We rarely think about the meaning and origin of words. Especially if they are rarely found in everyday speech. Everyone knows the humorous phrase, which often ends with friendly gatherings, and guests are in no hurry to disperse. So what is a stick? What is the origin of the word? And what does the phrase “by the road” mean, which everyone has heard?
The meaning and origin of the word
The dictionary of the Russian language determines that a “staff” is a masculine noun, an inanimate, diminutive form of the word “staff”. A staff is a walking stick, a cane. Linguists believe that this word is not borrowed, but purely Slavic, comes from the word "plow" (a tool for plowing). This and "sokh", "bitches" in different dialects. Indeed, the ancient plow resembles a bifurcated branch, and the first farmers used digging sticks to till the ground. They are found by archaeologists during excavations of ancient settlements.
Staff properties
The staff has long been credited with magical properties. The magic staves were owned by many heroes of legends and myths, fairy-tale characters. The Greek god of healing Asclepius, with his staff, could raise people from the dead. This staff, entwined with a snake, today is a symbol of medicine.
The staff of Hermes - the caduceus - became an obligatory attribute of the heralds, announcing royal decrees. He was a symbol of their integrity. Caduceus served as a symbol of secret knowledge and was on the emblems of the customs and tax services. He is also present on the arms of many cities (Taganrog, Yeniseisk, Kharkov, Berdichev, etc.)
The staff was also a mandatory attribute among shamans. They decorated them with carvings and ornaments, crowned the staves of animal heads. Shamans believe that the staff helps them travel to other worlds.
In Slavic countries, unclean forces were driven away by a staff; participants in the carols were sure to take it with them. All Russian kids know the magic staff of Santa Claus. On all New Year's holidays, Santa Claus is always with a staff.
In Christianity, the apostolic (bishop's) staff also had great symbolic significance. The "Good Shepherds" must have a staff. Jesus Christ himself is often portrayed with a staff.
On the road
In Russia, wanderers were always respected, people wandering from city to city, from village to village. In ancient times, they, among other things, in the absence of communication systems, served as a kind of news service. During the journey, the news was surrounded by a variety of rumors, the information was sometimes distorted beyond recognition. But word of mouth was the only information channel. In travels, the staff helped the wanderers, serving as a support on a long journey and as a means of personal protection from lovers of easy money.
Wanderers were supposed to shelter, feed. Before the road they were offered to drink a glass of vodka. A glass was placed on the thick edge of the staff. At the same time, they wished a good journey, a happy journey and success in business. If the glass did not tip over on the staff, this was considered a good omen. Drinking a glass was not supposed to be completely. It was necessary to leave a little and throw out on the road to attract good luck.
There is also a version that if a glass does not stand on the staff of a drinker, then he is not ready to hit the road yet, he must still rest. In this case, the staff is a kind of indicator.
There are various names for these last glasses: stirrup, saddle, for the move of the legs, love, lifting. The stirrup is drunk so that the stirrup does not disappoint, the saddle — so as not to fall out of the saddle, the love one is drunk at the gate, on the move of the foot — so that the road does not tire. There were many drinking customs in Russia.
Currently, the staff is not only a road stick and the last glass. The word has acquired the meaning of the end of something, the end of the case, the final point.
Songs about the staff
When seeing off guests after a feast, the hosts often offer them a drink in the end. As a rule, this ceremony is humorous and fun. And many songs about the staff are proof of that. They are loved by many. The song "On the road" sounds performed by various artists. A lot of songs, ditties - all this suggests that these are exceptionally joyful, positive emotions. “Come on, buddy, go to the road”, Nadezhda Kadysheva sings with her ensemble “The Golden Ring”, demonstrating what is called “Russian daring”. These songs are funny, drinking. To drink a glass before leaving is a kind of cultural code "friend or foe" for people of one circle, one social environment, one way of life.
Expression in the literature
In Russian literature, the expression "drink", "eat on a stick" is found in literature by Melnikov-Pechersky, Radishchev, Gogol. No wonder. The phrase was widely used and was heard. But even the books of foreign writers in Russian translation are published under the title "On the road." These are the works of Ray Bradbury and Stephen King. In the original they are called "One for the Road". The translators rightly considered that, given the plots of these books, the Russian idiomatic expression would be the best name for the Russian reader. The meaning of the word "staff" in this context is understandable to everyone.