3 sayings with explanation of meaning. Russian folk proverbs about friendship

THE PROVERB DOES NOT SAY FORMALLY

BUSINESS BEFORE PLEASURE.
A handwritten note from Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629 - 1676) to a collection of rules for falconry, a favorite pastime of that time. It is usually said as a reminder to a person who, while having fun, forgets about the matter.

TWO DEATHS CAN'T HAPPEN, BUT ONE CAN'T BE SAVED.
The inevitable will still happen, whether you take risks or not. It speaks of the determination to do something associated with risk, danger, and at the same time with the hope that the danger can still be avoided.

THE FIRST DAMN IT IS LOMIC.
It often happens that the housewife doesn’t succeed in the first pancake (it doesn’t come out of the frying pan well, it burns), but the housewife uses it to determine whether the dough is well kneaded, whether the pan is warmed up, or whether it needs to add oil. It is said to justify the unsuccessful start of a new, difficult business.
IF YOU CHASE TWO HARRIES, YOU WILL NOT Catch EITHER.
It is said when someone takes on several (usually beneficial for himself) tasks at once and therefore cannot do any of them well or complete them.

GRANDMOTHER SAID TWO.
In two (simple) - vaguely, with the ability to understand one way or another. It is unknown whether what is expected will come true; It is still unknown how it will be: one way or another. They say when they doubt the implementation of what they propose.

FOR ONE BEATEN, THEY GIVE TWO UNBEATEN.
They say when they understand that punishment for mistakes made is good for a person, because this is how he gains experience.

AN OLD FRIEND IS BETTER THAN TWO NEW ONES.
It is said when they want to emphasize the loyalty, devotion and irreplaceability of an old friend.

ONE HEAD IT'S GOOD, BUT TWO BETTER.
It is said when, when solving a problem, they turn to someone for advice, when they solve a matter together

GET LOST IN TWO PINES.
Not being able to understand something simple, uncomplicated, not being able to find a way out of the simplest difficulty.

FROM THE POT IS THREE VERSHKS.
Very short, short, small.

I PROMISED THREE BOXES.
A lot (to say, promise, lie, etc.).

THE PROMISED WAS WAITING FOR THREE YEARS.
They say it jokingly when they do not believe that someone will soon fulfill their promises or when the fulfillment of what is promised is delayed indefinitely.

CRY IN THREE STREAMS.
That is, it is very bitter to cry.

THE FIFTH WHEEL IN THE CART.
A superfluous, unnecessary person in any matter.

SEVEN DO NOT WAIT FOR ONE.
This is what they say when they start something without someone who is late, or with a reproach to someone who makes many (not necessarily seven) wait.

SEVEN TROUBLES - ONE ANSWER.
Let’s take the risk again, and if we have to answer, then for everything at once, at the same time. It speaks of the determination to do something else risky, dangerous in addition to what has already been done.

SEVEN TIMES MEASURE CUT ONCE.
Before you do anything serious, think it over carefully, foresee everything. It is said as advice to think about everything possible options actions before starting any business.

TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH.
Without an eye (obsolete) - without supervision, without supervision. Things are done poorly and unsatisfactorily when several people are responsible for it at once. It is said when several people (or even organizations) responsible for a matter rely on each other and each individual treats their responsibilities in bad faith.

ALL TRIN IS GRASS.
The mysterious "tryn-grass" is not at all some kind of herbal medicine that people drink so as not to worry. At first it was called "tyn-grass", and tyn is a fence. The result was “fence grass,” that is, a weed that no one needed, everyone was indifferent to.

ADD ON THE FIRST NUMBER.
Believe it or not, in the old school students were flogged every week, no matter who was 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.

GOAL LIKE A FALCON.
Terribly poor, beggar. Usually they think that we're talking about about the falcon bird. But she has nothing to do with it. In fact, the "falcon" is an ancient military battering gun. It was a completely smooth (“bare”) cast iron block attached to chains. Nothing extra!

ORPHAN OF KAZAN.
This is what they say about a person who pretends to be unhappy, offended, helpless in order to pity someone. But why is the orphan “Kazan”? It turns out that 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.

INSIDE OUT.
Now this seems to be a completely harmless expression. And once it was associated with shameful punishment. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, a guilty boyar was placed backwards on a horse with his clothes turned inside out and, in this disgraced form, was driven around the city to the whistling and jeers of the street crowd.

LEAD BY THE NOSE.
Deceive by promising and not fulfilling what was promised. This expression was associated with fairground entertainment. Gypsies led bears by a ring threaded through their noses. And they forced them, poor fellows, to do various tricks, deceiving them with the promise of a handout.

SCAPEGOAT.
This is the name given to a person who is blamed for someone else. The history of this expression is as follows: the ancient Jews had a rite of absolution. The priest laid both hands on the head of the living goat, thereby, as it were, transferring the sins of the entire people onto it. After this, the goat was driven out into the desert. Many, many years have passed, and the ritual no longer exists, but the expression still lives on.

SHARPEN THE LASKS.
Lyasy (balusters) are turned, figured posts of railings 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. But in our time, the number of people skilled in conducting such a conversation became fewer and fewer. So this expression came to mean empty chatter.

GRATED KALAC.
In the old days there really was 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 this proverb.

NICK DOWN.
If you think about it, the meaning of this expression seems cruel - you must agree, it’s not very pleasant to imagine an ax next to your own nose. In reality, everything is not so sad. In this expression, the word “nose” has nothing to do with the organ of smell. “Nos” was the name given to a memorial plaque or a note tag. In the distant past, illiterate people always carried such tablets and sticks with them, with the help of which all kinds of notes or notations were made as memories.

AFTER THE RAIN ON THURSDAY.
Rusichi - ancient ancestors Russians - among their gods they honored the main god - the god of thunder and lightning Perun. One of the days of the week was dedicated to him - Thursday (it is interesting that among the ancient Romans Thursday was also dedicated to the Latin Perun - Jupiter). Prayers were offered to Perun for rain during the drought. It was believed that he should be especially willing to fulfill requests on “his day” - Thursday. And since these prayers often remained in vain, the saying “After the rain on Thursday” began to be applied to everything that is unknown when it will come true.

BREAK A LEG.
This expression arose among hunters and was based on the superstitious idea that with a direct wish (both down and feather), the results of a hunt can be jinxed. In the language of hunters, feather means bird, and down means animals. In ancient times, a hunter going on a hunt received this parting word, the “translation” of which looks something like this: “Let your arrows fly past the target, let the snares and traps you set remain empty, just like the trapping pit!” To which the earner, so as not to jinx it too, replied: “To hell!” And both were sure that evil spirits, invisibly present during this dialogue, will be satisfied and fall behind, and will not plot intrigues during the hunt.

KICK THE BUCKLES.
What are “baklushi”, who “beats” them and when? For a long time, artisans have been making spoons, cups and other utensils from wood. To carve a spoon, it was necessary to chop off a block of wood from a log. Apprentices were entrusted with preparing the bucks: it was an easy, trivial task that did not require any special skill. Preparing such chocks was called “beating the lumps.” From here, from the mockery of the masters at the auxiliary workers - “baklushechnik”, our saying came from.

RUB THE GLASSES.
How can glasses be rubbed in? Where and why? Such a picture would look very ridiculous. And the absurdity occurs because we are not talking about glasses at all, which are used to correct vision. There is another meaning of the word "glasses": red and black marks on playing cards. There is even a gambling card game called “point”. 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. By the way, they knew how to quietly “rub in points” - 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. And the expression “to cheat” began to mean “to deceive”, hence other words were born: “deception”, “deception” - a trickster who knows how to embellish his work, pass off the bad as very good.

THEY CARRY WATER ON THE ANGRY (OFFENDED).
This proverb can be said to a person who is angry and angry unnecessarily. The roots of the saying come from the ancient colloquial speech. Then the word “angry” meant diligent, zealous, diligent. It was these diligent and diligent horses that were chosen for hard work - they carried water in barrels from the river. Thus, the most “angry” (that is, diligent) got the most thankless hard work.

THE WORD IS NOT A SPARROW - YOU WILL NOT CAPTURE IT FLIGHT.
The proverb teaches that before you say anything, you need to think carefully. After all, it’s easy to say a word, but you won’t have to regret what you said later...

FEAR HAS BIG EYES...
A person gripped by fear and frightened very often exaggerates the danger and sees it where it actually is not.

