The Russian language is known for its speech, the meaning of which is difficult to unravel even to its speakers. For example, you can recall the phraseology “wolf ticket”. What does this mysterious expression mean, where did it come from and in what cases is it used in written and colloquial speech? You can read about all this in this article.
What is a wolf ticket
So, what is the meaning of this incomprehensible speech revolution? Phraseologism “wolf ticket” appeared in the Russian language back in the days of the Russian Empire. This name was a document containing a note on the unreliability of its owner. The people who received it could no longer get a public service, they were categorically denied admission to educational institutions and so on.
A practice similar to the one described above existed during the Soviet Union. This is a record in the work book, which said that a person was fired under the article. His further employment became an extremely difficult task, to dream of a good position was completely useless.
Of course, these days a wolf ticket is no longer issued to anyone. Nevertheless, this speech construct, once very popular, did not completely disappear from the Russian language. Now this phraseology is used when they want to negatively respond to the work of a person.
Theory number 1
The above describes the importance of the sustainable wolf ticket turnover. There are several versions that explain the origin of this expression. Why did a ticket containing a note of unreliability, they began to call it wolf, and not otherwise?
The most popular version, which most linguists trust, connects the origin of the phraseological turn with the inhabitants of one of the Moscow shelters. Nochlezhka was called the “Dry Gully”, enjoyed great fame in pre-revolutionary times, had a bad reputation. “Wolves of the Dry Ravine” - so its guests pretentiously called themselves. It is known that most of them were forbidden to reside in Moscow, the corresponding entry was present in their documents. These were petty criminals, beggars, deported.
It is believed that it was in honor of the “dry ravine wolves” that the certificate of insecurity was nicknamed the “wolf ticket”.
Theory number 2
There is another explanation of where the phrase “wolf ticket” came from, the meaning and origin of which is considered in this article. It’s not a secret to anyone that wild wolves lead a stray lifestyle, practically do not sit in one place. Animals are forced to constantly wander in search of food, they are led by hunger.
If a person receives a certificate of insecurity, his life becomes very similar to that of the aforementioned forest animals. He is forced to constantly move from place to place, as well as to hide from law enforcement agencies, he is being hunted in a peculiar way. It is not surprising that the ticket, which deprives its recipient of the opportunity to lead a quiet life, became known as the wolf.
Theory number 3
“Wolf ticket” - phraseological unit, which has a third version of origin. Some linguists suggest paying attention to the word “wolf” in order to understand where this speech turn came from. This word in this context means "animal, abnormal, inhuman." The wolf is often regarded as a symbol of aggression, cruelty, is considered dangerous to society.
Consequently, the owner of a wolf ticket is different from other people who are considered “trustworthy, normal.” Phraseologism was invented in order to emphasize this difference. He may also indicate that the person who received such a certificate is able to survive alone. After all, the wolf is an animal freedom-loving, independent, not needing anyone.
Who was given
It is also interesting what people in pre-revolutionary Russia could receive a certificate attesting to the unreliability of their owner. Let's say this document was often issued to officers who shamed the honor of their regiment, institution. The ticket indicated that its holder was deprived of the right to perform public service.
Also, members of various organizations and clubs could earn it. For example, they could commit certain acts categorically prohibited by the charter of the community, be unable to pay their own debts, and so on. As a result, such people lost their membership, as well as any hope of its restoration.
Finally, a wolf ticket could be obtained by students of universities and gymnasiums. This could be the result of student participation in meetings and campaigns of an anti-government nature. Students were also expelled with a wolf ticket for hooligan acts. After that, they no longer had the right to enter another educational institution.
Examples of use
So, “wolf ticket” - what does it mean? Examples of the application of this phraseological unit, borrowed from literary works, will help to better understand this . For example, you can refer to the novel “State Counselor,” authored by Boris Akunin. One of the heroines of the book tells about how she was kicked out of the gymnasium with a wolf ticket for committing a hooligan act. She also mentions that as a result, she had to finish her studies at home, because it was no longer possible to get a job in another educational institution.
The writer Yuzefovich also uses this speech structure in his work “Harlequin's Costume”. One of the characters is trying to convince the other to confess to the crime. A sincere confession will help him to avoid severe punishment. Otherwise, he promises him a wolf ticket, which will put an end to his future career and significantly complicate his life.
Are there synonyms
The above describes where this stable expression came from, which means. A wolf ticket is a document depriving a person of any civil rights. Does this speech construct have synonyms? If desired, you can replace the "ticket" with the word "passport". The meaning of this will not change at all.