Russian popular expressions (Collection). A plot worthy of Aivazovsky's brush
The Russian language is rich and powerful with its long history. And each era brought something of its own to this language. And such expressions have come down to us that absolutely everyone knows, for example, to freeze stupidity or point the horns, and everyone knows what they mean, but only a few know where they came from. About the origin of these and other catchphrases in this article further ..
Freeze stupidity
This expression appeared thanks to the gentlemen of the gymnasium. The fact is that the word "moros" in translation from Greek just means "stupidity". The teachers said this to negligent students when, out of ignorance of the lesson, they began to talk nonsense: “You are carrying a frost.” Then the words were rearranged - and it turned out that the gymnasium students “froze stupidity” out of ignorance.
Big boss
Do you remember the picture "Barge haulers on the Volga", how barge haulers drag a barge with all their might? important place in this strap is the place of the first barge hauler. He initiates, he directs the others. Therefore, this place was occupied by the most strong man. This man in a burlatsky strap was called a “bump”. This means that a “big bump” is a big and important person.
Alive Smoking Room
In the old days in Russia there was such a game: everyone sat in a circle, someone lit a torch - and then it was passed around the circle from hand to hand. At the same time, all those present sang a song: “The Smoking Room is alive, alive, alive, not dead ...”. And so on until the torch burns. The one who had the torch in his hands went out lost. and sometimes to things that, it would seem, should have disappeared a long time ago, but in spite of everything continued to exist.
And prove that you are not a camel
This phrase became very popular after the release of the next series of the zucchini "Thirteen Chairs". There was a miniature where Pan Director talks with Pan Himalayan about a camel recently brought to the circus. The accompanying documents said: "We are sending a two-humped camel to your circus and Himalayan”, i.e. the surname of Pan Himalayan was written with a small letter. Fearing bureaucratic checks, Pan Director demands a certificate from Pan Himalayan that he is not really a camel. This so vividly ridiculed the role of the bureaucratic machine in our country that the expression very quickly went to the people and became popular. Now we say this when we are asked to prove obvious things.
Not at ease
In French, "asiet" is both a plate and a mood, a state. They say that in early XIX century, a certain translator, making a translation of a French play, translated the phrase "buddy, you're out of sorts" as "you're not at ease." Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov, who was an avid theater-goer, of course, could not pass by such a brilliant blunder and put an illiterate phrase into Famusov's mouth: "My dear! You are not at ease. Sleep is needed from the road." FROM light hand Alexander Sergeevich, the crazy phrase found meaning and took root in the Russian language for a long time.
Pour in the first number
In the old days, schoolchildren were often flogged, often without any fault of the punished. If the mentor showed special zeal, and the student got especially hard, he could be released from further vices in the current month, up to the first day next month. This is how the expression "pour on the first number" arose.
And a no brainer
The source of the expression "And a no-brainer" is Mayakovsky's poem ("It is clear even a no-brainer - / This Petya was a bourgeois"). The use of this phrase in the Strugatskys' story "The Country of Crimson Clouds" contributed to the widespread use, and it also became commonplace in Soviet boarding schools for gifted children. They recruited teenagers who had two years left to study (grades A, B, C, D, E) or one year (classes E, F, I) The students of the one-year stream were called “hedgehogs”. When they came to the boarding school, two-year students were already ahead of them in a non-standard program, so at the beginning school year the expression "no brainer" was very relevant.
give the go-ahead
In the pre-revolutionary alphabet, the letter D was called "good." The flag corresponding to this letter is in the code of signals navy has the meaning “yes, I agree, I allow.” This is what caused the expression “give the go-ahead” to appear. The expression “Customs gives the go-ahead” derived from this first appeared in the film “White Sun of the Desert”.
Fly like plywood over Paris
It would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone heard the expression “Fly like plywood over Paris”. The meaning of this phraseological unit can be conveyed as a missed opportunity to do or get something, to be out of work, to fail. But where did this saying come from? In 1908 Auguste Fanier, a famous French aviator, making a demonstration flight over Paris, crashed into the Eiffel Tower and died. After that, the famous Menshevik Martov wrote in Iskra that "the tsarist regime is flying to its death as quickly as Mr. Fanier over Paris "". A Russian person took this maxim a little differently, changing the name of a foreign aviator to plywood. Hence the expression "fly like plywood over Paris
The Russian language is rich and powerful with its long history. And each era brought something of its own to this language. And such expressions have come down to us that absolutely everyone knows, for example, to freeze stupidity or point the horns, and everyone knows what they mean, but only a few know where they came from. About the origin of these and other catchphrases in this article further ..
