Aussie: So, I overheard my colleagues using the word ひっぱりだこ (hipparidako), to describe ピコ太郎 (Piko-tarō, the comedian / singer behind the recent YouTube phenomenon, the “PPAP” song), but what does it mean?
You: Ah yes, ピコ太郎 would certainly be ひっぱりだこ right now. The word ひっぱりだこ is used to describe someone who is “in high demand” or “being pulled in all directions”. So, in this case with ピコ太郎, he would be highly sought-after by various TV programs, radio stations and variety shows right now due to his popularity.
A: Oh! I see. So the ひっぱり part comes from the word ひっぱる (hipparu, ‘to pull’)?