Top most famous catchphrases
And who are the judges?
Quote from A. S. Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824), d.2, yavl.5, Chatsky's words:
And who are the judges? - For the antiquity of years
To a free life their enmity is irreconcilable,
Judgments draw from forgotten newspapers
Ochakov times and the conquest of the Crimea.
Balzac age
The expression arose after the publication of the novel by the French writer Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) "The Thirty-Year-Old Woman" (1831); used as a characteristic of women aged 30-40 years.
No rudder and no sails
Quote from M. Yu. Lermnotov's poem "Demon" (1842), part 1:
On the ocean of air
No rudder and no sails
Quietly floating in the fog -
Choirs of slender luminaries.
White crow
This expression, as a designation of a rare person, sharply different from the rest, is given in the 7th satire of the Roman poet Juvenal (mid-1st century - after 127 AD):
Fate gives kingdoms to slaves, delivers triumphs to captives.
However, such a lucky man is less likely to be a white crow.
Borzoi puppies to take
Originated from a comedy by N.V. Gogol "The Inspector General", d.1, yavl.1, the words of Lyapin-Tyapkin: "Sins are different. I tell everyone openly that I take bribes, but why bribes? Greyhound puppies. This is a completely different matter."
Throw a stone
The expression "to throw a stone" at someone in the sense of "accusing" arose from the Gospel (John, 8, 7); Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees, who, tempting him, brought to him a woman convicted of adultery: "He that is without sin among you, first cast a stone at her" (in ancient Judea there was a penalty - to stone).
Paper endures everything (Paper does not blush)
The expression goes back to the Roman writer and orator Cicero (106 - 43 BC); in his letters "To Friends" there is an expression: "Epistola non erubescit" - "The letter does not blush", that is, in writing you can express such thoughts that are embarrassed to express orally.
To be or not to be - that is the question
The beginning of Hamlet's monologue in Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name, translated by N.A. Field (1837).
You can’t harness a horse and a quivering doe into one cart
Quote from the poem by A.S. Pushkin "Poltava" (1829).
Great, powerful, truthful and free Russian language
Quote from a poem in prose by I.S. Turgenev "Russian language" (1882).
Back to our sheep
With these words, in the farce "Lawyer Pierre Patlen" (c. 1470), the first of a cycle of anonymous farces about the lawyer Patlen, the judge interrupts the speech of a rich clothier. Having initiated a case against the shepherd who stole the sheep from him, the clothier, forgetting about his lawsuit, showers reproaches on the shepherd's defender, Patlen's lawyer, who did not pay him for six cubits of cloth.
Wolf in sheep's clothing
The expression originated from the Gospel: "Take care of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves."
In borrowed plumes
It arose from the fable of I.A. Krylov "Crow" (1825).
Time is money
Aphorism from the work of the American scientist and politician Franklin (1706-1790) "Advice to a young merchant" (1748).
I carry everything with me
The expression originated from ancient Greek tradition. When the Persian king Cyrus occupied the city of Priene in Ionia, the inhabitants left it, taking with them the most valuable of their property. Only Biant, one of the "seven wise men", a native of Priene, left empty-handed. In response to the bewildered questions of his fellow citizens, he answered, referring to spiritual values: "I carry everything that is mine with me." This expression is often used in Cicero's Latin formulation: Omnia mea mecum porto.
Everything flows, everything changes
This expression, which defines the constant variability of all things, expounds the essence of the teachings of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 530-470 BC)
Was it a boy?
In one of the episodes of M. Gorky's novel "The Life of Klim Samgin" tells about the boy Klim skating with other children. Boris Varavka and Varya Somova fall into a hole. Klim gives Boris the end of his gymnasium belt, but, feeling that he is being pulled into the water, he releases the belt from his hands. Children are drowning. When the search for the drowned begins, Klima is struck by "someone's serious incredulous question: - Was there a boy, maybe there wasn't a boy." The last phrase has become winged as a figurative expression of extreme doubt about anything.
twenty two misfortunes
So in the play by A.P. Chekhov "The Cherry Orchard" (1903) they call the clerk Epikhodov, with whom some kind of comic trouble happens every day. The expression is applied to people with whom some kind of misfortune constantly happens.
