The meaning of phraseology “soaping the neck” has nothing to do with bath procedures, although this cannot be explained to a native speaker. Let us examine the meaning of the expression and its history. As always, there will be an example from life.
The routine of the executioners. History of occurrence
Previously, when executions were commonplace, no one thought of humanity. The executioners were only interested in comfortable, comfortable working conditions. Therefore, when they wanted to hang a person, they lubricated the rope with soap so that the head would better pass. Accordingly, in the expression there was a transfer from the rope to the neck of the “sentenced”. Now it is easy to understand that the meaning of phraseological units “soaping the neck” does not carry anything good for the object of “torture”.
By the way, the echoes of this speech turn are also found in the fact that when a person is in a desperate situation, he says to himself or others: “Well, that's all, it remains to take only the rope and soap!”. In other words, hang yourself.
Textbook situation: daughter comes home very late
And, of course, her angry father is waiting for her at home. Since the parent is very worried about his daughter, he already phoned all the morgues and hospitals, but nowhere was her trace found. And dad thought: “Well, Katka! When you come, you will learn the meaning of phraseology “soap my neck” from my own experience. ” Say, an unrealistic internal monologue? What to do, our parent was a cultured person, and even in a state of righteous anger, he expressed himself decently.
My daughter came home, naturally, after twelve and, of course, sober. And then her father pounced on her like a mad bull:
- Katya! Pray, now I will teach you the mind!
- Dad, stop it, I’m already 17 years old. I am a freshman, to me that at 21:00 to come home and watch TV shows with you on TV ?!
“Nink, do you listen to her talking to me ?!”
The wife did not answer:
- So, okay, now, Katerina, you will find out the strength of your father’s belt, and at the same time the meaning of phraseology “lather your neck”.
The daughter, realizing that you can’t calm the parent’s aggression, began to use different tactics. Like all the guilty daughter, she began to repent of sins. The text of the confession is meaningless. Such monologues are similar one to another. In a burst of frankness, she confessed that she spent time with a certain Sasha (her mother is probably in the know). Father exchanged anger for mercy and asked his daughter to call him the next time, and then jokingly asked:
- Can I teach Sasha a lesson in the Russian language and tell you the meaning of phraseology “soap my neck”?
“Dad, you need to work less.”
Expression is not for young
The younger generation does not use this phraseological unit, and in Soviet times it was very much in demand. If there are those who do not understand the meaning of the speech turn “soap the neck” (the meaning of phraseologism follows), we explain: it means scolding someone, scandalous, but more often beat, use physical force.
It should be remembered that the hand-to-hand outcome of a conflict does not always mean its solution. Be carefull.