THE MOUNTAIN GAVE BIRTH TO A MOUSE.
The original source of this proverb is considered to be the ancient Greek legend about the pregnant Mount Olympus. The god Zeus, fearing that the birth of this mountain would cause major upheavals in the camp of the gods, made the mountain... give birth to a mouse. The proverb “The mountain gave birth to a mouse” is used in a situation where significant and gigantic efforts ultimately bring insignificant results.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HONOR FROM YOUTH.
From a young age, adv. - from a young age, from a young age. Advice to young people to value their honor and good name from their youth (just as to save their clothes again, that is, while they are new). Spoken as a parting word young man at the beginning of it life path.

WITHOUT DIFFICULTY YOU CAN’T TAKE (PUT) A FISH OUT OF THE POND.
Every business requires effort; Without effort, you can’t do anything. It is said when it takes a lot of work, hard work to achieve some result.

DO NOT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED.
In the fall (simple) - in the fall. Not all chickens born in the summer survive on farms until autumn. Some will be carried away by birds of prey, the weak simply will not survive, which is why they say that chickens should be counted in the fall, when it is clear how many of them have survived. You have to judge anything by the end results. It is said when someone prematurely expresses joy at possible success, although the final results are still far away and a lot can change.

SMALL SPOOL BUT PRECIOUS.
Zolotnik is an old Russian unit of weight equal to 4.26 grams. It fell out of use after 1917, when the country introduced the metric system of measures, which is based on the meter (a measure of length) and the kilogram (a measure of weight). Before this, the main measures of weight were pood (16 kg) and pound (400 g), which had 96 spools. The spool was the smallest measure of weight and was used mainly when weighing gold and silver. Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Road - kr. form m.r. from dear. Small in size, but valuable for its qualities. It is said about one who is small in stature, but has many virtues, positive qualities, as well as about something small in size, but very important in essence.

HERE IS YOUR DAY, GRANDMOTHER.
The saying reflects one of the episodes in the history of the Russian people associated with the enslavement of peasants. The emergence of serfdom, i.e. the legally established right of the landowner (feudal lord) to the person, forced labor and property of the peasant, dates back to the time Kievan Rus(IX-XII centuries). The peasants, although they were considered free (free), did not have the right to pass from one owner to another during the year: custom required that they leave only after all field work had been completed, at the beginning of winter, when all the grain had already been harvested. In the middle of the 15th century, peasants were allowed to move from one owner to another once a year - a week before St. George's Day and a week after it (St. George's Day, that is, the day of St. George, in Russian Yuri, the patron saint of farmers, was celebrated November 26, old style, chronology). IN late XVI centuries, the crossing of peasants was prohibited on St. George’s Day. Thus, the peasants were attached to the land and had to remain with their landowner for life. The peasants, who were waiting for St. George's Day as the only opportunity to change their owner and try to improve their lives, were taken away last hope to change their position. This is how a saying arose, expressing regret about unfulfilled hopes.
They say it when they want to express extreme surprise or disappointment at something that unexpectedly happened, something they just found out about and that took away hope and disappointed expectations.

WHERE OURS DIDN’T DISAPPEAR or WHERE OURS DIDN’T DISAPPEAR.
Let's take a risk and try to do it. It is said to be desperately determined to do something, taking risks.

THE EYES ARE FEARED (afraid), BUT THE HANDS DO.
Beginning great job, you are afraid that you won’t be able to cope, but when you start it, you calm down, you understand that you are able to overcome all difficulties.
It is said to encourage one before starting a big or unfamiliar job, or is said with joy when such work is done.

WHERE IT'S THIN, IT TEARS.
Trouble and disaster usually happen where something is unreliable and fragile. They say that when something bad happens, it’s a nuisance, although it was already bad before.

HUNGER IS NOT AN AUNT.
Initially: hunger is not an auntie, she won’t slip a pie. It is said when the feeling of hunger forces you to eat even what you don’t like, or to do something that you wouldn’t do under other circumstances.

LEOPARD CHANGE HIS SPOTS.
A person's ingrained flaws or oddities cannot be corrected. It is said when there is a belief that a person will not change.

GOOD FOR INTELLIGENCE IS Cunning.
Goli, goli, f., collected. (obsolete) - beggars, poor people. Hitra - kr. form g. R. from cunning, here (obsolete): inventive, skillful in something. Lack, the absence of something, forces you to be inventive, to use what you have, what is at hand. It is said with approval or satisfaction when, due to a lack of something necessary, something original and, as a rule, cheap is invented.

BUCKWHEAT PORRIDGE PRAITS ITSELF.
Buckwheat - made from buckwheat grains. Buckwheat is a herbaceous plant, from the seeds of which cereals and flour are made. Buckwheat porridge is one of the favorite foods of Russians. Buckwheat porridge is so good, so tasty, its advantages are so obvious to everyone that it does not need praise. It is spoken with mocking condemnation about an immodest person when he praises himself and speaks about his merits.

PREPARE A SLED IN SUMMER AND A CART IN WINTER.
Sleigh, sled, plural only - a winter cart on two runners for driving in the snow. A cart is a summer cart on four wheels for transporting goods. The sleigh and cart are harnessed to a horse. Prepare for everything in advance. It is said as advice to prepare in advance everything that will be needed in the future.

THE THUNDER WILL NOT CLASH, THE MAN WILL NOT CROSS THE CROSS.
Rumble (1 and 2 l. not used), owl - suddenly rumble, thunder. Man (obsolete) - peasant.
Cross yourself, -cross yourself, -cross yourself, sov.- make a sign of the cross on yourself with your hand: attach three fingers folded together (thumb, index and middle) right hand successively to the forehead, to the chest, to one and the other shoulder. People who believed in God, professed the Christian religion, were baptized in many cases Everyday life. This was a mandatory ritual during prayer (at home and in church), before eating, when entering a hut (they were baptized while looking at the icons in the corner), etc. They baptized the mouth while yawning, baptized loved ones who were leaving or traveling far away and for a long time, they were baptized from fear at the sounds of thunder, etc. In the old days, believers were afraid of thunderstorms like unexplained phenomenon nature. When thunder rumbled, it was believed that thunder (not lightning) could bring misfortune (kill, cause a fire). Therefore, in order to ward off misfortune, to avoid misfortune from a thunderstorm, people were baptized precisely during the thunder; the thunder seemed to warn of a possible misfortune.
Until trouble or trouble occurs, a careless person does not remember about them and does not take measures to prevent them. It is said when they do last moment something that should have been done in advance.

HAVING GIVEN YOUR WORD, STAY AWAY.
Either be true to your word or don't promise. It is said as a reminder of a promise made or as a reproach for an unfulfilled promise, as well as a warning, advice to refrain from making promises if you are not sure that you can fulfill them.

THEY DO NOT LOOK AT A GIVEN HORSE'S TEETH.
Gifted (colloquial) - given, received as a gift. A horse's teeth are examined when they want to determine its age. U old horse the teeth are worn down, so when you buy a horse, be sure to check its teeth so as not to buy an old one. They don’t discuss the gift; they accept what they give. They say when they receive something as a gift that they don’t like and that they wouldn’t choose themselves.

THINGS ARE GOING ON, THE OFFICE IS WRITING.
It is said jokingly about someone's active activity, which is not influenced by any external circumstances.

THINGS LIKE SOOT WHITE.
Soot is black particles from incomplete combustion of fuel that settle on the internal surfaces of stoves and chimneys. Soot is a symbol of the blackest color; there is no such thing as white soot, and the humorous comparison “white as soot” essentially characterizes a black object. The word “black” figuratively means “dark, heavy.” Bela - kr. form g. R. from white. Usually said in response to the question “How are you?”, when things are going badly or when they do not want to answer specifically and are limited to this vague answer (the answer implies an unsatisfactory state of affairs).

THE CHILD DOESN'T CRY, THE MOTHER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND.
Understand, nesov. (obsolete) - to understand something, to guess about something. If you don’t say what you need, no one will guess about it and therefore won’t be able to help. It is said when the lack of help to someone is explained by ignorance of his needs.

AT HOUSE WALLS HELP.
At home or in a familiar, familiar environment, a person feels more confident and calm. It is said with confidence or with the hope that in a familiar environment it will be easier to cope with any task.

ROAD SPOON FOR DINNER.
Road - kr. form g. R. from dear; here: “important, valuable to someone, one that is treasured.” Expensive, valuable is what appears at the right time. It is said when something is done or received on time, precisely at the moment when it is especially interested or needed, or it is said as a reproach to someone who did not do what was necessary on time.

FRIENDS ARE KNOWN (recognized) IN TROUBLE.
Only in difficult times will you find out who your true friend is. It is said in relation to someone who turned out to be very attentive and helped someone in a difficult situation or, conversely, showed callousness towards someone in trouble.

IT WILL HEAL BEFORE THE WEDDING.
It will pass soon, it will heal soon. It is said jokingly to console the victim.

