The language culture is best reflected in idioms. They are also called simply phraseological units, aphorisms or winged expressions.
In the Russian language there is an interesting idiom - "spreading cranberries." We have to find out:
- What does this expression mean?
- What is its origin?
- How is it used today?
- What are the similar phrases in meaning?
Idiom: concept
By this term is meant one of the types of phraseological units - fusion. Idioms are called such stable expressions that carry one meaning, while being indivisible.
For example, the phraseology “beat the back door” has the meaning of “messing around.” None of the words in this expression hints at the meaning of the whole phrase. "Bucks" are such wooden preparations from which various products were made. They beat them during processing, and in Russia it was considered a simple labor. From here came phraseologism, which was associated with idleness.
Idioms are expressions that convey the realities of a particular language. English phraseological units may not be understandable to Russian people, and Russian - to the British. To understand the idiom, it is necessary to delve into the history and culture of the country of the language being studied.
The meaning of phraseology
“Spreading Cranberries” is one of the idioms that convey the realities of the Russian language. This phrase means fabrications, stereotypes, misconceptions, fabrications. In short, the meaning of “spreading cranberries” is a lie.
What is the figurative phraseology? The fact is that cranberries are a stunted plant, so it cannot be spready. The expression is based on oxymoron, that is, a combination of words that have a diametrically opposite meaning. Examples of this phenomenon are a large child, hot snow, a living corpse, and others.
Origin
There are several versions of how and when the phraseology “spreading cranberries” appeared. It is believed that the first time this expression was voiced in 1910. It was a parody of B. Geyer, which was shown in the theater of St. Petersburg.
It was about a young girl who was forced to marry a Cossack and separated from her beloved. The unfortunate woman recalls how happy she was with him "in the shadow of a spreading cranberry." The work ridiculed Western literary cliches with primitive ideas about Russian life.
After the presentation, the phraseology “spreading cranberries” began to spread widely. However, the author of this play was not the true creator of the expression. B. Geyer just designed the phrase literary and, so to speak, “launched” it into the light.
The authorship of the "spreading cranberries" was attributed to Alexander Dumas Sr., although this turned out to be unreliable information. This mistake was made by L. Trotsky, who supposedly read the phrase in the notes of the French writer about Russia.
According to one version, the Frenchman still existed in the history of phraseology, but he was not Dumas, but an unknown young man. He described in his diary how he had been in Russia and sat in the shade of a spreading cranberry. Based on this version, after this incident, the expression became winged.
Also, linguists admit the possibility of a misinterpretation from French into Russian. Arbuste branchu - arbust branch , which means "branchy shrub." So called cranberries and other berry bushes. This could cause confusion in the translation, which ultimately gave rise to such a wonderful phraseology based on oxymoron.
And one of the most successful variants of origin is irony. The Russian people themselves, according to this assumption, came up with the phraseology "spreading cranberries." So the inhabitants of a great and powerful country ridiculed the fabrications of foreigners about their true way of life. The play of B. Geyer was based on this humorous phenomenon.
Use
At present, the idiom of “cranberry cranberries” is used when talking about works whose authors admit inaccuracies in demonstrating the Russian way of life. Moreover, initially phraseologism ridiculed foreigners with false stereotypes, and now Russian creators are criticized with a similar expression.
The idiom is found in the patriotic song "Baron von der Pszik", which appeared during the Second World War. Performed by her Soviet artist Leonid Utesov. The text jokingly describes the boastful German baron, who is served with a bacon under the “spreading cranberries”. As a result, the German gets what he deserves from the Russian soldiers.
Synonyms
Phraseologism "spreading cranberries" can be replaced by other interesting winged expressions:
- Vampuka. So called jaded cliches in the opera. The expression itself came from a production-parody entitled: "Vampuka, an African bride, an opera exemplary in all respects."
- General Moroz (Russian winter / General Winter). How often have you heard the statement that Napoleon and Hitler could not stand the Russian winters and therefore were defeated? So, this version is controversial. Many historians completely refute it. General Frost is the ironic name for the phenomenon that has become mythical.
The study of idioms is necessary to broaden one's horizons, the development of internal culture and intelligence.