Let’s “Zagin De Shīsū”: Japanese “Back Slang” From 1980s Explained

In the late 1980s, it was once a trend among people in the TV industry to read words in a (partially) reverse order, and use them as the industry jargon. Such words include “ザギン (Zagin)”, meaning “銀座 (Ginza)” and シースー (shīsū), meaning “寿司 (sushi)”, and they compose one of the most famous phrases, “ザギンでシースー” (zagin de shīsū), meaning “(eating) sushi at Ginza”. Eventually, these TV industry jargons spread to ordinary people after some celebrities, especially the comedy duo とんねるず had started to use them on TV. Although most of the words now sound quite old-fashioned, some people still use them as a joke or humorous expression. This article explains “back slang words” that you may use to make your Japanese friends laugh and surprised!

(You can learn other types of old slang at “Keep them Alive! Japanese Outdated Funny Slang Words”)

1. シースー (shīsū):

Meaning

寿司 (sushi)

Pronunciation

2. ザギン (Zagin)

Meaning

銀座 (ぎんざ, Ginza); one of the most luxurious cities in Tokyo

(e.g.)
今日はザギンでシースーにしょう！
Let’s eat sushi at Ginza today!

Pronunciation

3. ギロッポン (Giroppon)

Meaning

六本木 (ろっぽんぎ, Roppongi); one of the most international cities in Tokyo

(e.g.)
今日はギロッポンのクラブで踊り狂うぜ！
I’ll dance like crazy at a night club in Roppongi!

Pronunciation

4. ワイハー (Waihā)

Meaning

ハワイ (Hawai); “Hawaii”

(e.g.)
今年の夏はワイハでバカンスしたいね
This summer, I wanna enjoy vacances (long holidays) in Hawaii.

Pronunciation

5. チャンネー (channē):

Meaning

姉ちゃん (ねえちゃん, nēchan/neechan); “(older) sister”, “a cute girl”, “chick”

Pronunciation

6. パツキン (patsukin)

Meaning

金髪 (きんぱつ, kinpatsu); blond hair

(e.g.)
パツキンのチャンネーとデートしたいなー
I want to date with a chick with blond hair.

Pronunciation

7. クリソツ (kurisotsu)

Meaning

そっくり (sokkuri); “look very much alike.”

(e.g.)
あの兄弟はクリソツだな
The brothers look very much alike.

Note: The small tsu (っ) in そっくり becomes the large tsu (ツ) in クリソツ

Pronunciation

8. めんごめんご (mengo mengo)

Meaning

ごめんごめん (gomen gomen); “sorry, sorry”

(e.g.)
めんごめんご、今度は遅刻しないから
Sorry, sorry, I won’t be late next time.

Note: This word particularly sounds old-fashioned, and obviously has a non-serious tone.

Pronunciation

9. グラサン (gurasan)

Meaning

サングラス (sangurasu); sunglass

(e.g.)
グラサン持ってくればよかった
I should have brought my sunglasses.

Note: This word is so common that some people probably do not recognise it as a reverse word.

Pronunciation

10. シャレオツ (shareotsu)

Meaning

お洒落 (おしゃれ, oshare); fashionable

(e.g.)
シャレオツなカフェで働きたい
I want to work at a fashionable café.

Note: This word is still very popular among young people. For instance, it is used when they describe fashionable cafes/restaurant; when they feel a bit hesitant to directly say お洒落 (oshare) to their friends; or when they try to be sarcastic.

Pronunciation

11. パイセン (paisen)

Meaning

先輩 (senpai); people who are older or in a higher position than you, or their honorific title

(e.g.)
田中パイセン〜、今日晩飯奢ってくださいよ〜
(Tanaka-senpai, please treat me dinner today!)

Note: It contains a very casual/impolite tone, and therefore you should avoid using it to Senpai whom you are not very close to.

Pronunciation

12. しもしも (shimo shimo)

Meaning

もしもし: (“Hello?” ; an expression Japanese people use when they answer the phone.)

(e.g.)

(Over a phone)

しもしも？元気(げんき)？

Hello, how are you?

13. まいうー (maiū)

Meaning

うまい (umai); very tasty, delicious, yummy

(e.g.)
このラーメン、まいうー！
This ramen, so yummy!

Note: This word is exclusively used by a comedian/foodie 石塚英彦 (Hidehiko Ishizuka) when he reports the taste of food.

See also

40 Funny Japanese Old Slang Words to Sound like Oyaji (Old Men)