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Phrase: Stiff upper lip
If you are Japanese, this is a perfect expression to know how to use.
I often think of British stoicism when I think of this phrase.
During the bombing of London in the Second World War, the British made it a point to live life normally.
They refused to become emotional at the destruction of their city and showed great determination in going forward.
In short, they showed a stiff upper lip to Nazi Germany by refusing to show their emotions; they kept calm and carried on.
This expression has a very long history.
Keeping a stiff upper lip and not showing fear when faced with a dangerous situation goes back to the Spartans of ancient Greece.
They believed in self-sacrifice and were highly disciplined.
Maintaining a stiff upper lip is also a dominant Japanese trait.
When faced with adversity, the Japanese seldom complain.
Even after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, with the accompanying tsunami and nuclear disaster, the people affected rarely complained.
Thousands died, while many more lost their homes and livelihoods.
The people maintained a stiff upper lip while they recuperated and recovered.
Some say it is good to complain and talk about how we feel while facing tragic events such as war or earthquakes.
Sure, for some, that is an excellent way to deal with it.
For others, though, the best they can do is maintain a stiff upper lip, show determination and stoicism when they are faced with adversity.
Personally, I am quite verbal.
I like to curse and swear when I’m facing a challenge.
While accepting the challenge, I’m not stoic and certainly do not show a stiff upper lip.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least an 8th-grade education (age 13 – 14).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 65.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.