“Sand is already pouring out of you,” - we often speak with some sarcasm about a person whose age, according to our concepts, no longer corresponds to his realization of his plan. At the same time, everyone understands perfectly well - the statement is related to the new age, but they are unlikely to be able to intelligently explain why. Let's try to understand the background of the appearance of this phraseological unit.
A few words about fashion
The desire to satisfy two basic human needs - in food and clothing - contributed to the dynamic development of social life in this direction. Everyone had the opportunity to stand out from the environment, preferring a special outfit or dish. If his style became popular and more and more people wanted to stick to it, then this turned into fashion.
It has always been short in time, interacting with the identity of society and other areas of culture. At the same time, it left a certain intricate imprint in history through one or another phraseological unit. "Sand is pouring in" is an expression that has several versions of its origin. First, consider the one that is associated with European fashion of the 16th century.
Version one
Where did the expression “sand pouring” come from? Its roots originate in Europe. So, the XVI century is a period of severe reforms, as well as the rule of the Inquisition. Blasphemers were subjected to persecution, cruel torture and even death. It is very difficult to imagine such an instrument of torture as “egg vise”, but then-heretics tested it on themselves. Male dignity has always been of great importance, such treatment in those times contributed to increased attention to the genital organ on the part of society.
And in order to make up for the humiliation, a new clothing accessory appears in men's fashion in France - codpiece (from the Dutch gulp). This is a special pouch or trouser pocket where a genital organ is placed. This is not just another fashion trend, it is a kind of challenge to the Pope, for the Inquisition encroached on the most vulnerable part of the male body.
Over time, the male organ was cultivated more and more, causing the hearts of women to beat faster when looking at an unusual pocket for the phallus.
The codpiece was sewn of silk and velvet, the most expensive fabrics of that time, decorated with pearls and embroidered with gold threads. Men competed among themselves, luring the admiring attention of the court ladies. Old ladies' man also did not miss the opportunity to demonstrate to others: "I'm still wow!" To this end, they put sandbags in their sulfides. However, after prolonged use, during the dance or with a sharp movement, they could easily break, leaving a sand path on the floor.
It caused a friendly laugh, and after the poor fellow it sounded: "And from this sand is already pouring!"
Second version
Today, individual scholars give a different explanation of where the expression "sand pours." It entered the Russian language in the 18th century and is associated with the name of Peter I. The emperor, who prefers everything European, introduced a new form in the army, which was completely unusual for a Russian peasant.
Tight trousers, similar to modern leggings, pulled together manhood so that the servicemen were forced to take some tricks to make them more comfortable. They cut out two extra bags a little larger than their genitals and tied them to a belt. To avoid friction when driving, both accessories were filled with sand. It also helped relieve pressure on the phallus.
In those days, the service lasted 25 years, so for old-timers, the bags broke through due to decrepit tissue. If sand poured after the soldier, then his life was coming to an end. Therefore, with a certain degree of sarcasm, one could speak of him as a decrepit, old man.
Least common version
Some historians have another assumption, whence came the expression "sand is pouring." Scientists are confused by two points: firstly, the phrase became widespread only in the 19th century, and secondly, in everyday life it is applied not only to men, but also to women.
According to them, the explanation is very simple and goes back to human physiology. Over the years, stones often form in the body. Part of the organs is affected by a similar disease: kidneys, gall and bladder, liver. When sand leaves the body with urine, for example, this indicates a certain age of the person. Hence, they began to say with humor that from the elderly "sand is pouring."
Instead of a conclusion
We made out several versions that shed light on where the expression "sand is pouring" came from. This phraseology is one of the most commonly used and is used to emphasize the venerable age of the person they are talking about. Most preferable is the explanation of the connection between the utterance and the fashion of the Middle Ages. And its use in relation to ladies can be explained by the fact that in everyday life people stopped thinking about the history of the origin of phraseology.