Russian winged expressions. All roads lead to Rome

In this conference I would like to present interesting facts about the formation of some famous phrases.

Pour in the first number: In the old days, schoolchildren were often flogged, sometimes just like that, as a preventive measure. If the mentor showed special zeal, and the student suffered especially severely, he could be freed from further vices, until the first day of the next month.

The game is not worth the candle: In times before electricity, gamblers often gathered to play in the evening by candlelight. Often the bets and, accordingly, the winner's winnings were so small that even the candles did not pay off. This is where the expression “the game is not worth the candle” was born.

Scapegoat: According to the Hebrew rite, on the day of remission of sins, the high priest placed his hands on the head of the goat and thereby laid the sins of the entire people on it. This is where the expression “scapegoat” comes from.

Reach the handle: In Rus', rolls were baked with a handle by which they were carried. Then the handle was broken off and, for reasons of hygiene, thrown away. These handles were picked up and eaten by dogs and beggars. This is how the expression “get to the point” appeared - to become impoverished, to sink.

Blue Blood: The Spanish royal family and nobility prided themselves on the fact that, unlike the common people, they traced their ancestry to the West Goths and never mixed with the Moors who entered Spain from Africa. Unlike the dark-skinned commoners, blue veins stood out on their pale skin, and therefore they proudly called themselves “blue bloods.” From here this expression for denoting aristocracy penetrated into many European languages, including Russian.

Scum: Scum was the name given to the remaining liquid that remained at the bottom along with the sediment. And since all sorts of rabble often hung around the taverns and taverns, drinking up the muddy remains of alcohol after other visitors, the word scum soon passed on to them.

Augean Stables: According to legend, King Augean was an avid horse breeder: there were 3,000 horses in his stables. However, for some reason, no one cleaned the stables for 30 years. And when Hercules tried to make a name for himself in the field of exploits, he was tasked with cleaning them up. Hercules led the river Alphea into the stables and washed away all the manure with a stream of water. Since then, the expression “Augean stables” has been applied to everything neglected or polluted to the last limit.

Vulgarity: an original Russian word, rooted in the verb “went”. Until the 17th century it was used in a decent meaning, and meant everything familiar, traditional, done according to custom - that which HAS HAPPENED from time immemorial. However, with Peter’s reforms, the opening of a window to Europe and innovations, the word “vulgar” lost respect and began to mean “backward, uncultured, rustic.”

Play on the nerves: After ancient doctors discovered nerves in the human body, they named them by their resemblance to strings musical instruments the same word - nervus. This is where the expression for annoying actions came from - “playing on your nerves.”

Breathing in incense: According to Christian custom, a priest confessed a person who did not have long to live, gave him communion and burned incense. As a result, the expression “breathing on its last legs” has been adopted to describe a sick person or a barely working device.

Washing the bones: According to the ideas of some peoples, every unrepentant sinner, if a curse weighs on him, after death comes out of the grave in the form of a ghoul or a vampire and destroys people. To remove the spell, you need to dig up the remains of the deceased and wash his bones with clean water. Today the expression “washing the bones” means analyzing a person’s character.

Money doesn't smell: When the son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian reproached him for introducing a tax on public toilets, the emperor showed him the money received from this tax and asked if it smelled. The son gave a negative answer. This is where the expression “money doesn’t smell” comes from.

Bosom Friend: The old expression “pour in the Adam’s apple” meant “get drunk”, “drink alcohol.” From here the phraseological unit “bosom friend” was formed, which today is used to denote a very close friend.
http://rabotanama.ru/node/4902
here's another addition:
1. “Lead by the nose”
Previously, gypsies entertained people at fairs, performing together with bears. They forced the animals to perform various tricks, while deceiving them with the promise of a handout. The gypsies led the bear by a ring threaded through its nose. It was from those times that “don’t lead me by the nose” meant “don’t deceive me.” And the expression “to know all the ins and outs” is associated... with the ancient torture when nails or needles were driven under the fingernails of the accused. The purpose of this rather unpleasant action was to obtain a confession.
2. “Master of sour cabbage soup”
About someone who knows little, we say “master of sour cabbage soup.” The origin of the saying is quite simple. Sour cabbage soup (apparently in its simplest variation) was a simple food: water and sauerkraut. It was not difficult to prepare cabbage soup. And if someone was called a “master of sour cabbage soup,” it meant that he was not fit for anything worthwhile. The expression “to put a pig down,” that is, to do something bad to someone, is apparently due to the fact that some peoples do not eat pork for religious reasons. And if pork was unnoticed in a person’s food, they were doing a very serious dirty trick.
3. “Knock it off”
Today the expression “shit” means doing nothing. Meanwhile, before, beating your thumbs was an activity. Although quite simple... In ancient times, dishes were mainly made of wood: cups and spoons, “brothers” and plates - everything was made of wood. But in order to cut something, it was necessary to break off a block of wood from a log. It was an easy, trivial task that was entrusted to apprentices. This activity was called “beating the thumbs.” The foremen jokingly called the auxiliary workers “baklushechniks.” So, this expression appeared from the jokes of the masters.
4. “It doesn’t suit the court”
When you study proverbs and sayings, you are surprised at what antiquity they sometimes come from. “He didn’t come to the court” - This saying has an interesting mythological basis. According to it, only the animal that the brownie likes will live in the yard (in the yard). And if he doesn’t like it, he will either run away or get sick. What to do... not appropriate...
6. “Kazan Orphan”
As you know, the expression “orphan of Kazan” refers to a person who pretends to be offended or helpless in order to pity someone. Nowadays this phrase is used rather as a good-natured joke. But why exactly “Kazan”? This phraseological unit arose after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. The Tatar princes (Mirzas) became subjects of the Russian Tsar. At the same time, they tried to beg from Ivan the Terrible all sorts of indulgences and benefits, complaining about their bitter fate. Thanks to their sharp folk language, they became the first “orphans of Kazan.”
7. “Don’t wash dirty linen in public”
An ancient and widespread proverb. Of course, she does not teach us uncleanliness. She advises not to take family squabbles and quarrels out in public. Dahl actually wrote beautifully about this proverb: “family squabbles will be sorted out at home, if not under the same sheepskin coat, then under the same roof.” But this proverb also has a direct meaning: among peasants, litter was never swept away or taken out into the street. It was quite difficult to do: sweep rubbish into the street through high thresholds. However, the main reason is the existence of a rather serious belief: unkind people can cause damage through litter. The rubbish was usually swept into the stove or cooking corner. When the stove was lit, the rubbish was burned. There was another interesting custom: wedding guests, testing the bride’s patience, forced the hut to sweep, and at the same time littered again and again. and they said:“Sweep, sweep, but don’t take it out of the hut, but scoop it up under the bench and put it in the oven so that it blows away with smoke.”
8. “No stake, no yard”
We are talking about a state of extreme poverty. If we analyze the content of this proverb, it turns out that there is “not a stake”, that is, a short sharpened stick, “not a yard” - that is, a house. Everything is clear about the “yard”, and there are no disputes on this matter. But about “cola” there is a rather convincing version from the end of the nineteenth century. The fact is that, at least in some places, a “stake” was a strip of arable land two fathoms wide. Consequently, not having a stake means not having arable land; not having a yard means living with others. Well... it's logical. It is difficult to overestimate, especially in the old days, the importance of arable land for the peasant. In fact, along with the house, she was his main wealth.
9. “Go crazy”
The word “go crazy” is used quite often in everyday life. As you know, it means a situation where a person has lost the ability to clearly perceive the surrounding reality and think adequately. It is interesting that the origin of the word is associated with the large-scale events of 1771, when a devastating plague raged in Moscow. Eyewitnesses described the following symptoms in people: “The speech of the patients is unintelligible and confused, the tongue seems to be frozen, or bitten, or like that of a drunk.” The plague manifested itself with chills, fever, headache and confusion. The memory of the above events is reflected in the word “go crazy”, which we now apply to much less serious situations.
10. Get into trouble.
Means "to get in a difficult situation a stupid, awkward or funny situation, to overlook the danger.” It appeared in the speech of old Russian spinners and rope masters and was formed from the combination of getting into trouble. The word prosak has been lost in the modern Russian language, since the reality itself has passed away - the rope mill, the machine on which in the old days the ropes that stretched from the spinning wheel to the sleigh were twisted. When working with prosak, the spinner was in great danger if his beard, clothes or hand got into the machine: he could lose not only his beard, but sometimes his health or life. The expression to get into trouble, where the adverb in trouble is formed from a combination of a noun with a preposition, which is traditional for Russian adverbs, has lost direct meaning and now it has become used only figuratively, that is, it has acquired the status of a phraseological unit. The origin of many Russian phraseological units, by the way, is connected with the professional environment.
11. Get it on your nose
This expression is often said today in full confidence that the nose is meant. Ordinary human nose. Sometimes they also point at your nose. Meanwhile, this is a mistake... Nose used to be the name for a special writing board. It was worn along with special sticks, which were used to make various notes or notches for memory. Indeed, in ancient times, with all its severity, no one made any notches on their personal nose as a souvenir.
12. Play spillikins.
There is such an ancient game, with the help of which, as they say, patience and caution are developed: spillikins. In front of you lies a bunch of tiny things, glasses, hammers, hearts - spillikins - piled up in disarray. You need to use a small hook to pull out one spilliard after another from the pile so that the rest are not disturbed. A great activity for lazy people! It is not surprising that the expression “playing tricks” has long meant: being busy with trifles, nonsense, leaving aside the main and important things.
13. “Postpone.”
There is an assumption that this phrase, meaning “to give a matter a long delay”, “to delay its decision for a long time,” arose in Muscovite Rus', three hundred years ago. Tsar Alexei, the father of Peter I, ordered a long box to be installed in the village of Kolomenskoye in front of his palace, where anyone could drop their complaint. Complaints were dropped, but it was not easy to wait for solutions; often months and years passed before that. The people renamed this “long” box “long”. It is difficult, however, to vouch for the accuracy of this explanation: after all, we are not saying “omit” or “put,” but “put on the back burner.” One might think that the expression, if not born, was fixed in speech later, in "presences" - institutions of the 19th century. The officials of that time, accepting various petitions, complaints and petitions, undoubtedly sorted them, putting them in different boxes. “Long” could be called the one where the most leisurely tasks were postponed. It is clear that the petitioners were afraid of such a box. By the way, there is no need to assume that someone once specifically renamed the “long” box into “dolgiy”: in many places in our country, in the popular language, “dolgiy” means “long”. The later expression “put under the carpet” has the same meaning. Cloth was used to cover tables in Russian offices.

And Vaska listens and eats

Quote from the fable by I. A. Krylov (1769–1844) “The Cat and the Cook” (1813). Used when talking about a person who is deaf to reproaches and, despite any admonitions, continues to do his job.

And you, friends, no matter how you sit down,
You're not fit to be a musician

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “Quartet” (1811). Used in relation to a poorly performing team, in which things are not going well because there is no unity, agreement, professionalism, competence, or a clear understanding of each person’s own and common task.

And the casket just opened

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Casket” (1808). A certain “mechanical sage” tried to open the casket and was looking for the special secret of its lock. But since there was no secret, he did not find it and “left the box behind.”

But I couldn’t figure out how to open it,
And the casket simply opened.

This phrase is used when talking about some matter, an issue in the resolution of which there was no need to look for a complex solution, since there is a simple one.

And he, the rebellious one, asks for a storm,
As if there is peace in the storms!

Quote from the poem by M. Yu. Lermontov (1814–1841) “Sail” (1841).

Who are the judges?

Quote from the comedy by A. S. Griboedov (1795–1829) “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Chatsky:

Who are the judges? - In ancient times
Their enmity towards a free life is irreconcilable,
Judgments are drawn from forgotten newspapers
The times of the Ochakovskys and the conquest of Crimea.

The phrase is used to emphasize contempt for the opinions of authorities who are no better than those whom they are trying to teach, blame, criticize, etc.

And happiness was so possible
So close!

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” by A. S. Pushkin (1799–1837), ch. 8 (1832).

Administrative delight

Words from the novel by F. M. Dostoevsky (1821–1881) “Demons” (1871). An ironic expression meaning intoxication with power.

Ay, Moska! know she's strong
What barks at an elephant

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Elephant and the Pug” (1808). It is used when we are talking about someone’s senseless attacks on someone who is obviously superior to his “enemy” (critic, detractor, aggressor, etc.).

Alexander the Great is a hero, but why break the chairs?

Quote from the comedy “The Inspector General” (1836) by N.V. Gogol (1809–1852), the words of the Governor about the teacher: “He is a learned head - this is obvious, and he has picked up a lot of information, but he only explains with such fervor that he does not remember himself. I listened to him once: well, for now I was talking about the Assyrians and Babylonians - nothing yet, but when I got to Alexander the Great, I can’t tell you what happened to him. I thought it was a fire, by God! He ran away from the pulpit and, with all his strength, grabbed the chair on the floor. It is, of course, Alexander the Great, a hero, but why break the chairs?” The phrase is used when someone goes overboard.

Afanasy Ivanovich and Pulcheria Ivanovna

The heroes of N. V. Gogol's story “Old World Landowners” (1835), elderly spouses, kind and naive inhabitants, leading a calm, measured, serene life, limited by purely economic concerns. Their names have become household names for people of this type.

Oh my God! What will Princess Marya Aleksevna say?

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), Famusov’s words with which the play ends. Used to denote cowardly dependence on walking, sanctimonious morality.

Ah, evil tongues are worse than a pistol

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Molchalin.

B

Bah! all familiar faces

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Famusov:

Bah! All familiar faces!
Daughter, Sofya Pavlovna! disgraceful!
Shameless! Where! with whom!
Neither give nor take, she
Like her mother, the deceased wife.
It happened that I was with my better half
A little apart - somewhere with a man!

The phrase is used to express surprise at an unexpected meeting with someone.

Grandma said in two

This is how they say that it is unknown whether it will come true. The expression is formed by truncation of the proverb “Grandma said in two: either it rains or snows, either it will happen or it won’t.”

Bazarov. Bazarovschina

By the name of Bazarov, the hero of the famous novel by I. S. Turgenev (1818–1883) "Fathers and Sons" (1862). Bazarov is a representative of part of the Russian raznochinnoe students of the 60s. XIX century, which at that time was keen on Western European materialist philosophy in its simplified, primitive interpretation.

Hence “Bazarovism” is a collective name, meaning all the extremes of this kind of worldview, namely passion for the natural sciences, crude materialism, emphasized pragmatism of behavior, rejection of traditional art and generally accepted rules of behavior.

The madness of the brave is the wisdom of life!
We sing a song to the madness of the brave

Quote from “Song of the Falcon” (1898) by M. Gorky (1868–1936).

Beat your head

The expression is used to mean: to spend time idly, to do trifles, to idle. Baklusha is a piece of wood processed for making various objects (spoons, cups, etc.). In handicraft production, it's like cutting off logs from logs to make wooden crafts. The figurative meaning is explained by the fact that making baklush was considered by the people to be an easy task that did not require effort or skill.

Beat with your forehead

The word “chelo” in Old Russian means “forehead”. In Ancient Rus', they hit the floor with their “brow,” that is, their forehead, falling before nobles and kings in prostrations. This was called “bowing with great custom” and expressed the utmost respect. This is where the expression “beat with the forehead” came from, meaning: to turn to the authorities with a request, to petition. In written requests - “petitions” - they wrote: “And for this, your servant Ivashko beats you with his brow...” Even later, the words “beat him with his brow” began to simply mean: “welcome.”

Bet

Means: to argue about something. In Rus', a pledge was called a pledge, as well as a bet, a bet on a win, or the bet itself. To fight meant “to bet, to argue.”

Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world!

Quote from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Grief from the mind" (1824), Chatsky's words. The expression is used to refer to overly, unreasonably gullible people or those who are too deluded by their rosy plans and hopes.

Shoe a flea

The expression became popular after the appearance of the story “Lefty” by N. S. Leskov (1831–1895) (1881), which was created on the basis of a folk joke: “The British made a flea out of steel, but our Tula people shod it and sent it back to them.” Used in the meaning: to show extraordinary ingenuity in some matter, skill, subtle skill.

Petrel

After the appearance of “Song of the Petrel” in print (1901) In M. Gorky's literature, the petrel became a symbol of the coming revolutionary storm.

There was a case near Poltava

This expression is the first line of a poem by I. E. Molchanov (1809–1881), published in the 40–50s of the 19th century. and became a popular song. This is how they talk about some incident jokingly or boastfully.

You can be a smart person
And think about the beauty of your nails

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. Quoted as a response to accusations of being too concerned about one’s appearance.

IN

You can't go anywhere in the carriage of the past

Quote from M. Gorky’s play “At the Lower Depths” (1902), words by Satin. Instead of “nowhere,” “far” is often quoted.

To Moscow, to Moscow, to Moscow!

In the play “Three Sisters” (1901) by A.P. Chekhov (1860–1904), this phrase is repeated with longing by the sisters, suffocating in the mud of provincial life, but not having the will to get out of it. This phrase is used to describe fruitless dreams.

In some kingdom, not in our state

The traditional beginning of many Russian folk tales. Used to mean: somewhere, unknown where.

There is no truth in my feet

Now used as a playful invitation to sit down. There are several possible origins for this phrase:

1. According to the first version, the combination is due to the fact that in the XV–XVIII centuries. in Rus', debtors were severely punished, beaten with iron rods on their bare legs, seeking repayment of the debt, i.e., “truth,” but such punishment could not force those who did not have money to repay the debt;
2. according to the second version, the expression arose due to the fact that the landowner, having discovered that something was missing, gathered the peasants and forced them to stand until the culprit was named;
3. the third version reveals a connection between the expression and pravezh (cruel punishment for non-payment of debts). If the debtor fled from the law, they said that there was no truth at his feet, that is, it was impossible to get out of the debt; With the abolition of the law, the meaning of the saying changed.

You can't harness it to one cart
Horse and trembling doe

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Poltava” (1829).

Everything in a person should be beautiful: his face, his clothes, his soul, his thoughts.

Quote from A.P. Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” (1897); These words are spoken by Doctor Astrov. Often only the first half of a sentence is quoted.

The great, powerful, truthful and free Russian language

Quote from the prose poem by I. S. Turgenev “Russian Language” (1882).

Lord of Doom

An expression from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “To the Sea” (1825), in which the poet called Napoleon and Byron “rulers of thoughts.” In literary speech it is applied to great people whose activities had a strong influence on the minds of their contemporaries.

Power of darkness

The expression, which became a figurative definition of ignorance and cultural backwardness, became popular after the appearance of the drama by L. N. Tolstoy (1828–1910) “The Power of Darkness, or The Claw Gets Stuck - The Whole Bird is Lost” (1886).

You, Darling, look good in all your outfits

Quote from the poem by I. F. Bogdanovich (1743–1803) “Darling” (1778):

You, Darling, look good in all your outfits:
In the image of which queen are you dressed?
Are you sitting like a shepherdess near the hut,
You are a wonder of the world in everyone.

This line is better known thanks to A.S. Pushkin, who used it as an epigraph to his story “The Peasant Young Lady” from the cycle “Belkin’s Tales”. It is used humorously and ironically as a ready-made compliment in response to women’s requests to evaluate a new dress, hairstyle, etc.

In all Ivanovo

The expression “at the top of Ivanovo (shout, scream)” is used to mean: very loudly, with all your might. Ivanovskaya is the name of the square in the Moscow Kremlin on which the Ivan the Great Bell Tower stands. There are several versions of the origin of this expression:

1. on Ivanovskaya Square, sometimes the royal decrees were read publicly, in a loud voice (in the entire Ivanovskaya Square). Hence the figurative meaning of the expression;
2. clerks were also sometimes punished on Ivanovskaya Square. They were beaten mercilessly with whips and batogs, causing them to scream throughout Ivanovskaya Square.

Troublemaker

This is the title of the novel (1940) by L.V. Solovyov (1898–1962) about Khoja Nasreddin, the hero of folk jokes among Azerbaijanis, Tajiks, Armenians, peoples of the North Caucasus, Persians and Turks. The expression “troublemaker” has become popular as a figurative description of people rebelling against indifference, bureaucracy, and various manifestations of social injustice.

The Volga flows into the Caspian Sea.
Horses eat oats and hay

Quote from A.P. Chekhov’s story “Literature Teacher” (1894). These phrases are repeated in his dying delirium by history and geography teacher Ippolit Ippolitovich, who all his life expressed only well-known, indisputable truths. Used to mean: well-known banal statements.