FOR A SWEET FRIEND AND AN EARRING (EARRING) FROM EAR.
Ear - diminutive - affectionate. to the ear. For the beloved, dear person No regrets, you will give your best. It is said that when, out of a feeling of sympathy, a person is generous towards another, ready to do everything for him.

DEBT GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER.
Payment, payment, m. - depositing money on account of something; pay. Krasen - kr. form m.r. from red, here: (folk poet.) “beautiful; joyful, pleasant.” The way you treat someone is how they will treat you. It is said when in response to some action or attitude they do the same.

WHERE CRASHES HAVE THE WINTER.
The saying “I’ll show you where the crayfish spend the winter” originated during the days of serfdom. In the middle of winter, the master sent the guilty person to get crayfish for the table. And in winter it is very difficult to find crayfish, and besides, you can freeze and catch a cold. Since then, this saying has meant a threat, a warning of punishment.

DISCOVER AMERICA.
America was discovered by the navigator Columbus more than five hundred years ago. Therefore, when someone announces something that everyone has known for a long time, they jokingly say to him: “Well, you discovered America!”

THROUGH THE STUMP DECK.
The deck is a log. You have to move slowly through the forest when you have either a stump or a log under your feet. The expression “through the roof” means to do something somehow, indiscriminately.

INVENT THE BICYCLE.
We all know what a bicycle is and how it works. “Don’t reinvent the wheel” so as not to waste time inventing something that has already existed for a long time.

THE MASTER'S WORK IS AFRAID.
Any task can be accomplished if a master, that is, a skilled one, takes on it. knowledgeable person. It is spoken with admiration and praise when a person shows skill and mastery in his craft.

THE HAT IS NOT GOOD FOR SENKA.
In the old days, the hat was a symbol of wealth and nobility. By its size they judged what place a person occupied in society. “This is not a hat for Senka” - this is what they say about a person who is not able to perform this or that work or occupy a certain position.

LOOK FOR THE WIND IN THE FIELD.
Look - command, on. from ch. look for (I'm looking for, looking for), nesov. You won’t find it anyway, there’s no need to look. It talks about someone who has disappeared and who cannot be found (how useless it is to look for the wind in a field), or about something that is irretrievably lost.

YOU CAN'T ERASE WORDS FROM A SONG.
What happened, happened, everything will have to be told. They say it as if apologizing for having to tell everything without leaving out any (usually unpleasant) details (just as you can’t delete a single word from a song so as not to spoil the whole song).

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE.
Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Fire (obsolete and regional) - flame, fire. In popular speech, flame, that is, fire that rises above a burning object, is associated with greater misfortune, flame is a stronger fire. From one misfortune to another, greater one, from a difficult situation to a worse one.
It is said when a person, being in a difficult situation, finds himself in an even more difficult situation.

AND THE SWEDISH, AND THE REAPER, AND IN THE DUDU (on the pipe) THE PLAYER.
Shvets (obsolete and simple) - one who sews clothes, a tailor. The reaper is the one who reaps (cuts off when harvesting) the ripe ears of corn with a sickle. In the dudu (on the pipe) the player (obsolete) is the one who plays the pipe, a musician. About someone who can do everything or who simultaneously performs various duties.

AND YOU WANT AND HURT.
It pricks - blank, 3 l. units h. from ch. inject, nesov. "to touch something sharp, causing pain." It is said when you want to do something, but you are scared because it is associated with some kind of danger, with risk.

AND LAUGHTER AND SIN.
It is said when something is both funny and sad at the same time.

AND THE OLD WOMAN HAS A FAILURE.
Proruha (simple) - mistake, oversight, failure. And an experienced person can make a mistake, make a mistake, a mistake. It is said to justify a mistake, a mistake made by a person from whom it could not be expected.

AND THE WOLVES ARE FEED, AND THE SHEEP ARE SAFE.
They say when it is possible to allow it conveniently for some and for others difficult situation or when a solution to the issue is made that satisfies everyone.

THE CAT KNOWS (smells) WHOSE MEAT IT EATS.
Smells - 3 l. units h. from ch. smell (smell, smell), ness. (simple) feel. They talk about someone who feels guilty and shows it through their behavior.

MAKE A FOOL PRAY TO GOD, HE WILL BREAK HIS FOREHEOD (break him).
By Orthodox custom During prayer, believers kneel down and bow low (bow), almost touching their foreheads to the floor. It is spoken with condemnation about a person who damaged the cause with excessive zeal and diligence.

WHAT I BUYED FOR IS WHAT I SELL FOR.
I repeat what I heard. They speak in their own defense when they retell rumors and therefore do not vouch for the authenticity of what was said.

BAD EXAMPLES ARE CONTAGIOUS or BAD EXAMPLE IS CONTAGIOUS.
Bad - bad. Contagious - kr. form m.r. from contagious, here: “one that causes imitation of itself, is easily transmitted to others. It is said when someone imitates the bad behavior or actions of another person.

THE LAW IS NOT WRITTEN FOR FOOLS (fools).
Laws are written for reasonable people; fools do not know the laws and do not obey them. It is said about a person when he acts, from the point of view of the speaker, strange or unreasonably, contrary to common sense and generally accepted norms of behavior.
*in a new way*
THE LAW IS NOT WRITTEN FOR FOOLS, IF IT IS WRITTEN, IT IS NOT READ,
IF YOU READ THEN THEY WILL NOT UNDERSTAND, IF YOU UNDERSTAND THEN IT IS NOT SO!

FRIENDSHIP IS FRIENDSHIP AND SERVICE IS SERVICE.
Friendly relationships should not affect work relationships. It is said when a person, despite friendly relations with someone occupying a different (usually higher) official position, does not deviate from fulfilling official requirements and duties.

OVER THE SEA, A HALF HEIFER, AND A RUBLE CARRIAGE.
Heifer (colloquial) - a young cow that has not yet had calves. Polushka is the smallest coin in pre-revolutionary Russia, equal to one-fourth of a kopeck (there are one hundred kopecks in one ruble). Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Transportation - here: payment for transported goods. Even a cheap thing will become expensive if you have to pay dearly for its transportation. They say when it is unprofitable to transport cheap goods from afar.

LIVING LIFE IS NOT A FIELD TO CROSS.
Life is complex and living it is not easy. It talks about the variety of events, about the difficulties that a person encounters throughout his life.

THERE IS NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE or NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE.
Nothing happens without a reason. It is usually said when they believe that there is some truth in the rumors that have spread.

Proverbs and sayings, interpretation...

Grandma was wondering in two ways.
(It is not known whether what is expected will come true; it is not yet known how it will happen: as expected, or otherwise.

They say it when they doubt whether what they expect will come true.)

Etc there's trouble, open the gate.
(It is said that when troubles or misfortunes follow one another, one misfortune seems to cause another.)

Poverty is not a vice.
(There is no need to be ashamed of your poverty.
It is said as a consolation to someone who is ashamed of his poverty, or the person himself speaks to justify his material difficulties,

when he wants to show that he doesn’t give them of great importance.)

They got me married without me.
(They decided something for a person, without his knowledge or consent.
It is said (most often about oneself) when a person learned that he had been entrusted with some task without asking his consent.)

You can’t even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.
(Every business requires effort; without effort, diligence, you can’t do anything.

It is said when it takes a lot of work, hard work to achieve some result.)

Take care of your honor from a young age.
(Advice to young people from their youth to value their honor and good name (just like saving clothes again, i.e. while they are new).

It is said as parting words to a young man at the beginning of his life’s journey.)

God saves man, who save himself.
(A careful person will avoid danger and no misfortune will happen to him.)

Close to the elbow, but you won’t bite.
(They say when it is impossible to accomplish something, although it would seem easy to do,

and also when something is missed and nothing can be changed.)

big ship- great swimming.
(An extraordinary person needs wide space, freedom to demonstrate his abilities, for fruitful activity.)

Every dog has his day.
(They say that when in difficult times of misfortune and failure they believe in the triumph of victory and justice.
During feudal Rus', people settled in cities, united by occupation: there were streets of potters, merchants, butchers, etc.

Sometimes between these social groups Discord arose, and then the residents of one street would fight with the residents of another street.

Subsequently, fist fights became a kind of competition in strength and dexterity (see DON'T KIT A LYING MAN).

Along with the holidays common to the entire Russian people (for example, Maslenitsa, see NOT EVERYTHING IS MASLENITSA), each street had its own
special holidays accompanied fun games, dancing, food.

Residents of other streets were invited to such holidays, and the fun became common.

But each invitee knew that the time would come when the holiday would be on his street.

We (me, you) will have joy, we (me, you) will celebrate success.

They say that when in difficult times of misfortune and failure they believe in the triumph of victory and justice.)

