Let's explore the roots of words! How did Japanese idioms come about?

Have you ever heard of the word "idiom"?
An idiom is an expression that is used in a figurative sense that is different from the original meaning of the word.
For example, phrases like "to be smart," "to act like you're not," and "to cut corners" are expressions we often hear in our daily lives.

But, if you think about it carefully...
Isn't "cutting off one's head" a bit scary?
So how did this expression come about?

["Sharp" = A smart person!]
Of course, "being smart" does not mean "getting a head injury."
Originally, it was like "the sharpness of a sword,"Sharp thinking and quick decision makingThis is an analogy for something.
Japanese has long had many words that praise sharpness and clarity, such as "cut," "pass," and "stand."
In other words, a "smart person" refers to an "intelligent and sharp person" who can quickly understand what the other person is saying and make accurate judgments.

["Pretending to be a cat" = hiding one's true personality]
At first glance, it seems like a cute word, but it actually means "to hide your true self" or "to appear meek."
In Japan, cats have long been considered "free-spirited and capricious creatures."
It is said that this expression originated because the cat was seen as "being quiet = hiding its true nature."
In other words, a "cat person" is someone who pretends to be quiet when in reality they are very active.

["Letting go" = relaxing one's strength]
This means "to spare no effort" or "to put in no effort."
It is originally a word used in the world of craftsmen.
As there are expressions such as "putting one's hand" and "putting one's hand on"Careful work requires a lot of use of handsThat's the basic principle.
From there, "cut corners" came to mean "to save effort = not do something properly."
Even today, it is commonly used in everyday expressions such as "don't slack off at work" or "don't cut corners when cleaning."

Looking at it this way, the idiomThe sensibilities and culture of people of the pastIt's just a bunch of expressions.
"Being smart" is a samurai sentiment,
"Putting on a cat's face" means living with animals,
"Cutting corners" is a craftsman's careful approach to work.
It's like a microcosm of Japanese history and values.

[Let's learn Japanese phrases!]
That personYou're so smart.
(=You have a quick mind and good judgment.)
She was quiet when I first met her,He was just pretending to be someone else.
(= He was hiding his true nature and pretending to be quiet.)
Today, a littleI might have slacked off.
(=Maybe I cut corners a little and didn't do it carefully enough.)

In Japanese, there is culture behind the words, and within that culture are people's thoughts.
Let's continue to explore the roots of these words together, little by little!