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妖言 (oyozuregoto) Japanese meaning: groundless rumor | Kotomora

妖言およずれごと

Meanings

1

groundless rumor; misleading rumor

archaic

Archaic term for a baseless or deceptive rumor. Not used in modern everyday speech; encountered mainly in classical texts or historical descriptions.

古こ文ぶん書しょには「妖言およずれごとを流る布ふする者ものを罰ばっす」と記しるされている。
The old document states, 'Those who spread groundless rumors shall be punished.'

Kanji

妖attractive, bewitching, calamity
言say, word

Related words

流りゅう言げん
流言 is a more common term for rumor or false report, often used in modern contexts like 流言飛語 (groundless rumors). 妖言 is archaic and carries a stronger nuance of something ominous or deceptive.
デマ
デマ is the modern everyday word for false rumor or hoax. 妖言 is its archaic, literary counterpart.

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 妖 (bewitching, mysterious) and 言 (word, speech) combine to suggest 'bewitching words,' i.e., a rumor that misleads or deceives. The reading およずれごと is archaic and its origin is unclear.