Etymology/Origin | Mayu Tuba 眉唾

Mayu Tuba 眉唾

眉（まゆ） is eyebrow,　唾（つば） is saliva

This strange combination means the state of skeptical about something.

眉唾物（まゆつばもの） is a formal style but it’s no problem just to say ”眉唾”.

When you hear of something suspicious, you spit on your eyebrows so you don’t get fooled by

fox and racoon dog.

Fox and racoon dog are related in this story.

Why fox and racoon dog?

In Japanese legends and folklore, they show many times and it has been believed that they decieve humans.

You may see a lot of racoon figurine displayed at the entrance of Japanese houses.

Racoon dogs figurine are lucky charm for business success at the same time.

(You have less opportunities in recent years, but still I think you can see it in country side.)

Why spit on my own eyebrows?

This is also an old legend.

When foxes and racoon dogs deceive people, they count the number of human eyebrows.

So, humans spit on their eyebrows to prevent them from counting.

Old folklore is so fascinating for us in modern life because it’s unique and always beyond our imagination.

Don’t you think so?

Usage For “Mayu Tuba”

その話は眉唾物だ。　( sono hanashi wa mayutubamono da )

That story is questionable.

Finally

There’s lot of words originated from old Japanese forklore and these expressions are still usefull to use today.

I hope you enjyo this and I don’t spit on my eyebrow for it.See you next time.