noun
Classical poetic epithet for a mother or parent, often used as a pillow word (makura kotoba) in waka poetry. In modern contexts, it appears only in literary or poetic references, not in everyday speech.
「たらちねの母」という表現は、古い和歌によく見られる。
The expression 'tarachine no haha' is often found in old waka poems.
垂乳根は、母を讃える枕詞として使われた。
Tarachine was used as a pillow word praising mothers.
The exact derivation is uncertain. Traditionally interpreted as a pillow word (makura kotoba) associated with 'mother' or 'parent', possibly from an ancient phrase meaning 'hanging breasts' (垂乳) combined with an honorific or root element. The kanji are ateji.