"Freeze stupidity"
This expression appeared thanks to the gentlemen of the gymnasium. The fact is that the word "moros" in translation from Greek just means "stupidity".
The teachers said this to negligent students when, out of ignorance of the lesson, they began to talk nonsense: “You are carrying a frost.” Then the words were rearranged - and it turned out that the gymnasium students “froze stupidity” out of ignorance.
"To set the horns" The origin of this expression is very ancient. During the reign of the emperor Komnenos Andronicus ( ancient Byzantium) there was such a rule in everyday life: those husbands with whose wives the emperor had a love affair were allowed to hunt in the emperor's menagerie, where he kept many exotic animals. And I must say, this privilege was then in great demand. So, the gates of the houses where such families lived were decorated with deer antlers - a sign of special honor.
"Big boss"
Remember the picture "Barge haulers on the Volga", how barge haulers drag a barge with all their might? The heaviest and most important place in this strap is the place of the first barge hauler. He sets the initiative, he directs the rest.Therefore, this place was occupied by the strongest person. This man in a burlatsky strap was called a “bump”. This means that a “big bump” is a big and important person.
"Alive Smoking Room"
In the old days in Russia there was such a game: everyone sat in a circle, someone lit a torch - and then it was passed around the circle from hand to hand. At the same time, all those present sang a song: "Alive, alive Smoking room, alive, not dead ...".
And so on until the torch burns. The one in whose hands the torch went out lost. Since then, this expression has been applied to those people, and sometimes to things that for a long time, it would seem, should have disappeared, but despite everything continued to exist.
"And prove that you are not a camel"
This phrase became very popular after the release of the next series of the zucchini "Thirteen Chairs". There was a miniature where Pan Director talks with Pan Himalayan about a camel brought to the circus recently.
In the accompanying documents it was written: “We are sending a two-humped camel and a Himalayan camel to your circus”, i.e. the name of Pan Himalayan was written with a small letter. Fearing bureaucratic checks, Pan Director requires a certificate from Pan Himalayan that he is not on actually a camel.
This so vividly ridiculed the role of the bureaucratic machine in our country that the expression very quickly went to the people and became popular.Now we say this when we are asked to prove obvious things.
"Not at ease"
In French, "asiet" is both a plate and a mood, a state.They say that at the beginning of the 19th century, a certain translator, while translating a French play, translated the phrase "buddy, you're out of sorts" as "you're out of your element."Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov, who was an avid theater-goer, of course, could not pass by such a brilliant blunder and put an illiterate phrase into Famusov's mouth: "My dear! You are not at ease. Sleep is needed from the road."With the light hand of Alexander Sergeevich, the crazy phrase found meaning and took root in the Russian language for a long time.
”Pour on the first number”
In the old days, schoolchildren were often flogged, often without any fault of the punished. If the mentor showed particular zeal, and the student got hit especially hard, he could be released from further vices in the current month, up to the first day of the next month. This is how the expression "pour on the first number" arose.
"And a no brainer"
The source of the expression "And a no-brainer" is Mayakovsky's poem ("It is clear even a no-brainer - / This Petya was a bourgeois"). The use of this phrase in the Strugatskys' story "The Country of Crimson Clouds" contributed to the widespread use, and it also became commonplace in Soviet boarding schools for gifted children. They recruited teenagers who had two years left to study (grades A, B, C, D, E) or one year (classes E, F, I).
The students of the one-year course were called “hedgehogs”. When they came to the boarding school, the two-year students were already ahead of them in a non-standard program, so at the beginning of the school year the expression “no brainer” was very relevant.
”Give good”
In the pre-revolutionary alphabet, the letter D was called "good." The flag corresponding to this letter in the code of signals of the navy has the meaning "yes, I agree, I allow." This is what caused the expression “give the go-ahead.” The expression “Customs gives the go-ahead” derived from this first appeared in the film “White Sun of the Desert”.
Fly like plywood over Paris
It would not be an exaggeration to say that everyone heard the expression “Fly like plywood over Paris”. The meaning of this phraseological unit can be conveyed as a missed opportunity to do or get something, to be out of work, to fail. But where did this saying come from?
