Some of you may have started a new life in April. In Okinawa, there is a custom called “Hikkoshi Miso,” in which miso and salt are offered in the kitchen of a new house, in order to pray for the prosperity of the house and the well-being of the family. In Japan, there are many people who eat miso soup every day. Miso is so deeply rooted in Japanese life that it is used in many idioms. topic: Miso part of speech: Noun pronounced: Miso difinition: 1. Temae-miso (Self-praise) 　Praise yourself. e.g. I can’t speak for myself, but I often get compliments on how much my cooking skills have improved lately. 2. Miso 　Key points, points of ingenuity e.g. The secret ingredient is to add honey. 3. Miso wo tsukeru (Putting on miso) To fail, to lose face by failing e.g. It was the performance of a lifetime, and I failed. Formal Expression: A: Mr. B, you are from Kyushu, right? Do you prefer barley miso? B: No, I’m from Nagoya, and I like hattcho miso. I’m sorry to say this, but I’ve been told that my beef stew is excellent. The secret is to use hattcho miso. A: Is that so? B: By the way, did you hear Mr. C’s story? He was devastated that he had failed in an important business meeting and had caused trouble for the company. Casual Expression: A: B, you’re from Kyushu, right? Is your miso barley miso? B: No, I’m from Nagoya, and I like hattcho miso. I’m sorry to say this, but I’ve been told that my beef stew is excellent. The secret is to use hattcho miso. A: I see. B: By the way, did you hear C’s story? He was devastated that he had failed in an important business meeting and had caused trouble for the company.