味み噌そ擂すり

noun

grinding miso

Literal meaning: the act of grinding miso paste, traditionally done with a mortar and pestle.

• 祖そ母ぼは毎まい朝あさ、味み噌そ擂すりから一いち日にちを始はじめた。

  My grandmother started her day every morning by grinding miso.

noun

flattery; flatterer

Figurative use: excessive praise or a person who flatters, likened to the repetitive grinding motion. Often used in a critical or humorous way.

• 彼かれの味み噌そすりにはうんざりだ。

  I'm fed up with his flattery.

• あいつは上じょう司しに味み噌そすりばかりしている。

  That guy is always buttering up the boss.

noun

monk (derogatory)

Derogatory abbreviation of 味噌擂り坊主, a contemptuous term for a Buddhist monk, implying they are sycophantic or useless. Rare and dated.

See also: 味噌擂り坊主

• 「味み噌そ擂すり」は、昔むかし、僧そう侶りょを嘲あざけって呼よんだ言こと葉ばだ。

  'Miso-suri' was a term used in the past to mock monks.