To be a bull on a string.
(They say when they understand that punishment is inevitable.)

Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.
(They say when they are going home from somewhere where they had a good time, or when they feel the joy of returning home.)

There is no truth in the legs.
(Said when inviting someone to sit down, especially if there is a long conversation ahead.)

There is an elderberry in the garden, and there is a man in Kyiv.
(a vegetable garden cannot be contrasted with Kyiv, and an elderberry cannot be contrasted with an uncle.

Therefore, the whole expression has the meaning of complete nonsense, nonsense, since one is in no way connected with the other.

Expresses a negative assessment of someone’s inconsistent statements or illogical speech.)

In crowded but not mad.
(If people are friendly, crowding does not irritate them and does not bother them.

It is said that when too many people gather somewhere, but people put up with the crowding while remaining friendly to each other.)

Still waters run deep.
(A quiet person, outwardly showing little of himself, is capable of actions that, it would seem, could not be expected from him.

It is said disapprovingly of a person when it is believed that his modest behavior is deceptive.)

People don’t go to Tula with their own samovar.
(Tula is a large industrial city not far from Moscow, the oldest center of metallurgy.

Before the revolution, it was famous for the production of weapons and metal household items, in particular samovars.

You should not take with you anything that the place you are going to is famous for.

This is said jokingly when people take with them something that can easily be found where they are going.)

They don’t go to someone else’s monastery with their own rules.
(Since the appearance of the first monasteries in Rus' (XI century), each monastery had its own charter - a set of rules,

which guided everyone living in this monastery.

Anyone who came to the monastery had to obey the rules accepted here.
When visiting or somewhere not at home, they obey the rules, orders and customs that exist there; they do not establish their own rules.
It is said that when someone, following his own habits, tries to violate the customs of others,

does not obey the norms of behavior accepted elsewhere or interferes in things that are not his own business, trying to change it in his own way.)

There's a hangover at someone else's feast.
(The literal meaning of the saying is this: someone (strangers) had a feast, but the head hurts the one who was not there.

Someone is to blame, but the innocent have to pay for his guilt.

It is said when in any matter troubles fall on the lot of someone who has nothing to do with this matter.)

Proverb “Fear has big eyes...”

A person gripped by fear and frightened very often exaggerates the danger and sees it where it actually is not.

"The word is not a sparrow; if it flies out, you won't catch it"- perhaps one of the most famous Russian proverbs.

The proverb teaches that before you say anything, you need to think carefully.

After all, it’s easy to say a word, but you won’t have to regret what you said later...

An old Russian proverb: “They carry water for angry people.”

This proverb can be said to a person who is angry and angry unnecessarily.

The roots of the saying come from ancient colloquial speech. Then the word “angry” meant diligent, zealous, diligent.

It was these diligent and diligent horses that were chosen for hard work - they carried water in barrels from the river.

Thus, the most “angry” (that is, diligent) got the most thankless hard work.

Horses are dying from work
Correct interpretation:

The full version of the saying goes like this: “Work makes horses die, but people grow stronger.”

The wise people wanted to say with these words that work is harmful only for unreasonable animals who do not understand the joy of work.

For a person, work is not only useful, but also absolutely necessary for a healthy and happy life.
Your shirt is closer to your body
Incorrect interpretation: “My interests are dearer to me.”
Correct interpretation: Let's remember, when were these words pronounced?

Of course, at the funeral of a comrade who fell in battle.

When the soldiers took their shirts off their bodies and threw them into the grave - closer to the body of the deceased.

In this way they showed how dear he was to them.
My house is on the edge
Misinterpretation: “I don’t know anything, I haven’t seen anything, and I don’t care.”
Correct interpretation: Previously, villages were located in a long line of houses along the road.

And the people who lived on the edge had a special responsibility - to be the first to meet any danger and, if necessary,

resist any danger.

Therefore, by declaring “my hut is on the edge,” the peasant was actually saying: “I am ready to protect the peace of my village with my life.”
You made the mess, it’s up to you to sort it out
Misinterpretation: “Your problems don’t bother me.”
Correct interpretation: Let's remember when these words were pronounced?

When a peasant came to visit a neighbor, he was treated to porridge.

In such cases, a polite peasant would refuse porridge - they say, you need food more. “You made the mess, it’s up to you to sort it out.”
You can’t cut a loaf for the whole village
Incorrect interpretation: “I will not share.”
Correct interpretation: Loaf - food product.

And, like any food product, it could turn out spoiled.

Is it really a matter of risking the health of an entire village? Of course, there is no way to poison everyone.

Therefore, no matter how large and tasty the loaf was, no more than half of the peasants tried it.

Since the prospect of poisoning everyone was completely unacceptable.
Even the king will not solve all problems.
Misinterpretation: “This problem cannot be dealt with.”
Correct interpretation: In fact, the people wanted to say that the king, no matter how strong he is, cannot solve all problems.

Therefore, small, current problems should be solved by the peasants themselves.
It’s not our illness, it’s not ours to get sick
Misinterpretation: “We don’t care about someone else’s illness.”
Correct interpretation: When were these words spoken? When a friend got sick.

The Russian peasant understood well that since his neighbor was sick, then he needed to stay healthy.

To work both for yourself and for your neighbor. There is no time to be sick when there is a lot to do.
Fish looks for where it is deeper, and man looks for where it is better.
Misinterpretation: “Everyone is looking only for their own benefit.”
Correct interpretation: This stupid fish is looking for where it is deeper.

Human, man of sense, is looking for where he can better serve his country.
Even though you are my brother, you should only be happy with your own bread
Incorrect interpretation: “I won’t give you anything.”
Correct interpretation: Remember Commissioner Catani? This saying is about the same thing.

They say, even if you are my brother, I won’t let you steal. Law and order come first.
Hold your chicken by the wing, and pinch someone else’s
Incorrect interpretation: “Take care of your property and steal someone else’s.”
Correct interpretation: There was such fun in Rus'.

Two of them picked up a chicken and plucked feathers from other people's chickens.

This fun clearly showed all the generosity and breadth of the Russian soul.
Not yours - don’t mind
Misinterpretation: “Don’t give a damn about other people’s things.”
Correct interpretation: All things, as the peasant understood perfectly well, by and large, belong to God.

They say, this thing does not belong to me, but to God, so why should I regret it?
I’m going home myself, but I sent people to trouble
Misinterpretation: "Let other people die."
Correct interpretation: What are we talking about here? Something happened at the peasant's house.

And he says to his busy comrades important matter: “You solve the main problem (trouble), and at home I’ll figure it out myself.

As soon as I resolve the issue, I will immediately join you.”
When you do something for someone else and the day never ends
Misinterpretation: “It’s better to work for yourself.”
Correct interpretation: “When you work not for yourself, but for the common good, you manage to do much more.”
Someone else's work - a little trouble
Misinterpretation: “When someone works, you don’t get tired.”
Correct interpretation: We are talking about replacing a sick comrade.

With this proverb, the peasant says: “if someone gets sick, we will simply close ranks more closely and do not only our own work, but also someone else’s.”
Everyone's mouth is wide open for other people's grub
Misinterpretation: “Everyone likes to eat free food.”
Correct interpretation: In Rus', it was customary to organize holidays when common, “alien” grub was put on the table.

Z When he noticed such a table, a good peasant would open his mouth wide open and shout loudly, calling the others.

To avoid eating alone.
He goes for other people's goods with a bucket
Incorrect interpretation: “He is very greedy, he takes other people’s goods by the bucketful.”
Correct interpretation: This proverb talks about a poor but honest peasant. Who, receiving gifts, tries to thank the giver by at least bringing him water from the well with his bucket.
Food and drink uninvited guest do not exhibit
Incorrect interpretation: “When visiting, everyone likes to eat for free.”
Correct interpretation: Let's turn on logic. If a guest comes without an invitation, it’s probably not for food.

Something must have happened, and you need to listen to the guest, and not try to feed him. This is what the proverb is about.
Anyone who wants can drown, but we will lie on the shore
Incorrect interpretation: “It’s none of our business, we won’t interfere.”
Correct interpretation: This proverb is about rescuers.

When everyone is assigned a specific area of work.

