Sometimes in a movie, someone screams: “Half-a-half!” What does this word mean? This is how boys in the yard can shout when one of the adults approaches them - a teacher or an angry passerby. So in films they warn about the danger of being noticed by someone from whom they hide their actions. The meaning of the word is not very clear: is it a danger sign, an order to scatter, or something else? What do dictionaries say about the etymology of the word "half a half"? Where did it come from?
What does “half a half” mean and how did this term appear
You may be surprised, but the word “half-a-half” did not appear in Russia. This is a long-standing term for sailors. He was pronounced in English and Dutch. It sounds about the same. Compare:
- English: fallunder - "fall down";
- Dutch: van onderen - "from below".
This shout was heard during the unloading of the vessel, the attack, while working at the top. He meant the order to be careful when the load fell from above. Historians testify that with the shout of "half a dawn" Dutch sailors could take refuge in the hold.
Peter the Great and the Russian fleet
When the innovative tsar decided to build the Russian fleet, he thoroughly got down to business. He delved into all the subtleties of the seafaring order. Of course, he tried to introduce Russian terms, but international marine words already existed. It was not only frivolous, but dangerous as well. In urgent cases, the team's understanding of orders should be unconditional, this is not up to the translator.
The Russian sailors renamed the term "half a half". The meaning of the word has not changed; it still means danger. But now the meaning has expanded a little and had a shade of “watch out”. Over time, the term left the fleet of Western countries, but remained in the marine terms of Russia. English-speaking countries use stand from under instead, which in translation means "get away from below."
Extending the term to other professions
Ushakov's dictionary mentions the use of the term by firefighters. The Naval Dictionary clarifies what a "half-moon" is for seafarers: this is a shout for people on the deck who orders to withdraw from the trajectory of the object being dropped. Ephraim’s dictionary includes a modern interpretation of the word, which means a warning about danger.
In Vyatka, there was a fire truck, which bore its own name - "Polundra". The car had a fire pipe on a gasoline engine. Vyatka firefighters gave this miracle of technology in 1922. It was the first car in the fire department. The team’s readiness time began to be from 15 to 25 seconds. Now you can buy a modern toy - a fire truck "Polundra". And in St. Petersburg, the so-called fire steamer.
During the war, shouting "Half!" sailors went on the attack. They used it instead of the traditional "Hurray!".
Popularization of the term in film and literature
The style of realism arose more than a century ago. With the beginning of the era of cinema, he penetrates the screens. Writers and screenwriters in the twentieth century began to actively use professionalism. Real marine terms appeared in the dialogs of sailors. So the audience learned what “half a half” means. Along with literature, language developed, actively including professionalism in everyday vocabulary. They began to quote movie heroes who were already closer to the people.
Some quotes from the movie:
- In the 1979 animated film about Captain Vrungel, his assistant shouts: "Half a ton! We are drowning!" In the film “Battleship Potemkin,” which was shot much earlier, they would use the command “Whistle all up!” Why? Just this word was not yet familiar enough to the mass audience.
- In the cartoon "We are looking for a blot" on the teaser "Uncle Fedya ate a bear" followed by an exclamation: "Half-a-half!"
- In the film "Volga-Volga", when the steamer ran aground, people shouted: "Half a ton!"
- In the film "Ivan Brovkin on the virgin lands," Ivan Silych says: "Half the moon! Vlip!"
- In the film "Love and Doves," Vasily and Uncle Mitya poured port wine into cups. Suddenly, Uncle Mitya whispered: "Vasily! Half a half!" And immediately the woman Shura came in.
- In the film "Striped Flight", the hero, seeing the tracks, shouts: "Half-a-leg! Animal tracks!"
In literature, slang words and professionalisms especially often began to flicker from the beginning of the seventies. Before that, even in the works of Kaverin, Rybakov and Gaidar, students spoke a pure literary language.
How is the word used now
So the word came into use, and people began to use it in an informal setting to denote any danger. Now, in any unpleasant situation requiring immediate action, they could say: “Half a ton!” Synonyms of the word:
- atas;
- save yourself who can;
- watch out;
- schucher.
In the youth environment in the seventies of the last century, the word "half a half" became slang. It got into an active vocabulary through demobilized guys who, after serving, were considered examples of real men. Young children listened to their conversations and absorbed new words. Especially shrouded in such romanticism.
Conclusion
Now there is a radio, an interactive game, a film, songs and musical compositions, in the names and texts of which there is the word "half a half". What does it mean - beware.
The word "half a half" has become vernacular, included in the lexical composition of everyday words. It can be found in an unexpected place - on the counter with seeds, for example. And this does not surprise anyone.