地じ震しん雷かみなり火か事じ親おや父じ

expression

things to fear: earthquakes, thunder, fires, and fathers

Traditional proverb listing the most feared things, with 'father' (親父) added humorously or seriously as the ultimate fear. Often cited to illustrate old-fashioned patriarchal authority.

• 「地じ震しん雷かみなり火か事じ親おや父じ」という言こと葉ばは、昔むかしの父ちち親おやの威い厳げんを表あらわしている。

  The saying 'earthquakes, thunder, fires, and fathers' reflects the authority of fathers in the old days.