In borrowed plumes

The expression arose from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Crow” (1825). The crow, having tucked its tail into peacock feathers, went for a walk, confident that she was Pavam's sister and that everyone would look at her. But the Peahens plucked the Crow so that not even her own feathers remained on her. The crow rushed to her people, but they did not recognize her. “A crow in peacock feathers” - they say about a person who arrogates to himself other people’s merits, unsuccessfully tries to play a high role that is unusual for him, and therefore finds himself in a comical situation.

Getting into trouble

The expression is used to mean: to be in an unpleasant, awkward or disadvantageous position due to one’s oversight or ignorance. The adverb “in a mess” was formed as a result of the fusion of elements in the combination “in a mess.” Prosak is a spinning mill, a rope machine on which ropes were spun in the old days. It consisted of a complex network of ropes that stretched from the spinning wheel to the sled, where they were twisted. The camp was usually located on the street and occupied a significant space. For a spinner to get his clothes, hair or beard into a hole, that is, into a rope mill, meant, at best, to be seriously injured and tear his clothes, and at worst, to lose his life.

Vralman

The protagonist of the comedy by D. I. Fonvizin (1744/1745-1792) “The Minor” (1782), an ignorant German, a former coachman, one of the teachers of the landowner’s son, the minor Mitrofanushka. His surname, composed of the Russian “liar” and the German “Mann” (man), which fully characterizes him, became a common name for a braggart and a liar.

Seriously and for a long time

Expression by V. I. Lenin (1870–1924) from a report at the IX All-Russian Congress of Soviets. About the new economic policy, V.I. Lenin said: “...we are pursuing this policy seriously and for a long time, but, of course, as has already been correctly noted, not forever.”

Everything will pass like smoke from white apple trees

Quote from the poem by S. A. Yesenin (1895–1925) “I don’t regret, I don’t call, I don’t cry...” (1922):

I don’t regret, I don’t call, I don’t cry,
Everything will pass like smoke from white apple trees.
Withered in gold,
I won't be young anymore.

It is quoted as consolation, as advice to approach life calmly, philosophically, since everything passes - both good and bad.

Everything is mixed up in the Oblonskys' house

Quote from L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “Anna Karenina” (1875): “Everything was mixed up in the Oblonskys’ house. The wife found out that her husband was in a relationship with a French governess who was in their house, and announced to her husband that she could not live with him in the same house... The wife did not leave her room, the husband was not at home for the third day. The children ran around the house as if lost; the Englishwoman quarreled with the housekeeper and wrote a note to a friend, asking her to find a new place for her; the cook left the yard yesterday during lunch; the black cook and coachman asked for payment.” The quote is used as a figurative definition of confusion, confusion.

Everything is fine, beautiful marquise

Quote from the poem (1936) by A. I. Bezymensky (1898–1973) “Everything is fine” (French folk song). The Marquise, who has been away for fifteen days, calls her estate on the phone and asks one of the servants: “Well, how are things going with you?” He answers:

Everything is fine, beautiful marquise,
Things are going well and life is easy
Not a single sad surprise
Except for a trifle!

So... nonsense...
An empty matter...
Your mare has died!

Everything is fine, everything is fine.

The coachman answered the marquise’s question: “How did this death happen?” – answers:

What's wrong with the mare:
Empty business!
She and the stable burned down!
But otherwise, beautiful marquise,
Everything is fine, everything is fine.

But otherwise,
beautiful marquise,
Everything is fine, everything is fine!

All this would be funny
If only it weren't so sad

Quote from the poem by M. Yu. Lermontov “A. O. Smirnova" (1840):

I want to tell you a lot without you,
I want to listen to you in front of you...
What to do?.. With unskilled speech
I can’t occupy your mind...
All this would be funny
If only it weren't so sad.

It is used as a commentary on an outwardly tragicomic, funny, but essentially very serious, alarming situation.

Wash dirty linen in public

Used to mean: to disclose troubles, quarrels that concern only a narrow circle of people. The expression is usually used with negation, as a call not to disclose the details of such quarrels (there is no need to wash dirty linen in public). It is associated with the ancient custom of not taking garbage out of the hut, but burning it (for example, in a stove), since an evil person could supposedly send trouble to the owner of the hut by uttering special words over the garbage.

G

Galloping across Europe

This is the title of the travel essays of the poet A. A. Zharov (1904–1984), reflecting the cursory impressions he took from his trip to Western Europe (1928). The title is explained by the fact that Zharov and his companions, the poets I. Utkin and A. Bezymensky, were forced to greatly reduce their stay in Czechoslovakia and Austria at the request of the police.

M. Gorky, in his article “On the Benefits of Literacy” (1928), used Zharov’s expression “galloping across Europe,” but to address some authors of frivolous essays about life abroad, who provide readers with incorrect information. The expression is used as a definition of superficial observations in general.

Hamburg account

In 1928 A collection of literary critical articles, notes and essays by V. Shklovsky (1893–1984) entitled “The Hamburg Account” was published. The meaning of this name is explained in a brief programmatic article that opens the collection: “The Hamburg account is an extremely important concept. All wrestlers, when they fight, cheat and lie down on their shoulder blades on the orders of the entrepreneur. Once a year, wrestlers gather in a Hamburg tavern. They fight behind closed doors and curtained windows. Long, ugly and hard. Here the true classes of fighters are established, so as not to get shortchanged. The Hamburg account is necessary in literature." In conclusion, the article names several famous contemporary writers who, in the author’s opinion, do not stand up to the Hamburg count. Subsequently, Shklovsky recognized this article as “cocky” and incorrect. But the expression “Hamburg account” then became popular, initially in the literary community, as a definition of the assessment of any work of literature or art without discounts and concessions, and then became more widespread and began to be used in the assessment of certain social phenomena.

Hero of our time

The title of the novel by M. Yu. Lermontov (1840), possibly inspired by “A Knight of Our Time” by N. M. Karamzin. Allegorically: a person whose thoughts and deeds most fully express the spirit of modernity. The expression is used in a positive sense or ironically, in accordance with the personality of the person to whom it is applied.

The hero is not my novel

Chatsky

But Skalozub? What a treat!
Stands up for the army,
And with the straightness of the waist,
In face and voice - a hero...

Sophia

Not my novel.

The expression is used to mean: not to my taste.

Burn the hearts of people with the verb

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “The Prophet” (1828).
Used in the meaning: ardently, passionately preach, teach.

Eye, speed, pressure

Aphorism of the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov. With these words, in his “Science of Conquering” (written in 1796, first edition 1806) he defined the “three arts of war.”

A stupid penguin timidly hides its fat body in the rocks

Quote from “Song of the Petrel” (1901) by M. Gorky.

Rotten liberalism

An expression by M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin (1826–1889) from the satirical essay (1875) “The Lords of Silence” (from the series “In the midst of moderation and accuracy”), which became synonymous with unprincipledness, conciliation, connivance.

Hunger is not a thing

This is what they say about severe hunger, forcing one to take some kind of action. These words are part of an extended expression written down back in the 17th century: hunger is not an aunt’s, he won’t slip a pie, i.e., an aunt (godfather, mother-in-law) will help in difficult cases, feed you nourishingly and tasty food, but hunger can only push you to do many unwanted things. actions.

Woe from mind

The title of the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov.

D

Was there a boy?

One of the episodes of M. Gorky’s novel “The Life of Klim Samgin” (1927) tells about the boy Klim skating with other children. Boris Varavka and Varya Somova fall into the wormwood. Klim hands Boris the end of his gymnasium belt, but, feeling that he too is being pulled into the water, he lets go of the belt. Children are drowning. When the search for the drowned begins, Klim is struck by “someone’s serious, incredulous question: “Was there a boy, maybe there wasn’t a boy?”” The last phrase became a catchphrase, as a figurative expression of extreme doubt about something.

Yes, but things are still there

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “Swan, Pike and Cancer” (1814). Used to mean: things don’t move, they stand still, and fruitless conversations take place around them.

The lady is nice in every way

An expression from N. V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842): “Whatever name you come up with, there will certainly be in some corner of our state - the good thing is great - someone wearing it, and he will certainly get angry... and therefore Let’s call the lady to whom the guest came, as she legally acquired, for, of course, she spared nothing to become amiable to the last degree, although, of course, through the amiability, oh, what a nimble agility of a woman’s character crept in! and although sometimes in every pleasant word of hers, what a pin stuck out ... "

Give oak

Used to mean “to die.” There are two versions of the origin of this expression:

1. The phrase arose on Russian soil and is associated with the verb zadubet - “to cool down, lose sensitivity, become hard.”
2. The expression originated in the south of Russia. It can be assumed that the dead were buried under the oak tree.

Twenty two misfortunes

This is how in A.P. Chekhov’s play “The Cherry Orchard” (1903) they call the clerk Epikhodov, with whom some comic misfortune happens every day. The expression is applied to losers to whom some misfortune constantly occurs.

Noble nest

The title of the novel by I. S. Turgenev (1859), which became synonymous with a noble estate. This expression was used by Turgenev even earlier, in the story “My Neighbor Radilov” (1847).

Things of days gone by
Legends of deep antiquity

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1820), which is a close translation of the verses of one of Ossian’s poems, created by the English writer James Macpherson (1736–1796) and attributed by him to this legendary ancient Celtic bard. Allegorically about long-standing and unreliable events that few people remember.

It's in the bag

When they say “it’s in the bag”, it means: everything is in order, everything ended well. The origin of this expression is sometimes explained by the fact that in the time of Ivan the Terrible, some court cases were decided by lot, and lots were drawn from the judge’s hat. There are other explanations for the origin of the expression. Some researchers argue that clerks and clerks (they were the ones who dealt with all kinds of litigation), when dealing with court cases, used their hats to receive bribes, and if the size of the bribe suited the clerk, then “it was in the bag.”

The work of helping drowning people is the work of the drowning people themselves

The satirical novel “Twelve Chairs” (1927) by I. Ilf (1897–1937) and E. Petrov (1902–1942) mentions a poster with such an absurd slogan hung in a club at an evening of the Water Rescue Society. This slogan began to be used, sometimes in a slightly modified version, as a humorous aphorism about self-help.

Time for business and time for fun

In 1656, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629–1676), “The Book of the Constable: a New Code and Order of the Falconer’s Way” was compiled, that is, a collection of rules for falconry, a favorite pastime of that time. At the end of the preface, Alexey Mikhailovich made a handwritten note: “The prelogue is bookish or his own; This parable is spiritual and physical; “Don’t forget truth and justice and merciful love and military formation: it’s time for business and fun.” The words of the postscript have become an expression that is often interpreted not quite correctly, understanding the word “time” as the larger part, and the word “hour” as the smaller part, as a result of which the expression itself is changed: “it’s time for business, but it’s time for fun.” But the king did not even think about giving only an hour out of his whole time to fun. These words express the idea that there is a time for everything - both business and fun.

Demyanova's ear

The expression is used in the meaning: forced excessive treats against the wishes of the person being treated; generally anything persistently proposed. It arose from I. A. Krylov’s fable “Demyan’s Ear” (1813). Neighbor Demyan treated neighbor Foku’s fish soup so much that he

No matter how much I loved the fish soup, it’s such a disaster,
Grabbing in his arms
Sash and hat,
Hurry home without memory -
And from that time on, I never set foot near Demyan.

Derzhimorda

The character of N. V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” (1836), a rude police servant who, according to Gorodnichy, “for the sake of order, puts lights under everyone’s eyes, both the right and the wrong.” His name entered literary speech with the meaning: a rude guardian of order, blindly carrying out orders from above.

Catch up and overtake

The expression arose from V. I. Lenin’s article “The Impending Catastrophe and How to Deal with It” (1917). In this article, V.I. Lenin wrote: “The revolution did what in a few months Russia, in its own way, political the formation has caught up with the advanced countries. But this is not enough. War is inexorable, it poses the question with merciless sharpness: either perish, or catch up with the advanced countries and overtake them as well. economically". The same slogan - “catch up and overtake America!” – was put forward again in the 1960s. First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee N. S. Khrushchev (1894–1971). Quoted as a call to win a competition (usually economic) with someone. Used both literally and ironically.

Doctor Aibolit

The hero of the fairy tale by K. I. Chukovsky (1882–1969) “Aibolit” (1929). The name of the “good doctor” Aibolit began to be used (at first by children) as a playfully affectionate name for a doctor.

Domostroy

“Domostroy” is a monument of Russian literature of the 16th century, which is a set of everyday rules and moral teachings. These rules, set out in more than sixty chapters, were based on a firmly developed worldview that had developed under the influence of the church. “Domostroy” teaches “how to believe,” “how to honor the king,” “how to live with wives and children and household members,” and normalizes home life and household management. The ideal of any economy, according to Domostroi, is hoarding, which should help to acquire wealth, which is achievable only under the condition of the autocracy of the head of the family. The husband, according to Domostroy, is the head of the family, the master of his wife, and Domostroy indicates in detail in what cases he must beat his wife, etc. Hence the word “Domostroy” means: a conservative way of family life, a morality that affirms slavish woman's position.

Fight like Sidorov's goat

Used to mean: to flog or beat someone strongly, cruelly and mercilessly. The name Sidor among the people was often associated with the idea of ​​an evil or grumpy person, and a goat, according to popular ideas, is an animal with a harmful character.

Darling

The heroine of the story of the same name by A.P. Chekhov (1899), an ingenuous woman who changes her interests and views as her lovers change, through whose eyes she looks at life. The image of Chekhov's “darling” also characterizes people who change their beliefs and views depending on who is influencing them at a given time.

Breathing on your last breath

This is what they say about a thin, weak, sickly-looking person who does not have long to live. The expression is based on the religious symbolism of the word “incense”. In the church, incense is burned (they rock a vessel containing smoking incense). This rite is performed, in particular, before the dead or dying.

E

There is life in the old dog yet

Quote from N.V. Gogol’s story “Taras Bulba” (1842). Allegorically about the ability to do a lot more; about good health, good health, or the great potential of a person who is capable of many significant things, although those around him no longer expect this from him.

There is something to despair about

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824). Chatsky, interrupting Repetilov’s lies, tells him:

Listen, lie, but know when to stop;
There is something to despair about.

There is ecstasy in battle,
And the dark abyss on the edge

Quote from the dramatic scene of A. S. Pushkin “A Feast during the Plague” (1832), song of the chairman of the feast. Used as a formula to justify unnecessarily risky behavior.

AND

Alive Smoking Room

An expression from a folk children's song sung when playing "Smoking Room". The players sit in a circle and pass each other a burning splinter with the refrain: “The Smoking Room is alive, alive, thin legs, short soul.” The one in whose hands the torch goes out leaves the circle. This is where the expression “the Smoking Room is alive” came from, used as a playful exclamation when referring to the ongoing activities of insignificant people, as well as the continuous activities of someone in difficult conditions.

Living water

In Russian folk tales there is magical water that revives the dead and gives heroic strength.

Live and let others live

The first line of the poem by G. R. Derzhavin (1743–1816) “On the Birth of Queen Gremislava” (1798):

Live and let others live,
But not at the expense of another;
Always be happy with yours
Don't touch anything else:
Here is the rule, the path is straight
For the happiness of each and everyone.

Derzhavin is the author of this poetic formula, but not the very thought contained in it, which has long existed as a proverb in different languages. Its French version was also widely known in Russia - “Vivons et laissons vivre les autres”. The authorship of this idea is unknown. But in any case, its Russian translation became an aphorism thanks to G.R. Derzhavin.

By Queen Gremislava the poet means the Russian Empress Catherine the Great. According to legend, the expression “live and let others live” was her favorite saying.

Allegorically: a call to be attentive to the interests of other people, to seek a compromise with them, a certain formula of coexistence that suits everyone.

Living corpse

The expression became widespread after the appearance of the drama “The Living Corpse” (1911) by L. N. Tolstoy, the hero of which, Fedya Protasov, feigning suicide, hides from his wife and people of his circle and lives among the dregs of society, being in his own eyes a “living corpse” . Now the expression “living corpse” is used in the sense of: a degraded person, morally devastated, as well as in general something deadened that has outlived its usefulness.

3

Out of reach

The expression belongs to Admiral F.V. Dubasov (1845–1912), known for the brutal suppression of the Moscow armed uprising. In his “victorious” report to Nicholas II dated December 22, 1905, Dubasov wrote: “Retreating, the rebels, on the one hand, tried and managed to quickly remove the elected leaders beyond the reach of, on the other hand, they left scattered, but the most irreconcilable and embittered fighters... I cannot recognize the rebellious movement as completely suppressed.”

Far away.
Far away [thirtieth] kingdom

An expression often found in Russian folk tales with the meaning: far away, in an unknown distance.

Forget yourself and fall asleep!

Quote from the poem by M. Yu. Lermontov “I go out alone on the road”:

I don't expect anything from life,
And I don’t regret the past at all;
I'm looking for freedom and peace!
I would like to forget myself and fall asleep!

Shabby look

This expression appeared under Peter I (1672–1725). Zatrapeznikov is the name of a merchant whose factory produced very coarse and low-quality fabric. Since then, this has been said about a sloppily dressed person.

Abstruse language. Zaum

Terms created by the poet and futurism theorist A.E. Kruchenykh. In the “Declaration of the Word as Such” (1913), the essence of “zaumi” is defined as follows: “Thought and speech do not keep pace with the experience of the inspired, therefore the artist is free to express himself not only in a general language... but also in a personal one... without a specific meaning... abstruse. On the basis of this far-fetched false theory, futurist poets created words devoid of any substantive and semantic meaning; they wrote, for example, the following poems: “Serzha melepeta was overshadowed by ok rizum meleva alik.” Therefore, the terms “abstruse” and “abstruse language” began to be used to mean: a language incomprehensible to the broad masses, generally nonsense.

Hello, young, unfamiliar tribe!

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Once again I visited / That corner of the earth...” (1835):

Hello tribe
Young, unfamiliar! not me
I will see your mighty late age,
When you outgrow my friends
And you will cover their old head
From the eyes of a passerby...

It is used as a humorous and solemn greeting addressed to youth and young colleagues.

Green grapes

The expression came into wide circulation after the appearance of I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes” (1808). The fox, who cannot reach the high-hanging bunches of grapes, says:

He looks good,
Yes it is green - there are no ripe berries,
You'll set your teeth on edge right away.

Used to denote imaginary contempt for something that cannot be achieved.

Hot spot

An expression from the Orthodox funeral prayer (“...in a place of peace, in a place of peace...”). This is how heaven is called in texts in Church Slavonic. The figurative meaning of this expression is “a cheerful place” or “a satisfying place” (such a place in old Russia could be a tavern). Over time, this expression acquired a negative connotation - a place where they indulge in revelry and debauchery.

AND

And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words of Chatsky, who returned from his trip. Recalling old Muscovites with sarcasm, he says:

I am destined to see them again!
Will you get tired of living with them, and in whom you won’t find any stains?
When you wander, you return home,
And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us.

Griboedov’s last phrase is a not entirely accurate quote from G. R. Derzhavin’s poem “The Harp” (1798):

Good news about our side is dear to us:
Fatherland and smoke is sweet and pleasant to us.

Derzhavin’s phrase came into wide circulation, of course, as a quotation from Griboedov’s comedy. Allegorically about love, affection for one’s fatherland, when even the smallest signs of one’s own, dear one cause joy and tenderness.

And live in a hurry and feel in a hurry

Quote from the poem by P. A. Vyazemsky (1792–1878) “The First Snow” (1822). Taken by A. S. Pushkin as an epigraph to the 1st chapter of “Eugene Onegin.” Allegorically: 1. About a person who, although he is in a hurry, cannot complete anything. 2. About someone who strives to take as much as possible from life, to enjoy everything, without particularly thinking about the price that will have to be paid for it.

And it’s boring, and sad, and there’s no one to give a hand to

Quote from M. Yu. Lermontov’s poem “Both Boring and Sad” (1840):

And it’s boring, and sad, and there’s no one to give a hand to
In a moment of spiritual adversity...
Desires! What benefit is there to wish for in vain and forever?
And the years pass - all the best years...

Allegorically about loneliness, the absence of loved ones.

And again the battle!
We only dream of peace

Quote from the poem by A. A. Blok (1880–1921) “On the Kulikovo Field” (1909). Allegorically about the determination to fight further to achieve the goal.

And the one who walks through life singing,
He will never disappear anywhere

Chorus of the popular march from the film “Jolly Fellows” (1934), lyrics by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach (1898–1949), music by I. O. Dunaevsky (1900–1955).

Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforov

Characters of “The Tale of How Ivan Ivanovich Quarreled with Ivan Nikiforovich” (1834) by N. V. Gogol. The names of these two Mirgorod inhabitants have become household names for people who constantly quarrel with each other, synonymous with squabbles and gossip.

Ivan Nepomniachtchi

IN In tsarist Russia, captured escaped convicts, hiding their past, hid their real first and last names, called themselves Ivans and said that they did not remember their relationship; the police recorded them as “not remembering their kinship,” hence their nickname “Ivan Nepomniachtchi.”

