Chinese Idiom: 大放厥词 (Da Fang Jue Ci)
English Translation: Profoundly Expressing Words
pīn yīn: dà fàng jué cí
Idiom Meaning: This idiom originally meant to praise someone for their eloquent and extensive literary expression. However, its meaning has shifted over time and is now often used to sarcastically describe someone who is boastful and makes grandiose statements. “厥” refers to “other.”
Historical Source: Han Yu’s “Eulogy for Liu Zongyuan” (《祭柳子厚文》) from the Tang Dynasty.
Idiom Story:
Liu Zongyuan, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties, was especially known for his travel essays. His prose was rich and varied, his short fables were concise and sharp, his travel notes were vivid and colorful, his essays were meticulous and orderly, and his poetry was clear and refined.
In 820 AD, a year after Liu Zongyuan’s death, the famous Tang Dynasty writer Han Yu wrote “Eulogy for Liu Zongyuan.” In this piece, Han Yu praised Liu Zongyuan’s literary talent with the following lines:
“Jade pendants and beautiful ornaments, he profoundly expressed his words.” This means that Liu Zongyuan’s writing was elegant, with his words laid out beautifully like pristine jade.
Originally, “大放厥词” was used to commend Liu Zongyuan for producing a large amount of beautiful literature, and it carried a positive connotation. However, the meaning and tone of the idiom have since evolved. Today, it is often used in a derogatory sense to mock someone who makes grand, often empty, speeches or boasts excessively.
