About
The character 鲰, traditional form 鯫, is a phono-semantic compound with the semantic radical 鱼 (fish) and the phonetic component 取. Originally, it denoted small fish or minnows, creatures considered of little value. This literal meaning of physical smallness and insignificance extended metaphorically to describe a person as petty, narrow-minded, or of low social standing. This derogatory or self-deprecating usage appears in classical texts, where it might refer to oneself humbly or dismiss an opponent as a trifling figure.
Etymology Hide
