it does resemble a chair, but there is a different word for it (which i don't know). it's meant for use on the floor or beds, specifically for support when reading/games/writing/etc.
I know that the dictionary definition is "in spite of", but is there some way to render this into English more smoothly based on context?
When Tsukasa would say (or rather, think) it in the anime, it seemed from what I remember to be in the context of something like "Oh, you're one to talk" or "Who the hell does she think she is" or something along those lines. Apparently 癖 also means 'habit' so could it be Tsukasa noting that Konata's own habits and quirks don't really put her in a position to say the things she sometimes would.
This was all the funnier because if I'm interpreting it right, it's just so out of character for Tsukasa, which would explain why she never said it out loud.
So anyway, long-winded story short, is there some more natural English idiom that would really represent the spirit of "こなちゃんの癖に"?
That dictionary is wrong. (verb)くせに could be translated as "in spite of (verb)ing", but (noun)のくせに definitely does not mean "in spite of (noun)"; if anything, it should be "in spite of the fact that you are/he is (noun)". For example, 先生のくせに does not mean "in spite of a/the teacher", but "in spite of the fact that you're/he's a teacher", which is a very different thing. In general, Xのくせに means "when you're/he's X", contrasting that fact with something the person is saying or doing (not necessarily with the rest of the sentence, like "in spite of" would imply).
You're right about Tsukasa's line: I don't remember what episode it was in, but she said it to herself when Konata was acting like she was better than her, when in fact she's just as dumb. That line became a fanart meme after that episode came out; perhaps we should have a tag for it.
LaC said: That dictionary is wrong. (verb)くせに could be translated as "in spite of (verb)ing", but (noun)のくせに definitely does not mean "in spite of (noun)"; if anything, it should be "in spite of the fact that you are/he is (noun)".
In the interest of clearing the dictionary's name (i.e. just nihongoresources.com which uses... one of those online dictionaries), it does not say "のくせに" is "in spite of, just "くせに". It's my fault for not being clearer there.
For example, 先生のくせに does not mean "in spite of a/the teacher", but "in spite of the fact that you're/he's a teacher", which is a very different thing. [snip] You're right about Tsukasa's line: I don't remember what episode it was in, but she said it to herself when Konata was acting like she was better than her, when in fact she's just as dumb.
Yeah, that's the sense I was going for, sounds about right. Thanks.
Ah, that's wrong, Kagami... It's that way.D, don't pull it...Who does Kona-chan think she is...