月旦評
The First-of-the-Month Review
Meaning
From a famed critique session held on the first of each month — it now means the act of appraising people or works. The origin of "monthly review" in East Asian usage.
Origin story
In the twilight of the Han, Xu Shao of Runan held a critique of local figures with his cousin on the first day of every month; his eye was so sharp that a good word from him made a reputation overnight. People called it the "first-of-the-month review." The young, still-obscure Cao Cao pestered Xu Shao for a verdict. Reluctantly, Xu Shao delivered the immortal line: "An able minister in times of order, a cunning hero in times of chaos." Cao Cao roared with laughter and left satisfied. From that monthly session comes the classic term for appraising people.
Source: Book of the Later Han — Xu Shao
People
Modern examples
- The critic’s monthly review of new releases is the first thing the publishing world reads.
- Every December, the media pour out their appraisals of the year’s most notable figures.