Each owner of the dacha surely has a stove, not in the house, so in the bath, and next to it, a coasters hang on the hook. Without this bent metal stick, it would not be possible to normally flood the room, therefore, summer residents and rural residents know: a poker is an inventory that mixes fuel in a wood or coal stove.
However, few know where the word "poker" came from, and may not be aware of its other meanings.
Kokora - Kocher - Poker
The word "poker" is so ancient that it is not possible to establish its exact origin. It is known for certain that in the East Slavic culture the word "kokora" was used, which was called a tree with a root.
Over time, thanks to the play of the suffixes “ora” and “era”, as well as the alternation of the letters “k” and “h”, the “kokora” turned into a “coacher”, already close in sound to a poker. This word was called crooked old trees and driftwood.
History is silent when the letter “g” appeared in the word and the fireproof device for mixing coals began to be called a poker. However, thanks to the "poker" appeared "stokers" - people who ted the coals in the furnace furnace of steam locomotives and steamboats. Interestingly, this profession was called “poker” before.
And from the poker, the word “wander” originates, which means to make faces, break, be capricious, etc.
The traditional meaning of the word "poker" is clear to everyone. But let's see how inventive minds apply this word in the modern world.
Neither God a candle nor a damn poker
This saying was very common in Russian folklore and meant a worthless person, as well as any insignificant action or object, in other words: either.
Today, a poker accessory is still called an accessory for stoves, even an impromptu one, for example, a bent ski pole. But the poker has other interesting meanings:
- Dark bristles on the body of newborns: a common phenomenon that is easy to treat.
- Among motorists, the so-called automatic gearbox shift lever is called: by the way, the mechanics knob is called a stirrer.
- Again, on the driver's slang, the poker is called a mechanical steering lock.
- Some women may call an elderly woman an abusive phrase “old poker”.
And since the poker is an ancient subject of rural life, interesting folk beliefs are associated with it, which you might not know about.
Dreams, signs, customs
In Russia, during wedding ceremonies, it was customary to tie the poker and a broom crosswise, which symbolized the hearth and a strong marriage.
It was believed in antiquity that the fire that suddenly went out in the fireplace was the machinations of the devil, and in order to expel evil spirits, they placed a poker across the fireplace grate, thus creating a cross. But what is interesting - from these manipulations the thrust really improves and fire flares up.
And judging by the ancient dream books, people really did not like when they dreamed of a poker. It was believed that this was to quarrels and fights, scandals in the family, strife among friends and neighbors.
Modern interpreters of dreams disagree on the account of kocherichka. Some believe that the person who dreamed of a poker is unconcerned about a possible danger. Others believe that a red-hot poker in a dream is a good sign: to the disclosure of malicious intent, gossip and intrigues of ill-wishers. And it is also considered a happy omen: despite the vicissitudes of fate, everything conceived is sure to succeed.