戯言

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 戯言, read ざれごと. This noun denotes words not meant seriously, such as nonsense or an idle joke.
• Basic usage: 戯言にすぎない dismisses a story as nonsense, while 口にした戯言 identifies an idle remark made over drinks.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Nonsense dismissed by everyone
  • Everyone dismisses the story as nonsense and pays it no attention. Example: そんな話は戯言にすぎないと、誰も相手にしませんでした。 — No one paid any attention, dismissing the story as nonsense.
• An idle remark forgotten by morning
  • An idle joke made over drinks is completely forgotten by the next morning. Example: 酒の席で口にした戯言を、彼は翌朝すっかり忘れていました。 — By the next morning, he had completely forgotten the idle joke he made over drinks.