There have been numerous times the past few months where Napolean Dynamite quotes have had a way of brightening my day. Not for anyone else’s benefit. Purely as my own immature form of therapy.

Here’s a typical example: I see a group of workers standing around a water main they just busted which I know will directly affect the water supply for entire blocks for a few days AT LEAST.

Under my breath in the best Napoleon imitation I can muster I grumble to myself: "Idiots…"

Even though I know it’s not really nice to think or say this, for some reason this simple sentiment always makes me laugh.  Plus, I am fairly certain I will not be understood or heard.

Well, yesterday I learned that there is a Chinese equivalent.  Not that I’ll use it, but a classmate of mine told me that the Chinese call people, "erbaiwu" (pronounced are-buy-woo).  Literally this means "250", i.e. it’s just a number.  Originally, I guess this is the price (250 kuai) that some Chinese merchants start foreigners out on in bartering if they do not think they look very sharp.  Over time it must have made it’s way into the lexicon on the street.

In other words, if someone says you’re "erbaiwu" what they’re really saying is, "you’re an id-i-ot."