I'm coming at you

Prince Svyatoslav, starting the war, announced to the enemy in advance: “I want to go against you.” N. M. Karamzin (1766–1826), relaying the chronicle legend, cites Svyatoslav’s phrase in the form: “I’m coming at you!” The phrase became popular in the editorial office: “I’m coming to you.” Used to mean: I intend to enter into confrontation, argument, dispute, etc.

A spark will ignite a flame

Quote from a poem by the Decembrist poet A. I. Odoevsky (1802–1839), written in Siberia in response to the poetic message of A. S. Pushkin (1826), addressed to the Decembrists exiled to hard labor (“In the depths of the Siberian ores / Keep proud patience ...").

Allegorically about faith in success, the victory of one’s business, despite its difficult beginning.

For the love of art

An expression from the vaudeville of D. T. Lensky (1805–1860) “Lev Gurych Sinichkin” (1839). One of the vaudeville characters, Count Zefirov, trails pretty actresses, playing the philanthropist who patronizes the local troupe. His favorite expression, which he repeats every minute: “For the love of art.”

Used in the meaning: out of love for the work itself, occupation, without any selfish goals.

From a beautiful distance

An expression from N. V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842): “Rus! Rus! I see you from my wonderful, beautiful distance, I see you" (almost the entire 1st volume " Dead souls"was written by Gogol abroad). It is quoted as a playfully ironic designation of a place where a person is freed from ordinary worries, difficulties, and problems.

Hut on chicken legs

In Russian folk tales, Baba Yaga lives in such a hut. This figurative name comes from those wooden log houses that in the old days, in order to protect them from rotting, were placed on stumps with the roots cut off.

Highlight

The expression arose from a popular proverb: “Kvass is not dear, but the zest in kvass is dear.” It became popular after the appearance of L. N. Tolstoy’s drama “The Living Corpse” (1912). The hero of the drama, Protasov, talking about his family life, says: “My wife was an ideal woman... But what can I tell you? There was no zest - you know, there is zest in kvass? – there was no game in our lives. And I needed to forget. And without playing you won’t be forgotten...” Used in the meaning: something that gives a special taste, attractiveness to something (a dish, a story, a person, etc.).

TO

Kazan orphan

This is the name given to a person who pretends to be unhappy, offended, helpless in order to evoke the sympathy of compassionate people. With this expression during the time of Ivan the Terrible (1530–1584) they jokingly called the Tatar princes who converted to Christianity after the conquest of Kazan and sought honors at the royal court. In their petitions they often called themselves orphans. Another option is also possible: after the conquest of Kazan, many beggars appeared who pretended to be victims of the war and said that their parents died during the siege of Kazan.

Like a squirrel in a wheel

An expression from I. A. Krylov’s fable “Squirrel” (1833):

Look at another businessman:
He fusses, rushes about, everyone marvels at him:
He seems to be breaking out of his skin,
Yes, but everything doesn’t move forward,
Like a squirrel in a wheel.

The expression is used to mean: constantly fussing, fussing without visible results.

No matter what happens

Words of teacher Belikov from A.P. Chekhov’s story “The Man in a Case” (1898). Quoted as the definition of cowardice, alarmism.

How did you come to live like this?

Quote from a poem N. A. Nekrasova (1821–1878) "Poor and elegant" (1861):

Let’s call her over and ask her:
“How did you come to live like this?..”

Used to express bewilderment and regret about the troubles that befell a person.

Like under every leaf
The table and the house were ready

Quote from the fable “The Dragonfly and the Ant” (1808) by I. A. Krylov. The expression is given to characterize easily, effortlessly achieved material security.

Like water off a duck's back

Due to the fatty lubricant of the feathers, water easily rolls off the goose. This observation led to the appearance of this expression. It is used to denote a person who is indifferent to everything, doesn’t care about everything.

How beautiful, how fresh the roses were...

This line is from the poem “Roses” by I. P. Myatlev (1796–1844). It is used when they sadly remember something joyful, bright, but long past.

Capital to acquire and innocence to maintain

An expression popularized by M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin (“Letters to Auntie” (1882), “Little Things in Life” (1887), “Mon Repos Shelter” (1879), etc.). Used in the meaning: to satisfy one’s selfish interests, while trying to maintain the reputation of a disinterested person, an altruist.

Karamazovism

A word that came into widespread use after the publication of F. M. Dostoevsky’s novel “The Brothers Karamazov” (1879–1880). This word denotes the extreme degree of moral irresponsibility and cynicism (“everything is allowed”), which constitute the essence of the worldview and morals of the main characters.

Karataev.
Karataevshchina

Platon Karataev is one of the heroes of L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” (1865–1869). His humility and meek-kind attitude towards any manifestation of evil (“non-resistance to evil”) expresses, according to Tolstoy, the essence of the Russian peasantry, genuine folk wisdom.

Kiseynaya young lady [girl]

Apparently, for the first time this expression entered literary speech from the novel by N. G. Pomyalovsky (1835–1863) “Pittish Happiness” (1861). Used to mean: a cutesy, pampered girl with a limited outlook.

Knock out a wedge with a wedge

It means “to get rid of something (bad, difficult) by acting as if it does not exist, or by resorting to exactly what caused it.” The expression is associated with wood splitting, in which logs are split by driving a wedge into a crack made with an ax. If the wedge gets stuck in the wood without splitting it, then you can knock it out (and at the same time split the log) only with a second, thicker wedge.

Kolomenskaya verst

This is the name given to long and thin people. In the 17th century, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, on the “pillar” road (that is, a road with mileposts) between Moscow and the royal summer residence in the village of Kolomenskoye, distances were re-measured and “versts” were installed - especially high mileposts, from which and this expression started.

Who can live well in Rus'?

The title of the poem by N. A. Nekrasov, the first chapter of which was published in 1866. Seven peasants, having argued about

Who has fun?
Freely in Rus', -

they decide not to return home until they find an answer to this question, and walk around Rus' in search of “who can live well in Rus'.” Quoted as a humorous and ironic commentary on all kinds of sociological studies, surveys, their results, etc.

Kondrashka had enough

This is what they say if someone suddenly died or passed away (about apoplexy, paralysis). There are several versions of the origin of the turnover:

1. the phraseological unit goes back to the name of Kondraty Bulavin, the leader of the popular uprising on the Don in 1707;
2. Kondrashka is a euphemistic name for death, serious illness, paralysis, characteristic of popular superstition.

Ends in the water

The expression is associated with the name of Ivan the Terrible. Repressions against the population under this tsar sometimes took on such a scale that they embarrassed even Ivan himself. In such cases, in order to hide the true scale of the executions, people who died from torture were secretly thrown into the river. Hiding the loose ends means covering up the traces of the crime.

The horse didn't lie

Used to mean: nothing has been done yet, the work is still far from starting. The origin of the turnover is associated with the habit of horses to wallow before allowing a collar or saddle to be put on, which delayed work.

Box

Character from N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842): “... one of those mothers, small landowners who cry about crop failures, losses... and meanwhile they gradually collect money in colorful bags placed in dresser drawers. All the rubles are taken into one bag, fifty rubles into another, quarters into a third, although from the outside it seems as if there is nothing in the chest of drawers except linen, night blouses, skeins of thread, and a torn cloak, which can then turn into a dress if the old one will somehow burn out while baking holiday cakes with all sorts of yarn, or it will wear out on its own. But the dress will not burn or fray on its own; the old woman is thrifty, and the cloak is destined to lie for a long time in a ripped state, and then, according to the spiritual will, go to the niece of her grand-sister along with all other rubbish.” The name Korobochka has become synonymous with a person who lives by petty interests, a petty skopid.

Blood with milk

This is what they say about a ruddy, healthy person. An expression from Russian folklore, which combines folk ideas about the beauty of color: red as blood and white as milk. In Rus', a white face and blush on the cheeks have long been considered a sign of beauty, which was evidence of good health.

The cuckoo praises the rooster
Because he praises the cuckoo

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Cuckoo and the Rooster” (1841):

Why, without fear of sin,
Does the cuckoo praise the rooster?
Because he praises the cuckoo.

L

Extraordinary lightness in thoughts

The words of the boastful Khlestakov in N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” (1836): “However, there are many of mine: The Marriage of Figaro, Robert the Devil, Norma. I don’t even remember the names; And it all happened by chance: I didn’t want to write, but the theater management said: “Please, brother, write something.” I think to myself: “If you please, brother!” And then in one evening, it seems, he wrote everything, astonishing everyone. I have an extraordinary lightness in my thoughts.”

Get into trouble

It means: in rage and blindness, to go against common sense to obvious death, to “run into” trouble. “Rozhnom” in the Old Russian language (and now in local dialects) was the name for a pointed stake. When hunting a bear, daredevils put a sharp stake in front of them when they went at it. Having run into trouble, the bear died. The expression “to fight against the prick” or, conversely, “you can’t trample against the prick” has the same origin. Hence the “don’t care” in the sense: there is nothing.

Extra people.
Extra person

From “The Diary of an Extra Man” (1850) by I. S. Turgenev. The image of the “superfluous man” was very popular in Russian literature of the 19th century. as a type of nobleman who, in the current socio-political conditions, does not find a place for himself in life, cannot self-realize and suffers from this, languishing in inactivity. The very interpretation of the “superfluous person” - precisely as a very specific social type - served for many authors of those years as a form of indirect, non-political protest against the prevailing living conditions in Russia.

Usually the expression is used in relation to people who are in some way similar to these heroes of Russian classical literature.

A ray of light in a dark kingdom

The title of the article (1860) by N. A. Dobrolyubov (1836–1861), dedicated to the drama “The Thunderstorm” by A. N. Ostrovsky (1823–1886). Dobrolyubov views the suicide of the heroine of the drama, Katerina, as a protest against the tyranny and tyranny of the “dark kingdom.” This protest is passive, but it indicates that the consciousness of their natural rights is already awakening among the oppressed masses, that the time of slavish obedience is passing. That’s why Dobrolyubov called Katerina “a ray of light in a dark kingdom.” Allegorically: a joyful, bright phenomenon (a kind, pleasant person) in some difficult, depressing situation.

Less is more

Title of the article (1923) by V.I. Lenin. The phrase is a symbol of the priority of quality over quantity.

All ages are submissive to love

Quote from the poem “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. It is used as a playfully ironic commentary on the passionate, youthful feelings of an elderly man.

Ogress Ellochka

“William Shakespeare’s dictionary, according to researchers, is 12,000 words. The dictionary of a black man from the cannibal tribe “Mumbo-Yumbo” is 300 words.

Ellochka Shchukina easily and freely made do with thirty.”

This is how Chapter XXII, Part II “Ellochka the Ogress” begins in the novel by Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov “The Twelve Chairs” (1928).

In the vocabulary of the bourgeois Ellochka, words such as “famous”, “darkness”, “creep”, “guy”, “taxo”, etc., serve to express all her wretched feelings and thoughts. Her name has become a household name for people who pepper their meager speech with made-up words and vulgarisms.

Sharpen the laces

The expression “to sharpen your lasses” means “to chat nonsense, to engage in frivolous, pointless conversation.” The expression goes from simple ancient work - making balusters: turned posts for railings. Lyasy - presumably the same as balusters, balusters. A baluster was a turner who made balusters (in a figurative sense - a joker, funny man, joker). The baluster craft was considered fun and easy, not requiring special concentration and giving the master the opportunity to sing, joke, and chat with others.

M

Manilov. Manilovschina

Manilov is one of the heroes of N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842), a landowner, cloyingly sweet in his treatment of his family and guests, a sentimental, sterile dreamer.

Disservice

The expression arose from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Hermit and the Bear” (1808). Used to mean: an inept, awkward service that brings harm or trouble instead of help.

Dead souls

The title of the poem by N.V. Gogol, the main character of which Chichikov, with a speculative purpose, buys “dead souls” from landowners, who, according to documents, were listed as alive before the next census. The expression has become popular in its meaning: people fictitiously registered somewhere, as well as people “dead in spirit.”

Philistine happiness

Title of the story (1861) by N. G. Pomyalovsky. Used to mean: life without high goals, aspirations, filled with small, everyday worries, acquisitions, etc.

A million torments

Chatsky’s words in A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824):

Yes, there is no urine: a million torments
Breasts from friendly vices,
Feet from shuffling, ears from exclamations,
And worse than my head from all sorts of trifles.

The expression became popular thanks to the widely known article “A Million Torments” (1872) by writer Ivan Goncharov (1812–1891), who reinterpreted Griboyedov’s expression in it in the spirit of his time - spiritual, moral torment.

It is used humorously and ironically: in relation to all kinds of nervous, long, varied efforts, as well as to heavy thoughts and doubts regarding some important matter.

Pass us away more than all sorrows
And lordly anger and lordly love

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”, words from the maid Lisa. Allegorically: it is better to stay away from the special attention of people on whom you depend, since there is only one step from their love to their hatred.

Mitrofan

The main character of the comedy “The Minor” (1782) by D. I. Fonvizin is a stupid landowner’s son, a spoiled minor, a lazy person, incapable of learning. His name became a household name for people of this type.

I don't care about your gift
Dear your love

Expression from the Russian folk song “On the Pavement Street”:

Oh, my darling is good,
Chernobrov, soul, handsome,
He brought me a gift,
Dear gift,
A gold ring from the hand.
Your gift is not dear to me, -
Dear is your love.
I don't want to wear a ring
I want to love my friend like that.

The meaning of the expression: what is important is not the cost and sophistication of the gift, but the feelings that it is intended to express.

My universities

The title of an autobiographical story (1923) by M. Gorky; He calls the school of life he went through universities.

The expression is often used by replacing the word “my” with another that suits the occasion.

Young everywhere at we are dear

Quote from “Song of the Motherland” in the film “Circus” (1936), text by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach, music by I. O. Dunaevsky. It is used both literally and ironically, depending on the situation.

Milk rivers and jelly banks

An expression from a Russian folk tale. Used as a figurative definition of a carefree, free life.

Molchalin. Silence

Molchalin is a character in A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), a type of careerist, obsequious and modest before his superiors; He defines his virtues in two words: “moderation and accuracy.” His name and the word “silence” that arose from it became synonymous with careerism and servility.

Moscow... so much in this sound
For the Russian heart it has merged!
How much resonated with him!

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. Expresses admiration for the capital of Russia, the historical and national characteristics of Moscow, and its appearance.

We all learned a little,
Something and somehow

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. Used when talking about amateurism, shallow, superficial knowledge in any area.

We cannot wait for favors from nature; taking them from her is our task

The expression belongs to the Soviet biologist-geneticist breeder I.V. Michurin (1855–1935), who in practice, on a large scale, showed the possibility of changing the hereditary forms of organisms, adapting them to human needs. Quoted ironically about the absurd, objectively harmful plans for the interests of humanity to “conquer” nature. The phrase is a symbol of consumer attitude towards nature.

We plowed

Quote from the fable by I. I. Dmitriev (1760–1837) “The Fly” (1803):

The ox with the plow trudged through his labors to rest,
And the Fly sat on his horns,
And they met Mukha on the way.
“Where are you from, sister?” – this was the question.
And she, raising her nose,
In response he says to her: “Where from?” –
We were plowing!”

The quote is used to characterize people who want to show that they took an active part in some work, although in reality their role was insignificant and they attribute to themselves the merits of others.

We were born to make a fairy tale come true

Quote from the poem by P. D. German (1894–1952) “Everything Higher,” dedicated to Soviet pilots:

We were born to make a fairy tale come true,
Overcome space and space.
The mind gave us steel arms - wings,
And instead of a heart there is a fiery motor...

The poem set to music gained wide popularity, and its first line became famous. Used ironically in relation to discredited socialist doctrines and political slogans. Also used as humorous self-praise.

N

To grandfather's village

In A. P. Chekhov’s story “Vanka” (1886), a nine-year-old peasant boy, Vanka Zhukov, brought from the village to Moscow and apprenticed to a shoemaker, writes a letter to his grandfather. “Vanka folded the covered sheet of paper into four and put it in an envelope he had bought the day before for a penny... After thinking a little, he dipped his pen and wrote the address: “To grandfather’s village.” Then he scratched himself, thought and added: “To Konstantin Makarych.” The expression “to grandfather’s village” is used jokingly when talking about an inaccurate address or its absence.

At the bottom

“At the Bottom” is the title of M. Gorky’s play, first staged at the Moscow Art Theater on December 18, 1902. The first edition of the play, published the same year in Munich, was entitled “At the Bottom of Life.” According to I. A. Bunin, Leonid Andreev advised Gorky to give the play the title “At the Bottom” instead of “At the Bottom of Life”.

These expressions are used when talking about the lowest rung of the social ladder, about the actual “dropping out” of normal life.

At the dawn of foggy youth

Quote from the poem “Separation” (1840) by A. V. Koltsov (1809–1842), set to music by A. Gurilev (1803–1858) and other composers. Used to mean: once upon a time, a long time ago.

Cuts the soles as you go

The expression originated from a Russian folk tale about thieves. The old thief agreed to take a young guy as his comrade, but with a persuasion: “I’ll take it... if you steal eggs from under a wild duck, you’ll steal them so that she won’t hear and won’t fly from the nest.” - “What a curiosity!” – the guy answered. So they set off together, found a duck’s nest and crawled towards it on their belly. While the uncle (thief) was still creeping up, the guy had already taken all the eggs from the nest, and so cunningly that the bird didn’t even move a feather; Yes, not only did he pick out the eggs, but in passing he cut out the soles of the old thief’s boots. “Well, Vanka, there’s nothing to teach you, you’re a great master yourself!” This is how they jokingly talk about a cunning, cunning person, capable of fraudulent tricks.

The song helps us build and live

Quote from the “March of Cheerful Guys”, words by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach, music by I. O. Dunaevsky from the film “Merry Guys” (1934).

The people are silent

The tragedy of A. S. Pushkin “Boris Godunov” (1831) ends with the following scene: boyar Masalsky, one of the murderers of Boris Godunov’s widow and her son, announces to the people: “People! Maria Godunova and her son Theodore poisoned themselves. We saw their dead bodies. (The people are silent in horror.) Why are you silent? Shout: long live Tsar Dimitri Ivanovich! (The people are silent.)"

The last remark, having become a catchphrase, is used when it comes to: 1. About the resigned obedience of the people to the authorities, about the lack of desire, will, and courage to defend their interests. 2. About the silence of those present when discussing an important issue.

Our regiment has arrived

An expression from the ancient “game” song “And we sowed millet,” known in many versions. This expression, as a rule, is used to mean: there have been more people like us (in some respect).

Can't dance

The expression is used to mean: it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out as it should. It arose from N.V. Gogol’s story “The Enchanted Place” (1832). The old grandfather, tipsy, started dancing, “went to kick horseradish all over the smooth place that was near the cucumber bed. However, I had only just reached halfway and wanted to take a walk and throw some of my things into the whirlwind with my feet - my legs wouldn’t rise, and that’s all!.. I accelerated again, reached the middle - it wouldn’t take me! whatever you do: it doesn’t take it, and it doesn’t take it! Legs like wooden steel. “Look, this is a devilish place! Look, a satanic obsession!..” He set off again and began scratching fractionally, finely, to look at; to the middle - no! doesn’t dance, that’s all!”

Don't tempt me unnecessarily

Quote from a poem by E. A. Baratynsky (1800–1844) "Disbelief" (1821), set to music by M. I. Glinka (1825):

Don't tempt me unnecessarily
The return of your tenderness.
Alien to the disappointed
All the illusions of former days!

Ironically about your lack of faith in someone’s promises, assurances, etc.

It didn't fit in

This is how in the old days they talked about “movable property” (especially domestic animals), the acquisition of which ended in failure (the dishes broke, the horse died, etc.).

This expression is associated with the belief in brownies, who, according to our distant ancestors, were in charge of the entire “house and yard” and were their secret masters. Then “it didn’t fit in” meant: the brownie didn’t like it.

Nowadays the expression “out of place” is used in the sense of “inopportunely, not to one’s liking.”

Without further ado

An expression from A. S. Pushkin’s tragedy “Boris Godunov” (1831), scene “Night. Cell in the Chudov Monastery”, words of the chronicler Pimen:

Describe without further ado,
All that you will witness in life.

The expression is used to mean: no frills, simple.

Inspiration is not for sale
But you can sell the manuscript

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Conversation between a bookseller and a poet” (1825). Used to mean: the commercial interest of the artist does not contradict the freedom of his creativity.

Slurping not salty

The origin of this expression is due to the fact that salt in Rus' was an expensive and difficult to obtain product. The owner always salted the food: the one he loved and respected received more salt, but the humble visitor sometimes received no salt at all. Today, “having eaten without salt” means “having been deceived in one’s expectations, not achieving what one wanted, having met with a bad reception.”