In 1908, the famous French aviator Auguste Fannier, making a demonstration flight over Paris, crashed into the Eiffel Tower and died. After that, the well-known Menshevik Martov wrote in Iskra that “the tsarist regime is flying towards its destruction as quickly as Mr. Fanier over Paris.” A Russian person took this maxim a little differently, changing the name of a foreign aviator to plywood. Hence the expression "to fly like plywood over Paris
"Kuram to laugh"
Since time immemorial, the chicken has been the subject of playful ridicule among people. She does not fly, although she has wings, does not build a nest, is afraid of water, does not see in the dark, is shy, stupid. No wonder they say that cancer is not a fish, and a chicken is not a bird. Hence the expression "chickens laugh" - even stupid chickens laugh.
Do we all know about the expressions we use all the time? Sometimes too little. But behind each of them is a whole story, sometimes fascinating, and sometimes tragic.
Ivan who does not remember family
Fugitives from tsarist hard labor, serfs who fled from the landowner, soldiers who could not bear the burden of recruitment, sectarians and other "passportless vagabonds", falling into the hands of the police, carefully concealed their name and origin. To all questions they answered that they were called "Ivans", and they did not remember "their kinship" (that is, their origin).
Black on white
Until the middle of the 14th century, books in Russia were written on parchment, which was made from the skin of young lambs, calves, and kids. The skin in the process of processing acquired White color. Since the 12th century, a mixture of ferrous sulphate with an ink nut has been used as ink. A solution of such ink dried on the surface with a clearly visible layer. The labor-intensive process of production and the high spiritual significance of books at that time created a high exclusive authority for everything that is written in black and white.
And there is a hole in the old woman
Original Russian folk expression. "Prorukha" in some regions of Russia is called an unfortunate mistake, a mistake, and this saying, as it were, confirms that even the most experienced and skillful person can have oversights.
Pound water in a mortar
Now only aliens, probably, have not heard sectarian arguments about the miraculous properties of water. How she allegedly remembers information, crystallizes into amazing stars and polygons - all the Japanese told and the film was shown. Our people have not gone far from the Japanese: since ancient pagan times they whispered water, in anticipation of further miracles. With a minus sign - if you talk bad, purely positive - if you wish good. But suddenly someone blurted out something over the source? Especially when he slipped or dropped the jug. But water remembers everything! And priests with shamans invented a way to remove unnecessary information from liquids. To do this, the water was pushed and ground for a long time and persistently in a vessel hollowed out of a tree trunk. And after several days of torment, it was already possible to whisper all sorts of spells and change the charmed drink into skins or embroidered belts there. But, apparently, this low-budget potion did not always work. Therefore, gradually the expression became a symbol of a completely useless occupation.
a fool
The character of the European medieval theater, the jester wore a striped suit, a cap with donkey ears, and in his hand he held a rattle - a stick with a bull bladder filled with peas tied to it. (By the way, the expression "striped jester" recorded in Dahl's dictionary came from the mentioned two-color suit.)
The performances of the jester in public always began with the sound of this rattle, and during the performance he even beat the other characters and the audience. Returning to the peas: Russian buffoons decorated themselves with pea straw, and on Maslenitsa a straw jester of a pea was taken through the streets.
pull the gimp
What is a gimp and why should it be pulled? This is a copper, silver or gold thread used in gold embroidery for embroidering patterns on clothes and carpets. Such a thin thread was made by drawing - repeatedly rolling and drawing through ever smaller holes. Pulling the gimp was a very painstaking task, requiring a lot of time and patience. In our language, the expression to pull the gimp is fixed in its figurative meaning - to do something long, tedious, the result of which is not immediately visible.
Sharing the skin of an unkilled bear
It is noteworthy that back in the 30s of the 20th century it was customary in Russia to say: “Sell the skin of an unkilled bear.” This version of the expression seems closer to the original source, and more logical, because there is no benefit from the “divided” skin, it is valued only when it remains intact. The original source is the fable "The Bear and Two Comrades" by the French poet and fabulist Jean La Fontaine (1621-1695).
Ate the dog
Few people know that initially this expression originally had a pronounced ironic character. The full saying sounds like this: he ate the dog, and choked on his tail. So they said about a man who did a difficult job, but stumbled over a trifle.
