How to tell a person that he did not say anything new or interesting. There are many expressions, but today we will consider one of them, namely, “discover America”. The meaning of phraseologism will be examined with accessible and understandable examples.
Tone or a bit of “not”
First of all, it should be said that this is a very insidious expression. And we won’t discover America if we say that the speech revolution in question is usually used with a bit of “not”, or the tone makes it clear to the interlocutor that he froze some kind of stupidity.
First, examples, then the meaning of phraseology.
University math exam
There is an exam at the university. Higher mathematics surrenders. The student does not know anything, but still comes up, takes a ticket and sits down to prepare. Time passes. He answers to the teacher and suddenly gives out with force:
- Two by two is four!
- I see that you thoroughly prepared for the exam. It is a pity to upset you, but now you have not been able to discover America. The meaning of phraseology, I think, you know well? Therefore, I ask for a retake next week. For ingenuity and a joke, I can put it “excellent”, it’s only a pity that this assessment will not count.
The meaning of the expression
An example helps to clarify the meaning: “discover America” - to tell, communicate, do something that has long been known to everyone and everywhere.
Of course, the expression is informal, and it cannot be said at the official meeting or to the boss (generally superior). Moreover, if the boss in the broad sense of the word believes that he has the right to do so, then he can say about America and its discovery to his subordinate. In fairness, let’s say that not too cultured and educated people do this.
You can understand that the expression “discover America” (the phraseological meaning implies) is offensive enough for the person with whom he speaks. Moreover, of course, it is permissible in communication between friends when people have known each other for a long time and nothing offensive is implied in this case.
Phraseological synonym
There is a similar phrase in our language “reinvent the wheel”. Of course, H. Columbus discovered America already in 1492, but the bicycle with us has been around for quite some time (since the end of the 19th century).
For example, two friends are talking about football and one of them recently saw for the first time how Lionel Messi plays and says to his friend:
- You know, I watched the Barcelona match here and realized: Messi is the best player in the world!
“Tell me you prefer discoveries or inventions?”
- Not understood?
- Look, the language has two phraseological units “discover America”, the meaning of phraseological units I will tell you a little later, and the other - “invent a bicycle”, which one do you choose?
- I don’t like all this, as if you are mocking me. Well, let's talk about America nobler somehow.
- Well, so, telling me so valuable information about the best soccer player in the world and the record holder, you did not say anything new, i.e. did not discover America.
- What about the bike?
- And the expression "invent a bicycle" has a similar meaning.
Morality
In general, the expression itself has no moral burden. But the important thing is what it teaches, namely, to verify the information you want to tell the world.
If the communication does not have an official status, for example, as the above conversation of two friends about football, then it is not so scary to hear a comment on some remark:
- Do you know the phrase “discover America”, do you know its meaning?
- Yes, sure.
“So you don’t open up what the Indians say.”
- Well, okay, I’ll survive somehow.
Agree that even from a familiar person it’s insulting to hear something like this, but imagine if this is the defense of a thesis or dissertation, and in response to his report, the applicant hears: “Well, you did not discover America, you know, all this is well known. Roughly speaking, this is a truism. ” The cry from the audience belongs, of course, to the harmful teacher. Such a subject is present on every defense. He is well known to everyone.
It would seem that the expression is one, but the context is completely different, from a friend about America it’s not scary to hear, but to hear something similar from an official is a tragedy.
Therefore, in order not to hear about the bicycle, nor about Columbus, nor about America at important events for himself, a person should thoroughly prepare and check the information that he wants to report several times.
Now the reader knows what it means to “discover America” and, we hope, he will not use this expression in an inappropriate setting and without need, because it is rather offensive, even if it is said in jest, as it carries a note of neglect.