Twenty-three years and nothing done for immortality
The words of Don Carlos from the drama by F. Schiller "Don Carlos, Infante of Spain" (1782), d.2, yavl. 2.
Two-faced Janus
In Roman mythology, Janus - the god of time, as well as every beginning and end, entrances and exits (janua - door) - was depicted with two faces facing in opposite directions: young - forward, into the future, old - back, into the past. The expression "two-faced Janus" or simply "Janus", which arose from here, means: a two-faced person.
The work of helping the drowning is the work of the drowning themselves
In the novel by I. Ilf and E. Petrov "The Twelve Chairs" (1927), in chapter 34, a poster with such a slogan is mentioned, posted in the club at the evening of the Water Rescue Society.
Money doesn't smell
The expression arose from the words of the Roman emperor (69 - 79 AD) Vespasian, said by him, as Suetonius reports in his biography, on the following occasion. When Vespasian's son Titus reproached his father for imposing a tax on public latrines, Vespasian brought the first money received from this tax to his nose and asked if they smelled. To the negative answer of Titus, Vespasian said: "And yet they are from urine."
Domostroy
"Domostroy" is a monument of Russian literature of the 16th century, which is a set of everyday rules and morals. The husband, according to "Domostroy", is the head of the family, the master of the wife, and "Domostroy" indicates in detail in which cases he should beat his wife, etc. Hence the word "domostroy" means: a conservative way of family life, a morality that affirms the slavish position of a woman.
Draconian measures
This is the name given to exorbitantly harsh laws named after the Dragon, the first legislator of the Athenian Republic (VII century BC). Among the punishments determined by its laws, a prominent place was allegedly occupied by the death penalty, which punished, for example, such an offense as stealing vegetables. There was a legend that these laws were written in blood (Plutarch, Solon). In literary speech, the expression "draconian laws", "draconian measures, punishments" became stronger in the meaning of harsh, cruel laws.
Eat to live, not live to eat
The aphorism belongs to Socrates (469-399 BC), and was often quoted by ancient writers.
Yellow press
In 1895, the American graphic artist Richard Outcault placed a series of frivolous drawings with humorous text in a number of issues of the New York newspaper "The World"; among the drawings was a child in a yellow shirt, to whom various amusing statements were attributed. Soon another newspaper - "New York Journal" - began to print a series of similar drawings. A dispute arose between the two papers over the title to the "yellow boy". In 1896, Erwin Wardman, editor of the New York Press, published an article in his magazine in which he contemptuously called the two competing newspapers "yellow press". Since then, the expression has become catchy.
finest hour
An expression by Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) from the preface to his collection of historical short stories "Humanity's Star Clock" (1927). Zweig explains that he called historical moments star hours "because, like eternal stars, they always shine in the night of oblivion and decay."
Knowledge is power
An expression of the English philosopher Francis Bacon in Moral and Political Essays (1597).
Golden mean
An expression from the 2nd book of the odes of the Roman poet Horace: "aurea mediocritas".
And boring, and sad, and there is no one to give a hand
Quote from M. Yu. Lermontov's poem "Both boring and sad" (1840).
And you Brute?
In Shakespeare's tragedy "Julius Caesar" (d.3, yavl.1), with these words, the dying Caesar addresses Brutus, who was among the conspirators who attacked him in the Senate. Historians consider this phrase legendary. Mark Junius Brutus, whom Caesar considered his supporter, became the head of a conspiracy against him and was one of the participants in his assassination in 44 BC.
Choose the lesser of two evils
An expression found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle "Nicomachean ethics" in the form: "The lesser of evils must be chosen." Cicero (in his essay "On Duties") says: "It is necessary not only to choose the least of the evils, but also to extract from them that which can be good in them."
Make an elephant out of a fly
The expression is ancient. It is cited by the Greek writer Lucian (3rd century AD), who ends his satirical "Praise of the Fly" as follows: "But I interrupt my word - although I could say a lot more - so that someone would not think that I , according to the proverb, I make an elephant out of a fly.
