On my way into Tokyo today to renew my driver’s license, I tuned into Radio Berry (Tochigi FM) and listened to a totally boring discussion about how you should avoid drinking and driving over the holiday period. One redeeming point, however, was that I learned the term being used in Japanese to say “designated driver.”

Until now, I always tried to use the direct equivalents of the two English words when speaking in Japanese, saying something like shitei unten-shu.

But today I found out that, true to form, the powers that be in Japan instead have decided to mangle some English rather than use their own language, and refer to a designated driver as a handoru kee-paa (handle keeper).

A bit later in the day, when I opened the manual provided during the license orientation, lo and behold, whom shall I find but good old Mr. Handle Keeper himself!

Please drive safely over the holidays!