Each of us can easily and freely say what exotic is. When something is out of line, we recall this word. And what does the explanatory dictionary tell us? Find out below.
Value
Imagine that the climate has changed on the planet, and bananas and palm trees have begun to grow in central Russia. Wonderful picture, huh? No Turkey is needed, now we are just like in the south. People go to the sea for exotics (what is this - we will analyze further), and the dictionary does not go anywhere, and emotions have no effect on it. Therefore, he can dispassionately give a definition of the object of study, his meaning is only one: "Objects and phenomena characteristic of a locality and unusual for the one who perceives them." Maybe it’s not necessary to correct the definition given by the dictionary, but nevertheless it must be said that the tourist himself (that is, the one who contemplates the wonders) comes from another region of the globe, it is worth remembering this.
Now it’s clear what exotic is, so we move on to the analogous words.
Synonyms
We always reinforce success with replacement words. On the one hand, this expands the lexical stock, and on the other, it allows one to penetrate deeper into the essence of the phenomenon. In other words, something ceases to be linguistic exoticism for us. Observe synonyms:
- curiosity;
- unnaturalness;
- unusual
- unusualness;
- freakishness
- extraordinary.
All these nouns are called to fix in the concept that picture of the world that surprises or shockes. For example, the traditions of the African tribe are exotic (the lexical meaning of the word was disassembled a little higher) for a European. So, you can make good money on this.
Even the explanatory dictionary insists that the position of the observer is the main factor when it comes to wonders. If you leave the tribes alone, that is, more civilized nations, from the traditions of which the Russian goose bumps. For example, the culinary preferences of the French or Chinese.
And yes, it’s important to interpret the adjective “civilized” in order to avoid accusations of racism or chauvinism. Here, “civilized” means “unaffected by civilization” in the European sense of the word, and not in the sense of “uncultured” or “barbarians”.
Surrounded by the familiar
The meaning of the word "exotic" in the explanatory dictionary is considered, it remains to give examples. But we want to focus not on the directly eccentric habits of foreigners, but to talk about what used to be an out-of-the-box phenomenon, and now it is perceived as part of the usual reality of a Russian:
- a computer;
- mobile phone;
- various technical devices.
Even 15 years ago, computers were bulky, and not everyone could afford laptops. And naturally, they were new. Imagine that in America already in the 80-90s and 20s of the 20th century, apparatuses, which have now become a familiar element of almost any home, have already become an integral part of the daily routine of a business person or someone who printed text as necessary.
It is believed that in the films show one lie. But we approach this in a different way: they get into what has already become commonplace, even if only for certain people.
For example, there are two old films with Tom Hanks - “Big” (1988) and “Letter to you (1998). They are united by the fact that the main characters are active computer users. Imagine what a sensation it would be if such a thing would appear at home with a Soviet citizen. Moreover, in the movie "Big" the hero of Tom Hanks seems to have a laptop in general. While in Russia, a personal computer or laptop ceased to be exotic only in the mid-2000s, and maybe even later.
Another fact that is funny for a modern schoolchild: 12-15 years ago, the message that every person abroad, regardless of their social status and income (excluding, of course, lumpen), had a mobile phone, seemed to be an invention. In other words, for a Russian person abroad has always been a magical area where miracles have been working.
Another answer to the question of what is exotic is: this is a relative concept.