The "diaochong" in "diaochengxiaoji" does not refer to carving insects, but refers to a calligraphy style called "diaocheng engraving". Xiaoji refers to trivial craftsmanship or skills that are not worth mentioning. Trivial skills refer to some small skills that are not worth mentioning.
Chong here refers to a kind of calligraphy, which is also called Chongshu in ancient times. The shape of this calligraphy is very similar to the shape of a bird, and a bird is drawn next to the word. Decoration, so this is a very beautiful font. This font was mostly used on weapons, flags, and bronzes as decoration at the time. In ancient times, the meaning of carving also included carving, so carving insects were also called carving insects for writing this kind of calligraphy. Later, even writing calligraphy was called carving insects.
Although such difficult-to-write insect script was widely used in various countries during the Spring and Autumn Period, later on, people discovered that it was not very practical and could only be used to decorate items. So gradually people began to forget this type of font. Even with the development of culture, literati thought that this type of calligraphy was very vulgar and did not fit their temperament. Sun Tingjian even despised this type of calligraphy, so Chong Books also gradually became obsolete.
In ancient times, the status of Chinese craftsmen was very low. Some children from rich families believe that people who rely on craftsmanship to make a living are difficult to achieve elegance and have a low status. No matter how superb the craftsmanship is, no matter how exquisite the technology is, it will not be recognized by everyone. So, small skills refer to these trivial skills.
The "little skills" of calligraphy that were abandoned by literati and writers, coupled with the "little skills" that were despised by people, later developed into what is now referred to as some incompetent calligraphy. It means mentioning small skills.