I was framed~!

Sorry guys, I caught a cold and this means I don't have the energy to write a big post... so instead I will continue the crime theme with a new verb: to frame (someone).

You will often hear this word in crime dramas and movies. It means that you didn't do the crime but someone is making it LOOK like you did. The verb comes from the noun a picture frame, which is the (usually wooden) picture holder that you put a picture in. In Japanese a picture frame is 額縁 (がくぶち).

Basically, someone is making a frame (situation where you look guilty) to go around someone. So they frame you by making you look guilty.

For example:

Police: So you killed her, right?
Suspect: No, no, it wasn't me! I loved her!!
Police: We have evidence which puts you at the scene of the crime...
Suspect: It must have been planted(put there on purpose), I was framed!!

Ok, I will throw in a few more useful crime words:

a witness: someone who sees something happen, usually a crime,
参考人 (さんこうにん)

an alibi: proof that it was impossible for you to commit the crime,
アリバイ or 不在証明 (ふざいしょうめい)

I think that is it for now, let's hope I get better soon. Have a nice week,

Phil

That's his M.O.

Hey everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Today, we will have a quick vocabulary lesson which will help you understand crime dramas and movies.

What's his M.O.?

M.O. stands for Modus Operandi which is Latin for way to work or in Japanese, 仕方 (しかた). It is usually used by the police when talking about criminals and what their patterns are. For example:

The arsonists M.O. is to burn warehouses late Friday nights.

Meaning that the person who likes to start fires and burn buildings down(arsonist) always sets warehouses on fire late at night and always on Fridays. It is his pattern, the way he works, hi modus operandi, his M.O.

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's mini-lesson and I hope to post something longer soon, have a fun week!

Phil