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鼬ごっこ. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
鼬ごっこ, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
鼬ごっこ in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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Japanese
Etymology
Of 鼬 (itachi, “weasel”) + ごっこ (-gokko, “make-believe, playing”). The game is attested from the early 19th century, with the figurative use from the 1870s.[1] The figurative sense likely derives from the fact that the game involves repeating the same action, with no set end.[1]
Pronunciation
Noun
鼬ごっこ • (itachi-gokko) ←いたちごつこ (itatigotuko)?
- (historical) a children’s game
- Synonyms: 鼠ごっこ (nezumigokko), 鼠ごっこ鼬ごっこ (nezumigokko-itachigokko)
- (figuratively) doing the same thing again and again with no progress
Usage notes
The children’s game involves a group of children facing each other and chanting 「いたちごっこ、ねずみごっこ」 (“play the weasel, play the mouse”). One child pinches the hand of another, who in turn pinches another child’s hand, and so on.[1]
References