The word 다리 dari, means either “leg” or “bridge” depending on the Chinese characters and context. It can also mean something else, as I found out today in class.
I was teaching a new, extremely hyperactive student in class. Previously, my coworker usually handled his classes. Since the school has installed a new hot cocoa machine, the average sugar consumed in the school has skyrocketed. This boy had finished two cups of coffee before school, and two cups of cocoa while he was here. Trying to get this boy to sit down and be quiet is in the realm of cold fusion. I’ll believe it’s possible when I see it.
The boy, while bouncing in his chair, conducted a little bit of a miniature interview. I hadn’t taught him before, so he was asking those personal questions that I usually don’t mention to first time students.
It’s common knowledge in the school that I’m married to a Korean woman. Most children can remember this after about the tenth time it comes up in class somehow. This boy asked me if I was married. I held up my ring as evidence I was. I thought the issue was settled.
He then followed up the question by asking, “What about Yong-Dari? What about your girlfriend?”
Perplexed, I responded, “I’ve got a wife, why would I have a girlfriend too? Why would you ask me that question? What do legs have to do with girlfriends and wives?”
He went on saying that when you are in a relationship, the number of people you are dating on the side are the “legs” so to speak. One other boy chimed in, “Ha ha, octopus legs!”
I had never heard this expression in Korean before, but knew a few Korean men with “Yong Dari” girlfriends. It’s pretty sad when even young children know that sort of treatment of women.
