Few people know that the word "laureate", which means a person who has been awarded a merit award, is translated from Latin as "crowned with laurels." The branches of a noble tree are often mentioned in stable combinations of words. For example, there is such an expression as "reap laurels." In this article we will consider this idiom, find out its meaning, history of origin. We also note the scope of this stable phrase.
Reap Laurels: The Importance
To determine the expression we turn to reliable sources - explanatory and phraseological dictionaries. Sergei Ivanovich Ozhegov gives the following interpretation: "to use the fruits of success." He notes that the expression is used in a figurative sense, often ironically.
The following information is given in the dictionary of Stepanova M. I.: "reap laurels" - idiom, which means "use the fruits of success."
Thus, we conclude that the stable expression we are considering is interpreted identically by the two linguists. It means receiving benefits, results from successful work done.
But where does the laurel - the branches of a tree? Why do they reap them? We learn this secret by examining the etymology of phraseology connected with myth.
Origin history
There is a Greek myth. Nymph Daphne did not want to become the wife of the god Apollo. She ran away from him and turned into a laurel tree.
It began to belong to Apollo - the god of poetry and art. The branches of the laurel, wreaths of it awarded the winners of musical, poetic competitions. Later they crowned athletes, military and other heroes. In this regard, various expressions have appeared related to the mention of this tree. For example, "reap laurels."
As we see, phraseologism appeared due to the fact that the branches of the evergreen plants awarded the winners. And the choice fell on the laurels thanks to the Greek myth.
Use expression
It is difficult to imagine fiction, print media without stable combinations of words. Masters of the word actively use phraseological units in their works. They emphasize the characters, traits, deeds of certain individuals, attract readers' attention with headlines containing winged expressions.
For example, due to the fact that Angela Merkel was called the man of the year, journalists began to publish articles with similar headings: "The German Chancellor continues to reap laurels."
However, not only in political materials appears this expression. It is actively used to mark the successes of people of various professions. For example, Andrei Zvyagintsev’s film “Leviathan” was a success with critics and the jury at various film festivals, in connection with which journalists wrote articles with headlines such as “Leviathan” continues to reap laurels. ” This, of course, meant receiving new prizes and awards.
When the names of the winners of various contests and competitions become known, the expression we are considering is also actively used. It remains relevant today and is often used in the media.