an extra thumb

an extra thumb

Pinyin is pi á nm ǔī zh ǐ, which means to compare superfluous and useless things. It comes from Zhuangzi's parallel thumb.

Idiom explanation

Parallel mother: the thumb on the foot and the second toe form one toe; branch finger: the thumb on the hand gives birth to one more finger.

The origin of Idioms

In Zhuangzi's parallel thumb: "parallel thumb is beyond nature, but extravagant in virtue."

Idiom usage

It's a combination; it's a subject, a predicate, an object; it's a metaphor for superfluous and useless things. example this is not a demon. It's different from others. Can you call it a demon? (notes of Yuewei thatched cottage, Volume 11, by Ji Yun of Qing Dynasty)