Zest
The expression is used in the meaning: something that gives a special taste, attractiveness to something (dish, story, person, etc.). It arose from a folk proverb: "Kvass is not expensive, the zest in kvass is expensive"; became winged after the appearance of Leo Tolstoy's drama "The Living Corpse" (1912). The hero of the drama Protasov, talking about his family life, says: “My wife was an ideal woman ... But what can I say? And without the game you won't forget..."
Capital to acquire and innocence to keep
An expression popularized by M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin ("Letters to Auntie", letter 10, 1882; "Children of Moscow", "Little Things in Life", 1877, "Mon Repos Shelter").
Scapegoat
A biblical expression that arose from the description of a special rite among the ancient Jews of laying the sins of the whole people on a live goat; on the day of the absolution, the high priest laid both hands on the head of a living goat as a sign of laying on him the sins of the Jewish people, after which the goat was driven out into the wilderness. The expression is used in the sense: a person who is constantly blamed on someone else's fault, who is responsible for others.
a swan song
The expression is used in the meaning: the last manifestation of talent. Based on the belief that swans sing before death, it arose in antiquity. Evidence of this is found in one of Aesop's fables (6th century BC): "They say that swans sing before they die."
Summer. Sink into oblivion
In Greek mythology, Leta is the river of oblivion in Hades, the underworld; the souls of the dead, upon arrival in the underworld, drank water from it and forgot their entire past life.
Flying Dutchman
Dutch legend has preserved the story of a sailor who swore in a strong storm to go around the cape that blocked his path, even if it took him an eternity. For his pride, he was doomed to forever rush on a ship on a raging sea, never touching the shore. This legend, obviously, arose in the age of great discoveries. It is possible that its historical basis was the expedition of Vasco da Gama (1469-1524), who rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1497. In the 17th century this legend was dated to several Dutch captains, which is reflected in its name.
seize the moment
The expression, apparently, goes back to Horace ("carpe diem" - "seize the day", "take advantage of the day").
Lion's share
The expression goes back to the fable of the ancient Greek fabulist Aesop "The Lion, the Fox and the Donkey", the plot of which - the division of prey among the animals - was later used by Phaedrus, La Fontaine and other fabulists.
The moor has done his job, the moor can go
Quote from the drama by F. Schiller (1759 - 1805) "The Fiesco Conspiracy in Genoa" (1783). This phrase (d.3, yavl.4) is spoken by the Moor, who turned out to be unnecessary after he helped Count Fisco organize an uprising of the Republicans against the tyrant of Genoa, Doge Doria. This phrase has become a saying that characterizes a cynical attitude towards a person whose services are no longer needed.
Manna from heaven
According to the Bible, manna is the food that God sent to the Jews every morning from heaven when they went through the desert to the promised land (Exodus, 16, 14-16 and 31).
Disservice
The expression arose from the fable by I. A. Krylov "The Hermit and the Bear" (1808).
Honeymoon
The idea that the happiness of the first period of marriage is quickly replaced by the bitterness of disappointment, figuratively expressed in Eastern folklore, was used by Voltaire for his philosophical novel Zadig, or Fate (1747), in the 3rd chapter of which he writes: the first month of marriage, as described in the book of Zend, is the honeymoon, and the second is the sagebrush month.
Between the hammer and the anvil
The title of a novel (1868) by Friedrich Spielhagen (1829-1911). It is used as a characteristic of the plight of someone, when dangers and troubles threaten from two sides.
Maecenas
The wealthy Roman patrician Gaius Tsilny Maecenas (between 74 and 64 - 8 BC) patronized artists and poets widely. Horace, Virgil, Propertius glorified him in their poems. Martial (40 - 102 AD) in one of his epigrams says: "There would be, Flaccus, Patrons, there would be no shortage of Maroons", that is, Virgils (Vergilius Maro). Thanks to the poems of these poets, his name became a household name for a wealthy patron of the arts and sciences.