I don't want to study, I want to get married

Words of Mitrofanushka from the comedy “The Minor” (1782) by D. I. Fonvizin: “The hour of my will has come: I don’t want to study, I want to get married.” Quoted as an ironic commentary on the sentiments of idle, lazy, narrow-minded teenagers interested only in entertainment.

The sky is in diamonds

An expression from A. P. Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” (1897). Sonya, consoling Uncle Vanya, tired and exhausted by life, says: “We will rest! We will hear the angels, we will see the whole sky in diamonds, we will see how all the evil on earth, all our suffering will drown in mercy, which will fill the whole world, and our life will become quiet, gentle, sweet, like a caress.”

The phrase is usually used humorously and ironically as a symbol of unattainable harmony, peace, happiness, and fulfillment of desires.

Neither fluff nor feather

This expression was originally used as a “spell” designed to deceive evil spirits. This is how they advised those going hunting; it was believed that by directly wishing good luck one could “jinx” the prey. Rude answer: “To hell with it!” should have further protected the hunter.

No one will embrace the immensity

Aphorism from “Fruits of Thoughts” (1854) by Kozma Prutkov.

Nothing is new [eternal] under the moon

From the poem “Experienced Solomon’s Wisdom, or Selected Thoughts from Ecclesiastes” (1797) by N. M. Karamzin:

There's nothing new under the sun:
What is, has been, will forever be.
And before, blood flowed like a river,
And before, a man cried...

In the first line, Karamzin used a popular Latin expression, well known in Russia both in the Russian translation and in the original language: Nil novi sub luna - nothing new under the sun.

Karamzin’s work itself is a poetic imitation of the famous biblical text: “What was, that will be; and what has been done will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. There is something about which they say: “Look, this is new,” but This it was already in the centuries that came before us..."

Nozdrev. Nozdrevshchina

One of the heroes of N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842): “Everyone has had to meet a lot of such people. They are called broken little ones... In their faces you can always see something open, direct, and daring. They soon get to know each other, and before you know it, they’re already saying “you.” They will make friendship, it seems, forever; but it almost always happens that the friend will fight with them that same evening at a friendly party. They are always talkers, revelers, reckless people, prominent people... The closer someone got along with him, he was the more likely to make trouble for everyone: he spread a tall tale, the stupidest of which is difficult to invent, upset a wedding, a trade deal, and did not at all consider himself your enemy... Maybe they will call him beaten character, they will say that now Nozdryov is no longer there. Alas! those who speak like this will be unjust. Nozdryov will not leave the world for a long time. He’s everywhere between us and maybe he’s just wearing a different caftan.” His name became synonymous with an empty talker, a gossip, a petty swindler; the word “nozdrevshchina” is synonymous with chatter and boasting.

ABOUT

Oh my friend, Arkady Nikolaich, don’t speak beautifully

An expression from I. S. Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” (1862): “Look,” Arkady suddenly said, “a dry maple leaf has come off and is falling to the ground; its movements are completely similar to the flight of a butterfly. Isn't it strange? The saddest and deadest is similar to the most cheerful and alive.” - “Oh, my friend, Arkady Nikolaich! - exclaimed Bazarov. “I ask you one thing: don’t speak beautifully.” Bazarov's phrase is characterized by excessive eloquence where simplicity and logical sobriety of judgment are required.

Oblomov. Oblomovism

Oblomov - the hero of the novel of the same name (1859) I. A. Goncharova (1812–1891), a landowner living a sleepy, lazy, inactive life, filled with idle dreams. His friend Stolz, a businessman and practitioner, calls this life “Oblomovism.”

The expressions “Oblomov”, “Oblomovshchina”, the popularity of which was greatly promoted by N. A. Dobrolyubov’s article “What is Oblomovshchina?” (1859), have become synonymous with mental laziness, inactivity, and a passive attitude towards life.

Formed

In L. N. Tolstoy’s novel “Anna Karenina” (1875), the valet uses this word to encourage his master, Stepan Arkadyevich Oblonsky, who is upset by a quarrel with his wife. This word, used in the sense of “everything will be settled,” which became popular after the appearance of Tolstoy’s novel, was undoubtedly heard by him somewhere. He used it in one of his letters to his wife back in 1866, convincing her not to worry about various everyday troubles. His wife repeated his words in a response letter: “Probably all this will work out.”

An ordinary story

The title of the novel (1847) by I. A. Goncharov, which shows the life path of an enthusiastic provincial dreamer who turned into a calculating careerist official in St. Petersburg. The expression “ordinary story” characterizes stereotyped everyday or psychological situations.

Window to Europe

An expression from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “The Bronze Horseman” (1834):

The city will be founded here
To spite an arrogant neighbor.
Nature destined us here
Open a window to Europe,
Stand with a firm foot by the sea...

In the first note to the poem, A. S. Pushkin considered it important to respect the copyright for the expression “window to Europe” and wrote: “Algarotti said somewhere: “Petersbourg est la fenetre par laquelle la Russie regarde en Europe,” that is, “Petersburg “This is the window through which Russia looks at Europe.”

Grandmother still has horns and legs

A not entirely accurate quote from a song by an unknown author that has appeared in songbooks since 1855:

Once upon a time there lived a gray goat with my grandmother,
Once upon a time there lived a gray goat with my grandmother,

Fuck! that's how! little gray goat!
Grandma loved the goat very much...
The goat decided to take a walk in the forest...
Gray wolves attacked the goat...
The gray wolves ate the goat...
They left grandma's horns and legs.

Used humorously and ironically about someone who has suffered a severe defeat, failure, etc.

Ostap Bender.
Great schemer

In the satirical novels by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov “The Twelve Chairs” (1928) and “The Golden Calf” (1931), the main character Ostap Bender, a clever swindler who commits a series of fraudulent tricks, is ironically called the Great Schemer. His name and nickname, the Great Schemer, are applied to people of this type.

From Romulus to the present day

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. It is used ironically as a characteristic of a long story about something started from afar, as well as as a definition of something that has existed for a long time (Romulus is the mythical founder of Rome).

From young nails

The expression is found in many monuments of ancient Russian literature, for example, in the “Epistle of Nicephorus, Metropolitan of Kyiv, Vel. Prince Volodymyr" (XII century): "Cleanse from the young nails" and in "The Tale of Uliyaniya of Murom": "Love God from the young nails." Used to mean: from childhood, from a young age.

My breath stole from my throat with joy

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Crow and the Fox” (1808).

Where are you from, beautiful child?

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s drama “The Mermaid” (1837), with these words the prince addresses the little mermaid.

The popularity of this quote was contributed by the opera by A. S. Dargomyzhsky (1855), written on the plot of Pushkin’s drama. A quote is almost always given ironically, jokingly, as a question to someone who unexpectedly appears.

Shelve

Used in the meaning: to delay the execution of some task for an indefinite time. There are several options for the origin of phraseological units:

1. the expression goes back to the times of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, a box for petitions was nailed in front of his palace, these petitions were sorted out by the boyars and clerks, many remained unanswered;
2. The most insignificant and unhurried petitions and complaints were put into the long drawer of the desk in the Russian offices.

Fathers and sons

The title of the novel (1862) by I. S. Turgenev, which became in the 19th century. synonymous with discord between two generations – old and young.

Oh, you are heavy, Monomakh’s hat!

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s tragedy “Boris Godunov” (1831), monologue of Boris. “Monomakh” in Greek means a martial artist; a nickname attached to the names of some Byzantine emperors. In Ancient Rus', this nickname was assigned to the Grand Duke of Kyiv Vladimir (beginning of the 12th century), from whom the Moscow kings traced their origin. Monomakh's hat - the crown with which the Moscow kings were crowned kings, a symbol royal power. The above quote characterizes a difficult situation.

Wanderlust

He was overcome with anxiety
Wanderlust
(A very painful property,
Few voluntary cross).
He left his village
Forests and fields solitude...
And he began to wander without a goal.

P

Washing the bones

Used to mean: discuss someone in his absence. The expression goes back to a forgotten rite of reburial: three years after death, the deceased was removed from the grave, the bones were cleaned of decay and buried again. This action was accompanied by memories of the deceased, an assessment of his character, deeds and actions.

Pechorin. Pechorinstvo

The main character of the novel “A Hero of Our Time” (1840) by M. Yu. Lermontov is the embodiment of a social type, characteristic, according to the author, of his time, when deep, strong people could not find a worthy way of self-realization for themselves. The critic V. G. Belinsky wrote about this hero of the post-Decembrist timelessness that he was characterized by “a contradiction between the depth of nature and the pitifulness of actions.”

The name Pechorin has become a household name for the Russian romantic hero of the Byronic type, who is characterized by dissatisfaction with life, skepticism, searching for oneself in this life, suffering from misunderstanding on the part of others and at the same time contempt for them. Hence “Pechorinism” - the desire to imitate Pechorin, to “be interesting”, to play the role of a mysterious, fatal personality.

Feast during the plague

The name of dramatic scenes (1832) by A. S. Pushkin, the basis for which was a scene from the poem “Plague City” by the English poet John Wilson (1816). Used in the meaning: feast, cheerful, carefree life during some public disaster.

The bad soldier is the one who doesn't think of being a general.

In the work of A.F. Pogossky (1816–1874) “Soldier’s Notes” (1855), among the aphorisms modeled on proverbs, there is: “A bad soldier is one who does not think of being a general, and even worse is one who thinks too much that will be with him." In Dahl's dictionary there is a proverb: “A thin soldier who does not hope to be a general” (cf. “Every French soldier carries a marshal’s baton in his knapsack”). It is usually used to encourage, encourage someone in his enterprise, bold plan, idea.

Plyushkin. Plyushkinism

One of the heroes of N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842), a miserly landowner whose stinginess reached the point of mania. His name became a household word for people of this type, and the word “Plyushkinism” became a synonym for morbid stinginess.

At the behest of the pike, at my desire [request]

An expression from a Russian folk tale: a wonderful pike, caught by Emelya, was released by him, for this she made it so that any of his wishes were fulfilled, he only had to say: “By the pike’s command, according to my desire, let this and that be.” -That". Used in the meaning: miraculously, as if by itself.

Success is never blamed

These words are attributed to Catherine II (1729–1796), who allegedly expressed herself this way when A.V. Suvorov was put on trial by military court for the assault on Turtukai in 1773, which he undertook contrary to the orders of Field Marshal Rumyantsev.

However, the story about Suvorov’s arbitrary actions and about his being put on trial is refuted by serious researchers and belongs to the realm of anecdotes.

Verify harmony with algebra

An expression from A. S. Pushkin’s tragedy “Mozart and Salieri” (1832), from Salieri’s monologue:

Craft
I set the foundation for art:
I became a craftsman: fingers
Gave obedient, dry fluency
And loyalty to the ear. Killing the sounds
I tore apart the music like a corpse.
I trusted harmony with algebra.
Then he already dared, experienced in science,
Indulge in the bliss of a creative dream.

Used ironically to refer to the hopeless attempt to judge artistic creativity based only on rationality, to the exclusion of feelings.

The Insidious Truth

Used to mean: the true essence of something. One of the types of torture in Ancient Rus' was that needles, nails or wooden wedges were driven under the fingernails of the interrogated person in order to force him to tell the whole truth. The expression “find out all the ins and outs” is also connected with this.

Wait a little
You too will have a rest

Quote from M. Yu. Lermontov’s poem “From Goethe” (1840):

mountain peaks
They sleep in the darkness of the night;
Quiet Valleys
Full of fresh darkness;
The road is not dusty,
The sheets don't tremble...
Wait a little
You too will have a rest.

Signed, off your shoulders

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824). Famusov, in response to the words of his secretary Molchalin that he had brought business papers that required many certificates, says:

I'm afraid, sir, I'm mortally alone,
So that a multitude of them do not accumulate;
If you had given it free rein, it would have settled;
And what matters to me, what doesn’t matter,
My custom is this:
Signed, off your shoulders.

This expression is applied to people who have a superficial, formal attitude to the matter.

After the rain on Thursday

It is believed that this expression is due to the fact that in the old days Thursday was dedicated to Perun, the god of thunder and lightning. Prayers were offered to him for rain, especially during drought. People believed that he should most willingly fulfill requests on “his” day, Thursday. And since these requests often remained unfulfilled, Christians began to be quite skeptical about this deity and, convinced of the futility of such prayers, expressed with this phrase their complete distrust of the god Perun. The expression “after the rain on Thursday” began to be applied to everything unrealizable, to what is unknown when it will come true.

Confuse

Used to mean: to confuse, to put in a difficult position. A dead end is still called a “blunt” street, that is, a street or alley that does not have a through passage or passage. In village usage, a dead end meant a corner on the street formed by two wicker fences - wattle fences. Thus, a dead end is something like a trap, making it impossible to either pass or drive forward.

Despicable metal

This expression was widely popularized by I. A. Goncharov’s novel “An Ordinary Story” (1847): “You have an uncle and a friend - do you hear? and if you need service, occupations and despicable metal, feel free to turn to me: you will always find one, and the other, and the third.”

However, the expression was in circulation even before Goncharov’s novel. For example, it is found in “Workshop and Living Room” (1842) by P. Furman and in “Travel Notes of the City of Vedrin” (1843) by A. I. Herzen. Used to mean: money.

Under Tsar Gorokh

An expression used to mean: a very long time ago, in ancient times, “when King Pea fought with mushrooms.”

This habit has been given to us from above:
She is a replacement for happiness

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin.

Come to the header analysis

It means arriving somewhere too late, when everything is already over. According to ancient Russian custom, when entering a room or church, men took off their hats and folded them at the entrance. Every meeting or gathering ended with a sorting of hats. The latecomer came to the dismantling of hats, that is, to the end.

Those who sat down for a meeting

An expression from a poem by V.V. Mayakovsky (1893–1930) entitled “Our Life. For those who have been sitting" (1922). Allegorically about those who like to organize long and unhelpful meetings, conferences, etc.

Delay is like death

In 1711, before the Prut campaign, Peter I sent a letter to the newly established Senate. Thanks to the senators for their activities, he demanded that they continue not to delay with the necessary orders, “before the loss of time is like death irrevocably.” S. M. Solovyov in “History of Russia since ancient times” (1851 –1879), quoting the letter of Peter I dated April 8 1711 According to the original, he quotes his words as edited: “To miss the time of death is like irrevocable death.” The words of Peter I became more popular short form: “Delay is like death.”

Bird three

An expression from N. V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842): “Oh, three! bird three, who invented you? to know, you could only have been born among a lively people, in that land that does not like to joke, but has spread out evenly across half the world, and go ahead and count the miles until it hits your eyes. And not a cunning, it seems, road projectile, not grabbed by an iron screw, but hastily equipped and assembled alive by an efficient Yaroslavl man with only an ax and a chisel. The driver is not wearing German boots: he has a beard and mittens, and sits on God knows what; and he stood up and swung, and began to sing - the horses like a whirlwind, the spokes in the wheels mixed into one smooth circle, only the road trembled, and a pedestrian who stopped screamed in fear - and there she rushed, rushed, rushed!.. And you can already see in the distance how something is gathering dust and drilling into the air. Is it not so for you, Rus', that you are rushing along like a brisk, unstoppable troika? The road beneath you smokes, the bridges rattle, everything falls behind and is left behind. The contemplator, amazed by God's miracle, stopped: was this lightning thrown from the sky? What does this terrifying movement mean? and what kind of unknown power is contained in these horses, unknown to the light? Oh, horses, horses, what kind of horses! Are there whirlwinds in your manes? Is there a sensitive ear burning in every vein of yours? They heard a familiar song from above, together and at once tensed their copper breasts and, almost without touching the ground with their hooves, turned into just elongated lines flying through the air, and all inspired by God rushes!.. Rus', where are you rushing? give me the answer. Doesn't give an answer. The bell rings with a wonderful ringing; The air, torn into pieces, thunders and becomes the wind; everything that is on earth flies past, and, looking askance, other peoples and states step aside and give way to it!”

bird tongue

This is how the professor of astronomy at Moscow University D. M. Perevoshchikov (1788–1880) called the scientific and philosophical language of the 1820–1840s, overloaded with terms and formulations that obscure the meaning.

Allegorically: incomprehensible professional jargon, inappropriate in everyday speech, as well as abstruse, artificial, broken language, alien to the rules and norms of the Russian language.

The bullet is a fool, the bayonet is great

Words of the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov (1730–1800) from the manual for combat training of troops, “The Science of Victory,” written by him in 1796.

Splurge

The expression appeared in the 16th century. Nowadays it is used to mean “to create a false impression of one’s capabilities.” However, the original meaning is different: during fist fights, dishonest fighters took with them bags of sand, which they threw in the eyes of their opponents. In 1726, this technique was prohibited by a special decree.

Go all out

Large bells in Ancient Rus' were called “heavy”. The expression “strike loudly” meant: ring all the bells at once. This is where the popular expression “go to all kinds of troubles” arose, which is used in the meaning: to stray from the right life path, begin to uncontrollably indulge in fun, extravagance, revelry.

There is another version, which claims that “to go all out” meant “to start a lawsuit, a lawsuit; sue someone."

Let the storm blow harder!

Quote from “Song of the Petrel” (1901) by M. Gorky. Allegorically about the desire for cleansing shocks and changes.

A start to life

Title of the film based on the script (1931) by N. Eck (1902–1976) and A. Stolper (1907–1979). The plot of the film is about former street children, and now residents of a children's labor commune, thanks to skillful educators, finding their way in life and becoming worthy members of society.

Allegorically about something that gives a person reason to hope that an eventful, interesting, well-ordered life awaits him ahead.

R

Broken Trough

From “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish” (1835) by A. S. Pushkin. The expression is used to mean: loss of a brilliant position, broken hopes.

Cut like a nut

The meaning of “to scold, criticize” arose in this phrase on the basis of the older one - “to do (something) very thoroughly and well.” In its original meaning, the expression appeared in the professional speech of carpenters and cabinetmakers and was due to the fact that making walnut furniture from other types of wood required a lot of work and good knowledge of the business.

Get itchy, shoulder!
Swing your hand!

Quote from A. V. Koltsov’s poem “Mower” (1835):

Get itchy, shoulder!
Swing your hand!..
Buzz, scythe,
Like a swarm of bees!
Moloney, braid,
Sparkle all around!
Make some noise, grass,
Podkoshonnaya…

Ironically about the desire to “cut from the shoulder”, to act imprudently, rashly.

Despite reason, despite the elements

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Chatsky.

Used to mean: contrary to common sense.

Spread your thoughts across the tree

An expression from “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign,” a monument of Russian literature of the 12th century, first published in 1800: “The prophetic Boyan, if anyone wants to create a song, his thoughts spread across the tree, like a gray fork along the ground, like a crazy eagle under the clouds.” , i.e.: “After all, the prophetic Boyan, if he wanted to compose a song for someone, then his thoughts spread across the tree, like a gray wolf along the ground, like a gray eagle under the clouds.” The expression “thought spread over the tree” received various interpretations among commentators of the Lay. Some consider the word “mysyu” to be inconsistent with the other two members of the comparison - “a trooper on the ground”, “a crazy eagle under the clouds” - proposing to read “mysya”, explaining “mys” with the Pskov pronunciation of the word “mouse”; in the Pskov province, even in the 19th century, a squirrel was called a cape. Others do not consider such a replacement necessary, “not seeing the need to bring the symmetry of comparison to the utmost precision.”

Commentators explain the word “tree” as an allegorical tree of wisdom and inspiration: “to spread thoughts along the tree” - to create songs, inspired poetic creations. However, the poetic image of the “Word” of “spreading thoughts along the tree” entered literary speech with a completely different meaning: to go into unnecessary details, distracting from the main idea.

Born to crawl cannot fly

Quote from “Song of the Falcon” by M. Gorky. The final maxim in the fable of I. I. Khemnitser (1745–1784) “The Man and the Cow” coincides with this poetic formula of Gorky. The fable tells how a man, having lost his horse, saddled a cow, which “fell under the rider... no wonder: the cow did not learn to gallop... And therefore it should know: whoever was born to crawl cannot fly.”

Stigma in fluff

An expression from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Fox and the Marmot” (1813). The Fox complains to the Woodchuck that she is suffering in vain and, slandered, was exiled for bribes:

- You know, I was a judge in the chicken coop,
I lost my health and peace in my affairs,
In my labors I didn’t finish eating a bite,
Didn't get enough sleep at night:
And for that I fell into anger;
And everything is based on slander. Well, just think about it:
Who will be right in the world if he listens to slander?
Should I take bribes? Am I going to get mad?
Well, have you seen, I'll go after you,
So that I am involved in this sin?
Think, remember well,
- No, Kumushka; I have often seen
That your stigma is covered in fluff.

