太たい鼓こ持もち

noun

professional jester; entertainer; buffoon

Historical term for a male entertainer at parties in the Edo period, who flattered guests, told jokes, and kept the mood lively. Now mostly used in historical or figurative contexts. The reading ほうかん is more common for the ateji 幇間.

See also: 幇間 (ほうかん)

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの宴えん席せきでは、太たい鼓こ持もちが客きゃくを楽たのしませた。

  At banquets in the Edo period, professional jesters entertained the guests.

noun

flatterer; sycophant; brown-noser

Derogatory term for someone who shamelessly flatters others to gain favor, likened to the historical jester. Often used in modern colloquial speech.

• 彼かれは上じょう司しの太たい鼓こ持もちで、いつもご機き嫌げんを取とっている。

  He's a sycophant to his boss, always sucking up to him.