Your gift is not dear to me, your love is dear
An expression from the Russian folk song "On the pavement street":
Ah, my dear is good,
Chernobrov soul, handsome,
Brought me a present
Dear gift,
Gold ring from hand.
I don't care about your gift,
The road is your love.
I don't want to wear a ring
I want to love my friend.
We have a road for young people everywhere
Quote from "Song of the Motherland" in the film "Circus" (1936), text by V.I. Lebedev-Kumach, music by I.O. Dunaevsky.
Milk rivers, kissel banks
An expression from a Russian folk tale.
Silent means consent
The expression of the Pope (1294-1303) Boniface VIII in one of his messages included in canon law (a set of decrees of church authority). This expression goes back to Sophocles (496-406 BC), in whose tragedy "The Trachinian Women" it is said: "Don't you understand that by silence you agree with the accuser?"
Flour Tantalum
In Greek mythology, Tantalus, the king of Phrygia (also called the king of Lydia), was a favorite of the gods, who often invited him to their feasts. But, proud of his position, he offended the gods, for which he was severely punished. According to Homer ("Odyssey"), his punishment was that, thrown into Tartarus (hell), he always experiences unbearable pangs of thirst and hunger; he stands up to his neck in water, but the water recedes from him as soon as he bows his head to drink; branches with luxurious fruits hang over him, but as soon as he stretches out his hands to them, the branches deviate. Hence the expression "Tantal's torment" arose, which means: unbearable torment due to the inability to achieve the desired goal, despite its proximity.
We are lazy and not curious
Quote from "Journey to Arzrum" (1836) by A. S. Pushkin, ch. 2.
We cannot wait for favors from nature, it is our task to take them from her
The expression belongs to the biologist-genetic breeder I. V. Michurin (1855-1935), in practice, on a large scale, who showed the ability to change the hereditary forms of organisms, adapting them to human needs.
On the seventh sky
The expression, meaning the highest degree of joy, happiness, goes back to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), who in his essay "On the Sky" explains the structure of the firmament. He believed that the sky consists of seven motionless crystal spheres, on which the stars and planets are fixed. The seven heavens are mentioned in various places in the Qur'an: for example, it is said that the Qur'an itself was brought by an angel from the seventh heaven.
Our shelf has arrived
An expression from the ancient "game" song "And we sowed millet"; used in the sense: there are more people like us (in some respect).
Don't throw pearls before swine
An expression from the Gospel: “Do not give holy things to dogs and do not throw your pearls (church-glory. beads) before swine, so that they do not trample it under their feet and, turning, do not tear you to pieces” (Matt., 7, 6). Used in the meaning: do not waste words with people who cannot understand them, appreciate them.
Don't be foolish
An expression from the tragedy of A. S. Pushkin "Boris Godunov" (1831), the scene "Night. A cell in the Miracle Monastery", the words of the chronicler Pimen:
Describe, without further ado,
All that you will witness in life.
I don't want to study, I want to get married
Mitrofanushka's words from D. I. Fonvizin's comedy "Undergrowth" (1783), d.3, yavl. 7.
Sky in diamonds
An expression from A.P. Chekhov's play "Uncle Vanya" (1897). In the 4th act, Sonya, comforting the tired Uncle Vanya, exhausted by life, says: “We will rest! the whole world, and our life will become quiet, gentle, sweet, like a caress.
Despite the faces
Bible expression. The idea of actions without partiality, without obsequiousness to superiors is expressed in many places of the Old and New Testaments (Deuteronomy, 1, 17; Matt., 22, 16; Mark, 12, 14, etc.), although in somewhat different words. It is possible that the expression "regardless of faces" is a translation of the phrase "Ohne Ansehen der Person" common in German speech, which is a quotation from Luther's translation of the Gospel (1 Peter, 1, 17).
No one will embrace the immensity
Aphorism from "The Fruits of Thoughts" by Kozma Prutkov (1854).
Nothing is new [not forever] under the moon
Quote from N. M. Karamzin's poem "Experienced Solomon's Wisdom, or Selected Thoughts from Ecclesiastes" (1797):
Nothing new under the sun
What is, was, will be forever.