All that glitters is not gold

Good appearance
may not match
reality

The trouble has begun

With practice everything becomes clearer
and clearer
My home is my castle

When you're away from that person
whom you love - you love even more

Better than a bird in your hands
than pie in the sky
It's better to have what you have
than to look for something better, the
at the highest risk available

To kick the bucket: In the old days, chocks cut off from logs - blanks for wooden utensils - were called baklushi. Their manufacture was considered easy, requiring no effort or skill. Nowadays we use the expression “knuckle down” to mean idleness.
If we don’t wash, we just roll: In the old days, village women used a special rolling pin to “roll” their laundry after washing. Well-rolled laundry turned out to be wrung out, ironed and clean, even if the wash was not of very high quality. Today, to denote achieving a goal by any means, the expression “by skimming is used.”
In the bag: In the old days, messengers delivering mail sewed very important papers, or “deeds,” into the lining of their caps or hats so as not to attract the attention of robbers. This is where the expression “it’s in the bag” comes from.
Let's return to our sheep: In medieval French comedy A rich clothier sues a shepherd who stole his sheep. During the meeting, the clothier forgets about the shepherd and showers reproaches on his lawyer, who did not pay him for six cubits of cloth. The judge interrupts the speech with the words: “Let's return to our sheep,” which have become winged.
To contribute: IN Ancient Greece There was a small leta coin. IN gospel parable the poor widow donates her last two mites for the construction of the temple. The expression “do your bit” comes from the parable.
Versta Kolomenskaya: In the 17th century, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the distances between Moscow and the royal summer residence in the village of Kolomenskoye were re-measured and very high milestones were installed. Since then, tall and thin people have been called “Verst Kolomenskaya”.
Chasing a long ruble: In the 13th century, the currency and weight unit in Rus' was the hryvnia, divided into 4 parts (“ruble”). The especially weighty remainder of the ingot was called the “long ruble.” Associated with these words is an expression about big and easy earnings - “chasing a long ruble.”
Newspaper duck: “One scientist, having bought 20 ducks, immediately ordered one of them to be cut into small pieces, which he fed to the rest of the birds. A few minutes later he did the same with another duck, and so on, until one remained, which thus devoured 19 of its friends.” This note was published in the newspaper by the Belgian humorist Cornelissen to mock the gullibility of the public. Since then, according to one version, false news has been called “newspaper ducks.”
Add the first number: In the old days, school students were often flogged, sometimes just for the sake of prevention. If the mentor showed special zeal, and the student suffered especially hard, he could be freed from further vices, until the first day of the next month.
It is not worth it: 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 ancient Jewish 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 common people, they trace their ancestry back 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 blood" 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 Augeas was an avid horse breeder: he had 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: the word is originally Russian, 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, simple-minded.”
Play on your 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.
Wash 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 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 ancient expression “to pour on the Adam’s apple” meant “to get drunk”, “to drink alcohol.” From here the phraseological unit “bosom friend” was formed, which today is used to denote a very close friend.
Business before pleasure: A handwritten note from Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629 – 1676) to a collection of rules for falconry, a favorite pastime of that time. It is usually said as a reminder to a person who, while having fun, forgets about the matter.
Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided: The inevitable will still happen, whether you take risks or not. It speaks of the determination to do something associated with risk, danger, and at the same time with the hope that the danger can still be avoided.
The first damn thing is lumpy: It often happens that the housewife doesn’t succeed in the first pancake (it doesn’t come out of the frying pan well, it burns), but the housewife uses it to determine whether the dough is well kneaded, whether the pan is warmed up, or whether it needs to add oil. It is said to justify the unsuccessful start of a new, difficult business.
If you chase two hares, you won’t catch either: It is said when someone takes on several (usually beneficial for himself) tasks at once and therefore cannot do any of them well or complete them.
Grandma said in two: In two (simple) – indefinitely, with the ability to understand one way or another. It is unknown whether what is expected will come true; It is still unknown how it will be: one way or another. They say when they doubt the implementation of what they propose.
For one beaten, they give two unbeaten. For one scientist two non-scientists they give: They say when they understand that punishment for mistakes made is good for a person, because this is how he gains experience.
An old friend is better than two new ones: It is said when they want to emphasize the loyalty, devotion and irreplaceability of an old friend.
A mind is good, but two are better: It is said when, when solving some issue, they turn to someone for advice, when they decide the matter together.
Get lost in three pines: Not being able to understand something simple, uncomplicated, not being able to find a way out of the simplest difficulty.
Three inches from the pot: Very short, short, small.
With three boxes: A lot (to say, promise, lie, etc.).
The promised one has been waiting for three years: They say it jokingly when they do not believe that someone will soon fulfill their promises or when the fulfillment of what is promised is delayed indefinitely.
Cry in three streams: That is, it is very bitter to cry.
The fifth wheel in the cart: A superfluous, unnecessary person in any matter.
Seven do not wait for one thing: This is what they say when they start something without someone who is late, or with a reproach to someone who makes many (not necessarily seven) wait.
Seven troubles - one answer: Let’s take the risk again, and if we have to answer, then for everything at once, at the same time. It speaks of the determination to do something else risky, dangerous in addition to what has already been done.
Try on (measure) seven times, cut once: Before you do anything serious, think it over carefully, foresee everything. It is said as advice to think through all possible options before starting any business.
Too many cooks spoil the broth: Without an eye (obsolete) - without supervision, without supervision. Things are done poorly and unsatisfactorily when several people are responsible for it at once. It is said when several people (or even organizations) responsible for a matter rely on each other and each individual treats their responsibilities in bad faith.
All tryn-grass: The mysterious “tryn-grass” is not some kind of herbal medicine that people drink so as not to worry. At first it was called “tyn-grass,” and tyn is a fence. The result was “fence grass,” that is, a weed that no one needed, everyone was indifferent to.
Add the first number: Believe it or not, in the old school students were flogged every week, no matter who was 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.
Goal like a falcon: Terribly poor, beggar. They usually think that we are talking about a falcon bird. But she has nothing to do with it. In fact, the “falcon” is an ancient military battering gun. It was a completely smooth (“bare”) cast iron block attached to chains. Nothing extra!
Orphan Kazan: This is what they say about a person who pretends to be unhappy, offended, helpless in order to pity someone. But why is the orphan “Kazan”? It turns out that 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.
Inside out: Now this seems to be a completely harmless expression. And once it was associated with shameful punishment. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, a guilty boyar was placed backwards on a horse with his clothes turned inside out and, in this disgraced form, was driven around the city to the whistling and jeers of the street crowd.
Lead by the nose: Deceive by promising and not fulfilling what was promised. This expression was associated with fairground entertainment. Gypsies led bears by a ring threaded through their noses. And they forced them, poor fellows, to do various tricks, deceiving them with the promise of a handout.
Scapegoat: This is the name given to a person who is blamed for someone else. The history of this expression is as follows: the ancient Jews had a rite of absolution. The priest laid both hands on the head of the living goat, thereby, as it were, transferring the sins of the entire people onto it. After this, the goat was driven out into the desert. Many, many years have passed, and the ritual no longer exists, but the expression still lives on.
Sharpening laces: Lyasy (balusters) are turned, figured posts of railings 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. But in our time, the number of people skilled in conducting such a conversation became fewer and fewer. So this expression came to mean empty chatter.
Grated kalach: In the old days there really was such a type of bread - “grated kalach”. The dough for it was crushed, 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 this proverb.
Nick down: If you think about it, the meaning of this expression seems cruel - you must agree, it’s not very pleasant to imagine an ax next to your own nose. In reality, everything is not so sad. In this expression, the word “nose” has nothing to do with the organ of smell. “Nos” was the name given to a memorial plaque, or a note tag. In the distant past, illiterate people always carried such tablets and sticks with them, with the help of which all kinds of notes or notations were made as memories.
