盛る

The verb '盛る' (moru) has several meanings, and its use to mean 'to exaggerate' or 'to enhance' is a more recent development, primarily gaining traction in the 21st century, especially with the rise of social media and photo editing. The core meaning of '盛る' is 'to pile up,' 'to serve (food),' or 'to heap.' This can be seen in phrases like 'ご飯を盛る' (gohan o moru - to serve rice) or '山が雪を盛る' (yama ga yuki o moru - the mountain is covered with snow). From this basic sense of 'piling up' or 'adding to,' the more figurative meanings developed: 1. **To exaggerate/embellish (話を盛る - hanashi o moru):** This usage emerged from the idea of 'piling on' details or making a story 'bigger' than it actually is. It implies adding extra, often untrue, information to make something sound more interesting or impressive. 2. **To enhance/filter (写真を盛る - shashin o moru):** This is a very contemporary usage, largely influenced by smartphone apps and social media. It refers to 'piling on' filters, makeup, or editing techniques to make a photo subject look better, more attractive, or more dramatic. It carries the connotation of artificial enhancement to present an idealized version of reality. While the root meaning of '盛る' is ancient, these specific modern usages are relatively new and reflect changes in communication and technology.