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Chaff

usgb/tʃæf/Volume
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Agricultural OriginPlay
Originally refers to leftover parts during grain harvest, not the edible kernels. SlideThreshing machines help to break the grain free of the chaff.
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Metaphoric UsePlay
Used metaphorically to differentiate valuable things from worthless ones. SlideAfter some discussion, they could separate the clever ideas from the chaff.
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Historical ContextPlay
Understanding historic grain processing can clarify this term's figurative use. SlideIn history, winnowing was a common way to remove chaff from the grain.