thảo mai

== Vietnamese == === Etymology === Sino-Vietnamese word from 草 (“grasses, herbs”) and 梅 (“Prunus mume, Ochna integerrima”); with the figurative connation being "innocent-looking". Apparently a Vietnamese construct. === Pronunciation === (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˧˩ maːj˧˧] (Huế) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˧˨ maːj˧˧] (Saigon) IPA(key): [tʰaːw˨˩˦ maːj˧˧] === Adjective === thảo mai (slang, derogatory) smarmy or affected with the sole intention to gain approval