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.

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.

Kanji

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

Similar 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.

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.