A slap in the face is a slap in the face. This word is so briefly associated with a Russian person. In the article we will consider the history of the origin of the word "slap in the face". We study the lexical meaning of the concept. In the end, we will select synonyms for it and give examples of its use in context.
Etymology and history of the word "slap in the face"
This concept came from the verb "spit". That is, the word "slap in the face" is a derivative of "slap in the face".
Spit - a term that comes from the pro-Slavic "pjuti". And it, in turn, became the old Russian "plvati".
Why is the studied word "slap in the face" associated with spitting? This is due to the ancient custom of slobbering fists before a fight. In Russia, and among other nations, many signs are associated with saliva. This is now a sign of bad taste, and before it was believed that she has many useful and healing properties that can even heal wounds. Not to mention the magical effects of saliva.
So before the fight, back in the Roman Empire, the soldiers spat on their hands before the fight, because they believed that this would give them strength. Such a strike promised to be powerful.
However, many objects can now be justified, not by magical action, but by practice. So, saliva on the hands before a blow will help not to break a fist.
The lexical meaning of the word "slap in the face"
This term is colloquial. According to the explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language S.I. Ozhegova, T.F. Efremova D.N. Ushakova, this word has a direct and figurative meaning. A slap in the face is:
- Kick in the face. The same as a slap in the face.
- A sharp insult that strikes with its causticity.
The dictionary of V. Dahl also refers to the meaning of this word as a blow to the cheek. However, he still gives an explanation of the word "slap in the face" - this is a rich German bun.
In addition, a trap for a bear, which is installed on a bear trail, is also called a slap in the face. The beast catches the rope and he gets hit with a spear.
Synonyms and examples of use
There are several words that are similar in meaning to the studied:
- slap in the face;
- hit;
- cuff;
- kick;
- crack;
- slap;
- spitting.
To visualize the word in context, we give examples of its use:
- They argued for a long time before one of them gave a slap in the face to Petrovich.
- I feel we will get a slap from the authorities.
- The husband came home only in the morning and received a ringing slap from the wife.
- He scolded him like he was slamming him.
- Hunters of Transbaikalia set a slap in the face for a bear.
Thus, we found out that the word under study has a pre-Slavic origin and is associated with the custom of spitting on one’s fist before a fight. This concept has the meaning of slap, humiliation and trap for the bear.