The word "comrade" is one of the most frequently used nouns of the Russian language. However, in the last hundred years, several additional ones have been added to its main meaning. What are they and what is the difference between the words "comrade", "friend" and "citizen"?
Origin of the word
In the vast expanses of Ancient Rus, a noun “comrade” appeared quite a long time ago. This name arose from the Turkic word tavar, which translates to "goods" (sometimes livestock or other property).
It is believed that initially comrades called merchants specializing in the sale of one type of product. However, why subsequently the etymology underwent such dramatic changes is unknown.
There is also a female form in the word "comrade" - this is "commodity." In the XIX century. she was actively used in speech. However, in modern language, this noun is practically not used.
The traditional meaning of the word "comrade"
Long before the 1917 revolution, people were called comrades who were united by a common occupation or working on the same thing.
This word was also applicable to persons studying together, traveling or fighting. In this regard, the ironic idiom “unfortunate comrade” is quite common.
Despite the fact that in connection with the events of 1917 this word acquired a slightly different meaning, today it is again used in its traditional meaning.
Friend and friend: what is the difference
Both of these nouns are synonyms, but there is a very tangible difference between them.
Friends are people who are interconnected by close relationships built on sympathy, mutual understanding, selflessness and trust. Often they live nearby or study, sometimes they work. However, these factors are not fundamental, as sometimes true friends live not only in different cities, but also on individual continents.
Friendship is not required any physical or social community, while the concept of partnership provides for it. Even the best workmate may often not be a friend. And not because he has some bad qualities, but because of the lack of spiritual intimacy, despite the common cause.
In fact, the causes of friendship, like love, are inexplicable. And friends often become people of completely different social backgrounds (the Bible, for example, describes the friendship of the son of King Saul and the shepherd David).
There are frequent cases when, working with a person, you get close to him, and he becomes like a friend-comrade. Whether relationships have reached this level can be determined with a simple vacation. If during the period of "separation" people continue to call up, correspond and even spend time together - it means that they are united not only by companionship. By the way, Pushkin’s expression “nothing to do from friends” refers more to the concept of partnership.
Another indicator of the difference in these concepts is the presence of the noun “friend” of their own synonyms, not applicable to the term “comrade”. This is a "twin" and "familiarity." In addition, in the early nineties, the name “bromance” (from English brother romance) was coined to mean close non-sexual friendships.
Who were called comrades in Soviet times?
With the coming to power of the Communists and a change in the political structure in the Russian Empire, such appeals as “Mr. / Mrs.”, “Sir / Madam”, “Your Honor”, “Your Excellency” and others were abolished.
In order to emphasize universal equality, not only by social status, but also by gender, the appeal “comrade” was introduced for all.
The history of this value
The tradition of using this word as a message arose after the French Revolution. After the overthrow of the monarchy and the conversion of France to the republic, it became necessary to use a general appeal to all citizens in order to emphasize their equality. Originally such a word was “citizen” (citoyen), but it did not seem “revolutionary” enough and in 1790 was replaced by camarade (comrade).
With the light hand of the French, the word became popular in anti-monarchical circles. So, most of the anarchist, communist, socialist and even social democratic organizations of the XIX century. began to use it as an appeal between its members.
After the communists came to power in the Russian Empire, it acquired official status. By the way, in fascist Germany, there was a similar appeal by Parteigenosse (party comrade).
After the collapse of the USSR in the CIS countries, the appeal "comrade" was gradually abolished. In Russia today, instead of it, a "citizen" or "master" is used; and in Ukraine - "giant", "pan."
Citizen, comrade: what is the difference
Although after the French and October revolutions in France and Russia, the appeals “citizen” and “comrade” became almost synonymous, there is a significant difference between them. So, every citizen can be a friend, but not every friend is a citizen.
The fact is that citizens are persons who permanently reside in the territory of a certain state, have the right to use all its benefits and are obligated to fulfill all the functions assigned to them by law. The comrade does not have any such privileges, since he may be a citizen of another country.
These meanings became close to each other at the beginning of the 20th century. due to the fact that they were in use as an official appeal to the USSR. Moreover, the “comrade” was a universal appeal to both men and women, while the noun “citizen” had a feminine gender - “citizen”.
Who is the "comrade" among the military
As a rudiment, this word was preserved among the military of many CIS countries. So, in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, the noun “comrade” is used as a mandatory official appeal between military personnel of all ranks. According to the charter, it is always added to the military rank - "Comrade Major."
Who else is called comrades
In addition to the two main meanings, this term had many others.
In the Russian Empire, before the revolution, deputy or assistant officials were called comrade. Also, the participants in a commercial enterprise — a partnership — were so named.
Ukrainian Cossacks in the XVII-XVIII centuries. used the title "military comrade", which was akin to the rank of "Cornet". There was also another title - "Bunchuk comrade", which hetmans honored the sons of foremen and colonels. By the way, after the destruction of the Zaporizhzhya Sich, the descendants of the Bunchuk comrades received the noble title in the Russian Empire.
In Poland, in the old days, comrades were called prosperous noblemen who bought for their money uniforms for their retinue, consisting of impoverished noblemen. Also, this word was the name of the rank (ensign).
Along with common nouns, there are several own nouns with this name. For example, the four-masted barque Lauriston, renamed the USSR “Comrade”. This ship was destroyed in 1943. Later, the German three-masted barque Gorch Fock, inherited after the war of the USSR, was named after him.
The name Tovarich is a play by the American playwright Robert Sherwood, written in 1935. Two years after publication, it was filmed.
In 1970, composer O. Ivanov wrote the song “Comrade” (“I will fill the country with a song like the wind about how the comrade went to war ...”) to the words of A. Prokofiev.
The most famous examples with the word "comrade"
In addition to trivial sentences with a given noun (“I went to the cinema today with a comrade from the institute”), there are those that have long turned into catch phrases. For example, a quote from the program of the Communist Party of the USSR: "Man to man is a friend, comrade and brother."
As for the use of this term in the form of a reference, here are a few other examples. In honor of the legendary hero of the film "Prisoner of the Caucasus" was named a restaurant on the Dnieper - "Comrade Saahov."
Not one sentence with the word "comrade" was encountered in Soviet times on various propaganda posters. In the picture below you can see an example of one of them.
Speaking on this topic, one cannot fail to mention the cult proposal with the word "comrade" by V. I. Lenin, which today has acquired a satirical meaning.
The word itself has had a positive meaning in all ages, however, due to excessive speculation in the times of the USSR, today it causes very unpleasant associations in people. Whether this will change, time will tell.