After the rain on Thursday: The Rusichi - the most ancient ancestors of the Russians - honored among their gods the main god - the god of thunder and lightning Perun. One of the days of the week was dedicated to him - Thursday (it is interesting that among the ancient Romans Thursday was also dedicated to the Latin Perun - Jupiter). Prayers were offered to Perun for rain during the drought. It was believed that he should be especially willing to fulfill requests on “his day” - Thursday. And since these prayers often remained in vain, the saying “After the rain on Thursday” began to be applied to everything that is unknown when it will come true.
Break a leg: This expression arose among hunters and was based on the superstitious idea that with a direct wish (both down and feather), the results of a hunt can be jinxed. In the language of hunters, feather means bird, and down means animals. In ancient times, a hunter going on a hunt received this parting word, the “translation” of which looks something like this: “Let your arrows fly past the target, let the snares and traps you set remain empty, just like the trapping pit!” To which the earner, in order not to jinx it either, replied: “To hell!” And both were confident that the evil spirits, invisibly present during this dialogue, would be satisfied and leave behind, and would not plot intrigues during the hunt.
To kick the bucket: What are “baklushi”, who “beats” them and when? For a long time, artisans have been making spoons, cups and other utensils from wood. To carve a spoon, it was necessary to chop off a block of wood from a log. Apprentices were entrusted with preparing the bucks: it was an easy, trivial task that did not require any special skill. Preparing such chocks was called “beating the lumps.” From here, from the mockery of the masters at the auxiliary workers - “baklushechnik”, our saying came from.
Rub glasses: How can glasses be rubbed in? Where and why? Such a picture would look very ridiculous. And the absurdity occurs because we are not talking about glasses at all, which are used to correct vision. There is another meaning of the word “points”: red and black marks on playing cards. There is even a gambling card game called “point”. 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. By the way, they knew how to quietly “rub in points” - 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. And the expression “to cheat” began to mean “to cheat”, from here other words were born: “fraud”, “fraud” - a trickster who knows how to embellish his work, pass off the bad as very good.
They carry water to the offended (angry): This proverb can be said to a person who is angry and angry unnecessarily. The roots of the saying come from ancient colloquial speech. Then the word “angry” meant diligent, zealous, diligent. It was these diligent and diligent horses that were chosen for hard work - they carried water in barrels from the river. Thus, the most “angry” (that is, diligent) got the most thankless hard work.
The word is not a sparrow, if it flies out you won’t catch it: The proverb teaches that before you say anything, you need to think carefully. After all, it’s easy to say a word, but you won’t have to regret what you said later...
Fear has big eyes…: A person gripped by fear and frightened very often exaggerates the danger and sees it where it actually is not.
The mountain gave birth to a mouse: The original source of this proverb is considered to be the ancient Greek legend about the pregnant Mount Olympus. The god Zeus, fearing that the birth of this mountain would cause major upheavals in the camp of the gods, made the mountain... give birth to a mouse. The proverb “The mountain gave birth to a mouse” is used in a situation where significant and gigantic efforts ultimately bring insignificant results.
TAKE CARE OF HONOR FROM YOUTH: From a young age, adv. - from a young age, from a young age. Advice to young people to value their honor and good name from their youth (just as to save their clothes again, that is, while they are new). It is said as parting words to a young man at the beginning of his life’s journey.
WITHOUT DIFFICULTY YOU CAN’T TAKE (PUT) A FISH OUT OF THE POND: Every business requires effort; Without effort, you can’t do anything. It is said when it takes a lot of work, hard work to achieve some result.
DO NOT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY ARE HATCHED: In the fall (simple) - in the fall. Not all chickens born in the summer survive on farms until autumn. Some will be carried away by birds of prey, the weak simply will not survive, which is why they say that chickens should be counted in the fall, when it is clear how many of them have survived. You have to judge anything by the end results. It is said when someone prematurely expresses joy at possible success, although the final results are still far away and a lot can change.
SMALL SPOOL BUT PRECIOUS: Zolotnik is an old Russian unit of weight equal to 4.26 grams. It fell out of use after 1917, when the country introduced the metric system of measures, which is based on the meter (a measure of length) and the kilogram (a measure of weight). Before this, the main measures of weight were pood (16 kg) and pound (400 g), which had 96 spools. The spool was the smallest measure of weight and was used mainly when weighing gold and silver. Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Road - kr. form m.r. from dear. Small in size, but valuable for its qualities. It speaks of someone who is small in stature, but has many virtues, positive qualities, as well as something small in size, but very important in essence.
HERE IS YOU, GRANDMOTHER, AND JURIEV’S DAY: The saying reflects one of the episodes in the history of the Russian people associated with the enslavement of peasants. The emergence of serfdom, i.e., the legally established right of a landowner (feudal lord) to the person, forced labor and property of a peasant, dates back to the time of Kievan Rus (IX-XII centuries). The peasants, although they were considered free (free), did not have the right to pass from one owner to another during the year: custom required that they leave only after all field work had been completed, at the beginning of winter, when all the grain had already been harvested. In the middle of the 15th century, peasants were allowed to move from one owner to another once a year - a week before St. George's Day and a week after it (St. George's Day, that is, the day of St. George, in Russian Yuri, the patron saint of farmers, was celebrated November 26, old style, chronology). At the end of the 16th century, the crossing of peasants was prohibited on St. George’s Day. Thus, the peasants were attached to the land and had to remain with their landowner for life. The peasants, who were waiting for St. George's Day as the only opportunity to change their owner and try to improve their lives, were deprived of their last hope of changing their situation. This is how a saying arose, expressing regret about unfulfilled hopes.
They say it when they want to express extreme surprise or disappointment at something that unexpectedly happened, something they just found out about and that took away hope and disappointed expectations.
WHERE OURS DIDN’T DISAPPEAR or WHERE OURS DIDN’T DISAPPEAR: Let's take a risk and try to do it. It is said to be desperately determined to do something, taking risks.
THE EYES ARE FEARED (afraid), AND THE HANDS DO: When you start a big job, you are afraid that you won’t be able to cope, but when you start it, you calm down, you understand that you are able to overcome all difficulties.
It is said to encourage one before starting a big or unfamiliar job, or is said with joy when such work is done.
WHERE IT IS THIN, THERE IT TEARS: Trouble and disaster usually happen where something is unreliable and fragile. They say that when something bad happens, it’s a nuisance, although it was already bad before.
HUNGER IS NOT A AUNT: Initially: hunger is not an auntie, she won’t slip a pie. It is said when the feeling of hunger forces you to eat even what you don’t like, or to do something that you wouldn’t do under other circumstances.
LEOPARD CHANGE HIS SPOTS: A person's ingrained flaws or oddities cannot be corrected. It is said when there is a belief that a person will not change.
GOOD FOR THE CLICKY'S INVENTION: Goli, goli, f., collected. (obsolete) – beggars, poor people. Hitra - kr. form g. R. from cunning, here (obsolete): inventive, skillful in something. Lack, the absence of something, forces you to be inventive, to use what you have, what is at hand. It is said with approval or satisfaction when, due to a lack of something necessary, something original and, as a rule, cheap is invented.
BUCKWHEAT PORRIDGE PRAITS ITSELF: Buckwheat - made from buckwheat grains. Buckwheat is a herbaceous plant, from the seeds of which cereals and flour are made. Buckwheat porridge is one of the favorite foods of Russians. Buckwheat porridge is so good, so tasty, its advantages are so obvious to everyone that it does not need praise. It is spoken with mocking condemnation about an immodest person when he praises himself and speaks about his merits.
PREPARE A SLED IN SUMMER AND A CART IN WINTER: Sleigh, sled, plural only - a winter cart on two runners for driving in the snow. A cart is a summer cart on four wheels for transporting goods. The sleigh and cart are harnessed to a horse. Prepare for everything in advance. It is said as advice to prepare in advance everything that will be needed in the future.
THE THUNDER WILL NOT CLASH, THE MAN WILL NOT CROSS THE CROSS: Rumble (1 and 2 l. not used), owl - suddenly rumble, thunder. Man (obsolete) - peasant.
Cross yourself, -cross yourself, -cross yourself, sov.- make a sign of the cross on yourself with your hand: place three fingers folded together (thumb, index and middle) of your right hand sequentially to the forehead, to the chest, to one and the other shoulder. People who believed in God, professed the Christian religion, were baptized in many cases of daily life. This was a mandatory ritual during prayer (at home and in church), before eating, when entering a hut (they were baptized while looking at the icons in the corner), etc. They baptized the mouth while yawning, baptized loved ones who were leaving or traveling far away and for a long time, they were baptized from fear at the sounds of thunder, etc. In the old days, believers were afraid of thunderstorms as an inexplicable natural phenomenon. When thunder rumbled, it was believed that thunder (not lightning) could bring misfortune (kill, cause a fire). Therefore, in order to ward off misfortune, to avoid misfortune from a thunderstorm, people were baptized precisely during the thunder; the thunder seemed to warn of a possible misfortune.
