Many words that came to us from other languages have become so well-established and assimilated that now only a linguist can establish their foreign origin. These are the words “chest”, “doctor”, “machine” and even “abracadabra”, which, as it turned out, has Greek roots. But “flash” is clearly not a native Russian word. It is too short, hissing and generally unusual. In addition, it is ambiguous, which is typical for English words. Today we will analyze its main meanings, find out how the word "flash" is translated and what word-building potential it has.
How it all started
The energetic, swift sound of the English word flash fits very well with its meaning “flash, instant.” Like many words in the language of Shakespeare, it easily and without any changes goes into the verb "flare up, zip through." All that moves quickly, in one motion, can characterize the word "flash". In principle, this connotation turned into the Russian language, as we will see later.
Spelling difficulties
The wide open sound [æ] in the English word is most similar to Russian [e], slightly mixed with [a]. However, the question "how is the word" flash "spelled?" the spelling dictionary of the Russian language answers unambiguously: with the letter "e". This option is adopted by analogy with other borrowed words like "brandy", "diet", "energy".
The use of the letter “e” in the Russian language does not differ in frequency and is considered rather an exception to the rule. Although when pronouncing these words out loud, it is most often the sound [e] that is heard. In the end, we have all been accustomed from the time of school to the fact that in the great and powerful, not everything is heard and written. “Flash” is one of those very cases.
High tech
Information processing is always a lightning-fast process. Therefore, the use of the term "flash technology" in the IT sphere is more than justified. Any more or less confident PC user often comes across the word “flash”. The meaning of the word and here manages to split.
Let's dwell on computer graphics. Flash is a popular technology for creating animations for Internet sites. Beautiful flashing buttons, flying butterflies and snowflakes are all examples of Flash animation in action. The object approach can significantly save time and effort when creating such pictures, because you can draw only a few frames and set the desired trajectory for them or an algorithm for changing one frame to another. The work will be really lightning fast. You can also add sound and videos to Flash animations. Flash technology has become a powerful, uncomplicated and therefore popular tool for creating your own videos, games and applications.
If we talk about storage technologies, the concept of "flash drive" applies to media with an electrically reprogrammable memory. The lightning speed of information processing is worthy of applying the short and capacious word "flash" to it. An electric charge (why not lightning?) Is constantly changing and is recorded in a special pocket of the semiconductor located on the "flash drive".
Cards on the table
The ways of the borrowed word in the language are inscrutable. Flush, a popular term in poker, went into Russian, without demand taking a flash form from a close relative flash. Strictly speaking, flush means a sudden rush of water or embarrassment, as well as abundance. In poker, this word also in some way describes abundance - five cards of the same suit, going in any order. In its strength, flash is second only to full house and square.
An extremely pleasant variation of the flush is a straight flush, in which all cards go one after another strictly according to their seniority, for example, seven, eight, nine, ten and jack of hearts. The youngest straight flush starts with an ace and ends with a five. And the eldest got the proud name “royal flush” - it starts with a dozen, and the ace closes. If a player is on the way to a flush, this combination is called a “flush draw”.
Poker can hardly be called a lightning game, because it requires the utmost concentration and prudence. Nevertheless, the term “flash” has firmly taken root in the Russian-speaking environment of players and has become a visiting card of poker.
Leap to the past
A short “flash” is an ideal basis for word formation. Adding it to any other word, you can give it speed, brevity and momentary. Let us examine this using the term “flashback” as an example.
The English preposition back, denoting a backward movement, merging with the already familiar flash, gives an excellent capacious name for the technique in art. In the blink of an eye, the character of a film, game or performance is transferred by thoughts to his past, where he indulges in nostalgia, tries to answer an important question, or simply says goodbye to life. Such a “time travel”, as a rule, does not last long. Soon the storyline resumes, and the character is returning now. In the literature, such a technique is called a retrospective and can last a long time.
Also, there is a reverse method - flash forward. As you might guess, here the viewer or player is dealing with a leap into the future. Flashforward is often used at the very beginning of a feature film or series to foster intrigue and allow viewers to express their own guesses about the plot.
In the right place at the right time
A huge crowd of people of different ages, occupations and appearance. They do not know each other. Nevertheless, here and now they are nearby, presenting a common idea. Flash mob literally translates as “instant crowd”, and this is a very accurate description of the phenomenon that is popular today.
A large group of people gather in a predetermined place to perform some actions, which are also called a flash mob scenario. After the script is completed, the participants disperse. As a rule, such massive actions do not last long. Participants learn about flash mob from the media, mainly various social networks.
Flash mob themes can be anything: simple fun dances, performing some kind of action (tying shoelaces, combing hair, looking into the sky). A flash mob can have political or social implications, it can be aimed at advertising a product or service. The variety of forms and scenarios leaves the flash mob with one thing in common - lightning speed. This distinguishes such actions from demonstrations and rallies.
Lightning fast
It would be strange if such an expressive word did not leak from common nouns into proper nouns. Yes, not simple, but for the most superheroes. Flash became such a character, emerging from the pen of DC Comics artists and scriptwriters in 1940 in the first issue of Flash Comics. Of course, Flash’s main ability is beyond the speed of light. Flash's quick reaction, his speed of thought, also amaze comic book fans year after year. Later versions of Flash can bring the internal vibrations of their body to such a speed that they gain the ability to pass through solid objects. Internal vibrations help Flash destroy buildings and earthquakes with a single touch.
An extremely popular superhero, Flash has repeatedly become the main character in many films and series. In 2014, the television series of the same name was released, and in October 2016 the release of its third season is expected.
Common features
And yet, what does the word “flash” mean? All of these values have one common element - a flash of lightning. Instant, bright and memorable. It is possible that in the future humanity will invent many things in whose names this word will be appropriate.