The idiom ate the dog is currently used as a characteristic of a person who has a wealth of experience in any business.
Scream all over Ivanovskaya
In the old days, the square in the Kremlin, where the bell tower of Ivan the Great stands, was called Ivanovskaya. On this square, clerks announced decrees, orders and other documents relating to the inhabitants of Moscow and all the peoples of Russia. So that everyone could hear well, the clerk read very loudly, shouted all over Ivanovskaya.
Take rubbish out of the hut
Again, a case of so-called witchcraft. It is not clear to us now - where to put this same rubbish then, to save up in the house or something? And before it was customary to burn it in a furnace. Firstly, garbage trucks had not yet been invented, and secondly, magical influence was one of the main methods of suggestion after brute force. And a connoisseur of subtle magical matters, according to legend, could, moving his nose over the garbage, find out all the ins and outs of his owners. Well, to harm by itself, and to bury it in the cemetery, which is generally fraught with terrible consequences. Gradually, people stopped believing in these passions, but they continue to express themselves about rubbish - there is nothing, they say, to make their secrets public.
Cause time and fun hour
In the 17th century, falconry was the most popular entertainment, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich himself was a passionate admirer of this leisure: he went to it almost every day, except only for the winter months, and even issued a decree on compiling a collection of rules for falconry.
By decree of the tsar in 1656, a guide to fun was even compiled and it was called "The Book of the Commander: a new code and arrangement of the rank of the falconer's way."
In "Uryadnik" hunting was praised in every possible way, contributing to overcoming various adversities and sorrows, which was prescribed to be done often and at any time. However, Alexei Mikhailovich decided that the too obvious preference for hunting-fun harms state affairs, and made a handwritten postscript at the end of the preface. It said: "... don't (don't) forget the military system: it's time for business and an hour for fun."
Where Makar does not drive calves
One of the versions of the origin of this saying is as follows: Peter I was on a working trip to Ryazan land and communicated with the people in an "informal setting". It so happened that all the men he met on the way called themselves Makars. The king was very surprised at first, and then said: "From now on, all of you will be Makars!" Allegedly, since then, "Makar" has become a collective image of the Russian peasant and all peasants (not only Ryazan) began to be called Makars.
Good riddance
In one of Ivan Aksakov's poems, one can read about the road, which is "straight, like an arrow, with a wide smooth surface that the tablecloth lay down." So in Russia they saw off on a long journey, and they did not put any bad meaning into them. This original meaning of the phraseologism is present in explanatory dictionary Ozhegov. But it is also said there that modern language the expression has the opposite meaning: "An expression of indifference to someone's departure, departure, as well as a wish to get out, anywhere." An excellent example of how ironically stable etiquette forms are rethought in the language!
dance from the stove
To dance from the stove means to act according to an approved plan once and for all, without using any of your knowledge and ingenuity. This expression became famous thanks to the 19th century Russian writer Vasily Sleptsov and his book “ Good man". This is the story of Sergei Terebenev, who returned to Russia after a long absence. The return awakened childhood memories in him, the most vivid of which are dance lessons.
Here, he stands by the stove, legs in third position. Parents, yard servants are nearby and watch his progress. The teacher gives the command: "One, two, three." Seryozha begins to make the first “pas”, but suddenly he loses time, his legs tangle.
Oh, what are you, brother! - Father says reproachfully. “Well, go about five to the stove, start over.”
Find out all the ins and outs
In principle, the phrase is not something that has lost its meaning, but has lost its sinister connection with its source. And it originated not just anywhere, but in a torture chamber. When the suspect came across strong and morally stable, and did not admit to his deed, the executioner said: “You won’t tell the real truth, you’ll tell the inside story.” After that, it was possible to say goodbye to the nails. There were other variants of torture, no less painful. Apparently, they were quite effective, because the expression was preserved, only people hastened to forget about its scary true meaning.
Nick down
With this expression, on the contrary - it somehow gives self-mutilation and aggression. The unfortunate schoolboy, in front of whose nose the formidable finger of the teacher sways, probably imagines how the ax is brought over the protruding part of his face. In fact, the nose is a small wooden plank. Illiterate peasants made notches on it so as not to forget some important matter, or scratched drawings explaining the essence of this matter.
play spillikins
In the village, this game captured entire families. The main thing is that it did not require any investment. He took straws, poured a bunch and with a stick you take out one at a time so that the others do not disturb. Kind of like Tetris in reverse. Then this occupation required the same money. Brisk entrepreneurs began to produce sets of sticks and special hooks for pulling. And later, the sets began to be made up of tiny figures: teapots, ladders, horses. Even had such a toy royal family. And it is not clear after that how this expression became synonymous with a stupid, useless occupation. BUT fine motor skills hands?
