaboo" is often used on the internet rather than "otaku" when referring to someone who isn't Japanese who likes anime and manga, most often a white person.
Otoko no ko or otokonoko = Basically "trap" in Japanese. "Otoko" means man, and "ko" the way it's used means "girl".
Pettanko =  Japanese for "flat chest". Typically used in reference to genetic girls, but can also be used in reference to traps.
-sama = A Japanese suffix. Added to the end of a person's name or a title like "goshujin" to denote great respect. On the flip side, characters with a huge ego or a superiority complex might add "-sama" to their own name, such as Noto does.
Seme =  A Japanese word referring to the dominant person in a relationship. As far as bedroom activities go, anyway.
Serieses* = Plural form of "series".
Shoujo = Japanese for "girl". Can be used to refer to certain types of media (shoujo manga, for example) that is directed at a young female audience.
Situational awareness = The act of observing your situation, which can involve the place, time, people, etc., and using that information to determine how to act, or at least how NOT to act. Simple in theory, difficult for most in execution.
Trap = Oh boy. Trap can mean a whole range of different things, depending on the circumstances AND who you ask. For the purposes of Maid of Win, it's used to refer to an individual who appears to be female, but is genetically a male. This can apply to a wide range of characters who fit that description, from characters who just crossdress for fun to characters who could be considered actual pre-op male to female transexuals. Different traps go by different pronouns, but it's typically most polite to use female pronouns if you seriously don't know the individual's preference.
Tsukkomi =  In a boke & tsukkomi comedy duo, the tsukkomi is the straight man (or woman, or trap) whose job is to be overly serious and punish the boke, be it through words or through a good, swift smack.
Tsundere = A Japanese character archetype; this kind of character is cold on the outside, sweet on the inside. There are many sub-types depending on what ways they're cold and what ways they're sweet, as well as the order and frequency in which these traits occur and who gets treated which way. Tsundere characters are usually the way they are due to not wanting to admit the truth about something, usually love.
Tsunyandere* = A word used to describe a character which shares traits of both tsunderes and yanderes. This character starts as a tsundere, but slowly sheds the "tsun" traits for "yan" ones, as they simultaneously grow to become honest about their feelings for someone and also become afraid to lose them. A doctor would likely just refer to this type of character as "bipolar".
Uke =  A Japanese word referring to the submissive person in a relationship. As far as bedroom activities go, anyway.
Vuvuzela =  An instrument of mass destruction. It sounds like a swarm of bees, and is literally capable of generating sound powerful enough to cause hearing loss. Famous for ruining the 2010 World Cup.
Weeaboo = See otaku.
White-collar = Someone who works an office job that involves little to no physical labor. Has the potential to degenerate into a cubicle zombie if in the right enviornment.
Yandere = A Japanese character archetype; this kind of character is sweet on the outside, BATSHIT INSANE on the inside. The BATSHIT INSANITY is caused by love, or rather, the fear of losing the one they love. They will engage in any number of creepy activities, from minor stuff like stalking to major stuff like assault.
Yangire = A Japanese character archetype similar to the yandere, but instead of being BATSHIT INSANE due to love, they're BATSHIT INSANE for some other reason. Generally less common than yanderes.
Zettai ryouiki = A Japanese term meaning "absolute area", used to refer to a girl's/trap's skin located between the hem of the skirt/dress and top of the socks. There are a number of Grades, from E (lowest) to A (highest), with the amount of exposed skin actually decreasing as the Grades go up. The special CHOU SUBARASHII Grade, Grade S, requires a Grade A in addition to twintails and a tsundere personality. Zettai ryouiki is also possible with booty shorts rather than a skirt or dress.