And before the blood flowed like a river,
And before the man cried...
This poem is an imitation of Ecclesiastes, one of the books that make up the Bible.
New is well forgotten old
In 1824, the memoirs of the milliner Marie Antoinette, Mademoiselle Bertin, were published in France, in which she said these words about the queen's old dress she had renovated (in fact, her memoirs are fake, their author is Jacques Pesche). This thought was perceived as new, too, only because it was well forgotten. Already Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) said that "there is no new custom that is not old." This quote from Chaucer was popularized by Walter Scott's Folk Songs of Southern Scotland.
O times! oh manners!
An expression that Cicero (106-43 BC) often used in his speeches, for example, in his first speech against Catiline. It is also quoted in Latin: "O tempora! o mores!".
About dead or good or nothing
An expression often quoted in Latin: "De mortuis nil nisi bene" or "De mortuis aut bene aut nihil", apparently, goes back to the work of Diogenes Laertes (3rd century AD): "Life, Doctrine and Opinions famous philosophers", which contains the saying of one of the "seven wise men" - Chilo (VI century BC): "Do not slander about the dead."
O holy simplicity!
This expression is attributed to the leader of the Czech national movement Jan Hus (1369-1415). Sentenced by a church council as a heretic to be burned, he allegedly uttered these words at the stake when he saw that some old woman (according to another version - a peasant woman) in ingenuous religious zeal threw the brushwood she brought into the fire of the fire. However, Hus's biographers, based on eyewitness accounts of his death, deny the fact that he uttered this phrase. The ecclesiastical writer Turanius Rufinus (c. 345-410) in his continuation of Eusebius' History of the Church reports that the expression "holy simplicity" was uttered at the First Council of Nicaea (325) by one of the theologians. This expression is often used in Latin: "O sancta simplicitas!".
Formed
In L. N. Tolstoy's novel "Anna Karenina", part 1, ch. 2 (1875), the valet encourages his master, Stepan Arkadevich, upset by a quarrel with his wife, with this word. This word, used in the sense of "everything will be settled", which became winged after the appearance of Tolstoy's novel, was probably heard by him somewhere. He used it in one of his letters to his wife back in 1866, urging her not to worry about various everyday troubles. His wife, in a reply letter, repeated his words: "Probably, all this will work out."
Window to Europe
An expression from A. S. Pushkin's poem "The Bronze Horseman", Introduction (1834):
On the shore of desert waves
He stood, full of great thoughts,
And looked into the distance...
And he thought:
From here we will threaten the Swede.
Here the city will be founded
To spite an arrogant neighbor.
Nature here is destined for us
Cut a window to Europe...
This expression, as Pushkin himself pointed out in the notes to the poem, goes back to the Italian writer Algarotti (1712-1764), who in his "Letters about Russia" said: "Petersburg is a window through which Russia looks to Europe."
An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth
An expression from the Bible, the formula of the law of retribution: "A fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth: as he did damage to the human body, so it must be done to him" (Leviticus, 24, 20; about the same - Exodus, 21, 24; Deuteronomy 19:21).
Left horns and legs
A not entirely accurate quote from a song by an unknown author "The Gray Goat", which appeared in song books since 1855.
From great to funny one step
This phrase was often repeated by Napoleon during his flight from Russia in December 1812 to his ambassador in Warsaw de Pradt, who told about it in the book "History of the Embassy to the Grand Duchy of Warsaw" (1816). Its primary source is the expression of the French writer Jean-Francois Marmontel (1723-1799) in the fifth volume of his works (1787): "In general, the funny comes into contact with the great."
Oh, you are heavy, Monomakh's hat!
A quote from A. S. Pushkin's tragedy "Boris Godunov", the scene "The Tsar's Chambers" (1831), Boris's monologue (Monomakh in Greek is a wrestler; a nickname that was attached to the names of some Byzantine emperors. In ancient Russia, this nickname was assigned to the Grand Duke Vladimir (beginning of the 12th century), from which the Moscow tsars originated. Monomakh's cap is the crown with which the Moscow tsars were crowned to the kingdom, a symbol of royal power). The above quotation characterizes some difficult situation.
panic fear
Originated from Greek myths about Pan, the god of forests and fields. According to the myths, Pan brings sudden and unaccountable terror to people, especially travelers in remote and lonely places, as well as to the troops who rush to flee from this. This is where the word "panic" comes from.
