Hai Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Bone (gǔ) 骾 Kangxi Stroke Count: 17 Page 1449, Entry 29 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), and Rhyme Meeting (Yunhui) define this as having the pronunciation geng. Explanations of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen) states: A bone stuck in the throat while eating. Commentary: Xu Kai states: In ancient times, there were officials who spoke with a bone in their throat, meaning they dared to point out errors and oppose popular conventions when encountering situations. Book of Jin (Jinshu), Biography of Cui Hong: To be as stubborn as a bone in the throat, differing from the common crowd. Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun): Commonly written in the variant form geng.