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Diao Chong Xiao Ji

虫 (insect)

: Chong (虫) in oracle bone script is... which resembles a snake with visible...

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A man named Han Chaozong in Tang Dynasty was warmhearted and respected by everyone. One day, a young man named Li Bai wrote to ask for his recommendation. The letter was finished with these words: "I'm afraid my article is merely Diao Chong Xiao Ji (insignificant skill) falling short of your requirements." This modest young man later became a reputed poet in China.

Ever since then, people began to use this idiom to describe the tiny techniques or skills used in an article or practical deeds.

: "Da Chong" (big bug) in ancient times also refers to tiger, however, when it's added with a "Mu" (female) in the front, it means tough wives. In The Water Margin, the classical Chinese masterpiece, there was a heroine nicknamed Mu Da Chong (The Tigress), who was actually called Mistress Gu, or the second heroine on Mount Liang. The woman, who had once opened a pub outside of the eastern gate of Dengzhou City, was accomplished in martial art. Taking up her former career with her husband Sun Xin, she then opened the East Mountain Hotel and became the 101st hero on Mount Liang.