Long shot (wanchan)
Overview
Wanchan (a long shot) is youth slang used to mean "there might be a chance" or "maybe it'll work out." It's used to point to a possibility within low odds, as in "wanchan ikeru" (it might just work) or "wanchan aru" (there's a chance).
Wanchan is used in a positive context of "the odds are low, but it's worth a try." It carries a forward-looking spirit of admitting that the odds are low but wanting to try anyway.
Question boxes and wanchan
Sending a question to a question box also has a wanchan spirit. You think, "I don't know if they'll answer, but wanchan, they might." This light sense of hope works toward lowering the bar for sending a question. Someone who sent a question feeling "They'll definitely answer" may be hurt more when it gets skipped. Someone who sent it with just a wanchan feeling finds it easier to shrug off being skipped with "Well, it was a long shot anyway."
Approaching a bold question in a wanchan spirit is one idea. You send it with a lead-in like "You might not answer a question like this, but..." This lead-in may also have the effect of easing the pressure on the person answering.
When to use wanchan
Wanchan is a handy word, but you need to be careful when using it in answers in your question box. If you reply to a serious request for advice with "Wanchan, it might work out?", some senders may feel they weren't taken seriously. Use casual words for casual questions and serious words for serious questions. Matching the tone of your words to the question is also part of having a good sense for answers.
We also recommend the wanchan spirit to people who are unsure whether to start a question box. You can tell yourself, "I don't know if it'll go well, but wanchan, let's give it a try." This lightness helps reduce your hesitation before you start.