Until trouble or trouble occurs, a careless person does not remember about them and does not take measures to prevent them. They say when they do at the last moment something that should have been done in advance.
HAVING GAVE YOUR WORD, HOLD ON: Either be true to your word or don't promise. It is said as a reminder of a promise made or as a reproach for an unfulfilled promise, as well as a warning, advice to refrain from making promises if you are not sure that you can fulfill them.
THEY DO NOT LOOK AT A GIVEN HORSE'S TEETH: Gifted (colloquial) - given, received as a gift. A horse's teeth are examined when they want to determine its age. An old horse's teeth are worn out, so when you buy a horse, be sure to check its teeth so as not to buy an old one. They don’t discuss the gift; they accept what they give. They say when they receive something as a gift that they don’t like and that they wouldn’t choose themselves.
THINGS ARE GOING ON, THE OFFICE WRITES: It is said jokingly about someone's active activity, which is not influenced by any external circumstances.
THINGS LIKE SOOT WHITE: Soot is black particles from incomplete combustion of fuel that settle on the internal surfaces of stoves and chimneys. Soot is a symbol of the blackest color; there is no such thing as white soot, and the humorous comparison “white as soot” essentially characterizes a black object. The word “black” figuratively means “dark, heavy.” Bela - kr. form g. R. from white. Usually said in response to the question “How are you?”, when things are going badly or when they do not want to answer specifically and are limited to this vague answer (the answer implies an unsatisfactory state of affairs).
THE CHILD DOESN'T CRY, THE MOTHER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND: Understand, nesov. (obsolete) – to understand something, to guess about something. If you don’t say what you need, no one will guess about it and therefore won’t be able to help. It is said when the lack of help to someone is explained by ignorance of his needs.
HOUSE WALLS HELP: At home or in a familiar, familiar environment, a person feels more confident and calm. It is said with confidence or with the hope that in a familiar environment it will be easier to cope with any task.
ROAD SPOON FOR DINNER: Road - kr. form g. R. from dear; here: ‘important, valuable to someone, one that is treasured’. Expensive, valuable is what appears at the right time. It is said when something is done or received on time, precisely at the moment when it is especially interested or needed, or it is said as a reproach to someone who did not do what was necessary on time.
FRIENDS ARE KNOWN (recognized) IN TROUBLE: Only in difficult times will you find out who your true friend is. It is said in relation to someone who turned out to be very attentive and helped someone in a difficult situation or, conversely, showed callousness towards someone in trouble.
WILL HEAL BEFORE THE WEDDING: It will pass soon, it will heal soon. It is said jokingly to console the victim.
FOR A SWEET FRIEND AND AN EARRING (EARRING) FROM EAR: Ear - diminutive - affectionate. to the ear. For a loved one, a dear person, you don’t regret anything, you will give your best. It is said that when, out of a feeling of sympathy, a person is generous towards another, ready to do everything for him.
DEBT GOOD TURN DESERVES ANOTHER: Payment, payment, m. - depositing money on account of something; pay. Krasen - kr. form m.r. from red, here: (folk poet) “beautiful; joyful, pleasant’. The way you treat someone is how they will treat you. It is said when in response to some action or attitude they do the same.
Where do crayfish spend the winter? The saying “I’ll show you where the crayfish spend the winter” originated during the days of serfdom. In the middle of winter, the master sent the guilty person to get crayfish for the table. And in winter it is very difficult to find crayfish, and besides, you can freeze and catch a cold. Since then, this saying has meant a threat, a warning of punishment.
Discover America: America was discovered by the navigator Columbus more than five hundred years ago. Therefore, when someone announces something that everyone has known for a long time, they jokingly say to him: “Well, you discovered America!”
Through the stump deck: The deck is a log. You have to move slowly through the forest when you have either a stump or a log under your feet. The expression “through the roof” means to do something somehow, indiscriminately.
Reinvent the wheel: We all know what a bicycle is and how it works. “Don’t reinvent the wheel” so as not to waste time inventing something that has already existed for a long time.
The master's work is afraid: Any task is feasible if a master, that is, a skilled, knowledgeable person, takes it on. It is spoken with admiration and praise when a person shows skill and mastery in his craft.
Not a hat for Senka: In the old days, the hat was a symbol of wealth and nobility. By its size they judged what place a person occupied in society. “It’s not a hat for Senka” - this is what they say about a person who is not able to perform this or that work or occupy a certain position.
LOOK FOR THE WIND IN THE FIELD: Look - command, on. from ch. look for (I'm looking for, looking for), nesov. You won’t find it anyway, there’s no need to look. It talks about someone who has disappeared and who cannot be found (how useless it is to look for the wind in a field), or about something that is irretrievably lost.
YOU CAN'T ERASE THE WORDS FROM THE SONG: What happened, happened, everything will have to be told. They say it as if apologizing for having to tell everything without leaving out any (usually unpleasant) details (just as you can’t delete a single word from a song so as not to spoil the whole song).
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE: Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Fire (obsolete and regional) - flame, fire. In popular speech, flame, that is, fire that rises above a burning object, is associated with greater misfortune, flame is a stronger fire. From one misfortune to another, greater one, from a difficult situation to a worse one.
It is said when a person, being in a difficult situation, finds himself in an even more difficult situation.
AND THE SWEDISH, AND THE REAPER, AND ON THE DUDU (on the pipe) THE PLAYER: Shvets (obsolete and simple) - one who sews clothes, a tailor. The reaper is the one who reaps (cuts off when harvesting) the ripe ears of corn with a sickle. In the dudu (on the pipe) the player (obsolete) is the one who plays the pipe, a musician. About someone who can do everything or who simultaneously performs various duties.
AND YOU WANT AND HURT: It pricks - blank, 3 l. units h. from ch. inject, nesov. ‘to touch something sharp, causing pain’. It is said when you want to do something, but you are scared because it is associated with some kind of danger, with risk.
AND LAUGHTER AND SIN: It is said when something is both funny and sad at the same time.
AND THE OLD WOMAN HAS A FAILURE: Proruha (simple) - mistake, oversight, failure. And an experienced person can make a mistake, make a mistake, a mistake. It is said to justify a mistake, a mistake made by a person from whom it could not be expected.
AND THE WOLVES ARE FED AND THE SHEEP ARE SAFE: It is said when it is possible to resolve a difficult situation conveniently for both some and others, or when a solution to the issue is made that satisfies everyone.
THE CAT KNOWS (smells) WHOSE MEAT IT EATS: Smells - 3 l. units h. from ch. smell (smell, smell), ness. (simple) feel. They talk about someone who feels guilty and shows it through their behavior.
MAKE A FOOL PRAY TO GOD, HE WILL BREAK HIS FOREHEAD: According to Orthodox custom, during prayer, believers kneel and bow low (bow), almost touching their foreheads to the floor. It is spoken with condemnation about a person who damaged the cause with excessive zeal and diligence.
WHAT I BUY FOR IS WHAT I SELL FOR: I repeat what I heard. They speak in their own defense when they retell rumors and therefore do not vouch for the authenticity of what was said.
BAD EXAMPLES ARE CONTAGIOUS or BAD EXAMPLE IS CONTAGIOUS: Bad - bad. Contagious - kr. form m.r. from contagious, here: ‘one that causes imitation of itself, is easily transmitted to others. It is said when someone imitates the bad behavior or actions of another person.
THE LAW IS NOT WRITTEN FOR FOOLS (fools): Laws are written for reasonable people; fools do not know the laws and do not obey them. It is said about a person when he acts, from the speaker’s point of view, strangely or unreasonably, contrary to common sense and generally accepted norms of behavior.
FRIENDSHIP BY FRIENDSHIP AND SERVICE BY SERVICE: Friendly relationships should not affect work relationships. It is said when a person, despite friendly relations with someone occupying a different (usually higher) official position, does not deviate from fulfilling official requirements and duties.
OVER THE SEA A HALF HEIFER, AND A RUBLE TRANSPORTATION: Heifer (colloquial) - a young cow that has not yet had calves. Polushka is the smallest coin in pre-revolutionary Russia, equal to one-fourth of a kopeck (there are one hundred kopecks in one ruble). Yes, it does. conjunction - a, but, however. Transportation - here: payment for transported goods. Even a cheap thing will become expensive if you have to pay dearly for its transportation. They say when it is unprofitable to transport cheap goods from afar.
LIVING LIFE IS NOT A FIELD TO GO TO: Life is complex and living it is not easy. It talks about the variety of events, about the difficulties that a person encounters throughout his life.
THERE IS NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE or NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE: Nothing happens without a reason. It is usually said when they believe that there is some truth in the rumors that have spread.

