Modern language includes many dialectisms and even more borrowings from other languages. Among the latter is the word "watermelon".
Until now, it can often be heard in the southern regions, especially in the Kuban, when in July-August “sweet gold” - aromatic watermelons ripen on fertile black soil. But in Ukraine it is used in a different meaning. So what is a watermelon? Is it a vegetable, phenomenon or gesture? Let's try to figure it out.
Origin and meaning
Initially, the Persian word "harbuz", which translates as "donkey cucumber", meant melon. Over time, it fell into the Tatar language, and from it dispersed into the languages of the Slavic group, having undergone some phonetic changes.
Already in the XVII century. in the southern regions in Russia, “watermelon” was called the most popular melon culture - watermelon, but in the territory of Little Russia it was called pumpkin.
In the XXI century. dialecticisms are less and less used in Russia, but “watermelon - pumpkin” has firmly entered the Ukrainian and Belarusian languages. For example, in Odessa, a pumpkin is called a “tavern”. Watermelon is called differently - kavun.
Morphological analysis of the word, examples of use
Consider from the point of view of the rules of the Russian language, what is "watermelon". This is an inanimate masculine noun with standard declension over all existing cases and numbers.
The word "watermelon" became the basis for the formation of surnames: Garbuz, Garbuzova or Garbuzov. Surnames are considered Old Slavonic and are mentioned in official documents as early as the 15th century. Among the famous carriers there are many athletes and people who have achieved success and fame in the literary field.
There are other options for what a "watermelon" is. These are several small settlements in the Dnepropetrovsk, Kherson and Ternopil regions of Ukraine.
Matching, traditions
So, further on, “what is a watermelon. This is a vegetable for historians, linguists and simply connoisseurs of classical literature will recall the folk customs associated with matchmaking and preparation for the wedding.
“Dati garbuz” (Ukrainian language) or “present a watermelon” is a gesture indicating the refusal of marriage with the bridegroom proposed by the matchmakers. A potential bride brought the pumpkin instead of the coveted rushnyk (meaning consent to marriage). Thus hinted at the stupidity or other “negligence” of the guy. After unsuccessful matchmaking, they said: "He ate a garbage."
However, in modern life, the expression “give a watermelon” has a slightly different meaning. Now this is not only unwillingness to marry an unwanted groom, but also a denial to anyone of anything.