When the church plays a key role in society, intervenes in everyday life and in politics, it is not surprising that some of the specialized terms penetrate into the speech of ordinary people. And in times of war and great diplomacy, fashion for everything foreign, vivid expressions quickly diverge in foreign languages. And in the XXI century, contemporaries did not even guess when they heard the word "Sinecure" that it came from medieval Europe. The concept is often colored in negative intonations, but is it deserved? Take a look at the story!
From Rome to Berlin
The definition was borrowed from the Germans, so it appeared in Russia as a direct transcription of Sinekure with a negative connotation. Like, we are talking about lazy people, undeservedly resting, while others are tearing at work, but receiving income. Not quite fair state of things. It must be understood that "Sinecura" is a derivative of the original Latin expression sine cura animarum. Literal translation:
- without the care of the soul;
- without her healing;
- without caring for her.
When was such a long and intricate phrase used? She pointed to the post of administrator at the churches and churches of Catholic Europe, which did not participate in divine services, was not a shepherd for parishioners. In many ways, the original meaning of “Sinecourt” comes close to the list of duties of domestic clerks. But the latter is not only engaged in document management, but also involved in temple services, even if he does not have a priesthood degree.
From employee to lazy person
Gradually, the position degenerated. The life of a priest is full of difficulties, you need to communicate with the flock every day, but a sinecure is a completely different matter. What are these urgent questions for the sake of distraction from a hobby? You can deal with papers once a month, just when you come for a salary. In the warm place it was possible to put any scavenger and slop so that formally he was in business, but could not seriously harm. As a result, allegorical interpretations appeared:
- labor-free duties with high remuneration;
- position in society, occupying which you can exist without worries.
In various sources, these meanings are called book or obsolete. However, contemporaries do not disdain to resort to a resounding epithet to characterize a successfully occupied post or point to a lucky person who does not have to worry about the results of work. After all, the money will still go to the account!
From joy to rudeness
There is an ambiguous situation. If you want to understand that this sinecure is good, and that one is bad, you need to listen to the speaker's intonation and monitor the context. In a positive way, we are talking about luck, a good place where you can provide for yourself and your family without much effort. And at the same time, a sonorous definition easily becomes an insult: if you hint to the interlocutor that he is a parasite on the team, and all his “achievements” are an empty phrase, because they are in no way connected with his work. Try to choose your words so as not to feel awkward!