As is the case with catchphrases many Russian proverbs and sayings have lost their original meaning. Most often, although not always, this was due to the loss of their ending.

For example, everyone famous saying: “Hunger is not an aunt”, continues as “he won’t slip a pie” (there is different variants endings).

Both in the truncated and in the full version the meaning is the same: hunger is a cruel test that will not be regretted, like a relative, but on the contrary, can push anyone to commit a crime.

But today we will look at exactly that part Slavic heritage, which has reached us in a distorted form.

The fish looks for where it is deeper, and the man - where it is better

The generally accepted meaning of the proverb is that any person is looking for a place where he will feel good and comfortable. However, there is a version that original meaning was different:

The fish is looking for where it is deeper, and man is looking for where it is better to serve the Motherland.

That is, it was not about a person’s mercantile feelings, but, on the contrary, about the noble impulses of the soul. Of course, I won’t say that this is true, but the theory itself looks beautiful.

Poverty is not a vice

They say this to show that poverty is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the original:

Poverty is not a vice, but twice as bad, hinting that it is better to have some vices than to be poor. Moreover, attention should be focused not on the fact that there is some benefit in vices, but on the fact that poverty is a very difficult and negative phenomenon that it is better not to encounter.

Goal like a falcon

Nowadays they say this about a person who has nothing in his soul. The Slavs by this meant not just a poor person, but also a savvy, disruptive person, saying:

Goal is like a falcon, and sharp as an axe.

You made the mess, it’s up to you to sort it out

Initially, this proverb was understood literally: a peasant who came to visit a neighbor and received an invitation to dine, out of politeness, refused and responded with precisely these words.

Now we understand it in a figurative sense: each person must cope with his own problems.

Whoever remembers the old - look out

The proverb teaches that we need to forget past grievances and forgive people who have done us harm. However, in the original it sounds like:

Whoever remembers the old is out of sight, and whoever forgets is both.

That is, you don’t need to sharpen your grudge against the offender, however, you shouldn’t forget about the harm caused to you either - you need to be prepared for repeated meanness from this person.

Leopard change his spots

It is impossible to correct an adult who has formed as a person. It's hard to disagree with this. Our ancestors said differently:

The grave will correct the hunchback, but the stubborn one will be a club.

They meant that the physical imperfection of the human body can no longer be corrected (yes, plastic surgeons and there was no opportunity to install, for example, a prosthetic leg at that time), but spiritual and moral qualities can and should be improved for the better.

On you, God, what is not good for us

In those distant times, people would hardly have shown such disrespect for God. They spoke:

For those, oh my God, that are of no use to us.

The word “nebozhe” comes from “neboga” - this is how the poor and wretched were called in the old days. That is, the orphans and the unfortunate were given something that the giver did not need.

Lucky, as a drowned man

Now this means that a person is terribly unlucky. In ancient times, the proverb looked different and was understood almost literally:

You're as lucky as a drowned man on Saturday - you don't have to heat the bathhouse!

Like, luck smiled on the man: he washed himself, and he didn’t have the hassle of lighting the bathhouse.

Ate the dog

This is what they say about a person who is a master or specialist in some field. He “ate the dog” in this matter.

Our ancestors said differently:

He ate the dog and choked on his tail.

This meant that someone, in general, did a good job, but not perfectly, having stumbled on some small thing.

The master's work is afraid

Phraseologism means that the master is able to cope with any task “excellently”. But the continuation of this proverb refutes this statement:

The master's work is afraid, and another master of the work is afraid.

Repetition is the mother of learning

Teachers tell us this, trying to prove that repetition is an important part educational process. Based on the meaning of the original, this can be regarded as a mockery of the students:

Repetition is the mother of learning, the consolation of fools (or, alternatively, the refuge of donkeys).

That is, the smart ones understand everything at once, and the stupid ones only through cramming.

Every person trembles about his problems

Here we are not talking about personal egoism, but about working together. Our ancestors put the following meaning here: every person, when performing general work is responsible for a certain part of it.

birds of a feather flock together

This is what they say about kindred spirits or people who have common interests, which allows them to get closer.

The original expression sounded like this:

A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar, so he avoids them

And it was taken literally.

He goes for other people's goods with a bucket

As it may seem, we are talking about greedy people here. And, as usual, the original meaning of the proverb is completely opposite. Poor peasants, receiving material assistance from their wealthier compatriots, sought to thank them in some way: for example, by fetching them water from a well.

Uma ward

Many people say this about intelligent, educated individuals who are distinguished high level intelligence. But it is more correct to use the saying in an ironic way, because full version phrases sound different:

The ward is crazy, but the key is lost!

Business before pleasure

Now we understand this “cannibalistic” expression as the need to devote most of our time to work, and less to rest and entertainment.

In ancient times, the word “hour” served as a synonym for the word “time”. When the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1629-1676) wrote these words in “Uryadnik”, he meant that you need to evenly distribute your time and spend it both on work and on rest.

Hold your chicken by the wing, and pinch someone else’s

And again, we are not talking about human greed, but, on the contrary, about generosity. In Rus' there was such an unusual fun when two people took a chicken in their hands and plucked feathers from the bird that a neighbor was holding.

My house is on the edge

Nowadays they say this when they want to show indifference and indifference to something. In ancient times, on the contrary, the one who lived in the hut on the edge was responsible for the general security of the village. That is, being the first to see the attacking enemy, such a person had to warn everyone else about the danger.

Not yours - don't mind

A stereotype has taken hold in our minds that no one cares about other people’s and government property. Therefore, people treat such property irresponsibly.

The drunken sea is knee-deep

Do you think our ancestors wanted to say that a drunk person doesn’t care about anything? No, they meant that, despite all the “bravery” that a drunk person exudes from himself, he can “break” when he encounters the smallest obstacle:

For a drunk, the sea is knee-deep, and the puddle is up to his ears.

When you do something for someone else and the day never ends

It would seem that the proverb means that working “for an uncle” is long and useless work. But the original meaning of the phrase was different: when you work for the common good, and not just for your own pocket, you manage to do much more.

The first damn thing is lumpy

In today's understanding, it means that a person fails to do something the first time. In ancient times the proverb went like this:

The first one is for KomAm, the second one is for acquaintances, the third one is for distant relatives, and the fourth one is for me.

She taught how to behave towards other people.

And comas are bears, which the Slavs have honored since ancient times. Any owner first of all had to offer a treat (figuratively) to them.

Horses are dying from work

Now they say this, hinting that a person should not “tear his navel” at work. The original saying sounded different:

Horses die from work, but people grow stronger.

What was meant is that work is useful and ennobles a person.

Work is not a wolf, it won’t run away into the forest

Another one folk wisdom, which now serves as an excuse for lazy people and slackers. In ancient times it was understood differently. The peasants believed that there was no escape from everyday work, so they needed to do it now, and not wait until they “run away into the forest”:

The proverb meant a bunch of things that needed to be resolved. But there is an apt continuation:

My mouth is full of trouble, but there is nothing to eat.

In a broad sense, this means that hard work and hard work does not always guarantee the availability of “food” - decent pay.

Conclusion

It turns out that folk wisdom turned out to be even wiser than it might seem at first. Therefore, if you want to show off your erudition, then, in order not to get into trouble, use proverbs and catchphrases correctly.

contemplator

“Proverbs and sayings are both useful and dangerous,
like any other stereotypes"

Quick explanation

Proverb- this is a whole sentence with meaning, and proverb- only beautiful phrase or phrase. This is the main feature that distinguishes proverbs from sayings.

A proverb contains a moral, a sign, a warning, or an instruction. A saying is simply an eloquent expression that can be easily replaced with other words.

Examples

Proverbs and sayings are often confused

On the Internet they often write “Proverbs and sayings”, and at the same time they mean only proverbs.

Most often, sites provide a list of “Proverbs and sayings”, which in fact only contain proverbs. Very rarely, some sayings may appear in such lists. It is not uncommon to find a list of proverbs entitled as a list of sayings.

How not to confuse the words of proverbs and sayings?

To remember not to confuse these concepts with each other, use the following tips:

1. There is a phrase “Proverbs and sayings”.
Word " proverbs"always comes first, since a proverb is whole complete sentence, with morals and deep meaning.
And the word " sayings always in second place because it just a beautiful and symbolic phrase, unable to act as an independent proposal.

2. Read individual articles about and sayings on this site. Feel the difference between them.

3. You can always go to this page to once again remember the differences between proverbs and sayings.

Proverb - complete sentence

A proverb is a short sentence containing folk wisdom. Spelled simple vernacular, often has rhyme and rhythm.

Examples

You can’t even catch a fish from a pond without difficulty.

An empty barrel rattles louder.

If you don't know the ford, don't go into the water.

If you chase two hares, you won’t catch either.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Small spool but precious.

A saying is a symbolic phrase or phrase

A proverb is an established phrase or phrase, figurative expression, metaphor. Not used on its own.
Proverbs are used in sentences to give a bright artistic color to facts, things and situations.

Examples of sayings

“to put a pig” (to play a dirty trick)

“disservice” (help that turns into harm)

“to be left with the nose” (to be deceived)

"stay at a broken trough"(to lose something due to stupid behavior)

“when the cancer whistles on the mountain” (never)

“wedding general” (an important person who is of no actual use)

Examples of using sayings in sentences

I'll give you this car when the cancer on the mountain whistles.

Illegally dismissed employee screwed us over.

Basilio the cat and Alice the fox left Pinocchio with a nose.

Our new director walks around looking important, is interested in every nonsense, pretends that he understands something, and at the same time asks the most stupid questions, in short - another wedding general.

To get more complete knowledge about proverbs and sayings, the following articles on our website are recommended.