Big Horse
Tonight I went to a concert, which isn't unusual, but it was a hip-hop concert which is more unusual. Hip-hop isn't really my jam but I like to try new things sometimes, and I decided it wasn't a mistake.
About half of the performers were Canto, so I enjoyed trying to pick out things I know from the staccato word flow. Usually I just caught random words here and there, trying to keep up with the sometimes breakneck vocal speed.
Right before the main act came up, they had a beatboxer come up with a few different freestylers who came and went. One of the guys had us do some nice crowd interaction.
"你哋有冇大麻 ? Lei5 dei6 jau5 mou5 daai6 maa4? Do you have any marijuana?" he roared into the mic, jumping up and down onstage.
有,有,有 ! Jau5, jau5, jau5! Have, have, have," we chanted back.
Although the correct answer would have actually been 冇 mou5 for me. My brain paused to mull as a thought struck. Why was marijuana called a big horse? Is it because it can give you a ride like a horse can? But then why is it big? Would a little horse do?
The more literate and learned are already shaking your heads at my mistake. After some contemplation, I finally consulted the dictionary. Much to my chagrin and dismay, marijuana is not actually "big horse" (大馬) but simply "cannabis" (大麻). So disappointing.
I was hoping for some exciting story or epic saying but instead got a homonym (although can it still be a homonym if the tone is different? I'm not sure...). But I guess at least it's a good way to remember the word, if nothing else.
Just don't practice saying it around any HK police officers! Marijuana is a touchy subject in the 852. They take large equine pets very seriously around here. And not just the ones in Happy Valley.
About half of the performers were Canto, so I enjoyed trying to pick out things I know from the staccato word flow. Usually I just caught random words here and there, trying to keep up with the sometimes breakneck vocal speed.
Right before the main act came up, they had a beatboxer come up with a few different freestylers who came and went. One of the guys had us do some nice crowd interaction.
"你哋有冇大麻 ? Lei5 dei6 jau5 mou5 daai6 maa4? Do you have any marijuana?" he roared into the mic, jumping up and down onstage.
有,有,有 ! Jau5, jau5, jau5! Have, have, have," we chanted back.
Although the correct answer would have actually been 冇 mou5 for me. My brain paused to mull as a thought struck. Why was marijuana called a big horse? Is it because it can give you a ride like a horse can? But then why is it big? Would a little horse do?
The more literate and learned are already shaking your heads at my mistake. After some contemplation, I finally consulted the dictionary. Much to my chagrin and dismay, marijuana is not actually "big horse" (大馬) but simply "cannabis" (大麻). So disappointing.
I was hoping for some exciting story or epic saying but instead got a homonym (although can it still be a homonym if the tone is different? I'm not sure...). But I guess at least it's a good way to remember the word, if nothing else.
Just don't practice saying it around any HK police officers! Marijuana is a touchy subject in the 852. They take large equine pets very seriously around here. And not just the ones in Happy Valley.
Big horse is such a good code name though for marijuana! Nice write up. For me, wouldnt be easy to sit through a few hours of hip hop, Canto or English!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by! And it is actually standing, so maybe worse? Although I thought it was a fun night.
DeleteHip Hop till you don't stop to the rhythm of broccoli beef!
ReplyDelete