People use some phrases and expressions so often that they don’t even think about their meaning, sometimes uttering something completely automatically, without asking themselves why they say that. For example, no one will remember why they fall into a hole, and not, for example, into some other labor tool. So with the expression "grow big, do not be noodles" we no longer ask ourselves the question of why noodles, why not semolina, for example.
Rugrats!
To begin with, you should imagine a picture: in the sandbox on the playground, children are sitting, messing around with molds, sculpting Easter cakes. Suddenly one of them sneezes. What is immediately heard from all sides? That's right, "Be healthy." But then the baby sneezes again. And further. And then, as if at the touch of a button, the message “Grow big,” followed by “Don't be a noodle.” And not only from the kids swarming in the sand, but also from their mothers or grandmothers sitting next to them, who during their childhood already used this expression.
If you open a dictionary of phraseology or colloquial expressions, you can see the note "baby", which indicates that it is children who most often pronounce these phrases.
“Grow Big, Don't Be Noodles”: Meanings and Interpretations of Expression in Different Dictionaries
The dictionaries of phraseology and colloquial expressions mentioned above contain several similar, complementary interpretations of this phrase, which is popular among children and adults. Among them are such:
- Health wish to a person who has repeatedly sneezed, each part is pronounced separately, after a new sneeze.
- A joking farewell of an adult to a child (usually a sneezer).
Despite the presence of this expression in the dictionaries, nothing is known about its origin; it cannot be said when it was first recorded, at what moment went from person to person.
Alternative option
In addition to the already mentioned expression “Grow big, don’t be noodles” you can also find a rather rare “Grow big, don’t be noodle, stretch a mile and a half,” which can be interpreted as a wish for a combination of excellent health. Being noodle also means being lethargic, and tall growth has always been considered one of the signs of good health. And also the mind and strength of character ("to be noodles" can also be considered as "to be weak-willed, spineless man").
Thus, telling a person to “grow big, do not be a noodle,” we wish him both health and the presence of an inner core, so that neither physically nor by nature he resembles a limp mass.