Feast in Time of Plague
The name of the dramatic scenes of A. S. Pushkin (1832), the basis for which was a scene from the poems of the English poet John Wilson "The Plague City" (1816). Used in the meaning: a feast, a cheerful, carefree life during a public disaster.
Plato is my friend but the truth is dearer
The Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 BC) in his work "Phaedo" attributes to Socrates the words "Following me, think less about Socrates, and more about the truth." Aristotle in his work "Nicomachean Ethics", arguing with Plato and referring to him, writes: "Let friends and truth be dear to me, but duty commands me to give preference to truth." Luther (1483-1546) says: "Plato is my friend, Socrates is my friend, but the truth should be preferred" ("On the Enslaved Will", 1525). The expression "Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas" - "Plato is my friend, but the truth is dearer", formulated by Cervantes in the 2nd part, ch. 51 novels "Don Quixote" (1615).
The Fruits of Enlightenment
The title of a comedy by L. N. Tolstoy (1891).
Dancing to someone else's tune
The expression is used in the sense: to act not according to one's own will, but according to the arbitrariness of another. It goes back to the Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC), who in the 1st book of his "History" tells: when the Persian king Cyrus conquered the Medes, the Greeks of Asia Minor, whom he had previously tried in vain to win over to his side, expressed their readiness obey him, but under certain conditions. Then Cyrus told them the following fable: “One flutist, seeing the fish in the sea, began to play the flute, expecting that they would come to him on land. Deceived in hope, he took the net, threw it and pulled out a lot of fish. tangled in nets, he said to them: "Stop dancing; when I played the flute, you didn't want to go out and dance." This fable is attributed to Aesop (6th century BC).
Success is never blamed
These words are attributed to Catherine II, who supposedly put it this way when A. V. Suvorov was brought to court martial for the assault on Turtukai in 1773, which he undertook contrary to the orders of Field Marshal Rumyantsev. However, the story about Suvorov's arbitrary actions and about bringing him to trial is refuted by serious researchers.
Know yourself
According to the legend reported by Plato in the dialogue "Protagoras", the seven wise men of ancient Greece (Thales, Pittacus, Byant, Solon, Cleobulus, Mison and Chilo), having come together in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, wrote: "Know thyself." The idea of self-knowledge was explained and spread by Socrates. This expression is often used in the Latin form: nosce te ipsum.
After us at least a flood
This phrase is attributed to the French king Louis XV, but memoirists claim that it belongs to the favorite of this king, the Marquise Pompadour (1721-1764). She said it in 1757 to console the king, dejected by the defeat of the French troops at Rosbach. It is possible that this phrase is an echo of a verse by an unknown Greek poet, who was often quoted by Cicero and Seneca: "After my death, let the world perish in fire."
Potemkin villages
In 1783, on the initiative of the statesman of the time of Catherine II, Prince G. A. Potemkin (1739-1791), Crimea was annexed to Russia, which was included in Novorossia. Contemporaries said that Potemkin, in order to show Catherine the prosperity of the new territory (during her trip to the south in 1787), erected villages on the way of the empress, which were entirely decorations, put up to meet her festively dressed people, driven from afar, but posing as local residents, showed grain warehouses in which bags instead of flour were stuffed with sand, drove the same herd of cattle from one place to another at night, planted parks in Kremenchug and other cities, and the planting was carried out for several days, so that the plantations died after Ekaterina's passage, etc.
The delay of death is like
In 1711, before the Prussian campaign, Peter I sent a letter to the newly established Senate. Thanks to the senators for their activities, he demanded that they continue not to delay the necessary orders, "before the passage of time is like death irrevocably." Winged words of Peter received in a shorter form: "Procrastination is like death."
