Distribute the characteristics of others can everyone. Most have enough tact so as not to make inferences or do it alone with loved ones, others are not shy about expressing an opinion on any occasion. So, some contemporaries from older people and recognize the original concept of "malacholny." This term is colorful, sonorous, but with a negative meaning. It is rarely seen even in books. But what does the word mean, how was it formed and developed within the framework of the Russian language?
Non-standard mister
Some of the Soviet films put an odious phrase with the studied definition into the mouth of ordinary village women, traders. When it was necessary to indicate the inactivity, passivity of the protagonist, through the mouths of secondary characters they declared: “This is malacholny! What to expect from him? ”
The reduced colloquial vocabulary was understandable to the average person, immediately fixed his attention on oddities, various quirks, or on unusual behavior. The main manifestations of which are usually served:
- emotional depression;
- lack of vivid experiences;
- retardation of thoughts;
- slowness of actions.
The term itself can easily jump between parts of speech. As a noun, he points directly to a person, and in the role of an adjective describes the properties inherent in eccentrics.
Mysterious origin
How was the word “malacholny” formed? Where does its meaning come from? Philologists are torn between two theories, and the reason was the periodic spelling through the "o" in the second syllable. One version associates with the Hebrew maloch:
Thoughtful slowness, a detached smile seem to be a sufficient argument in favor of this option. But what about a negative connotation that is too obvious? Another version is based on a distortion of the concept of melancholia. When borrowing, as well as an attempt by the peasants to reproduce the master's words in their own way, some sounds could be lost, changed. Melancholy itself is expressed simply:
- oppressed state of mind;
- dreary mood.
In many cases, a man who is malacholny fits this description perfectly. After all, outsiders will not begin to analyze in detail the nuances of behavior, to search for “inexplicable” acts as an excuse in the form of sadness and inattention.
Appropriate use
No matter how strange the interlocutor may seem, in no case use this definition. Even in relation to a very close person. Yes, it is not considered abusive, it is permissible in communication at the household level, but it critically points to shortcomings. “Malacholny” is an actual synonym for “brake”, “ice”, “log” and other dissonant characteristics. If the word is allowed in the village and in the bazaar, this does not mean that people of the 21st century should be repeated!