People love to measure the values of everything around: length, height, weight, time. But what if we are talking about abstract phenomena, feelings and emotions, character? In the Russian language, there are many original definitions to indicate that the interlocutor has crossed the line. One of them is “exorbitant”, which clearly says: it is time to stop and stop causing inconvenience to others. Where did the word come from?
Degree limits
It is necessary to build on the possible interpretations of the "measure". There are four of them, and each focuses on the study of the world:
as a unit of measure;
as the volume of a loose body in Russia;
as a reference for comparison;
as a limit indicator, the limit of capacity.
The role of such a measure can be a standard school ruler. Or a classic kilogram. However, the term under study came from the fourth meaning - the extreme point. What are the consequences for those who do not comply? A bag of flour will burst due to an advantage, and the cable will not withstand the load.
When desires do not coincide with real possibilities, this means that they have become exorbitant. Disagree with an adequate assessment of what is happening and cause concern for the moral and psychological state of a person.
Word evolution
Today they use other, universal standards. When someone tries to save money and stuffs bags with products, they will indicate excess weight, they will offer an additional bag. In the conversation about the measure, specific values are not indicated, they only mean a certain abstract border beyond which it will be bad. This is true even when discussing the price.
More often, contemporaries use the term in a figurative sense to denote human qualities:
pride;
greed;
conceit, etc.
The word indicates superlative, extreme. When a certain feeling fills a person and begins to lash over the edge. Use exclusively in a negative way, as if they express a suspicion of unreasonableness. Since restraint, the ability to behave in society and not to demonstrate the dark sides of character are taken as a model.
So, if the child was told that his boast is exorbitant, this indicates a lack of patience with educators and friends. A child can tell amazing stories about his adventures, but there is no faith in him. Each new plot twist causes only annoyance of the audience.
Application today
Is it worth it to say so? Of course, if you try to get around the mat side. The word is so expressive that only obscene vocabulary can compete with it in terms of inherent emotions. But if vulgar words make the conversation rude, then “exorbitant” paired with any negative quality of the interlocutor sounds sublime and even poetic. And with playful intonation, the phrase acquires an ironic connotation and is suitable for everyday communication.