眉唾

Japanese

Kanji in this term
眉	唾
まゆ Grade: S	つば Grade: S
kun’yomi

Etymology

From a superstitious folk belief that if one smears one's eyebrows with saliva, they will be impervious to being tricked by foxes and tanukis.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) まゆつば [màyútsúbá] (Heiban – [0])
• IPA^(key): [ma̠jɯ̟ᵝt͡sɨᵝba̠]

Noun

眉(まゆ)唾(つば) • (mayutsuba) 

1. questionable story, dubious tale

   Synonym: 眉唾物