Indulge in all the hard
Large bells in ancient Russia were called "heavy". The nature of the bell ringing, i.e. when and which bells should be rung was determined by the "Typicon" - a church charter, in which the expression "to hit all hard" meant: to hit all the bells at once. From here arose the expression "to go all out", which is used in the meaning: to go astray from the right path of life, to begin to indulge uncontrollably in revelry, debauchery, extravagance, etc.
spreading cranberry
The expression is used as a playful designation of absurd reports about Russia and Russians, belonging to ill-informed foreigners, in general - anything implausible, revealing complete unfamiliarity with the subject. The oral tradition considers the description of the journey through Russia by Alexandre Dumas-father (1803-1870) to be the source of this expression. Meanwhile, in the books describing his journey through Russia, there are no gross distortions in the depiction of Russian nature, Russian customs and customs. In the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language" ed. D. N. Ushakov, it is reported that the expression "came from a description of Russia, in which a superficial French author sat under the shade of a majestic cranberry." It can be assumed that the expression "spreading cranberry" of parodic origin originated with a Russian author who ridiculed the really anecdotal descriptions of Russian life found in some poorly informed French authors.
Cheer up, shoulder! Wave your hand!
Quote from A. V. Koltsov's poem "Mower" (1835).
rare bird
This expression (lat. rara avis) in the meaning of "rare creature" is first found in the satires of Roman poets, for example, in Juvenal (mid. I century - after 127 AD): "A rare bird on earth, sort of like black Swan".
Born to crawl cannot fly
Quote from "The Song of the Falcon" by M. Gorky.
Hands off!
Expresses the requirement not to intervene in the affairs of someone or something, to preserve the integrity of something. This expression as a political slogan was first used by the English minister William Gladstone (1809-1898) in reference to Austria, which occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina in the autumn of 1878.
Snout in fluff
An expression from the fable of I. A. Krylov "The Fox and the Marmot" (1813). The fox complains to the Groundhog that she suffers in vain and, slandered, was expelled for bribes:
- You know, I was a chicken coop judge,
Lost health and peace in business,
I didn’t eat a piece in the labors,
Nights did not sleep:
And I fell under anger for that;
And all by slander. Well, think for yourself:
Who in the world will be right if you listen to slander?
Should I take bribes? yes, I'm pissed off!
Well, have you seen, I will send for you,
That I was involved in this sin?
Think, remember well...
- No, gossip; I often saw
That your stigma is down.
This expression is used in the meaning: to be involved in something criminal, unseemly.
From ship to ball
An expression from "Eugene Onegin" by A. S. Pushkin, chapter 8, stanza 13 (1832):
And travel to him
Like everything in the world, tired,
He returned and got
Like Chatsky, from the ship to the ball.
This expression is characterized by an unexpected, abrupt change in position, circumstances.
With a sweet paradise and in a hut
Quote from the poem by N. M. Ibragimov (1778-1818) "Russian Song" ("In the evening, the girl is beautiful ..."):
Do not look for me, rich:
You are not dear to my soul.
What do I, what are your chambers?
With a sweet paradise and in a hut!
First published in 1815, this poem gained great popularity and became a folk song.
With feeling, with sense, with arrangement
Quote from A. S. Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824), d.2, yavl.1.
blue stocking
The expression denoting the contemptuous name of women who are completely absorbed in bookish, scientific interests arose in England in the 80s of the 18th century. and did not have the disparaging meaning that it received later. Initially, it meant a circle of people of both sexes who gathered at Lady Montagu's for discussions on literary and scientific topics. The soul of the conversations was the scientist Benjamin Stellingfleet (1702-1771), who, neglecting fashion, wore blue stockings with dark clothes. When for some reason he did not appear in the circle, they repeated: "We cannot live without blue stockings, today the conversation is going badly - there are no blue stockings!" Thus, this nickname was first given to a man and not a woman. The expression especially spread when Byron used it in his satire on Lady Montague's circle "The Blues" - "Blue".
Blue bird
A play by Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949), staged at the Moscow Art Theater on September 30, 1908. The plot of this play is the adventures of a poor woodcutter's children in search of the Blue Bird. According to Oak in the play, the Blue Bird is "the secret of things and happiness". "If a person finds the Blue Bird, he will know everything, see everything" (the words of the Cat).