Hot spot
The expression "hot spot" is found in the Orthodox prayer for the dead ("... in a place of hotness, in a place of rest ..."). So in the texts Church Slavonic called paradise.
The meaning of this expression was ironically rethought by the raznochintsy-democratic intelligentsia of the times of Alexander Pushkin. The language game was that our climate does not allow growing grapes, therefore in Russia intoxicating drinks were produced mainly from cereals (beer, vodka). In other words, green means a drunken place.
Seven Fridays in a week
In the old days, Friday was a market day, on which it was customary to fulfill various trade obligations. On Friday, the goods were received, and the money for it was agreed to be given on the next market day (on Friday of the next week). Those who broke such promises were said to have seven Fridays a week.
But this is not the only explanation! Friday was considered to be a free day from work before, therefore, a loafer was characterized by a similar phrase, for whom every day is a day off.
Write with a pitchfork on the water
There are two interpretations, one "more serious" than the other. Firstly, mermaids were called pitchforks in Russia. It is not clear where the river maidens would be able to write from, but, having seen their predictions inscribed on the water, one could be sure that everything would come true.
Also, the pitchfork was a tool of the Magi, and only after that a mundane agricultural tool. Three tips meant the essence of the god Triglav, and there were both large pitchforks, like a staff, and small ones - bone, the size of a palm. And with these things, the priests, tired of whispering, cast spells on the water. Perhaps she was even pushed beforehand. But what's the point? All the same, they forgot about their labors, and they only scoff at the written pitchfork.
cut off hunk
The full proverb sounds like this: "You can't stick a cut piece back." Daughter issued to foreign lands; a son separated and living his own home; a recruit whose forehead was shaved - all these are cut off chunks, it’s no wonder to see each other, but you won’t heal with one family.
There is one more important point: in the old days, bread, which personified a prosperous life, was by no means cut, but only broken by hand (hence the word hunk). So the phrase "cut off slice" is a real historical oxymoron.
Not at ease
This saying arose from a misunderstanding. "Not at ease" is a mistranslation of the French "ne pas dans son assiette". The word assiette ("state, position") has been confused with its homonym - "plate". It was no coincidence that Griboyedov chose this proverb for the triumph of "a mixture of French and Nizhny Novgorod" in his work "Woe from Wit". “My dear, you are not at ease,” Famusov says to Chatsky. And we can only laugh!
Goal like a falcon
"Goal like a falcon", we say about extreme poverty. But this proverb has nothing to do with birds. Although ornithologists say that falcons really lose their feathers during molting and become almost naked!
"Falcon" in the old days in Russia was called a ram, a tool made of iron or wood in the form of a cylinder. It was hung on chains and swung, thus breaking through the walls and gates of the enemy's fortresses. The surface of this weapon was even and smooth, simply speaking, bare.
The word "falcon" in those days was used to refer to cylindrical tools: iron scrap, a pestle for grinding grain in a mortar, etc. Sokolov was actively used in Russia until the advent of firearms at the end of the 15th century.
Raven count
This is how the bumpkin appears, which, while the black birds are pecking garden crops, counts the thieves, instead of grabbing the drin. But the fact is that the raven was considered a sinister bird. Since these birds do not disdain carrion, a clear formula of superstition has developed among the people: people + raven \u003d dead. So, for example, if a raven sat on the roof of a house and croaked, then someone in the house would die. And if the winged devil sat on a church cross, then expect trouble for the whole village. So people looked with fear in their souls - where the arrogant birds settled there. With the adoption of Christianity, fear diminished. A raven, for example, fed the prophet Elijah in the desert. So, again, great - an empty lesson - counting croaking signs!
shabby look
This expression appeared under Peter I and was associated with the name of the merchant Zatrapeznikov, whose Yaroslavl linen manufactory produced both silk and wool, which were in no way inferior in quality to the products of foreign factories. In addition, the manufactory also made very, very cheap striped hemp fabric - motley, "shabby" (rough to the touch), which went to mattresses, bloomers, sundresses, women's headscarves, work dressing gowns and shirts.
