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コロンブスの卵 (コロンブスのたまご) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, noun
Columbus' egg ; egg of Columbus
idiomatic expression
Refers to a seemingly brilliant idea that appears simple only after it has been demonstrated. Often used when someone belittles an innovation by saying they could have thought of it themselves.
せい
功こう
し
て
から
「
そんな
の
簡かん
単たん
だ
」
と
言い
う
の
は
コロンブスの
卵たまご
のようなもの
だ
。
Saying 'That's easy' after someone succeeds is like the egg of Columbus.
Etymology From the anecdote about Christopher Columbus, who, after being told his discovery of the New World was no great feat, challenged critics to stand an egg on its tip. When they failed, he cracked the egg slightly and stood it up, demonstrating that the simplest solution seems obvious only in hindsight.
