What is the meaning and usage of ネタ?


For example in this phrase:

> 話すネタはもっていそう

I translate it into "he might have some stories", but I have the impression it
has many other meanings.




ネタ is a semi-slang term that comes from reversing the characters of "seed" タネ.
It's a word with many uses, but in all uses it denotes the "seed" of the idea
of a work, it's essential core.

In cooking, the ネタ of a dish is the key ingredient that makes a particular
dish interesting. For example, the ネタ of a piece of sushi is the non-rice part
of the sushi.

In a magic trick, the ネタ of a trick is the actual trickery that makes the
illusion work (the part that Penn and Teller reveal).

In a joke, the ネタ is the core subject and punchline, before you pad them out
with a story.

In news articles, the ネタ is the raw fact being reported (e.g. "oil rig
explodes") before being fleshed out with prose.

In your example of 「話すネタ」, ネタ means topic of conversation.




ネタ is a semi-slang term that comes from reversing the characters of "seed" タネ.
It's a word with many uses, but in all uses it denotes the "seed" of the idea
of a work, it's essential core.

In cooking, the ネタ of a dish is the key ingredient that makes a particular
dish interesting. For example, the ネタ of a piece of sushi is the non-rice part
of the sushi.

In a magic trick, the ネタ of a trick is the actual trickery that makes the
illusion work (the part that Penn and Teller reveal).

In a joke, the ネタ is the core subject and punchline, before you pad them out
with a story.

In news articles, the ネタ is the raw fact being reported (e.g. "oil rig
explodes") before being fleshed out with prose.

In your example of 「話すネタ」, ネタ means topic of conversation.