And if for rich people such a dressing gown was home clothes, then for the poor, things from shabby clothes were considered “going out” clothes. The shabby appearance spoke of the low social status of a person.
Russian popular expressions
Russian popular expressions
And Vaska listens and eats
Quote from the fable by I. A. Krylov (1769–1844) “The Cat and the Cook” (1813). It is used when it comes to a person who is deaf to reproaches and, despite any exhortations, continues to do his job.
And you, friends, no matter how you sit down,
You're not good at being musicians
Quote from I. A. Krylov's fable "Quartet" (1811). It is used in relation to a poorly functioning team, in which things are not going well because there is no unity, harmony, professionalism, competence, an accurate understanding of each of his own and common tasks.
And the casket just opened
Quote from I. A. Krylov's fable "Casket" (1808). A certain "mechanic sage" tried to open the chest and was looking for a special secret of his castle. But since there was no secret, he did not find it and “left behind the casket.”
And how to open it, did not guess,
And the casket just opened.
This phrase is used when talking about some business, an issue, in the resolution of which it was not necessary to look for difficult decision, since there is a prime.
And he, rebellious, asks for a storm,
As if there is peace in the storms!
Quote from the poem by M. Yu. Lermontov (1814-1841) "Sail" (1841).
And who are the judges?
Quote from the comedy by A. S. Griboedov (1795–1829) “Woe from Wit” (1824), words by Chatsky:
And who are the judges? - For the antiquity of years
To a free life their enmity is irreconcilable,
Judgments draw from forgotten newspapers
Ochakov times and the conquest of the Crimea.
The phrase is used to emphasize contempt for the opinions of authorities who are no better than those 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 the rapture of power.
Hey Moska! know she's strong
What barks at an elephant
Quote from I. A. Krylov's fable "Elephant and Pug" (1808). It is used when it comes to someone's senseless attacks on someone who is obviously superior to his "opponent" (criticism, detractor, aggressor, etc.).
Alexander the Macedonian hero, but why break the chairs?
A quote from N. V. Gogol’s (1809–1852) comedy The Inspector General (1836), Gorodnichiy’s words about the teacher: “He scientific head- this is evident, and the darkness picked up information, but only explains with such fervor that he does not remember himself. I once listened to him: well, for the time being I was talking about the Assyrians and Babylonians - still nothing, but how I got to Alexander the Great, I can’t tell you what happened to him. I thought it was a fire, by golly! He ran away from the pulpit and, that he had the strength, to grab the chair on the floor. It is, of course, Alexander the Macedonian 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
A quote from A. S. Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824), the words of Famusov, with which the play ends. Used to denote cowardly dependence on walking, sanctimonious morality.
Ah, evil tongues are worse than a gun
Quote from A. S. Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824), words by Molchalin.
Ba! familiar faces
Quote from A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824), Famusov’s words:
Ba! familiar faces!
Daughter, Sofia Pavlovna! shame!
Shameless! where! with whom!
Give or take, she
Like her mother, the dead wife.
I used to be with the 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
So they say that it is not known whether it will come true. The expression is formed by truncation of the proverb "Grandmother said in two: either rain or snow, either it will or not."
Bazarov. Bazarovshchina
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 a part of the Russian raznochinstvo students of the 60s. XIX century, which at that time was fond of Western European materialistic philosophy in its simplified, primitive interpretation.
Hence "Bazarovism" - a collective name, meaning all the extremes of this kind of worldview, namely the passion natural sciences, gross 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!
To the madness of the brave we sing a song
Quote from The Song of the Falcon (1898) by M. Gorky (1868–1936).
Beat the thumbs
The expression is used in the meaning: to spend time idly, to engage in trifles, to mess around. Baklusha - a piece of wood processed for dressing various items(spoons, cups, etc.). IN handicraft production beat the buckets - chip off chocks from a log for making wooden crafts. Figurative meaning This is explained by the fact that the production of baklushas was considered by the people to be an easy task that did not require effort and skill.
beat with a forehead
The word "chelo" in Old Russian means "forehead". IN Ancient Russia"Forehead", that is, forehead, beat on the floor, falling before the nobles and kings in prostration. This was called "bowing with great custom" and expressed the utmost degree of respect. From here came the expression “to beat with a forehead” in the meaning: to apply to the authorities with a request, to intercede. In written requests - “petitions” - they wrote: “And for this, your little serf Ivashko beats you with his forehead ...” Even later, the words “beat with his forehead” began to simply mean: “greet”.
