noun

  1. sophism, chop logic, far-fetched argument, quibble, cavil, argument for argument's sake.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
屁理屈 へりくつ
 
へ理屈 へりくつ
屁理窟 へりくつ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

fart, passing gas
へ ヒ (Kentei 1)
corpse, remains, flag radical (no. 44)
シ かたしろ (Kentei 1)
compare, race, ratio
ヒ くら.べる い (5th, N2)
spoon, spoon or katakana hi radical (no. 21)
ヒ さじ (Kentei 1)
logic, arrangement, reason
リ ことわり あや (2nd, N4)
king, rule, magnate
オウ -ノウ おお (1st, N3)
ri, village, parent's home
さと リ さ (2nd)
rice field, rice paddy
た デン たん (1st, N4)
soil, earth, ground
ド つち は (1st, N5)
yield, bend, flinch
クツ くっ かが.む (7th, N1)
corpse, remains, flag radical (no. 44)
シ かたしろ (Kentei 1)
exit, leave, go out
で.る だ.す シュツ (1st, N5)
mountain
やま サン セン (1st, N5)