How many phraseological expressions in Russian that require interpretation! Someone is capable of falling into trouble, someone shamelessly beats backstage, and someone simply asks the striker. And what does “sharpen your hair” mean? How to understand this expression?
“Sharpening the fox”: the meaning of phraseology
In colloquial speech, as, indeed, in fiction, this expression is quite common. If you want to characterize someone’s occupation with empty chatter, you can do this briefly and clearly. To say, for example, that this or that person is a lover of sharpening lasses. The meaning of phraseological unit consists in this: floundering about the case, chatting over trifles, and conducting empty talk.
The history of the origin of the expression
Everything has a beginning. In some cases, researchers see more than one thing. There are several options for the alleged origin. And where did the expression “sharpening laces” come from?
The most common opinion is that it dates back to the ancient craft of making balusters, or balusters, balusters. So-called carved columns - supports for stair railings. This work was considered so unhindered that at the same time it was possible to joke, joke, to conduct conversations with the henchmen.
Other linguists believe that the word "baluster" in the meaning of empty talk goes back to one common root for all Slavic languages, "ball" with the meaning "to tell", in support of this version the dialectic "balak" (talk) and the common "joke" are given.
The verb “sharpen” has a slightly different meaning than “grind”, “sharpen”. Its roots are in the Indo-European language. They make sense "exude", "pour": sharpen tears, exude oil. Therefore, it is assumed that the origin of the expression in question is most likely Old Russian. Its initial meaning was “pour out speech,” “exhale sounds.”
Using expression in literature and speaking
The most common is the first version. Perhaps because it is more understandable etymology - at the level of the average interlocutor. And in the literature, it is more common to sharpen the "lease" (the meaning of phraseology) associated with the manufacture of balusters.
In particular, in V. Kaverin, in “Two Captains,” one of the characters cuts out wooden figures of birds and animals for sale. The author indicates that this craft, which this hero brought from the banks of the Volga, from where he came from, was called "sharpening the hair."
The fact that it was on the Volga that the most skilled master carvers were "based" is also confirmed by literature. They were called, respectively, balusters. Over time, this craft has sunk into oblivion. But the echo in the form of "turning the lass" has remained for centuries.
As for colloquial speech, this expression is used very actively. "Instead of sharpening the hair, I would take up the matter." This is perhaps the most popular offer at all times. Or no less eloquent: “Grandmothers have gathered, and let’s sharpen the hairstyles.”
Synonyms, antonyms of expression
There are many words with the same meaning in phraseology. All of them are connected in meaning with verbosity, idle talk, sometimes the spread of gossip. If you say chatter, balabolite, wagging your tongue, this will mean "sharpening your lasses." The value of phraseological units with the indicated meaning was presumably formed, most likely, in the 18th century.
The antonyms include the expressions “keep your mouth shut”, “keep silent as if swallowing your tongue”, and gained popularity with the release of the film “Wedding in Robin” - “keep quiet like a fish on ice”.
Conclusion
We have learned the meaning of expression and version of its origin. Now, instead of using simple verbs, we can use the phraseologism “sharpen the lasses” when we want to note that the conversation is empty and meaningless.