The expression is used to mean: to be involved in something criminal, unseemly.

WITH

From the ship to the ball

An expression from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin:

And travel for him,
Like everyone else in the world, I'm tired of it,
He returned and hit
Like Chatsky, from the ship to the ball.

This expression characterizes an unexpected, sharp change in situations and circumstances.

With sweetheart paradise and in a hut

Quote from the poem by N. M. Ibragimov (1778–1818) “Russian Song” (“In the evening the maiden is beautiful…”):

Don't look for me, rich man:
You are not dear to my soul.
What do I care about your chambers?
With my dear one, heaven and in the hut!

The meaning of the expression: the main thing in family happiness is not special domestic comfort, but love, mutual understanding, agreement with your loved one.

With the learned air of a connoisseur

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin:

He had a lucky talent
No coercion in conversation
Touch everything lightly
With the learned air of a connoisseur
To remain silent in an important dispute...

With feeling, with sense, with arrangement

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824):

Don't read like a sexton
And with feeling, with sense, with arrangement.

The legend is fresh, but hard to believe

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824):

How to compare and see
The present century and the past:
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe.

Northern Palmyra

Palmyra is a city in Syria that arose in the 1st millennium BC. e. In ancient times it was famous for the splendor of its buildings. Northern Palmyra is the figurative name of St. Petersburg.

Homemade truth

An expression by Ostap Bender, the main character of the novel by I. Ilf and E. Petrov “The Golden Calf” (1931), used by him to mean: deep folk wisdom (homespun - dressed in homespun, peasant clothes made of coarse undyed homespun cloth).

There is no stronger beast than a cat

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Mouse and the Rat” (1816).

- Neighbor, have you heard a good rumor? –
Running in, the Rat Mouse said:
After all, they say the cat fell into the claws of a lion?
Now it’s time for us to relax!
Do not rejoice, my light, -
The Rat says in response to her: -
And don’t hope in vain!
If it reaches their claws,
That is true, the lion will not be alive:
There is no stronger beast than a cat!”

Megillah

The expression arose from a “boring” fairy tale, which is used to tease children who pester them with a request to tell them a fairy tale: “Shall I tell you a fairy tale about a white bull? - Tell. - You tell me, and I’ll tell you, and should I tell you a fairy tale about a white bull? - Tell. - You tell me, and I’ll tell you, how long it will take us, and how long it will last! Should I tell you a fairy tale about a white bull? etc., until one gets tired of asking and the other gets tired of answering. The expression is used to mean: endless repetition of the same thing.

Skalozub

The protagonist of A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), a colonel, a representative of the rude army of Tsarist Russia, an ignorant and self-satisfied careerist. His name became synonymous with a rude ignoramus, a martinet.

Scandal in a noble family

Under this name, an anonymous vaudeville was staged in Moscow in 1874, the plot of which was borrowed from the German comedy “Der liebe Onkel” (“Moskovskie Vedomosti”, October 1. 1874 G.). Vaudeville was published, also anonymously, in 1875 in St. Petersburg. The author of Russian vaudeville, and therefore the expression “scandal in a noble family,” is N. I. Kulikov (1815–1891). This vaudeville remained in the theatrical repertoire for a long time, and its name became a catchphrase.

Skotinin

The protagonist of D. I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor” (1782), a type of ignorant and rude landowner-serf, whose surname characterizes his bestial nature. His name became a household name for people of this type.

Stingy Knight

The hero of the drama of the same name (1836) by A. S. Pushkin, a synonym for a miser, a miser.

They won’t say a word in simplicity, everything is with an antics

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Famusov.

You can't spot the elephant

The expression arose from the fable “The Curious” (1814) by I. A. Krylov. A visitor to the Kunstkamera saw small insects there, but when asked: “Did you see an elephant?” - answers: “I didn’t even notice the elephant.” The expression “not noticing the elephant” is used to mean: not noticing the most important, important thing.

I'd be happy to serve, but being served is sickening

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), the words of Chatsky, who, in response to Famusov’s offer to go to serve, thus defines his attitude towards the service.

It's really not a sin to laugh
Above everything that seems funny

Quote from N. M. Karamzin’s poem “Message to Alexander Alekseevich Pleshcheev” (1796):

Who calls on the muses out of boredom?
And gentle graces, their companions;
Amuses me with poetry and prose
Yourself, family and strangers;
Laughs from the heart
(It’s really not a sin to laugh!)
Above everything that seems funny -
He will get along with the world in peace
And he will not end his days
With sharp iron or poison...

Look at the root!

Aphorism (1854) by Kozma Prutkov.

Sobakevich

One of the heroes of N.V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842), a type of rude landowner.

His name became synonymous with money-grubbing, a rude person who is unkind to everyone, and also a retrograde.

The sun of Russian poetry

A figurative definition of the meaning of the great Russian poet A. S. Pushkin. This expression is from a short notice of the poet’s death, published on January 30, 1837 in No. 5 of “Literary Additions” to “Russian Invalid”: “The sun of our poetry has set! Pushkin died, died in the prime of his life, in the midst of his great career!.. We have no strength to talk about this anymore, and there is no need: every Russian heart knows the full price of this irretrievable loss, and every Russian heart will be torn to pieces. Pushkin! our poet! our joy, our national glory!.. Is it really true that we no longer have Pushkin! You can’t get used to this thought! January 29th 2:45 pm.” The author of this notice was considered to be journalist A. A. Kraevsky, editor of Literary Additions. However, from S.N. Karamzina’s letter to her brother it is clear that in fact the author of this notice is V.F. Odoevsky.

Broke!

The expression became popular after the production (1855) of the comedy by A. V. Sukhovo-Kobylin (1817–1903) “Krechinsky’s Wedding.” This is how the hero of the comedy Krechinsky exclaims when all his cunningly invented frauds failed and the police came to arrest him.

Sleeveless (work)

This is what they say about carelessly, lazily, haphazardly performed work. In Ancient Rus' they wore outerwear with exorbitantly long sleeves, the unrolled ends of which fell to the knees, or even to the ground. Naturally, without lifting up such sleeves, there was no point in thinking about work. Close to this expression is the second, opposite in meaning and born later: “Work with your sleeves rolled up,” that is, decisively, ardently, with zeal.

Tearing off all kinds of masks

From the article “Leo Tolstoy, as a mirror of the Russian revolution” (1908) by V. I. Lenin. Revealing the “screaming contradictions” in Tolstoy’s work, he wrote: “On the one hand, the most sober realism, tearing off all kinds of masks; on the other hand, the preaching of one of the most vile things in the world, namely: religion, the desire to put in place priests by official position, priests by moral conviction, that is, the cultivation of the most refined and therefore especially disgusting priesthood.”

Allegorically: accusatory sentiments and corresponding actions.

Picking flowers of pleasure

An expression from N. V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” (1836), words by Khlestakov: “I love to eat. After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure.” Used to mean: selfishly, carelessly enjoy the pleasures of life, without thinking about your family or social duty.

Stand before me like a leaf before the grass!

An expression from a Russian folk tale. Ivanushka the Fool calls on his magic horse with a spell: “Sivka-Burka, prophetic Kaurko, stand in front of me like a leaf in front of the grass.” The expression is used to mean: appear instantly!

Concealed

The word was introduced into literary speech by F. M. Dostoevsky. It first appeared in his story “The Double” in 1843, used in the meaning of “to fall silent, to wilt, to hide unnoticed, to hide furtively.”

Fate plays with man

A phrase from the song “The Moscow fire was noisy, the fire was burning,” which is an adaptation of the poem “He” (i.e. Napoleon) by N. S. Sokolov (1850).

Happy is he who has visited this world
In fatal moments

Quote from the poem by F. I. Tyutchev (1803–1873) “Cicero” (1836). In ed. "Tyutchev. Lyrics" (1965): "Blessed is he who visited..."

Happy hours don't watch

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824). This expression can be associated with the words from the drama “Piccolomini” (1800) by Schiller: “Die Uhr schlagt keinem Gliicklihen” (“The clock does not strike for a happy person”).

Sons of Lieutenant Schmidt

The first two chapters of the satirical novel “The Golden Calf” by I. Ilf and E. Petrov (1931) tell about clever swindlers who extract various benefits by posing as the sons of Lieutenant Schmidt, the leader of the revolutionary uprising of sailors in Sevastopol in 1905, who was shot by the verdict of the royal court. The name “sons of Lieutenant Schmidt,” which has become popular, is applied to rogues of this type.

The fuss flared up

The expression “the damp forest caught fire” comes from the proverb “The damp forest caught fire because of a pine tree,” which means that big trouble can arise from a mere trifle.

A plot worthy of Aivazovsky's brush

Quote from A.P. Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” (1897). Telegin pronounces this phrase. In response to the words of the old nanny about Voinitsky’s quarrel with Serebryakov: “Just now they made a noise, there was gunfire - it’s a disgrace,” he remarks: “Yes, a plot worthy of Aivazovsky’s brush.” Before Chekhov, this expression was already found in journalism of the 1860s and 1870s, and in a slightly different form - “worthy of someone’s brush” - it was in use before; for example, in Pushkin, in a note in “Lit. gaz.”, 1830, we read: “The image of Sorvantsov [in “A Conversation with Princess Khaldina” by Fonvizin] is worthy of the brush that painted the Prostakov family.”

T

Table of ranks

This is the name of the list of ranks of the military, civil and court departments established by the law of Peter I (1722) on the procedure for public service in Russia. Allegorically: a comparative assessment of merit in a certain field of professional activity.

So he wrote darkly and languidly

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” by A. S. Pushkin (1828), characteristics of the poems by Vladimir Lensky:

So he wrote darkly and languidly,
(What we call romanticism,
Although there is no romanticism here
I don't see...)

Theater begins with a hanger

An aphorism by one of the founders of the Moscow Art Theater K. S. Stanislavsky (1863–1938). There is no such aphorism in his writings, but oral rumor attributes it to him. A phrase close in thought to this aphorism is found in a letter from K. S. Stanislavsky to the Moscow Art Theater cloakroom workshop dated January 23, 1933. Replying “to a greeting on the day of his seventieth birthday, he wrote: “Our Art Theater differs from many other theaters in that In it, the performance begins from the moment you enter the theater building. You are the first to greet the arriving spectators..."

Dark Kingdom

This is the title of an article (1859) by N. A. Dobrolyubov, dedicated to the analysis of the plays of A. N. Ostrovsky. Speaking about the various types of merchant tyranny depicted by Ostrovsky, Dobrolyubov made a generalization and showed the life of feudal Russia as a “dark kingdom”, “a stinking dungeon”, “a stupid world aching pain, a world of prison, deathly silence.” “Nothing sacred, nothing pure, nothing right in this dark world: the tyranny that dominates it, wild, insane, wrong, has driven away all consciousness of honor and right... And they cannot exist where human dignity has been thrown into dust and brazenly trampled by tyrants, personal freedom, faith in love and happiness and the sanctity of honest work.” The expression “dark kingdom,” after the appearance of Dobrolyubov’s article, began to mean not only the world of tyrant merchants or a dark and inert environment in general, but became a symbol of autocratic-serf Russia (see A ray of light in the dark kingdom).

Timurovets

The hero of the story by Arkady Gaidar (pseudonym of A.P. Golikov, 1904–1941) “Timur and his team” (1940), the pioneer Timur decides, together with the team of his peers assembled by him, to take care of the families of soldiers who went to the Red Army. The story of Gaidar, who managed to see the extraordinary in everyday life, gave birth to social movement Timurites, who in their behavior emulate the brave, active, honest and generous Timur. The hero of the story became a model for numerous young patriots who helped the Motherland during the difficult years of the Great Patriotic War.

Peck on the tongue

Pip is a small horny tubercle on the tip of a bird's tongue that helps them peck food. The growth of this tubercle may be a sign of illness. Painful, hard pimples can also appear on a person's tongue; They were also called tipuns and considered a sign of deceit. From these observations and superstitions an incantatory formula was born: “Tip on your tongue!” Its main meaning was: “You are a liar: let a pip appear on your tongue!” Now the meaning of this spell has changed somewhat. “Tip your tongue!” - an ironic wish to the one who expressed an unkind thought, predicted something unpleasant.

The darkness of low truths is dearer to me

The deception that exalts us

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Hero” (1831).

U

In the middle of nowhere

The expression means: very far away, somewhere in the wilderness. Kulichki is a modified dialect word kulizhki (from kulig) meaning “forest clearings; places burned, cut down and adapted for cultivation, as well as islands in the swamp.” Kulizhki were, as a rule, far from villages and villages, hence the meaning of the expression: “in the middle of nowhere” - very far away, no one knows where.

Terrible century, terrible hearts

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s drama “The Miserly Knight” (1836). Sometimes it is quoted inaccurately: instead of “terrible” - “iron”.

Mind, honor and conscience of our era

From the article “Political Blackmail” (1917) by V.I. Lenin, in which he characterizes his party (the Bolsheviks) this way. Speaking against the Russian press of a different, non-Bolshevik orientation, calling its journalists “blackmailers” and “slanderers,” V. I. Lenin wrote: “We will be steadfast in branding blackmailers. We will be adamant in examining the slightest doubts in the court of class-conscious workers, in the court of our party; we believe in it, in it we see the mind, honor and conscience of our era...”

Quoted ironically about a party that claims leadership, special moral qualities, special knowledge.

Uma ward

The word “chamber” in Old Russian meant a large room in a stone building. Then it began to be applied to various institutions located in such vast buildings: the Armory Chamber, the Chamber of Facets... All sorts of meetings usually took place in the chambers, the boyars “thought about the sovereign’s Duma” in them. This is where the expression “mind chamber” arose, depicting a person equal in intelligence to a whole collection of sages. Later, however, it acquired an ironic meaning: now they say this more often about fools than about smart people.

Moderation and accuracy

With these words in A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), Molchalin defines his two virtues.

Humiliated and Offended

The title of the novel (1861) by F. M. Dostoevsky. The expression is used as a description of people who suffer from the arbitrariness of officials, the powerful, from difficult living conditions, etc.

A helpful fool is more dangerous than an enemy

An expression from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Hermit and the Bear” (1808):

Although the service is dear to us in need,
But not everyone knows how to tackle it:
God forbid you contact a fool!
A helpful fool is more dangerous than an enemy.

Study, study and study

A slogan that arose from V. I. Lenin’s article “Better less is better” (1923): “We must at all costs set ourselves the task of updating our state apparatus: firstly, to study, secondly, to study and thirdly, to study and then make sure that science does not remain a dead letter or a fashionable phrase in our country (and this, let’s face it, happens especially often in our country), so that science really enters into flesh and blood, turns into an integral element of everyday life completely and truly."

F

Famusov

The protagonist of A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), an important Moscow gentleman holding the post of “manager in a government place,” a bureaucrat-careerist, obsequious to those above him and arrogant towards his subordinates. Some commentators explained his surname as derived from Latin word fama (rumour); others explain its origin from the English word famous (famous, famous). This name has become a household name for people of this type.

Physicists and lyricists

An expression contrasting the importance of physicists-scientists working in the field of exact sciences with the importance of poets arose from the so-titled poem by B. Slutsky, published in the Literary Gazette on October 13, 1959.

Filka's certificate

The author of this expression is considered to be Tsar Ivan IV, popularly nicknamed the Terrible for his mass executions and murders. To strengthen his power, Ivan the Terrible introduced oprichnina, which terrified all of Rus'. In this regard, Moscow Metropolitan Philip, in his numerous messages to the Tsar - letters - sought to convince Grozny to dissolve the oprichnina. Grozny contemptuously called the obstinate Metropolitan Filka, and his letters - Filka letters. For his bold denunciations of Ivan the Terrible and his guardsmen, Metropolitan Philip was imprisoned in the Tver Monastery, where he was strangled by Malyuta Skuratov. The expression “filkina’s letter” has taken root among the people. At first they simply talked about documents that had no legal force. And now it also means “ignorant, illiterately drafted document.”

Frenchman from Bordeaux

An expression from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Chatsky:

In that room there is an insignificant meeting:
The Frenchman from Bordeaux, pushing his chest,
Gathered around him a kind of evening
And he told how he was preparing for the journey
To Russia, to the barbarians, with fear and tears...

Used ironically to address some arrogant, boastful foreigners.

X

Khlestakov, Khlestakovism

The hero of N. V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” (1836) is a liar and a braggart. His name became a household name; “Khlestakovism”, “Khlestakovism” is a shameless, boastful lie.

Walking through torments [ordeals]

The expression goes back to ancient belief Christians in the journey of the souls of dead sinners through torment, or “ordeal,” for forty days, when demons subject them to all kinds of torture.

In the Soviet press this expression became especially popular after the appearance of A. N. Tolstoy’s (1882/83-1945) trilogy “Walking through Torment” (1920–1941) from the era civil war, which tells about the painful ideological quest of its heroes and the difficult trials that befell them. Denotes difficult, varied life trials that befell someone one after another.

Economic man

The title of an essay by M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin from the series “Little Things in Life” (1886). In the person of the “economic peasant,” Saltykov depicts the type of “honest,” “reasonable” middle peasant whose only goal in life is to create personal prosperity.

Although the eye can see, the tooth is numb

Quote from I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Fox and the Grapes” (1808). Already in the middle of the 19th century. this expression was considered a folk proverb and was included in collections of Russian folklore.

At least there's a stake on your head

This is what they say about a stubborn, unpersuasible or indifferent person. To cut a stake means to sharpen a stick (stake) with an axe. The hardness and strength of the head of a stubborn person is emphasized.

Textbook gloss

An expression from V. V. Mayakovsky’s poem “Anniversary” (1924), written for the 125th anniversary of Pushkin’s birth; in this poem, addressing Pushkin, the poet says:

I love you, but alive, not a mummy,
They brought a textbook gloss.
In my opinion, during your lifetime, I think, you also raged.
African!

This expression characterizes the “varnishing” of reality, its embellished image.

C

Princess Nesmeyana

In a Russian folk tale, Princess Nesmeyana is the royal daughter who “never smiled, never laughed, as if her heart was not happy about anything.” This is figuratively called a quiet person, a shy person.

H

What do you want?

This is how M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin named the newspaper “New Time”, which became famous in the 70s and 80s of the 19th century. with its political corruption, unprincipledness and adaptability to the political elite (articles “In an environment of moderation and accuracy”, “Masters of Silence”, “All year round”, etc.). This is a common phrase with which lackeys addressed their masters when awaiting orders.

Man in a case

Title of the story (1898) by A.P. Chekhov.

The main character is the provincial teacher Belikov, who is afraid of any innovations, actions not permitted by the “boss,” as well as reality in general. Hence his favorite expression: “No matter what happens...”. And, as the author writes, Belikov “had a constant and irresistible desire to surround himself with a shell, to create for himself, so to speak, a case that would seclude him and protect him from external influences.”

The author himself began to use this expression as a common noun. In a letter to his sister M.P. Chekhova, he wrote (November 19, 1899): “The November winds are blowing furiously, whistling, tearing roofs. I sleep in a hat, in shoes, under two blankets, with the shutters closed - a man in a case.”

Playfully and ironically: a person who is afraid of bad weather, drafts, unpleasant external influences.

Man - that sounds proud

An expression from M. Gorky’s play “At the Lower Depths” (1902), Satin’s words: “Man! This is great! It sounds... proud! Human! You have to respect the person."

The darker the night, the brighter the stars

Quote from a poem by A. N. Maykov (1821–1897), from a cycle of the 80s of the 19th century. "From Apollodorus the Gnostic":

Don't say there is no salvation
Why are you exhausted in sorrow:
The darker the night, the brighter the stars...

Why are you laughing?
You're laughing at yourself!

Quote from N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” (1836), the words of the Mayor: “Look... look how the mayor is fooled... Not only will you become a laughing stock, but there will be a clicker, a paper maker, who will insert you into the comedy. That's what's offensive! Rank and title will not be spared, and everyone will bare their teeth and clap their hands. Why are you laughing? You’re laughing at yourself!”

Chichikov

The hero of N. V. Gogol’s poem “Dead Souls” (1842), a nosy careerist, sycophant, swindler and money-grubber, outwardly “pleasant”, “decent and worthy person”. His name has become a household name for people of this type.

Reading is the best learning

What to do?

The title of the socio-political novel (1863) by N. G. Chernyshevsky (1828–1889). The novel treats the problems of socialism, the emancipation of women, identifies types of “new people” - revolutionary leaders, and expresses the dream of a happy life in a communist society.

What does the coming day have in store for me?

Quote from the novel in verse “Eugene Onegin” (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. This phrase gained wide popularity thanks to P. I. Tchaikovsky’s opera (1878) - Lensky’s aria (“Where, where have you gone, the golden days of my spring...”).

