조선 후기 유행어의 특징과 의미 - 黃胤錫의 齋亂藁를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This study aims to examine the distinct features and the meanings of the popular catch phrases in the late Joseon from those written in Hwang, Yeon-seok(黃胤錫)'s "Ijaenango(頤齋亂藁)". The Definition of the popular catch phrases is a word or expression that is used repeatedly and conveniently to represent or characterize a person, group, idea, or point of view. They can be found in the records as forms of children's song(童謠), slang(俗語), proverb(俚諺), and riddle(謎語). Children's songs were originated from the public, regarded as ingenuous words and could be easily spread out. Sometimes they were deliberately written for a special purpose. Slangs were colloquial words informally used and different from literal language written in Chinese letter. These are examples of popular catch phrases in late Joseon. The most common feature in the style was the meter(rhythm) used in the name of a person or material. The metaphor derived from meaning and style of slang was also used of to reflect a certain situation or unusual phenomena of nature. In terms of the content, a number of the popular catch phrases were related with criticism of person or government's policy such as lampoon and buzzwords. The more political, social events happened, the more popular catch phrases were generated. Depending on region and class, they were represented in various ways and reflected difference of the personal conception. The popular catch phrases in the late Joseon were the voice of the people. As civic awareness was getting matured, their voice was expressed in various way and their criticism was more specific. Propagation of catch phrases in a short time made people concentrated on a certain issue and accordingly Joseon government had to try to take an appropriate action. Most popular catch phrases were just passive criticism. However, in some cases they could be made an ill use of and were prelude to the plotted and instigated treason to gain support from people.