I learned this aphorism from my aphorism book.
냉수 먹고 잣죽 트림한다
naeng.su meok.go jat.juk teu.rim.han.da
cold-water drink-CONJ pine-nut-porridge belch-up-PRES
“Gulp down cold water and belch up pine nut porridge.”
This is a little bit hard to understand, without some cultural reference. Apparently in old Korea, belching was a way to indicate satisfaction with a meal. It’s not that that’s not true in the West, but it didn’t have the patina of vulgarity that it has in the West – indeed it was specific to even high society.
Pine nut porridge was considered a delicacy. So a young nobleman, too poor to eat well, might gulp down some cold water before entering into company with his peers, thus causing himself to belch in their company. He could then boast of the fine pine nut porridge he’d eaten.
This means to “put on airs” or “make a fine appearance but without any substance.”
[daily log: walking, 6.5km]