What kind of commission, creator,
Be adult daughter father!

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Famusov. (The word “commission” here means: troubles, difficulties.)

What we have, we don’t keep, having lost it, we cry

An aphorism from “The Fruits of Thoughts” (1854) by Kozma Prutkov, who repeated the name of the vaudeville (1844) by S. Solovyov.

Whatever happens will be nice

Quote from the poem by A. S. Pushkin “If life deceives you” (1825).

What is good and what is bad

The title of a poem for children (1925) by V. V. Mayakovsky.

Sh

Walked into a room, ended up in another

Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824); Famusov, finding Molchalin near Sophia’s room, angrily asks him: “You are here, sir, why?” Sophia, justifying Molchalin’s presence, says to Famusov:

I can’t explain your anger in any way.
He lives in the house here, what a great misfortune!
I walked into the room and ended up in another.

Shemyakin court

The expression is used in the meaning: wrong, unfair trial; arose from an old Russian satirical story about the Shemyakina court, which exposed the arbitrariness and selfishness of the feudal court. This story, dedicated to the personality of Prince Dmitry Shemyaka (died in 1453), enjoyed wide popularity; it is preserved in many manuscripts of the 17th and 18th centuries. and served as a subject for popular prints and books.

Topsy-turvy

Used to mean: quite the opposite, inside out. “Shivorot” in Muscovite Rus' was the name given to the embroidered collar of boyar clothing, one of the signs of a nobleman’s dignity. In the days of Ivan the Terrible, a boyar who had been subjected to royal wrath and disgrace was often seated on a skinny nag with his back forward, and his clothes were also put on him inside out, topsy-turvy, that is, vice versa. In this form, the disgraced boyar was taken throughout the city, to the whistling and hooting of the street crowd. Now these words are also often used in connection with clothing, meaning to put something on inside out, but their meaning has become much broader. Topsy-turvy, that is, not at all like that, on the contrary, you can tell some story and generally act contrary to generally accepted rules.

My native country is wide

The first line of the chorus of “Songs about the Motherland” from the film “Circus” (1936), words by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach, music by I. O. Dunaevsky.

Let's make noise, brother, make noise

Quote from A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Repetilov.

I

I don't know any other country like this
Where a person breathes so freely

Lines from the chorus of “Songs about the Motherland” from the film “Circus” (1936), text by V. I. Lebedev-Kumach, music by I. O. Dunaevsky.

I'm going, I'm going, I'm not whistling,
And when I get there, I won’t let you down

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila” (1820), canto III.

I erected a monument to myself, not made by hands,
The folk path to it will not be overgrown

Quote from A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Monument” (1836). The poem goes back to the ode of the Roman poet Horace, from which Pushkin took the epigraph: “Exegi monumentum” (“I erected a monument”). From Pushkin’s poem the expression “monument not made by hands” arose, used to mean: a grateful memory of someone’s deeds.

I am a king - I am a slave, I am a worm – I'm god

Quote from G. R. Derzhavin’s ode “God”, (1784).

The language of native aspens

An expression from an epigram (1884) by I. S. Turgenev to N. X. Ketcher (1809–1886), a translator of Shakespeare, whose translations are distinguished by their exceptional closeness to the original, which often harms poetry:

Here is another luminary of the world!
Catcher, friend of sparkling wines;
He performed Shakespeare for us
In the language of native aspens.

The expression is used ironically to refer to clumsy translations from foreign languages ​​into Russian.

12 popular expressions, the meaning of which is not known to everyone

Editor's response

Catchphrases help to express thoughts more accurately and give speech a more emotional coloring. They allow you to express more emotions in a few short but precise words and convey your personal attitude to what is happening.

AiF.ru resembles the meanings of some Russian phraseological units.

Quietly

Originally, this expression implied secretly digging a tunnel or secret tunnel. The word "zappa" (translated from Italian) means "earth shovel".

Borrowed from French, the word turned into the French “sap” and received the meaning of “earth, trench and submine work”, from this word the word “sapper” also arose.

In Russian, the word “sapa” and the expression “silent sapa” meant work that was carried out with extreme caution, without noise, in order to get close to the enemy unnoticed, in complete secrecy.

After widespread dissemination, the expression acquired the meaning: carefully, in deep secrecy and slowly (for example, “So he quietly drags all the food from the kitchen!”).

Can't see anything

According to one version, the word “zga” comes from the name of a part of a horse’s harness - a ring in the upper part of the arch, into which the reins were inserted so as not to dangle. When the coachman needed to unharness the horse, and it was so dark that this ring (zgi) was not visible, they said that “there is no sign of it.”

According to another version, the word “zga” comes from the Old Russian “s’tga” - “road, path, path.” In this case, the meaning of the expression is interpreted as “so dark that you can’t even see the road or path.” Today the expression “nothing is visible”, “nothing is visible” means “nothing is visible”, “impenetrable darkness”.

The blind leads the blind, but both do not see. (last)

“Darkness hangs over the earth: you can’t see it...” ( Anton Chekhov, "Mirror")

Dance from the stove

Vasily Alekseevich Sleptsov. 1870 Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Published in St. Petersburg, 1903

The expression “dance from the stove” first appeared in a novel by a 19th-century Russian writer Vasily Sleptsova"Good man." The book was published in 1871. There is an episode in it when the main character Seryozha Terebenev remembers how he was taught to dance, but he could not do the steps required from the dance teacher. There is a phrase in the book:

- Oh, what are you, brother! - the father says reproachfully. - Well, go back to the stove, start over.

In Russian, this expression began to be used when speaking about people for whom the habit of acting according to a fixed script replaces knowledge. A person can perform certain actions only “from the stove”, from the very beginning, from the simplest and most familiar action:

“When he (the architect) was commissioned to plan, he usually drew the hall and the hotel first; just as in the old days college girls could only dance from the stove, so his artistic idea could only originate and develop from the hall to the living room.” ( Anton Chekhov,"My Life")

Shabby look

During times Tsar Peter I lived Ivan Zatrapeznikov- an entrepreneur who received the Yaroslavl textile manufactory from the emperor. The factory produced a material called “pestryad”, or “pestryadina”, popularly nicknamed “trashy”, “trashy” - coarse and low-quality cloth made from hemp (hemp fiber).

Clothing was made from shabby clothes mainly by poor people who could not buy themselves something better. And such poor people looked appropriate. Since then, if a person is dressed sloppily, they say about him that he looks shabby:

“The hay girls were poorly fed, dressed in shabby clothes and given little sleep, exhausting them with almost continuous work.” ( Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, “Poshekhon antiquity”)

Sharpen the laces

To sharpen your lasses means to talk idle talk, to engage in useless chatter. Lyasy (balusters) are turned, figured posts of railings at the porch.

At first, “sharpening balusters” meant conducting an elegant, fancy, ornate (like balusters) conversation. However, there were few people skilled in conducting such a conversation, and over time the expression began to mean idle chatter:

“They used to sit down in a circle, some on a bench, some simply on the ground, each with some kind of task, a spinning wheel, a comb or bobbins, and they would go and sharpen their yarns and tell tales about another, old time.” ( Dmitry Grigorovich, "Village").

Lies like a gray gelding

To lie like a gray gelding means to tell tales without being embarrassed at all. In the 19th century, an officer served in one of the regiments of the Russian army, a German by the name of von Sievers-Mehring. He loved to tell funny stories and tall tales to the officers. The expression “lies like Sivers-Mehring” was understandable only to his colleagues. However, they began to use it throughout Russia, completely forgetting about the origins. Sayings have appeared among the people: “lazy as a gray gelding”, “stupid as a gray gelding”, although the horse breed has nothing to do with this.

Bullshit

According to one version, the expression “bullshit” comes from “lying like a gray gelding” (in fact, these two phrases are synonymous)

There is also a version that the expression “bullshit” comes from the name of one scientist - Brad Steve Cobile, who once wrote a very stupid article. His name, consonant with the words “bullshit,” was correlated with scientific nonsense.

According to another version, “bullshit” is an expression denoting a stupid statement or thought; appeared due to the beliefs of the Slavs that the gray horse (gray with an admixture of another color) was the most stupid animal. There was a sign according to which if you dream of a gray mare, then in reality the dreamer will be deceived.

Androns are traveling

“Androns are coming” means nonsense, nonsense, nonsense, complete nonsense.

In Russian, this phrase is used in response to someone who tells a lie, puts on inappropriate airs and brags about himself. In the 1840s, throughout almost all of Russia, andres (andron) meant a cart, various kinds of carts.

“And you don’t have to scold my house! - Am I scolding?.. Cross yourself, Petrovnushka, the androns are coming! ( Pavel Zarubin, “Dark and bright sides of Russian life”)

Live as a Biryuk

The expression “to live like a pearl” means to be a hermit and a closed person. In the southern regions of Russia, a wolf is called a biryuk. The wolf has long been considered dangerous for the economy a beast of prey. The peasants perfectly studied his habits and habits and often remembered them when speaking about the person. “Oh, you’ve grown old, brother! - Dunyashka said regretfully. “It’s become kind of gray, like biryuk.” ( Mikhail Sholokhov, "Quiet Don")

Mikhail Golubovich in the film "Biryuk". 1977

Play spillikins

Spillikins are various small household items that were used during the ancient game. Its meaning was to pull out one toy after another from a pile of toys with your fingers or a special hook, without touching or scattering the rest. The one who moves the adjacent spilliyule passes the move to the next player. The game continues until the whole pile is cleared. By the beginning of the twentieth century, spillikins became one of the most popular games in the country and were very common not only in children, but also in adults.

In a figurative sense, the expression “to play tricks” means to engage in trifles, nonsense, leaving aside the main and important things:

“After all, I came to the workshop to work, and not to sit idly by and play with spillikins.” ( Mikhail Novorussky"Notes of a Shlisselburger")

Pies with kittens

In Rus' they never ate cats, except in times of severe famine. During long-term sieges of cities, their inhabitants, having exhausted all food supplies, used domestic animals for food; cats were the last to go.

Thus, this expression means a catastrophic state of affairs. Usually the proverb is abbreviated and said: “These are the pies,” in other words, “those are the things.”

Leave unsalted with a slurp

Illustration for the fairy tale “Shemyakin Court”. Copper engraving, first half of the 18th century. Reproduction. Photo: RIA Novosti / Balabanov

In Rus' in the old days, salt was an expensive product. It had to be transported from afar off-road; taxes on salt were very high. When visiting, the owner salted the food himself, with his own hand. Sometimes, expressing his respect to especially dear guests, he even added salt to the food, and sometimes those who sat at the far end of the table did not get any salt at all. Hence the expression “to leave unsalted”:

“And the more she spoke, and the more sincerely she smiled, the stronger the confidence became in me that I would leave her with a slurp.” ( Anton Chekhov"Lights")

“The fox let go of his prey and went away, slurping unsalted.” ( Alexey Tolstoy"The Fox and the Rooster")

Shemyakin court

The expression “Shemyakin court” is used when they want to emphasize the injustice of any opinion, judgment or assessment. Shemyaka - real historical figure, Galician Prince Dimitry Shemyaka, famous for his cruelty, deceit and unrighteous deeds. He became famous for his tireless, persistent struggle with the great Prince Vasily the Dark, his cousin, for the Moscow throne. Today, when they want to point out the bias or injustice of some judgment, they say: “Is this criticism? Some kind of Shemyakin court.”

Speech is a way of communication between people. To achieve complete mutual understanding and express your thoughts more clearly and figuratively, many lexical techniques are used, in particular, phraseological units (phraseological unit, idiom) - stable figures of speech that have independent meaning and are characteristic of a particular language. Often, simple words are not enough to achieve a certain speech effect. Irony, bitterness, love, mockery, your own own attitude to what is happening - all this can be expressed much more succinctly, more precisely, more emotionally. We often use phraseological units in everyday speech, sometimes without even noticing - after all, some of them are simple, familiar, and familiar from childhood. Many of the phraseological units came to us from other languages, eras, fairy tales, and legends.

Augean stables

First clear out these Augean stables, and then you can go for a walk.

Meaning. A cluttered, polluted place where everything is in complete disarray.

Origin. An ancient Greek legend tells us that King Augeas lived in ancient Elis, a passionate lover of horses: he kept three thousand horses in his stables. However, the stalls in which the horses were kept had not been cleaned for thirty years, and they were overgrown with manure up to the roof.

Hercules was sent to serve Augeas, and the king instructed him to clean the stables, which no one else could do.

Hercules was as cunning as he was powerful. He directed the waters of the river into the gates of the stables, and a stormy stream washed away all the dirt from there within a day.

The Greeks sang this feat along with the other eleven, and the expression “Augean stables” began to be applied to everything neglected, polluted to the last limit, and generally to denote great disorder.

Arshin swallow

It stands as if it had swallowed an arshin.

Meaning. Standing unnaturally straight.

Origin. The Turkish word “arshin”, meaning a measure of length of one cubit, has long become Russian. Before the revolution, Russian merchants and craftsmen constantly used arshins - wooden and metal rulers seventy-one centimeters long. Imagine what a person must look like after swallowing such a ruler, and you will understand why this expression is used in relation to prim and arrogant people.

Overeat henbane

In Pushkin’s “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish,” the old man, outraged by the shameless greed of his old woman, angrily says to her: “Why, woman, have you eaten too much henbane?”

Meaning. Behave absurdly, viciously, like a madman.

Origin. In the village, in the backyards and landfills, you can find tall bushes with dirty yellowish flowers with purple veins and an unpleasant odor. This is henbane - a very poisonous plant. Its seeds resemble poppy seeds, but whoever eats them becomes like a madman: he raves, goes on a rampage, and often dies.

Buridanov's donkey

He rushes about, cannot decide on anything, like Buridan’s donkey.

Meaning. An extremely indecisive person, hesitating between equally valuable decisions.

Origin. Philosophers of the late Middle Ages put forward a theory according to which the actions of living beings depend not on their own will, but solely on external reasons. The scientist Buridan (more precisely Buridan), who lived in France in the 14th century, confirmed this idea with such an example. Let's take a hungry donkey and place two identical armfuls of hay on both sides of its muzzle, at equal distances. The donkey will have no reason to prefer one of them to the other: after all, they are exactly alike. He will not be able to reach for either the right or the left and will eventually die of hunger.

Let's go back to our sheep

However, enough about this, let's get back to our sheep.

Meaning. An appeal to the speaker not to be distracted from the main topic; a statement that his digression from the topic of conversation was over.

Origin. Let's return to our sheep - a tracing from the French revenons a nos moutons from the farce “The Lawyer Pierre Patlin” (c. 1470). With these words, the judge interrupts the speech of the rich clothier. Having initiated a case against the shepherd who stole a sheep from him, the clothier, forgetting about his litigation, showers reproaches on the shepherd's defender, lawyer Patlen, who did not pay him for six cubits of cloth.

Versta Kolomenskaya

Everyone will immediately pay attention to a Kolomna mile like you.

Meaning. This is what a person is called tall, big guy.

Origin. In the village of Kolomenskoye near Moscow there was the summer residence of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The road there was busy, wide and considered the main one in the state. And when huge milestones were erected, the likes of which had never been seen in Russia, the glory of this road increased even more. The savvy people did not fail to take advantage of the new product and dubbed the lanky man the Kolomna milepost. That's what they still say.

Lead by the nose

The smartest man, he fooled his opponent by the nose more than once or twice.

Meaning. Deceive, mislead, promise and fail to deliver.

Origin. The expression was associated with fairground entertainment. Gypsies took bears to show by wearing a nose ring. And they forced them, poor fellows, to do various tricks, deceiving them with the promise of a handout.

Hair on end

Horror gripped him: his eyes rolled out, his hair stood on end.

Meaning. This is what they say when a person is very scared.

Origin. “Standing on end” means standing at attention, on your fingertips. That is, when a person gets scared, his hair seems to stand on tiptoes on his head.

That's where the dog is buried!

Ah, that's it! Now it’s clear where the dog is buried.

Meaning. That's the thing, that's the real reason.

Origin. There is a story: the Austrian warrior Sigismund Altensteig spent all his campaigns and battles with his beloved dog. Once, during a trip to the Netherlands, a dog even saved its owner from death. The grateful warrior solemnly buried his four-legged friend and erected a monument on his grave, which stood for more than two centuries - until the beginning of the 19th century.

Later, the dog monument could only be found by tourists with the help of local residents. At that time, the saying “That’s where the dog is buried!” was born, which now has the meaning: “I found what I was looking for,” “I got to the bottom of it.”

But there is a more ancient and no less probable source of the saying that has come down to us. When the Greeks decided to give the Persian king Xerxes a battle at sea, they put old men, women and children on ships in advance and transported them to the island of Salamis.

They say that a dog that belonged to Xanthippus, the father of Pericles, did not want to part with its owner, jumped into the sea and swam after the ship to Salamis. Exhausted from fatigue, she died immediately.

According to the testimony of the ancient historian Plutarch, a cinema sema was erected for this dog on the seashore - a dog monument, which was shown to the curious for a very long time.

Some German linguists believe that this expression was created by treasure hunters who, out of fear of the evil spirits supposedly guarding every treasure, did not dare to directly mention the purpose of their search and conventionally began to talk about a black dog, implying the devil and the treasure.

Thus, according to this version, the expression “that’s where the dog is buried” meant: “that’s where the treasure is buried.”

Add the first number

For such deeds, of course, they should get paid the first day!

Meaning. Severely punish or scold someone

Origin. Well, what, this expression is familiar to you... And where did it come from on your unfortunate head! You won't believe it, but... from the old school, where students were flogged every week, regardless of whether they were right or wrong. And if the mentor overdoes it, then such a spanking would last for a long time, until the first day of the next month.

Rub glasses

Don't believe it, they're trying to bully you!

Meaning. To deceive someone by presenting the matter in a distorted, incorrect, but beneficial light for the speaker.

Origin. We are not talking about glasses that are used to correct vision. There is another meaning for the word "points": the red and black marks on playing cards. For as long as there have been cards, there have been dishonest players and cheaters. In order to deceive their partner, they resorted to all sorts of tricks. They knew how, by the way, to quietly “rub in points” - to turn a seven into a six or a four into a five, on the go, during the game, by gluing in a “point” or covering it with a special white powder. It is clear that “to cheat” began to mean “to cheat”, hence special words were born: “fraud”, “fraud” - a trickster who knows how to embellish his work, pass off the bad as very good.

Voice in the wilderness

Work in vain, you will not convince them, your words are the voice of one crying in the wilderness.

Meaning. Denotes vain persuasion, appeals that no one heeds.

Origin. As the biblical stories tell, one of the ancient Hebrew prophets called out from the desert to the Israelites to prepare the way for God: to lay roads in the desert, to make the mountains lower, the valleys to be filled, and the crookedness and unevenness to be straightened. However, the calls of the hermit prophet remained “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” - they were not heard. The people did not want to serve their fierce and cruel god.

Goal like a falcon

Who should I kind word says? After all, I'm an orphan all around. Goal like a falcon.

Meaning. Very poor, beggar.

Origin. Many people think that we are talking about a bird. But she is neither poor nor rich. In fact, the “falcon” is an ancient military battering gun. It was a completely smooth (“bare”) cast iron block attached to chains. Nothing extra!

Naked truth

This is the state of affairs, the naked truth without embellishment.

Meaning. The truth is as it is, without mincing words.

Origin. This expression is Latin: Nuda Veritas [nuda veritas]. It is taken from the 24th ode of the Roman poet Horace (65 - 8 BC). Ancient sculptors allegorically depicted truth (truth) in the form of a naked woman, which was supposed to symbolize the true state of affairs without silence or embellishment.

Onion grief

Do you know how to cook soup, dear onion.

Meaning. A klutz, an unlucky person.

Origin. The caustic volatile substances contained in abundance in the onion irritate the eyes, and the housewife, while crushing the onion for her cooking, sheds tears, although there is not the slightest grief. It is curious that tears caused by the action of irritating substances differ in chemical composition from sincere tears. Fake tears contain more protein (this is not surprising, since such tears are designed to neutralize caustic substances that enter the eye), so fake tears are slightly cloudy. However, every person knows this fact intuitively: there is no faith in muddy tears. And onion grief is not called grief, but a passing nuisance. Most often, they turn half-jokingly, half-sorrowfully to a child who has done something strange again.

Two-Faced Janus

She is deceitful, cunning and hypocritical, a real two-faced Janus.

Meaning. Two-faced, hypocritical person

Origin. In Roman mythology, the god of all beginnings. He was depicted with two faces - a young man and an old man - looking in opposite directions. One face is turned to the future, the other to the past.