Bet
Meaning: to argue about something. A pledge in Russia was called a pledge, as well as a bet, a dispute 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 "Woe from the mind" (1824), Chatsky's words. The expression is used to refer to overly, unreasonably gullible people or those who are too deceived by their iridescent plans and hopes.
Shoe a flea
The expression became winged after the appearance of the story by N. S. Leskov (1831–1895) “Lefty” (1881), which was created on the basis of a folk joke: "The British made a flea out of steel, and our Tula people shod it and sent it back to them." It is used in the meaning: to show extraordinary invention in some business, skill, fine craftsmanship.
Petrel
After the appearance in print of "The Song of the Petrel" (1901) M. Gorky in 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. So playfully or boastfully talk about some incident.
You can be a good person
And think about the beauty of nails
Quote from the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" (1831) by A. S. Pushkin. Cited as a response to accusations of being overly concerned about one's appearance.
You can't go anywhere in the carriage of the past
Quote from M. Gorky's play "At the Bottom" (1902), lyrics 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 as a characteristic of fruitless dreams.
In some kingdom, not in our state
The traditional beginning of many Russians folk tales. Used in the meaning: somewhere, no one knows where.
There is no truth at the 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 Russia, debtors were severely punished, beaten with iron rods on their bare legs, seeking the repayment of the debt, that is, “truth”, but such a punishment could not force those who had no money to return the debt;
2) according to the second version, the expression arose due to the fact that the landowner, having discovered the loss of something, gathered the peasants and forced them to stand until the culprit was named;
The Russian language has many catchphrases and words that we often use easily and naturally in our speech, without even thinking about where we know them from. Intuition and sense of language almost never let us down. Most of these expressions are written by well-known Russian leaders, writers and poets. Most of the catch phrases and words in our language came from Krylov's fables, Pushkin's poems, the works of Griboyedov, Karamzin. Chekhov, Gogol and other great Russian writers and poets.
A.S. Pushkin said that “following the thoughts of great people is the most entertaining science.”
Once again, remember the famous phrases and sayings that are recognized as winged and have become an integral part of the Russian language. Use them, enrich your lexicon. And never, under any circumstances, be speechless.
60 most famous Russian winged words and expressions
And Vaska listens and eats
from the fable by I. A. Krylov (1769–1844) “The Cat and the Cook” (1813)
And the casket just opened
from the fable by I. A. Krylov "Cabin" (1808)
And he, rebellious, asks for a storm,
As if there is peace in the storms!
from a poem by M. Yu. Lermontov (1814–1841) “Sail” (1841)
And who are the judges?
from the comedy by A. S. Griboedov (1795–1829) “Woe from Wit” (1824)
And happiness was so possible
So close!
from the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" by A. S. Pushkin (1799–1837), ch. 8 (1832)
Hey Moska! know she's strong
What barks at an elephant
from the fable by I. A. Krylov "The Elephant and the Pug" (1808)
Alexander the Macedonian hero, but why break the chairs?
from the comedy by N. V. Gogol (1809–1852) The Inspector General (1836)
Ah, evil tongues are worse than a gun
Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world!
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" (1824)
You can be a smart person And think about the beauty of your nails
from the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" (1831) by A. S. Pushkin
You can’t harness a horse and a quivering doe into one cart
from the poem by A. S. Pushkin "Poltava" (1829)
Everything should be beautiful in a person: face, clothes, soul, and thoughts.
from the play by A. P. Chekhov "Uncle Vanya" (1897)
In all of you, Darling, you are good attire
from the poem by I.F. Bogdanovich (1743-1803) "Darling" (1778)
Everything is mixed up in the Oblonsky house
from the novel JI. N. Tolstoy "Anna Karenina" (1875)
All this would be funny
Whenever it was so sad
from a poem by M. Yu. Lermontov “A. O. Smirnova "(1840)
The hero is not my novel
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" (1824)
Was it a boy?
