接つぎ穂ほ

noun

scion; graft

Horticultural term for a shoot or bud grafted onto a rootstock. Also spelled 継ぎ穂.

• この接つぎ穂ほは、台だい木ぎにしっかりと活かっ着ちゃくした。

  This scion has taken firmly to the rootstock.

• 接つぎ穂ほを選えらぶときは、健けん康こうな枝えだを選えらんでください。

  When choosing a scion, please select a healthy branch.

noun

conversation starter; opportunity to continue talking

Metaphorical use: a remark or topic that serves as a 'graft' to keep a conversation going. Often used in the phrase 話の接ぎ穂.

• 彼かれの何なに気げない一ひと言ことが、話はなしの接つぎ穂ほになった。

  His casual remark became an opportunity to continue the conversation.

• 会かい話わが途と切ぎれたとき、天てん気きの話わ題だいは便べん利りな接つぎ穂ほだ。

  When the conversation stalls, the weather is a handy conversation starter.