It's in the bag

Well, that's it, now you can sleep peacefully: it's all in the bag.

Meaning. Everything is fine, everything ended well.

Origin. Sometimes the origin of this expression is explained by the fact that in the days of Ivan the Terrible, some court cases were decided by lot, and the lot was drawn from the judge’s hat. However, the word “hat” came to us no earlier than in the days of Boris Godunov, and even then it was applied only to foreign headdresses. It is unlikely that this rare word could have found its way into a popular saying at that time.

There is another explanation: much later, clerks and clerks, when dealing with court cases, used their hats to receive bribes.

If only you could help me,” says the plaintiff to the clerk in a sarcastic poem. A.K. Tolstoy, - I would pour ten rubles into my hat, by the way. Joke? “Rash now,” said the clerk, holding up his cap. - Come on!

It is very possible that the question: “Well, how am I doing?” - clerks often answered with a sly wink: “It’s in the bag.” This is where the saying could have come from.

Money doesn't smell

He took the money and didn’t wince, money doesn’t smell.

Meaning. It is the availability of money that is important, not the source of its origin.

Origin. To urgently replenish the treasury, the Roman Emperor Vespasian introduced a tax on public urinals. However, Titus reproached his father for this. Vespasian brought the money to his son's nose and asked if it smelled. He answered negatively. Then the emperor said: “But they are from urine...” Based on this episode, a catchphrase developed.

Keep in a black body

Don't let her sleep in bedBy the light of the morning star, Keep the lazy girl in the black body And don’t take the reins off her!

Nikolay Zabolotsky

Meaning. To treat someone harshly, strictly making you work hard; to oppress someone.

Origin. The expression comes from Turkic expressions associated with horse breeding, meaning - to eat in moderation, to be malnourished (kara kesek - meat without fat). The literal translation of these phrases is “black meat” (kara - black, kesek - meat). From the literal meaning of the expression comes “to keep in a black body.”

Bring to white heat

Vile guy, drives me crazy.

Meaning. Make you angry to the limit, drive you crazy.

Origin. When metal is heated during forging, it glows differently depending on the temperature: first red, then yellow, and finally blinding white. At a higher temperature, the metal will melt and boil. An expression from the speech of blacksmiths.

Smoke rocker

In the tavern the smoke stood like a yoke: songs, dances, shouting, fighting.

Meaning. Noise, din, disorder, turmoil.

Origin. In old Rus', huts were often heated in a black way: the smoke escaped not through the chimney, but through a special window or door. And they predicted the weather by the shape of the smoke. The smoke comes in a column - it will be clear, dragging - towards fog, rain, a rocker - towards the wind, bad weather, or even a storm.

Egyptian executions

What kind of punishment is this, just Egyptian executions!

Meaning. Disasters that bring torment, severe punishment

Origin. Goes back to the biblical story of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. For Pharaoh’s refusal to release the Jews from captivity, the Lord subjected Egypt to terrible punishments - ten Egyptian plagues. Blood instead of water. All the water in the Nile and other reservoirs and containers turned into blood, but remained transparent for the Jews. Execution by frogs. As was promised to Pharaoh: “They will go out and enter into your house, and into your bedroom, and into your bed, and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. Toads filled the entire land of Egypt.

Invasion of midges. As a third punishment, hordes of midges fell upon Egypt, attacking the Egyptians, clinging to them, getting into their eyes, noses, and ears.

Dog flies. The country was flooded with dog flies, from which all animals, including domestic ones, began to attack the Egyptians.

Cattle pestilence. All Egyptians' livestock died out; only the Jews were not affected by the attack. Ulcers and boils. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to take a handful of furnace soot and throw it up in front of Pharaoh. And the bodies of the Egyptians and the animals were covered with terrible sores and boils. Thunder, lightning and fiery hail. A storm began, thunder roared, lightning flashed, and a hail of fire fell on Egypt. Locust invasion. A strong wind blew, and behind the wind hordes of locusts flew into Egypt, devouring all the greenery down to the last blade of grass on the land of Egypt.

Unusual darkness. The darkness that fell on Egypt was thick and dense, you could even touch it; and candles and torches could not dispel the darkness. Only the Jews had light.

Execution of the firstborn. After all the firstborn children in Egypt (except for the Jewish ones) died in one night, Pharaoh gave up and allowed the Jews to leave Egypt. Thus began the Exodus.

Iron curtain

We live as if behind an iron curtain, no one comes to us, and we don’t visit anyone.

Meaning. Obstacles, obstacles, complete political isolation of the country.

Origin. At the end of the 18th century. An iron curtain was lowered onto the theater stage to protect spectators in case of a fire. At that time, open fire was used to illuminate the stage - candles and oil lamps.

This expression acquired political overtones during the First World War. On December 23, 1919, Georges Clemenceau declared in the French Chamber of Deputies: “We want to put an iron curtain around Bolshevism so as not to destroy civilized Europe in the future.”

Yellow press

Where did you read all this? Don't trust the yellow press.

Meaning. A low-quality, deceitful press, greedy for cheap sensations.

Origin. In 1895, the New York World newspaper began regularly publishing a series of comic strips called “The Yellow Kid.” Its main character, a boy in a long yellow shirt, made funny comments about various events. In early 1896, another newspaper, the New York Morning Journal, lured the creator of the comic strip, artist Richard Outcault. Both publications thrived on publishing scandalous materials. A dispute broke out between competitors over the copyright of “Yellow Baby.” In the spring of 1896, the editor of the New York Press, Erwin Wordman, commenting on this litigation, contemptuously called both newspapers “the yellow press.”

Alive Smoking Room

A. S. Pushkin wrote an epigram to the critic M. Kachenovsky, which began with the words: “How! Is Kurilka the journalist still alive? It ended with wise advice: “...How to extinguish a stinking splinter? How can I kill my Smoking Room? Give me some advice.” - “Yes... spit on him.”

Meaning. An exclamation when mentioning someone's continued activity or existence despite difficult conditions.

Origin. There was an old Russian game: a lit splinter was passed from hand to hand, chanting: “The Smoking Room is alive, alive, alive, alive, not dead!..” The one whose sparkle went out, began to smoke, and smoke, lost.

Gradually, the words “the Smoking Room is alive” began to be applied to certain figures and various phenomena that, according to the logic of things, should have disappeared long ago, but, despite everything, continued to exist.

Behind seven seals

Well, of course, because this is a sealed secret for you!

Meaning. Something incomprehensible.

Origin. Goes back to the biblical expression “a book with seven seals” - a symbol of secret knowledge inaccessible to the uninitiated until seven seals are removed from it, III from the prophetic New Testament book “Revelations of St. John the Evangelist." “And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open this book and to open its seals?” And no one in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth could open this book and look into it. The Lamb, who “was slain and redeemed us to God with his blood, has opened the seals of the book. After the opening of six seals, the seal of God was placed on the inhabitants of Israel, according to which they were accepted as true followers of the Lord. After the opening of the seventh seal, the Lamb ordered John to eat the book: “... it will be bitter in your belly, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey,” in order to talk about the future renewal of the whole world and dispel the fears of believers about the future of Christianity, which Jews, pagans and false teachers are fighting on all sides.”

Hack on the nose

And get this in your head: you won’t be able to deceive me!

Meaning. Remember it firmly, once and for all.

Origin. The word “nose” here does not mean the organ of smell. Oddly enough, it means “memorable tablet”, “record tag”. In ancient times, illiterate people carried such sticks and tablets with them everywhere and made all kinds of notes and notches on them. These tags were called noses.

The truth is in the wine

And next to the neighboring tables Sleepy footmen hang around, And drunkards with rabbit eyes shout “In vino Veritas.”

Alexander Blok

Meaning. If you want to find out exactly what a person is thinking, treat him to wine.

Origin. This is the famous Latin expression: In vino Veritas (in wine veritas). It is taken from the work “Natural History” by the Roman scientist Pliny the Elder (1st century AD). where it is used to mean: what is on the sober mind is on the tongue of the drunk.

The game is not worth the candle

You shouldn't do this. The game is clearly not worth the candle.

Meaning. The effort expended is not worth it.

Origin. The phraseological expression is based on a card term, which means that the stakes in the game are so insignificant that even the winnings will be less than the funds spent on candles to illuminate the card table.

To the head analysis

Well, brother, you've come late to the very basic analysis!

Meaning. Be late, show up when it’s all over.

Origin. The saying arose in those days when in our frosty country people, coming to church in warm clothes and knowing that it was forbidden to go inside with a hat, put their three hats and caps at the very entrance. Upon completion church service When leaving, everyone took them apart. Only those who were clearly in no hurry to go to church came to the “head-by-side analysis.”

How to get chickens into cabbage soup

And he ended up with this case like chickens in cabbage soup.

Meaning. Bad luck, unexpected misfortune.

Origin. A very common saying that we repeat all the time, sometimes without any idea of ​​its true meaning. Let's start with the word "chicken". This word in old Russian means “rooster”. But “cabbage soup” was not in this proverb before, and it was pronounced correctly: “I got caught in the plucking like a chicken,” that is, I was plucked, “unlucky.” The word “plucking” was forgotten, and then people, willy-nilly, changed the expression “to plucking” to “into cabbage soup.” When she was born is not entirely clear: some think that even under Demetrius the Pretender, when she was “plucked”; the Polish conquerors fell; others - that in the Patriotic War of 1812, when the Russian people forced Napoleon's hordes to flee.

King for a day

I would not trust their generous promises, which they give out right and left: caliphs for an hour.

Meaning. About a man who accidentally found himself in a position of power for a short time.

Origin. The Arabic fairy tale “A Waking Dream, or Caliph for an Hour” (collection “A Thousand and One Nights”) tells how the young Baghdadian Abu-Shssan, not knowing that the caliph Grun-al-Rashid is in front of him, shares with him his cherished dream - become caliph at least for a day. Wanting to have fun, Harun al-Rashid pours sleeping pills into Abu Hassan's wine, orders the servants to take the young man to the palace and treat him like a caliph.

The joke succeeds. Waking up, Abu-1ksan believes that he is the caliph, enjoys luxury and begins to give orders. In the evening, he again drinks wine with sleeping pills and wakes up at home.

Scapegoat

I'm afraid that you will forever be their scapegoat.

Meaning. Responsible for someone else's fault, for the mistakes of others, because the true culprit cannot be found or wants to evade responsibility.

Origin. The phrase goes back to the text of the Bible, to the description of the ancient Hebrew ritual of transferring the sins of the people (community) onto a living goat. This ritual was performed in the event of desecration of the sanctuary where the Ark of the Ark was located by Jews. To atone for sins, a ram was burned and one goat was slaughtered “as a sin offering.” All the sins and iniquities of the Jewish people were transferred to the second goat: the priest laid his hands on it as a sign that all the sins of the community were transferred to him, after which the goat was expelled into the desert. All those present at the ceremony were considered purified.

sing Lazarus

Stop singing Lazarus, stop being poor.

Meaning. Beg, whine, complain exaggeratedly about fate, trying to evoke the sympathy of others.

Origin. In tsarist Russia, crowds of beggars, cripples, blind men with guides gathered everywhere in crowded places, begging, with all sorts of pathetic lamentations, alms from passers-by. The blind people especially often sang the song “About the Rich Man and Lazarus,” composed based on one gospel story. Lazarus was poor and his brother was rich. Lazarus ate the rich man's leftover food along with the dogs, but after death he went to heaven, while the rich man ended up in hell. This song was supposed to frighten and reassure those from whom beggars begged for money. Since not all beggars were actually so unhappy, their plaintive moans were often feigned.

Get into trouble

You promised to be careful, but you deliberately get into trouble!

Meaning. Undertaking something risky, running into trouble, doing something dangerous, doomed to failure.

Origin. Rozhon is a sharpened stake that was used in bear hunting. When hunting with a goad, daredevils held this sharp stake in front of them. The enraged beast got into trouble and died.

Disservice

Constant praise from your lips is a real disservice.

Meaning. Unsolicited help, a service that does more harm than good.

Origin. The primary source is I. A. Krylov’s fable “The Hermit and the Bear.” It tells how the Bear, wanting to help his friend the Hermit smack a fly that had landed on his forehead, killed the Hermit himself along with it. But this expression is not in the fable: it developed and entered folklore later.

Cast pearls before swine

In a letter to A. A. Bestuzhev (late January 1825), A. S. Pushkin writes: “The first sign of an intelligent person is to know at first glance who you are dealing with, and not to throw pearls in front of the Repetilovs and the like.”

Meaning. Wasting words speaking to people who cannot understand you.

Origin. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ says: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces” (Gospel of Matthew, 7: b). In the Church Slavonic translation, the word “pearl” sounds like “beads”. It is in this version that this biblical expression entered the Russian language.

You can't ride a goat

He looks down on everyone, you can’t even approach him on a crooked goat.

Meaning. He is completely unapproachable, it is not clear how to contact him.

Origin. Amusing their high patrons, using harps and bells for their amusement, dressing up in goat and bear skins, and in the plumage of a crane, these “spinners” were sometimes able to do some pretty good things.

It is possible that their repertoire also included riding goats or pigs. Obviously, it was the buffoons who sometimes encountered such a bad mood from a high-ranking person that “even a goat had no effect on him.”

Unlucky man

Nothing went well with him, and in general he was a bad person.

Meaning. Frivolous, careless, dissolute.

Origin. In the old days in Rus', not only the road was called a path, but also various positions at the prince’s court. The falconer's path is in charge of princely hunting, the hunter's path is in charge of hound hunting, the stablemaster's path is in charge of carriages and horses. The boyars tried by hook or by crook to get a position from the prince. And those who did not succeed were spoken of with disdain: a good-for-nothing person.

Shelve

Now you’ll put it on the back burner, and then you’ll forget it completely.

Meaning. Give the case a long delay, delay its decision for a long time.

Origin. Perhaps this expression originated in Muscovite Rus', three hundred years ago. Tsar Alexei, the father of Peter I, ordered a long box to be installed in the village of Kolomenskoye in front of his palace, where anyone could drop their complaint. Complaints were received, but it was very difficult to wait for a solution: months and years passed. The people renamed this “long” box “long”.

It is possible that the expression, if not born, was fixed in speech later, in “presences” - institutions of the 19th century. The officials of that time, accepting various petitions, complaints and petitions, undoubtedly sorted them, putting them in different boxes. “Long” could be called the one where the most leisurely tasks were postponed. It is clear that the petitioners were afraid of such a box.

Retired goat drummer

I am no longer in office - a retired goat drummer.

Meaning. A person not needed by anyone, respected by anyone.

Origin. In the old days, trained bears were brought to fairs. They were accompanied by a dancing boy dressed as a goat, and a drummer accompanying his dance. This was the “goat drummer”. He was perceived as a worthless, frivolous person. What if the goat is also “retired”?

Bring it under the monastery

What have you done, what should I do now, you brought me under the monastery, and that’s all.

Meaning. To put someone in a difficult, unpleasant position, to bring them under punishment.

Origin. There are several versions of the origin of the turnover. Perhaps the turnover arose because people who had big troubles in life usually went to the monastery. According to another version, the expression is related to the fact that Russian guides led enemies under the walls of monasteries, which during the war turned into fortresses (bring a blind man under a monastery). Some believe that the expression is associated with the difficult life of women in Tsarist Russia. Only strong relatives could protect a woman from her husband’s beatings, having achieved protection from the patriarch and the authorities. In this case, the wife “brought her husband to the monastery” - he was sent to the monastery “in humility” for six months or a year.

Plant the pig

Well, he has a nasty character: he planted the pig and is satisfied!

Meaning. Secretly set up some nasty thing, do some mischief.

Origin. In all likelihood, this expression is due to the fact that some peoples do not eat pork for religious reasons. And if such a person was discreetly put pork into his food, then his faith was desecrated.

Get into trouble

The guy got into such trouble that even the guard screamed.

Meaning. Find yourself in a difficult, dangerous or unpleasant situation.

Origin. In dialects, BINDING is a fish trap woven from branches. And, as in any trap, being in it is not a pleasant thing.

Professor of sour cabbage soup

He is always teaching everyone. Me too, professor of sour cabbage soup!

Meaning. Unlucky, bad master.

Origin. Sour cabbage soup is a simple peasant food: water and sauerkraut. Preparing them was not particularly difficult. And if someone was called a master of sour cabbage soup, it meant that he was not fit for anything worthwhile.

Beluga roar

For three days in a row she roared like a beluga.

Meaning. Scream or cry loudly.

Origin. “As dumb as a fish” - this has been known for a long time. And suddenly “beluga roar”? It turns out that we are talking here not about the beluga, but about the beluga whale, as they call polar dolphin. He really roars very loudly.

Breeding antimonies

That's it, the conversation is over. I have no time to create antimonies with you here.

Meaning. Chat, carry on empty conversations. Observe unnecessary ceremony in relationships.

Origin. From the Latin name for antimony (antimonium), which was used as a medicinal and cosmetic product by first grinding it and then dissolving it. Antimony does not dissolve well, so the process was very long and laborious. And while it was dissolving, the pharmacists carried on endless conversations.

On the side of the bake

Why should I go to them? Nobody called me. It's called coming - on the side of the heat!

Meaning. Everything is random, extraneous, attached to something from the outside; superfluous, unnecessary

Origin. This expression is often distorted by saying “on the side.” In fact, it could be expressed with the words: “side baking.” For bakers, baked, or baked, are burnt pieces of dough that stick to the outside of bread products, that is, something unnecessary, superfluous.

Orphan Kazan

Why are you standing, rooted to the threshold like an orphan from Kazan.

Meaning. This is what they say about a person who pretends to be unhappy, offended, helpless in order to pity someone.

Origin. This phraseological unit arose after the conquest of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible. The Mirzas (Tatar princes), finding themselves subjects of the Russian Tsar, tried to beg all sorts of concessions from him, complaining about their orphanhood and bitter fate.

Grated kalach

Like a grated kalach, I can give you practical advice.

Meaning. This is what they call an experienced person who is difficult to deceive.

Origin. There used to be such a type of bread - “grated kalach”. The dough for it was crumpled, kneaded, “grated” for a very long time, which is why the kalach turned out to be unusually fluffy. And there was also a proverb - “do not grate, do not crush, there will be no kalach.” That is, trials and tribulations teach a person. The expression comes from a proverb, and not from the name of the bread.

Tip on your tongue

What are you saying? Thump your tongue!

Meaning. An expression of dissatisfaction with what was said, an unkind wish to someone who says something that is not meant to be said.

Origin. It is clear that this is a wish, and not a very friendly one. But what is its significance? Pip is a small horny tubercle on the tip of a bird's tongue that helps them peck food. The growth of such a tubercle may be a sign of illness. Hard pimples on the human tongue are called pimples by analogy with these bird bumps. According to superstitious beliefs, pip usually appears in deceitful people. Hence the bad wish, designed to punish liars and deceivers. From these observations and superstitions, an incantatory formula was born: “Tip on your tongue!” Its main meaning was: “You are a liar: let there be a pip on your tongue!” Now the meaning of this spell has changed somewhat. “Tip your tongue!” - an ironic wish to the one who expressed an unkind thought, predicted something unpleasant.

Sharpen the laces

Why are you sitting idle and sharpening your swords?

Meaning. Talking idle talk, engaging in useless chatter, gossiping.

Origin. Lyasy (balusters) are turned figured posts of the railing at the porch; Only a true master could make such beauty. Probably, at first, “sharpening balusters” meant conducting an elegant, fancy, ornate (like balusters) conversation. And by our time, there were fewer and fewer people who could conduct such a conversation. So this expression came to mean empty chatter. Another version elevates the expression to the meaning of the Russian word balyasy - tales, Ukrainian balyas - noise, which go back directly to the common Slavic “tell”.

Pull the gimp

Now they’re gone, he’ll keep dragging his feet until we give up on this idea ourselves.

Meaning. To procrastinate, to delay something, to speak monotonously and tediously.

Origin. Gimp is the finest gold, silver or copper thread, which was used to embroider braids, aiguillettes and other decorations on officer uniforms, as well as priests' vestments and simply rich costumes. It was made in a handicraft way, by heating the metal and carefully pulling out a thin wire with pliers. This process was extremely long, slow and painstaking, so that over time the expression “pull the gimp” began to refer to any protracted and monotonous business or conversation.

Hit face in the dirt

Don't let us down, don't lose face in front of the guests.

Meaning. To make a mistake, to disgrace oneself.

Origin. To hit the dirt with your face originally meant “to fall on the dirty ground.” Such a fall was considered especially shameful by the people in fist fights - wrestling competitions, when a weak opponent was thrown prone to the ground.

In the middle of nowhere

What, should we go see him? Yes, this is in the middle of nowhere.

Meaning. Very far away, somewhere in the wilderness.

