noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
strained interpretation; distortion; stretch
Refers to forcing an unnatural or illogical connection, often in arguments, excuses, or interpretations. Common in phrases like こじつけの理屈 (forced logic) or こじつけの説明 (a strained explanation).
彼の説明はどうもこじつけに聞こえる。
His explanation sounds like a stretch.
それはこじつけの理屈だよ。
That's strained logic.
Derived from the verb こじつける (to distort or force an interpretation), which is a compound of こじ (possibly from 抉じる, to pry or twist) and つける (to attach). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since the Edo period.