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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
How often have you caught yourself late at night or watching your favorite movie suddenly wanting to eat a snack? This habit is so common that it even got its name in the – slang culture "manchi" (munchies). But where did the term come from, why do we want to eat at just such moments and why has the phenomenon become so popular?
Origin of the word "Munchies"
Word munchies comes from the English verb to munch«, which means » chew«or » absorb food with taste. In modern culture, this word has received a somewhat narrower meaning and has come to mean a sudden and strong desire to have something to eat.
The term gained popularity in the 1970s thanks to a subculture associated with the use of cannabis. Cannabis use is known to cause hunger by affecting the brain receptors that are responsible for appetite. In films and musical works of that era, this word was often used in the context of the desire to eat after relaxation.
Today munchies it has long gone beyond this context and has become a universal term that describes the desire to have a snack at any time. The word has become especially popular among young people, who often associate it with pleasant moments of rest, movies or games.
Why do manchis occur?
The desire to have a snack at an unusual time can have various reasons:
- Emotional state. Watching a movie or series is often accompanied by emotions that cause the need for «comfort food». This is especially true for sweets, popcorn or chips.
- Fatigue and energy recovery. If you are late to bed, the body can signal the need for energy in the form of a desire to eat something.
- Habit. You may always eat while watching movies, so the brain automatically associates these activities with food.
- Biological rhythms. In the evening, the level of the hormone leptin (which is responsible for feeling full) can decrease, which causes the need for a snack.
Are manchas harmful?
If snacks become regular and consist mainly of high-calorie food, this can lead to undesirable consequences: weight gain, gastrointestinal problems and reduced sleep quality. However, if you sometimes allow yourself a little favorite snacks, it can, on the contrary, become a pleasant ritual and a source of pleasure.
What to choose if you are "covered with manchi"?
So that the night snack is not only tasty, but also useful, try the following options:
- Fruits (apples, bananas, grapes).
- Nuts and dried fruits.
- Greek yogurt with honey or berries.
- Popcorn without added butter or caramel.
- Whole grain bread crackers.
"Munchies" vs "Kuchisabishi": what's the difference?
At first glance, it may seem that munchies and the Japanese word kuchisabishi ( ⁇ Υι) describe a similar phenomenon – desire to eat something. But there are significant differences between them related to context, causes and cultural characteristics. Let's figure it out.
What is different from manchi?
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Reasons:
- Munchies often occurs suddenly and may be associated with physiological signals from the body, such as from late night hunger, emotional state, or even exposure to substances that increase appetite (such as cannabis).
- Kuchisabishi more applies emotional state: feeling lonely, wanting to occupy your hands or mouth with food, even if the body does not need it.
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Context:
- Munchies it is associated with a pleasant vacation: watching a movie, gatherings with friends or late snacks. It often looks like a pleasure rather than the need for something «to fill».
- Kuchisabishi it has a more melancholic shade. It is a condition where you eat to fill an emotional void or dispel boredom, not for the pleasure of eating.
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Cultural context:
- Munchies <TAG1> is a popular slang closely related to youth culture, movies, memes and even fast food.
- Kuchisabishi <TAG1> a term that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and their way of thinking, where a lot of attention is paid to emotions, restraint and self-control.
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Food:
- During the mancha, you want something tasty, often harmful – snacks, sweets, pizza or chips. It is an appetizing food that brings instant pleasure.
- Kuchisabishi can be satisfied with anything, even a piece of bread, nuts or just chewing gum. Here, food does not so much bring pleasure as it takes up the mouth.
Common between these concepts
Despite the differences, munchies i kuchisabishi they have one thing in common: both of these conditions often arise not from physical hunger, but from psychological or emotional need. In both cases, food becomes a certain way to cope with instant emotions, create comfort or just have a good time.
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