anecdote; little-known fact
Refers to an interesting or amusing story about a real incident or person, often one not widely known. Can also denote an obscure or unknown fact.
He collects anecdotes about historical figures.
その逸事は地元の古老だけが知っている。
That little-known fact is known only to the local elders.
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
Variant kanji form using 軼 (rare character); learners will almost always encounter 逸事.
Composed of 逸 (escape, deviate, excel) and 事 (matter, thing). The combination suggests a matter that has escaped common knowledge, hence an anecdote or little-known fact. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.