言こと葉ばの綾あや

こ

と

ば

の

あ

や

Meanings

1

expression, noun

figure of speech; rhetorical flourish

Refers to a clever or artistic turn of phrase, often used to describe indirect, poetic, or witty expressions.

それは言こと葉ばの綾あやで、本ほん気きで言いったわけ

で

は

ない

。

That was just a figure of speech; I didn't mean it literally.

彼かれのスピーチには言こと葉ばの綾あやが多おおく、聞きいていて楽たのしい。

His speech is full of rhetorical flourishes, making it enjoyable to listen to.

Kanji

言say, word
葉leaf, plane, lobe
綾design, figured cloth, twill

Related words

比ひ喩ゆ
比喩 is a broader term for 'metaphor' or 'simile', while 言葉の綾 specifically refers to a decorative or witty turn of phrase.
修しゅう辞じ
修辞 is a formal term for 'rhetoric' as a discipline, whereas 言葉の綾 is a more colloquial expression for a clever or artistic phrase.

Written forms

言こと葉ばの綾あや
Standard kanji spelling using 綾 for 'figure of speech'.
言こと葉ばのあや
Kana spelling of 綾; common in everyday writing.
言こと葉ばのアヤ
Katakana spelling of 綾; sometimes used for emphasis or stylistic effect.

Etymology

綾 (あや) originally refers to a twill weave or patterned fabric, and by extension came to mean an intricate or artistic design. In 言葉の綾, it metaphorically describes a cleverly woven or ornate expression.