The etymology of the word バックシャン

Question

What is the etymology of the word バックシャン? I understand it commonly refers to a woman beautiful only from behind. See this definition-

女性のうしろ姿が均整がとれて美しいこと。また、その女性。多く、前から見ると失望するような場合にいう。

I understand the back/バック part, but is the シャン a version of ちゃん? When did it come into common usage?

Dono · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-27 01:10:15Z

5

It is a compound of English "back" and German "schön" ("beautiful").

answered May 27, 2012 at 1:10

Dono

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that's interesting- do u know how old it is?
– yadokari
Commented May 27, 2012 at 1:31
1

Around 1927. It was popular during early Shōwa. Not used much anymore and many younger people will not understand it. By the way, an even older word is 一石六斗 (ikkoku rokuto), c. 1681.
– Dono
Commented May 27, 2012 at 1:41
Could you explain that one as well? I have no idea ~
– yadokari
Commented May 27, 2012 at 1:57
3

Sure. When one is surprised, they say hatto (八斗) "oh". This 八斗 is 当字 (ateji) and also serves as unit of volume, or "8 to". A man sees a woman from behind and says hatto, surprised by her beauty. He then sees her face and again says hatto, this time surprised by the ugly face. Two hatto (8 to) is 16 hatto, which is equivalent to 1 石 (koku, a unit) and 6 斗 (to). Hence 一石六斗.
– Dono
Commented May 27, 2012 at 2:18
@yadokari, compare recent English slang term "butterface".
– Eiríkr Útlendi
Commented Jun 17, 2014 at 19:26

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