Despite the funny sound, there is nothing funny in the meaning of the phraseology “give oak”. Unless you are a specialist in black humor. Let us consider in detail what the statement means, its history and synonyms.
Oak decks and Peter the Great
Death is a mysterious and terrible phenomenon for every person. Therefore, in any language there are many definitions, expressions that are intended to replace the simple and creepy verb "die". The hero of our study today is just that. The meaning of the phraseology “give oak” is exhaustively deciphered by the same verb.
Another thing is more interesting: why exactly an oak? Even a person who is not very prepared knows that the oak is a symbol of longevity, and popular rumor places it near death. The custom of burying in tombs was not originally inherent in the Slavs. For some time people were buried in birch bark, and the coffin was called a bark. Then the cow is gradually replaced by an oak deck, and both types of burial coexist in parallel until the 15th century.
The decks are replaced by ordinary coffins, knocked together from the boards, solely for economic reasons: Peter the First needed a fleet, and the latter needed materials. Therefore, by a decree of November 19, 1703, it was forbidden to cut trees in the forest, of course, only some areas fell under the decree, but the death penalty was imposed for cutting oak. And although such a measure was not applied, oak decks were forgotten.
The deck was a tree trunk, which was sawn across and processed so that the human body fit there. Perhaps the phraseologism “give oak” owes its origin to this custom. But it seems that still the situation is much simpler.
Vernacular and enduring expression
Even now, you can hear the verb "zadubet", that is, "freeze, chill, cool." Some sources suggest another option to "make hard" or "lose sensitivity." And here is the dilemma: either the verb is faithful to tradition, and the language thus preserves the memory of ancient funeral rites and oak decks, or the frozen person acquired the strength and strength of the oak. Ice is also quite strong material, especially if it is thick. But the second hypothesis seems unnatural.
Synonyms
After we figured out the meaning of the phraseology “give oak”, it would be nice to understand how this expression can be replaced. There is no problem, because the euphemisms for the verb "die" as you like. Only a few were on our list:
- Give the ends.
- Glue flippers.
- Tilt hooves / skates.
- Relocate to a better world.
- Leave this mortal world.
- To die.
An attentive reader will understand: the first three phrases, like the object of study, belong to the colloquial style, and the last three to high. If suddenly the reader is among decent people, and the news arrives that someone is dead, it is better to choose a phrase relating to high style, because low is too rude for almost any circle. In addition, the phraseology “give oak”, the meaning of which we examined, a person can apply only to the deceased, who during his life was not very interested.
“Until I played in the box” (2007)
An example, as the reader understands, is not very desirable to give. Firstly, we have already devoted almost all the time to the topic of death, and secondly, the very stable combination is crude. If necessary, any person will cope with an example himself.
In general, we want to say something else. The film, the title of which is placed in the subtitle, teaches vitality and the fact that you need to wisely spend the time given to a person.
For those who have not seen, let's say: the plot is quite simple. Two aged people learn that they have terminal cancer and nothing can be done. They have two ways: either lie down, moan and wait for death, or have fun. And not thoughtlessly, but as long as I wanted, but could not. You see, family, children, work. And when a person has to live a maximum of six months, then he thinks: “Why not, actually?” This seems to be the right attitude to death, for it is inevitable, and not in a metaphysical, but quite realistic perspective.
Probably, the name of the film will also perfectly serve to express “give oak” a synonym.