How to Read “苦虫を噛み潰したよう”
Nigamushi wo kamitsubushita you
Meaning of “苦虫を噛み潰したよう”
“Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect” is a proverb that describes the appearance of someone frowning due to feeling extremely unpleasant and disgusted.
This proverb is mainly used when describing a person’s facial expression or attitude. It refers to the sour expression that involuntarily appears on one’s face when something displeasing happens or when feeling dissatisfied. Imagine the expression of pursing one’s lips downward and furrowing one’s brow, like when chewing a bitter insect.
As for usage scenarios, it is often used when a third party objectively describes someone who clearly looks displeased or is enduring something unpleasant. It is used in phrases like “That person has a face Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect.”
The reason for using this expression is that it can convey the specific characteristics of a person’s expression more concretely and impressively than simply saying “displeased” or “dissatisfied.” For listeners, the sensation of putting something bitter in their mouth is easy to imagine, allowing them to vividly picture that person’s state of mind and expression.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect” is based on actual taste experiences with insects. Since ancient times in Japan, insects such as dung beetles and diving beetles were sometimes used as medicine, but these insects were known for their extremely bitter taste.
In particular, the insects called “bitter insects” had an intensely bitter taste, as their name suggests. Even today, many insects used in traditional Chinese medicine have distinctive bitter or astringent tastes. The expression that involuntarily makes one grimace when putting these bitter insects in the mouth and chewing them became the origin of this proverb.
Records remain of this expression being used in Edo period literature, suggesting that “bitter insects” were familiar to people of that time. The indescribable bitterness when taking them as medicine, and the accompanying facial distortion, must have been an experience that many people could relate to.
In modern times, there are almost no opportunities to actually put bitter insects in one’s mouth, but the memory of this intense bitterness has remained as language and has become established as a metaphor for expressing discomfort and dissatisfaction. This can truly be called a living expression based on experience.
Interesting Facts
Among the insects that were actually used as bitter insects, some are still prized as luxury food ingredients today. For example, some aquatic insects that were once called “bitter insects” are now being reconsidered as valuable protein sources and are enjoyed as local cuisine in some regions.
Interestingly, this sensation of “bitterness” is actually one of the body’s defense reactions. Since many toxic substances have a bitter taste, humans instinctively tend to avoid bitter things. In other words, the expression “Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect” can be said to represent a natural reaction when sensing danger.
Usage Examples
- The department manager always gets a face Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect when budget cuts are discussed in meetings
- The colleague in the next seat is staring at the computer with an expression Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect, so some trouble must have occurred
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect” has begun to take on new meanings with the spread of SNS and remote work. It has come to be used when expressing facial expressions seen through screens in online meetings or the displeasure of others felt in messaging app exchanges.
Particularly noteworthy is the change in modern people’s awareness of “emotional expression.” While showing dissatisfaction and discomfort on one’s face was once considered natural, nowadays there is a tendency to emphasize “controlling emotions.” Therefore, the kind of obvious displeasure that this proverb indicates is sometimes perceived as “immature.”
However, on the other hand, in modern times called a stress society, this proverb continues to function as an important word for expressing people’s state of mind. When facing modern-specific stress factors such as workplace harassment, long working hours, and interpersonal troubles, this old proverb fits surprisingly accurately in describing facial expressions.
Also, for the digital native generation, expressing emotions through emojis and stickers has become natural, but when expressing subtle changes in facial expressions in real situations with words, the concreteness and clarity of this proverb is being reevaluated.
When AI Hears This
The expression “as if chewing and crushing bitter insects” reveals the remarkable synesthetic conversion abilities of the human cognitive system. Even people who have never actually chewed bitter insects can instantly visualize an unpleasant facial expression with furrowed brows upon hearing these words. This results from a three-stage sensory conversion embedded in language: taste → facial expression → emotion.
According to cognitive science research, the taste cortex and motor cortex controlling facial muscles work in close coordination in the human brain. When we taste bitterness, facial muscles reflexively contract, causing the corners of the mouth to drop and eyebrows to furrow. This physiological response is universal, showing the same pattern across cultures. What’s fascinating is how this bodily reaction has been repurposed to express “mental discomfort.”
From a linguistic evolution perspective, this represents a classic example of “conceptual metaphor” – borrowing concrete bodily sensations to express abstract emotions. While “sweet life” and “sour experiences” work similarly, the “bitter insect” expression stands out for its vivid visual imagery. Rather than simply saying “bitter,” combining the action of “chewing and crushing” with the concrete object of “insects” creates a three-dimensional sensory experience in the listener’s mind. This represents an advanced cognitive technology that humanity developed to precisely share others’ internal states through language.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people might be the importance of honestly expressing emotions. In modern society, we often feel pressure to “always smile” and “be positive,” but sometimes feeling discomfort and dissatisfaction is also natural as human beings.
What’s important is recognizing our emotions and processing them appropriately. When we end up with an expression Like having chewed and crushed bitter insect, it might be a signal from our heart. Rather than forcing a smile, it’s important to think about why we feel that way and, if necessary, take action to improve the situation.
Also, when others have such expressions, we want to have an attitude of empathizing with their feelings rather than criticizing them. Everyone has unpleasant and painful experiences. The kindness to accept their expressions at such times and provide support when necessary becomes the foundation for building better human relationships.
Living with rich emotions is never something to be ashamed of. Why don’t we cherish the signals our hearts send out and also direct warm concern toward the hearts of those around us?
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