Truly rich speech is replete with elegant epithets, accurate comparisons, capacious idioms. To skillfully use the abundance of beauty of the Russian language, you need to know and understand the interpretation of words and stable expressions. So, for example, what does the idiom “throw beads in front of pigs” mean? You need to figure this out.
The meaning of phraseology
The interpretation of the idiom by the meaning of each individual word in its composition cannot be considered. Phraseologism is, above all, a stable and indivisible expression, so you need to work immediately with the whole structure. This is the main difficulty of translation. Literally, the essence of phraseologism cannot be conveyed, they exist within the same language, therefore, vary depending on the people and their culture.
In this article we will try to answer the question, what does “throw beads” mean? How did it happen that pigs and shiny beads were enclosed in one expression? Probably, to give phraseologism an explicit negative color, to connect objects that, in principle, do not combine. And it’s true, since this expression is used when they want to warn a person against the waste of energy and energy in an attempt to influence another person.
According to dictionaries of phraseologisms, the expression "beads do not toss before the pigs" means "you do not need to try to prove and explain something to someone who is not able to understand your motives and does not appreciate your efforts properly." It is difficult to disagree with the centuries-old wisdom contained in these words.
The history of the origin of the expression "beads in front of pigs do not toss"
This phraseologism has existed for a very long time. The authorship of these words belongs to Jesus. In his Sermon on the Hill, delivered on a slope in front of the students and a crowd of gathered people, he urged them not to drop the pearls to the pigs so that they would not be crushed and torn to pieces by the one who threw precious stones. This wisdom has come down to us thanks to the evangelist Matthew.
In the initial version, as you can see, the phraseology “throwing beads” contains the word “pearls”. Nowadays, the expression exists in two ways. What difference does it make? A pig is unlikely to be able to distinguish beautiful sea pearls from shiny glass substitutes. Similarly, a person who does not want to properly understand what is being told to him will not notice the difference between authenticity and falsehood.
Another interesting detail: the word "beads" came to the Old Slavonic language from Arabic through Turkic. In the original, it meant "fake pearls."
As you can see, the expression "beads do not toss before the pigs" has a very old and sacred history. The fact that it has survived for so many centuries speaks of its wisdom and relevance at any time.
Synonyms
In the Russian language there are innumerable ways to express your unwillingness to engage in worthless business, to explain something to people who do not want to understand the words you have spoken. Phraseologism "beads do not toss before pigs" is only one of the possible options. Synonyms for this expression may vary depending on the desired value. For example, you can say “you do useless work” in the following ways: “push water in a mortar”, “carry water in a sieve”, “carry firewood into the forest”, “perform Sisyphus labor”, “pour from empty to empty”.
The interpretation “to explain something to a person who does not want to understand” has the following idioms: “you won’t make beer with fools,” “like peas on a wall”, “you tell him, but he’s not kicking him in the tooth.”
Although the meaning of many phraseological units can be characterized in one word, it is unlikely that this will be possible in the case of the expression “beads before pigs”, but you can use it instead of many emotionally pale phrases. Worth trying. For example, say “throw beads in front of pigs” instead of “lead a useless discussion with an uninterested interlocutor” or “try to convince someone who does not want to listen to weighty arguments”. Speech will only become more beautiful.
Antonyms
It’s great happiness if you manage to meet a good interlocutor who knows how to listen and willingly delves into the essence of the dialogue. In the company of such a person I want to "plunge into the conversation with my head", "flood with the nightingale."
They say, “they don’t dangle beads before pigs,” but nevertheless it’s worth trying to interest the opponent in your point of view, “put everything on the shelves” and “explain on fingers”. Or take an interest in his vision of events. It can be so unexpected and interesting that you will listen with bated breath, without breathing, and catching every word.
The antonymical meaning of phraseology “beads don't swear before pigs” is expressed by the following words: “communicate with a good interlocutor, equal to yourself. And also enjoy this communication and exchange of views. ”
The use of the expression "beads in front of pigs do not toss" in literature and colloquial speech
It would be strange if such an ancient, wise and effective phraseological unit was not actively used by writers of all time. The English diplomat and 18th century writer, Earl Chesterfield, used it in his Letters to his Son. In them, he says that you should not waste on communicating with "empty-headed youths" who are not able to heed sensible arguments, because it is as useless as throwing beads in front of pigs. Earl Chesterfield was not the first and not the only one who noted the effectiveness of this phraseology.
But do not assume that stable expressions are good only in novels and short stories. The speech of each of us will become much more beautiful if we turn to popular wisdom and diversify our vocabulary with it. After all, every word in Russian phraseological units was chosen with particular care: they concealed that cherished meaning that will be relevant for many centuries to come.
And remember, dear readers: there is no need to throw beads in front of pigs. It is better to keep it for those who can appreciate the true brilliance of your thoughts.