Sometimes in classical works there are phrases that are surprising and mysterious for contemporaries. Something of this kind can also be heard from elderly fellow citizens who are quoting their favorite book or deciding to joke in an awkward situation. One of the stumbling blocks is rightly considered "honest people." Many do not understand why it is not “honest,” and is there any difference?
Polite but outdated
The word has not been used in everyday life for a long time. It denotes a person or object “having honor”, often used when talking about elements of a religious cult. In other words, the speaker indicates that the subject or interlocutor:
And in the well-known phrase "honest people"? The value of such an appeal can hardly be overestimated: here are “good people”, and an indication of the dignity of others, their spiritual and moral wealth. Politeness, universal in nature. From here came the secondary meanings:
- rite according to established custom, honor of honor;
- revered for holiness, proximity to religion.
The meanings of the word “honest” mutually penetrate and complement each other, allowing you to please the noble boyars, clergy and peasants, even if all three groups stand in a single crowd.
Appearance in art
The authors of the Golden and Silver Ages of Russian literature with pleasure included the original appeal in their tales and philosophical novels. In today's books, one can rather see the amazed exclamation “Mother of Honest!”, And the attempts to make the speech of the heroes more sedate, official and appropriate to the medieval surroundings.
If some politician or university rector, when speaking to an audience, takes advantage of “honest people,” they simply will not be understood. One wonders how such officials fit their position, since they are not able to express themselves in plain language. The most appropriate phrase will be in the framework of a statement on a historical theme, in a fantastic work or when you want to translate the conversation in a humorous manner, to set people up in a positive way.