Most popular words & phrases used in Japan (in 2008)
Every year, publishing company Jiyu Kokuminsha has releases a list of the 60 most popular Japanese words and phrases of the year. These words and expressions capture the trends of 2008.
You can see the full list at this web site: Pink Tentacle
This slideshow focuses on 3 of the phrases:
Hime-den (姫電): This abbreviation of hime-denwa (lit. “princess phone”) describes a garish style of mobile phone decoration popular with junior high and high school girls.
Arafo (アラフォー): “Arafo” — a word coined to refer to females between the ages of 35 to 45 — is an abbreviation of “Around 40,” which also happens to be the title of a popular TV drama that depicts the worries and conflicts of the Arafo generation, particularly with respect to career, love, marriage, childbirth and child rearing.
Onee-mans (onee-manzu - オネエマンズ): Onee-mans (”sister man”) is a popular prime-time NTV variety show featuring a cast of effeminate gay men and transgenders who get together to discuss topics ranging from fashion to cooking.
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