Over time, many words and expressions in the Russian language are rethought and lose their meaning. Most often this happens due to the fact that objects and phenomena called such terms disappear from everyday life. Because of this, so many combinations become stable expressions, often completely unrelated to the original meaning. Few people know where the turns came from, which are still often used in our speech. For example, the expression “beat the buck” now means not quite what in ancient times. After all, there was a very real thing - baclusha, and it was often used by our ancestors. Therefore, this expression was clear to everyone without explanation.
The current value of turnover
And what does “beat the buck” mean now? Almost no one understands the meaning of these words, such an expression is called phraseologism, or idiom. Every modern person knows that if someone is messing around, doing nothing, then he can be told: "Stop hitting the bells and whistles!" This expression means idle pastime, idleness and laziness. In this sense, this combination of words has been used for several centuries. And about a person who is engaged in nonsense, instead of working, he takes off from business or chooses an easier job, they say: "He’s beating the bucks."
Such a combination of words has several synonyms, for example, messing around, being lazy or idle. But in fiction or in conversation, to enhance the expressiveness of speech, they often use the expression "beat the buck." And it is immediately clear to everyone what the speaker has to do with what is happening.
What did the word baclus mean?
In ancient times, this word was very common and meant small wooden chocks, slightly rounded on one side. They served as material for making dishes (most often spoons) and other household utensils. The tree in those days was the most common material in Russia, almost everyone made something for the house from it. Therefore, everyone was familiar with the process of manufacturing baclush. This subject, and with it the word, were familiar and familiar.
Was the expression “beat the buck” in ancient times?
This turnover in such a stable combination began to be used not so long ago. The word "baclusha" was known to all, therefore it was used with many words. Why exactly "beat the buck"? There are several versions of the origin of the expression.
Less common, but most believable, is the version of night watchmen. In ancient times they went around the protected area and knocked on beater, wooden chocks, which were called bacluses. This lesson was simple, it did not require special qualifications and skills, it was just necessary to be present at work. Therefore, when a person does nothing while sitting at work, lounges, it is believed that he is beating bacilli.
Another no less interesting version is the origin of the expression from the name of any shallow reservoir in the Volga region. Once in such ponds during floods, the fish in winter begins to suffocate from a lack of oxygen. And if you break the ice, then often it jumps out by itself. In great frosts, you can catch a lot of fish without much effort. The process of such fishing is called by the locals "beat the buck."
The most common version of the origin of an expression
But more often you can find another explanation of the meaning of this combination of words. Most scholars are inclined to think that the turnover “beat the buck” used to mean making blanks for wooden spoons and other utensils. Wood was the main material for household utensils, so the process of smashing baclush was very common. This is an easy task that does not require special knowledge and skills. Even a ten-year-old child easily coped with such a thing. Often they laughed at such work, therefore, expression has passed into a modern language in that sense.
How did the process of whipping baclush happen?
But in fact, this work was not so simple as to consider it idle. Yes, in order to split the log into several flat chocks, a special mind is not necessary. But it was still necessary to clear the log from the bark, slabs and any growths, and also to round off on one side. In addition, it was very important to choose the right tree (most often used aspen or linden), from which it is easiest to cut spoons.
Opponents of this version of the origin of the expression argue their opinion that the word “beat” cannot be applied to such work. But the manufacturing process of the buckler did not end there. The cooked chock was then hollowed with a special tesla to make a depression for the spoon. All this together was called "beat the buck." Children and adolescents coped with the work, easily making up to 100 buckles per day.
Where now you can try to beat the buck
Of course, everyone who loves to laze around, who at work breaks away from work and drinks another cup of coffee or chatting with colleagues about nothing, beats bacilli. But, speaking of such people, we use this expression in a figurative sense, in its stable combination. Is it really possible to try to beat the back door? Yes, there is such an opportunity.
In the Yaroslavl region - in the ancient village of Semibratovo - there is a museum. It is there that you can learn the famous Russian craft - beat the bacilli. You will not only get acquainted with the whole process, but also try to do it yourself. And after that, you can determine whether you can handle such a “simple” task - to beat the bacilli. In fact, for a modern person this is difficult, and the expression will be perceived by you differently.
In addition, in the museum you can visit the master class of the famous spoon-bakers and see with your own eyes how the buckwheel turns into a beautiful spoon. What kind of spoons are not there! They differ not only in painting and appearance, but also in shapes, sizes and even names.
The meaning and origin of the most common phraseological turns are studied at school. But not everyone can explain what it means to “beat the buck.” If the word is no longer in use, then its meaning has been forgotten, and now only museums like Semibratovo help preserve the history and culture of the people. However, the meaning of obsolete words needs to be known to every person who wants to use all the possibilities of the great Russian language.