from the novel by M. Gorky "The Life of Klim Samgin" (1927)
Nice lady in every way
from the poem by N. V. Gogol " Dead Souls» (1842)
Things of bygone days
Traditions of antiquity deep
from the poem by A. S. Pushkin "Ruslan and Lyudmila" (1820)
There is life in the old dog yet
from the story of N. V. Gogol "Taras Bulba" (1842)
There is something to despair
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" (1824)
There is rapture in battle
And the dark abyss on the edge
from the dramatic scene of A. S. Pushkin "Feast during the plague" (1832)
Live and let others live
The first line of the poem by G. R. Derzhavin (1743–1816) “On the birth of Empress Gremislava” (1798)
And the smoke of the fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov “Woe from Wit” (1824)
And live in a hurry and feel in a hurry
from a 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"
And boring, and sad, and there is no one to give a hand
from M. Yu. Lermontov's poem "Both boring and sad" (1840)
And fight again! Rest only in our dreams
from a poem by A. A. Blok (1880–1921) “On the Kulikovo field” (1909)
From a beautiful distance
An expression from N. V. Gogol's poem "Dead Souls" (1842)
No matter what happens
from A.P. Chekhov's story "The Man in the Case"
How did you get to this life?
from a poem by N. A. Nekrasov (1821–1878)
How beautiful, how fresh the roses were...
from a poem by I. P. Myatlev (1796–1844) “Roses”
Women shouted: hurrah! And they threw caps into the air
from the comedy A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"
The cuckoo praises the rooster
Because he praises the cuckoo
from the fable by I. A. Krylov “The Cuckoo and the Rooster” (1841)
Beam of light in the dark realm
The title of the article (1860) by N. A. Dobrolyubov (1836–1861), dedicated to the drama by A. N. Ostrovsky (1823–1886) “Thunderstorm”
Love for all ages
from the poem "Eugene Onegin" (1831) by A. S. Pushkin
Bypass us more than all sorrows
And the lord's anger, and the lord's love
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit"
I don't like your gift
The road is your love
Expression from the Russian folk song "On the pavement street"
We all learned a little
To anything and somehow
from the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" (1831) by A. S. Pushkin
Don't tempt me unnecessarily
from a poem by E. A. Baratynsky (1800–1844) "Reassurance" (1821), set to music by M. I. Glinka (1825)
Don't be foolish
Expression from the tragedy of A. S. Pushkin "Boris Godunov" (1831)
Nothing is new [not forever] under the moon
From the poem "Experienced Solomon's Wisdom, or Selected Thoughts from Ecclesiastes" (1797) by N. M. Karamzin
Where are you from, beautiful child?
from the drama by A. S. Pushkin "Mermaid" (1837)
Oh, you are heavy, Monomakh's hat!
from the tragedy of A. S. Pushkin "Boris Godunov" (1831)
It's time, my friend, it's time!
from a poem by A.S. Pushkin "It's time, my friend, it's time! The heart asks for peace." (1834)
The habit from above is given to us:
She is a substitute for happiness
From ship to ball
from the novel in verse "Eugene Onegin" (1831) by A. S. Pushkin
An idiot's dream come true
from the novel by I. Ilf and E. Petrov "The Golden Calf"
Fresh legend, but hard to believe
I would be glad to serve, it's sickening to serve
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" (1824)
Laugh, right, it's not a sin
Over everything that seems funny
from a poem by N. M. Karamzin "Message to Alexander Alekseevich Pleshcheev" (1796)
Pick flowers of pleasure
An expression from N. V. Gogol's comedy "The Government Inspector" (1836)
Happy hours don't watch
from the comedy by A. S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit" (1824)
A plot worthy of Aivazovsky's brush
from the play by A.P. Chekhov "Uncle Vanya" (1897
Theater begins with a hanger
Aphorism of one of the founders of the Moscow Art Theater K. S. Stanislavsky (1863-1938)
The strong always have the powerless to blame
from the fable of I.A. Krylov "The Wolf and the Lamb"
Terrible age, terrible hearts
from the drama by A. S. Pushkin "The Miserly Knight" (1836)
The darker the night, the brighter than a star
from a poem by A. N. Maikov (1821–1897)
What we have, we do not store, having lost, crying
An aphorism from "The Fruits of Thoughts" (1854) by Kozma Prutkov, who repeated the name of the vaudeville (1844) by S. Solovyov.
What will pass will be nice
from a poem by A. S. Pushkin "If life deceives you" (1825)