Origin. Kulichiki is a distorted Finnish word “kuligi”, “kulizhki”, which has long been included in Russian speech. This is what forest clearings, meadows, and swamps were called in the north. Here, in the wooded part of the country, settlers of the distant past constantly cut down “kulizhki” in the forest - areas for plowing and mowing. In old charters the following formula is constantly found: “And all that land, as long as the ax walked and the scythe walked.” The farmer often had to go to his field in the wilderness, to the farthest “kulizhki”, worse developed than those close to him, where, according to the ideas of that time, goblins, devils, and all sorts of forest evil spirits lived in the swamps and windfalls. This is how ordinary words received their second, figurative meaning: very far away, at the edge of the world.

Fig leaf

She is a terrible pretender and lazy person, hiding behind her imaginary illness like a fig leaf.

Meaning. A plausible cover for unseemly deeds.

Origin. The expression goes back to the Old Testament myth about Adam and Eve, who, after the Fall, experienced shame and girded themselves with fig leaves (fig tree): “And their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed together fig leaves, and made themselves girdles "(Genesis 3:7). From the 16th to the end of the 18th century, European artists and sculptors had to cover the most revealing parts of the human body with a fig leaf in their works. This convention was a concession to the Christian church, which considered the depiction of naked flesh sinful and obscene.

Filka's certificate

What kind of filthy letter is this, can’t you really express your thoughts?

Meaning. An ignorant, illiterate document.

Metropolitan Philip could not come to terms with the revelry of the guardsmen. In his numerous messages to the tsar - letters - he sought to convince Grozny to abandon his policy of terror and dissolve the oprichnina. Tsyuzny contemptuously called the disobedient Metropolitan Filka, and his letters - Filka letters.

For his bold denunciations of Ivan the Terrible and his guardsmen, Metropolitan Philip was imprisoned in the Tver Monastery, where he was strangled by Malyuta Skuratov.

Grab the stars from the sky

He is a man not without abilities, but there are not enough stars from heaven.

Meaning. Do not be distinguished by talents and outstanding abilities.

Origin. A phraseological expression associated, apparently, by association with the award stars of military and officials as insignia.

That's enough of a prickle

He was in great health, and suddenly he got sick.

Meaning. Someone died suddenly or was suddenly paralyzed.

Origin. According to the historian S. M. Solovyov, the expression is associated with the name of the leader of the Bulavin uprising on the Don in 1707, Ataman Kondraty Afanasyevich Bulavin (Kondrashka), who in a sudden raid destroyed the entire royal detachment led by the governor, Prince Dolgoruky.

Apple of discord

This ride is a real bone of contention, can’t you give in, let him go.

Meaning. What gives rise to conflict, serious contradictions.

Origin. Peleus and Thetis, the parents of the Trojan War hero Achilles, forgot to invite the goddess of discord Eris to their wedding. Eris was very offended and secretly threw a golden apple onto the table at which gods and mortals were feasting; on it was written: “To the most beautiful.” A dispute arose between three goddesses: Zeus's wife Hera, Athena the maiden, goddess of wisdom, and the beautiful goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite.

The young man Paris, the son of the Trojan king Priam, was chosen as a judge between them. Paris gave the apple to Aphrodite who bribed him; For this, Aphrodite made the wife of King Menelaus, the beautiful Helen, fall in love with the young man. Leaving her husband, Helen went to Troy, and in order to avenge such an insult, the Greeks began a long-term war with the Trojans. As you can see, the apple of Eris actually led to discord.

Pandora's Box

Well, now hold on, Pandora's box has opened.

Meaning. Everything that can serve as a source of disaster if you are careless.

Origin. When the great titan Prometheus stole the fire of the gods from Olympus and gave it to people, Zeus terribly punished the daredevil, but it was too late. Possessing the divine flame, people stopped obeying the celestials, learned various sciences, and came out of their pitiful state. A little more - and they would have won complete happiness.

Then Zeus decided to send punishment on them. The blacksmith god Hephaestus sculpted the beautiful woman Pandora from earth and water. The rest of the gods gave her: some cunning, some courage, some extraordinary beauty. Then, handing her a mysterious box, Zeus sent her to earth, forbidding her to open the box. Curious Pandora, as soon as she came into the world, opened the lid. Immediately all human disasters flew out of there and scattered throughout the universe. Pandora, in fear, tried to slam the lid again, but in the box of all the misfortunes, only one deceptive hope remained.

We use ancient sayings and various catchphrases in everyday life, sometimes without even knowing the history of the origin of such catchphrases. We all know the meanings of many of these phrases from childhood and use these expressions appropriately; they came to us unnoticed and became entrenched in our culture for centuries. Where did these phrases and expressions come from?

But every folk wisdom has its own story, nothing appears out of nowhere. Well, it will be very interesting for you to find out where these catch phrases and expressions, proverbs and sayings came from!

Read also our material Russian folk superstitions, about the history of the origin of popular signs and superstitions - very interesting!

Where did the expressions come from?

bosom friend

“Pour over the Adam’s apple” - enough old expression, in ancient times it literally meant “to get drunk”, “to drink a lot of alcohol.” The phraseological unit “bosom friend”, formed since then, is used to this day and means the closest friend.

Money doesn't smell

The roots of this expression should be sought in Ancient Rome. The son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian once reproached his father for introducing a tax on public toilets. Vespasian showed his son the money received into the treasury from this tax and asked him if the money smelled. The son sniffed and gave a negative answer.

Washing the bones

The expression dates back to ancient times. Some peoples believed that an unrepentant damned sinner, after his death, emerges from the grave and turns into a ghoul or vampire and destroys everyone who gets in his way. And in order to remove the spell, it is necessary to dig up the remains of the dead person from the grave and wash the bones of the deceased with clean water. Now the expression “washing the bones” means nothing more than dirty gossip about a person, a pseudo-analysis of his character and behavior.

Breathing on its last legs

Christian custom required that the dying were confessed by priests before death, and also that they received communion and burned incense. The expression stuck. Now they say about sick people or poorly functioning devices and equipment: “they are dying.”

Play on your nerves

In ancient times, after doctors discovered the existence of nervous tissue (nerves) in the body, based on their resemblance to the strings of musical instruments, they called nervous tissue in Latin with the word strings: nervus. From that moment on, an expression came about that means annoying actions - “playing on your nerves.”

vulgarity

The word “vulgarity” is originally Russian, the root of which is derived from the verb “went”. Until the 17th century, this word was used in a good, decent meaning. It meant traditional, familiar in the everyday life of people, that is, what is done according to custom and happened, that is, WENT from time immemorial. However, the coming reforms of the Russian Tsar Peter I with their innovations distorted this word, it lost its former respect and began to mean: “uncultured, backward, simple-minded,” etc.

Augean stables

There is a legend according to which King Augeis was an avid horse breeder; there were 3,000 horses in the king’s stables. For some reason, no one cleaned the stables for 30 years. Hercules was entrusted with cleaning these stables. He directed the bed of the Althea River into the stables, and the flow of water washed away all the dirt from the stables. Since then, this expression has been applied to polluting something to the extreme.

Scum

The remaining liquid that remained at the bottom along with sediment was previously called scum. All sorts of rabble often hung around taverns and taverns, drinking the cloudy remains of alcohol in glasses behind other visitors, very soon the term scum passed on to them.

Blue blood

The royal family, as well as the nobility of Spain, were proud that they were leading their
ancestry from the West Goths, as opposed to the common people, and they never mixed with the Moors, who entered Spain from Africa. Blue veins stood out clearly on the pale skin of the indigenous Spaniards, which is why they proudly called themselves “blue blood.” Over time, this expression began to denote a sign of aristocracy and passed on to many nations, including ours.

Reach the handle

In Rus', rolls of bread were always baked with a handle, so that it was convenient to carry the rolls. The handle was then broken off and thrown away for hygiene purposes. The broken handles were picked up and eaten by beggars and dogs. The expression means to become extremely poor, to go down, to become impoverished.

Scapegoat

The ancient Jewish rite consisted of the fact that on the day of remission of sins, the high priest laid his hands on the head of a goat, as if laying all the sins of the people on it. Hence the expression “scapegoat.”

The game is not worth the candle

In the old days, before the invention of electricity, gamblers gathered to play in the evenings by candlelight. Sometimes the bets made and the winner's winnings were negligible, so much so that even the candles that burned during the game did not pay for it. This is how this expression appeared.

Add the first number

In the old days, students were often flogged at school, sometimes even without any misconduct on their part, simply as a preventive measure. The mentor could show diligence in educational work and sometimes the students suffered greatly. Such students could be released from whipping until the first day of the next month.

Beat your head

In the old days, logs cut off from logs were called baklushas. These were the blanks for wooden utensils. Making wooden utensils did not require any special skills or effort. This matter was considered very easy. From that time on, it became a custom to “knuckle down” (do nothing).

If we don't wash, we'll just ride

In the old days, women in villages literally “rolled” their laundry after washing using a special rolling pin. Thus, well-rolled linen turned out to be wrung out, ironed and, moreover, clean (even in cases of poor quality washing). Nowadays we say “by washing, by skiing,” which means achieving a cherished goal by any means.

It's in the bag

In the old days, messengers who delivered mail to recipients sewed very valuable important papers, or “deeds,” into the lining of their caps or hats, in order to hide them from prying eyes. important documents and do not attract the attention of robbers. This is where the expression “it’s in the bag,” which is still popular to this day, comes from.

Let's go back to our sheep

In a French comedy from the Middle Ages, a wealthy clothier sued a shepherd who stole his sheep. During the court hearing, the clothier forgot about the shepherd and switched to his lawyer, who, as it turned out, did not pay him for six cubits of cloth. The judge, seeing that the clothier had drifted into the wrong direction, interrupted him with the words: “Let's go back to our sheep.” Since then, the expression has become popular.

Contribute

In Ancient Greece there was a mite (small coin) in circulation. In the Gospel parable, a poor widow donated her last two mites for the construction of the temple. Hence the expression “do your bit.”

Versta Kolomenskaya

In the 17th century, by order of the then reigning Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the distance between Moscow and the royal summer residence in the village of Kolomenskoye was measured, as a result of which very high milestones were installed. Since then, it has become a custom to call very tall and thin people “Verst Kolomenskaya”.

Chasing a long ruble

In the 13th century in Rus', the monetary and weight unit was the hryvnia, which was divided into 4 parts (“ruble”). Heavier than the others, the remainder of the ingot was called the “long ruble.” The expression “chasing a long ruble” means easy and good income.

Newspaper ducks

The Belgian humorist Cornelissen published a note in the newspaper about how one scientist bought 20 ducks, chopped one of them and fed it to the other 19 ducks. A little later, he did the same with the second, third, fourth, etc. As a result, he was left with one and only duck, which ate all 19 of its friends. The note was posted with the aim of mocking the gullibility of readers. Since then, it has become a custom to call false news nothing more than “newspaper ducks.”

Money laundering

The origins of the expression go to America, at the beginning of the 20th century. Al Capone found it difficult to spend his ill-gotten gains because he was constantly under the watchful eye of the intelligence services. In order to be able to safely spend this money and not get caught by the police, Capone created a huge network of laundries that had very low prices. Therefore, it was difficult for the police to track the actual number of clients; it became possible to write down absolutely any income of laundries. This is where the now popular expression “money laundering” comes from. The number of laundries since that time has remained huge, the prices for their services are still low, so in the USA it is customary to wash clothes not at home, but in laundries.

Orphan Kazan

As soon as Ivan the Terrible took Kazan, he decided to bind the local aristocracy to himself. To do this, he rewarded high-ranking officials of Kazan who voluntarily came to him. Many of the Tatars, wanting to receive good, rich gifts, pretended to be seriously affected by the war.

Topsy-turvy

Where did this popular expression come from, which is used when a person dressed or did something incorrectly? During the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible in Rus', an embroidered collar was a sign of the dignity of one or another nobleman, and this collar was called “shivorot”. If such a worthy boyar or nobleman in any way angered the tsar or was subjected to royal disgrace, he was usually seated backwards on a skinny nag, having first turned his clothes inside out. Since then, the expression “topsy-turvy” has been established, which means “on the contrary, wrong.”

From under the stick

The expression “under the stick” takes its roots from circus acts in which trainers force animals to jump over a stick. This phraseological turn has been used since the 19th century. It means that a person is forced to work, forced to do some action or behavior that he really does not want to do. This phraseological image is associated with the opposition “will - captivity.” This metaphor likens a person to an animal or a slave who is forced to do something or work under pain of physical punishment.

One teaspoon per hour

This catchphrase appeared in quite distant times thanks to pharmacists. In those difficult times, pharmacists themselves prepared mixtures, medicinal ointments and infusions for many diseases. According to the rules that have existed since then, each bottle of the medicinal mixture must contain instructions (recipe) for the use of this medicine. Back then they measured things not in drops, as they mostly do now, but in teaspoons. For example, 1 teaspoon per glass of water. In those days, such medications had to be taken strictly by the hour, and treatment usually lasted quite a long time. Hence the meaning of this catchphrase. Now the expression “a teaspoon per hour” means a long and slow process of some action with time intervals, on a very small scale.

Get into trouble

To get into trouble means to be in an awkward position. Prosak is an ancient medieval special rope machine for weaving ropes and twisting ropes. It had a very complex design and twisted the strands so strongly that clothing, hair or beard getting caught in its mechanism could even cost a person his life. This expression originally even had a specific meaning, literally - “accidentally falling into twisted ropes.”

Typically, this expression implies being embarrassed, going nuts, getting into an unpleasant situation, disgracing yourself in some way, getting into a puddle, screwing up, as they say these days, losing face in the dirt.

Freebies and for free

Where did the word "freebie" come from?

Our ancestors called a freebie the top of a boot. Typically, the bottom of the boot (the head) wore out much faster than the top of the muffler. Therefore, to save money, enterprising “cold shoemakers” sewed a new head to the boot. Such updated boots, one might say - sewn on “for free” - were much cheaper than their new counterparts.

Hack on the nose

The expression “hack on the nose” came to us from ancient times. Previously, among our ancestors, the term “nose” meant writing boards that were used as ancient notepads - all kinds of notes were made on them, or it would be more correct to say notches for memory. It was from those times that the expression “hack on the nose” appeared. If they borrowed money, they wrote the debt on such tablets and gave it to the creditor as promissory notes. And if the debt was not repaid, the creditor was “left with his nose,” that is, with a simple tablet instead of the borrowed money.

Prince on a white horse

The expression of modern princesses about the expectations of a “prince on a white horse” originated in medieval Europe. At that time, royalty rode beautiful white horses in honor of special holidays, and the most highly respected knights rode horses of the same color in tournaments. From that time on, the expression about princes on white horses came about, because a stately white horse was considered a symbol of greatness, as well as beauty and glory.

Far away

Where is this located? In ancient Slavic fairy tales, this expression of distance “far away lands” occurs very often. It means that the object is very far away. The roots of the expression go back to the times of Kievan Rus. At that time there were decimal and nine numeral systems. So, according to the nine-fold system, which was based on the number 9, the maximum scale for the standards of a fairy tale, which increases everything threefold, the number distant was taken, that is, three times nine. This is where this expression comes from...

I'm coming at you

What does the expression “I’m coming to you” mean? This expression has been known since the times of Kievan Rus. The Grand Duke and Bright Warrior Svyatoslav, before a military campaign, always sent the warning message “I’m coming at you!” to enemy lands, which meant an attack, an attack - I’m coming at you. During the times of Kievan Rus, our ancestors called “you” specifically to their enemies, and not to honor strangers and older people.

It was a matter of honor to warn the enemy about an attack. The code of military honor and the ancient traditions of the Slavic-Aryans also included a prohibition to shoot or attack with weapons an unarmed or unequally powerful enemy. The Code of Military Honor was strictly adhered to by those who respected themselves and their ancestors, including Grand Duke Svyatoslav.

There is nothing behind the soul

In the old days, our ancestors believed that the human soul was located in the dimple in the neck between the collarbones.
According to custom, money was kept in the same place on the chest. Therefore, they said and still say about the poor man that he “has nothing behind his soul.”

Sewn with white threads

This phraseological unit comes from tailoring roots. In order to see how to sew the parts when sewing, they are first hastily sewn together with white threads, so to speak, a rough or test version, so that later all the parts can be carefully sewn together. Hence the meaning of the expression: a hastily assembled case or work, that is, “on the rough side,” may imply negligence and deception in the case. Often used in legal vernacular when an investigator is working on a case.

Seven spans in the forehead

By the way, this expression doesn’t mean very much high intelligence person, as we usually believe. This is an expression about age. Yes, yes. A span is an ancient Russian measure of length, which is equal to 17.78 cm in terms of centimeters (the international unit of measurement of length). 7 spans in the forehead is a person’s height, it is equal to 124 cm, usually children grew to this mark by the age of 7. At this time, children were given names and began to be taught (boys - a male craft, girls - a female one). Until this age, children were usually not distinguished by gender and they wore the same clothes. By the way, until the age of 7 they usually didn’t have names, they were simply called “child”.

In search of Eldorado

El Dorado (translated from Spanish as El Dorado means “golden”) is a mythical country in South America which is rich in gold and precious stones. The conquistadors of the 16th century were looking for her. In a figurative sense, “Eldorado” is often called a place where you can quickly get rich.

Karachun has arrived

There are popular expressions that not everyone can understand: “Karachun came,” “Karachun grabbed.” Meaning: someone, someone suddenly died, died or was killed... Karachun (or Chernobog) in ancient Slavic mythology of pagan times is the underground god of death and frost, moreover, he is not at all a good spirit, but on the contrary - evil. By the way, he is celebrated on the day winter solstice(December 21-22).

About the dead it's either good or nothing

The implication is that the dead are spoken of either well or not at all. This expression has come down to the present day in a rather seriously modified form from the depths of centuries. In ancient times this expression sounded like this: “Either good things are said about the dead, or nothing but the truth.”. This is a fairly well-known saying of the ancient Greek politician and poet Chilon from Sparta (VI century BC), and the historian Diogenes Laertius (III century AD) tells about it in his essay “The Life, Teaching and Opinions of Famous Philosophers” . Thus, the truncated expression has lost its original meaning over time and is now perceived in a completely different way.

Exasperate

You can often hear in colloquial speech how someone drives someone to the point of insanity. The meaning of the expression is to stir up strong emotions, to bring someone into a state of extreme irritation or even complete loss of self-control. Where and how did this turn of phrase come from? It's simple. When the metal is gradually heated, it becomes red, but when it is further heated to a very high temperature, the metal becomes white. Heat it up, that is, warm it up. Heating is essentially very intense heating, hence the expression.

All roads lead to Rome

During the Roman Empire (27 BC - 476 AD), Rome tried to expand its territories through military conquest. Cities, bridges, and roads were actively built for better communication between the provinces of the empire and the capital (for the collection of taxes, the arrival of couriers and ambassadors, the rapid arrival of legions to suppress riots). The Romans were the first to build roads and, naturally, construction was carried out from Rome, from the capital of the Empire. Modern scientists say that the main routes were built precisely on ancient ancient Roman roads that are thousands of years old.

Woman of Balzac's age

How old are women of Balzac's age? Honore de Balzac, a famous French writer of the 19th century, wrote the novel “A Woman of Thirty,” which became quite popular. Therefore, “Balzac age”, “Balzac woman” or “Balzac heroine” is a woman of 30-40 years old who has already learned life wisdom and worldly experience. By the way, the novel is very interesting, like other novels by Honore de Balzac.

Achilles heel

The mythology of Ancient Greece tells us about the legendary and greatest hero Achilles, the son of the sea goddess Thetis and the mere mortal Peleus. In order for Achilles to become invulnerable and strong like the gods, his mother bathed him in the waters of the sacred river Styx, but since she held her son by the heel so as not to drop him, it was this part of Achilles’ body that remained vulnerable. The Trojan Paris hit Achilles in the heel with an arrow, causing the hero to die...

Modern anatomy calls the tendon above the calcaneus in humans “Achilles.” Since ancient times, the very expression “Achilles heel” has meant a weak and vulnerable spot person.

Dot all the I's

Where did this rather popular expression come from? Probably from the Middle Ages, from the copyists of books in those days.

Around the 11th century, a dot appears over the letter i in the texts of Western European manuscripts (before that, the letter was written without a dot). When writing letters in words together in italics (without separating the letters from each other), the line could get lost among other letters and the text would become difficult to read. In order to more clearly designate this letter and make texts easier to read, a dot was introduced over the letter i. And the dots were placed after the text on the page had already been written. Now the expression means: to clarify, to bring the matter to an end.

By the way, this saying has a continuation and completely sounds like this: “Dot the i’s and cross the t’s.” But the second part didn’t catch on with us.