Exactly what is meant by "he was sitting on his haunches" in reference to a person? Is this sitting crosslegged? or in the Japanese style with feet tucked under? I'm looking for the way to describe that the people in my story sit with their knees forward and feet under them - like Japanese tend to, except that I can't mention Japan in this mileau.
posted
I tend to think of "sitting on one's haunches" as not actually being "sitting", per se, but being crouched down so that the buttocks rest on (or close to - depends how flexible you are) the heels. Only the toes and balls of the feet will actually be touching the ground.
You're more talking about someone kneeling, strictly speaking. I'm not aware there's an English word for it (because it's not something that English people, culturally, tend to do - I certainly found it incredibly uncomfortable and awkward when I was in Japan, because my body wasn't used to bending and folding that way). I'd suggest describing it when someone first does it - have them kneel down then rock back so the body is upright - then using a short-hand thereafter.
posted
Because "haunches" means "hindquarters" (rear end), it's painfully obvious that "sitting on your haunches" means that you're sitting on your own rear end.
My rear end has never been that bendy, so when I try it I end up clenching uncomfortably instead. I have seen someone do it before, though, at a circus.
posted
I do karate and our traditional bow in is "sitting on our haunches". I am by no means flexible enough for my butt to touch my heels, but I do know what it is.
Also the Japanese terminology for it is seizan, or something along those lines. I know the word, just don't know the spelling.
But to the main question: I just say "She/He squatted down..." Just easier for me to write it that way.
posted
tchernabyelo is right, sitting on one's haunches is actually a description of a very specific position.
It does not mean sitting on your bum.
A haunch is the part of the human that corresponds with the hindquarters of an animal, which means everything from the hip down. It includes the buttock and the thigh and the lower leg.
Sitting on one's haunches means squatting with your bum and thighs supported solely by the lower leg, just as tchernabyelo described. If, however, your knees touch the ground, you are kneeling.
It is different to a squat. A lady caught short in the forest might squat to pee, but she would definitely not 'sit on her haunches' to pee.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited August 08, 2006).]
posted
In addition to the other comments, it can also mean squatting down and sit on the back of your calves. You see sportsman and coaches do it all the time. It's a great way to rest while staying somewhat standing. If you're still lost, try this: Squat down as far as you can go. You'll reach a point where you will start losing your balance, so you will naturally spread your legs and lift up your heels to balance yourself on the front of you foot and toes (almost like standing on tip toes). Now keep squatting until you are quite literally sitting on the back of you calf (most people's butts will land right below the major calf muscle and just above the ankle). You're now "sitting on your haunches" or "popping a squat." These terms, as also stated, can mean just plain old sitting down, and that's the most common use these days.
posted
Certainly may mean 'being lazy' where you guys come from, but it doesn't in Australia. Aust Alien, you're an Aussie aren't you? Posts: 1683 | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Hoptoad, I'm Aussie and I don't think I have heard anyone say "sit on your haunches"... I do hear people say, sit on your arse or kneel and squat.
Posts: 384 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Yep. I'm Territorian. (Actually, I'm a queenslander in disguise, but I live in Alice).
I've heard the expression used to mean doing nothing, but only in American liturature. The expression I'm looking for is the seizan (zazen) position that Leigh is talking about. Definitely in Japanese style martial arts it is used. But if you say zazen people mostly wouldn't have a clue what you mean. I've experimented with sitting on his feet, sitting with feet tucked beneath him, sitting with his knees in front feet before all of which end up too cumbersome. I think kneeling down is probably the best way. From the context I think people will get the idea that it's intended to mean the japanese sitting posture, not the Christian prayer posture. For the most part, I think many Asians refer to this simply as sitting down.
From what little googling I did, I also found it to mean like Jammrock describes. I don't hear people say it in everyday language, but I read it a bit. Didn't know what it was. However one thing is cleared up: with this much debate possible about the meaning it is definitely NOT the correct term for me to use to describe what I want to show.
posted
The term "haunches" is deliberately evocative of the way a predatory mammal sits on its hindquarters. It is a leisure posture, but it is not sitting on your butt. I say that as a person who is capable of doing both simultaneously
Sitting on your butt means that your buttocks are in contact with the ground, and implies that you could not get up and move without some preliminary actions to get your feet under you. Sitting on your haunches implies that you are in a leisurely but predatory crouch, ready to move quickly at any instant. When I do both, most of the mere implications of both are fully canceled. I have my feet under me, but my butt is on the ground between them. Usually something heavy is on my back or shoulders. Very heavy.
posted
What Survivor said. And, if you watch football, it is the kind of stance the quarterback takes sometimes in a huddle.
Also I'd add, that a "haunch" on an animal would be the entire hind quarter. If you were to butcher a deer, and give your friend a haunch, you would be giving him one side of the hind portion of said animal. It is also one of the most tasty portions you'd have, and where most of the meat is.
It is also an old cliche' to say that you "left 'em sitting on their haunches". Which means that you ran ahead of them and left them standing still, or something to that effect.
posted
In Asia, sitting on the haunches means butt on or inches above back of ankles, weight on the balls of the feet, knees in front, and is commonly done. My husband and everyone in his family can do this even when they're in their 60s or older, and they start when they're very very young. I couldn't do this if my life depended on it.
Mil, for example, will sit on her haunches to scrape coconut or cut meat or veggies on the very huge blade that's designed to be used by one sitting on her haunches.
I've never heard it being used to mean lazy or doing nothing.
posted
In Korea they do it with their heels resting on the ground and their knees tucked nearly into their armpits.
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