Mixing French with Nizhny Novgorod
Quote from A. S. Griboedov's comedy "Woe from Wit".
Combine pleasant with useful
An expression from the "Art of Poetry" by Horace, who says about the poet: "The one who combines pleasant with useful is worthy of all approval."
Happy hours don't watch
Quote from A. S. Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit", d.1, yavl. 4, Sophia's words.
Wash your hands
Used in the meaning: to be removed from responsibility for something. Arose from the Gospel: Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd, giving Jesus to her for execution, and said: "I am not guilty of the blood of this righteous man" (Matt., 27, 24). The ritual washing of hands, which serves as evidence of the non-participation of the person washing to something, is described in the Bible (Deuteronomy, 21, 6-7).
Vulnerable point
It arose from the myth about the only vulnerable spot on the hero's body: Achilles' heel, a spot on Siegfried's back, etc. Used in the meaning: the weak side of a person, deeds.
Fortune. Wheel of Fortune
Fortune - in Roman mythology, the goddess of blind chance, happiness and misfortune. She was depicted with a blindfold, standing on a ball or wheel (emphasizing her constant variability), and holding a steering wheel in one hand, and a cornucopia in the other. The steering wheel indicated that fortune controls the fate of a person.
He who laughs last laughs best
The expression belongs to the French writer Jean-Pierre Florian (1755-1794), who used it in the fable "Two Peasants and a Cloud".
End justifies the means
The idea of this expression, which is the basis of the morality of the Jesuits, was borrowed by them from the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679).
Man to man wolf
An expression from the "Donkey Comedy" by the ancient Roman writer Plautus (c. 254-184 BC).
Q.E.D
This formula ends every mathematical reasoning of the great Greek mathematician Euclid (III century BC).
What we have, we do not store, having lost, crying
The name of the vaudeville (1844) S. Solovyov
The language of native aspens
An expression from an epigram (1884) by I. S. Turgenev to N. Kh. Ketcher (1809-1886), a translator of Shakespeare; his translations are distinguished by their exceptional closeness to the original, which often harms poetry:
Here is another light of the world!
Ketcher, friend of sparkling wines;
He pereper to us Shakespeare
In the language of native aspens.
This expression is used ironically about rough translations from foreign languages into Russian.
Real seducers and seductresses, before whom no one can resist, will never act directly, vulgarly, persistently seeking to seduce ... They prefer intellectual seduction (English alert), act gently and unobtrusively; they know 3 basic commandments of real seducers, wise and always desired: stick to style; be self-confident; use body language.
But today we would like to dwell on the intellectual aspect of this art. We bring to your attention a collection of carefully selected phrases that no one can resist, and if they resist, they will definitely melt. Use them for the right ones!
English vocabulary on the topic of dating and communication
Les-8
Top 30 phrases for seduction
Before you read the following phrases, we would like to remind you of an important element in a relationship, sincerity. We are sure that there are people worthy of your attention near you. If you also think so, then your compliments will never look empty and
fake.
Another thing is when the acquaintance is just beginning. Not everyone is aware that men, for example, have much better intuition than women often believe, and they are quite capable of distinguishing when they are being told the truth and when they are being cunning.
Last night I looked up at the stars and named a reason why I love you for each one. I was doing great until I ran out of stars.
Last night I looked up at the stars in the sky and told each one the reason I love you. I was doing great until the stars ran out.
Life without you is like a broken pencil: pointless.
Life without you is like a broken pencil, meaningless. ("pointless" - blunt, not pointed (about a broken pencil)).
Passion can drive you crazy, but is there any other way to live?
Passion can drive you crazy, but is there any other way to live?
You are my best friend, my shoulder to lean on, the one person I know I can count on; you're the love of my life, you're my one and only, you're my everything.
You are my best friend, my shoulder of support, the one I can count on, you are the love of my life, the one and only, you are my everything.
Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.
Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.
Are you Google? You've got everything I've been searching for!
Are you Google? You have everything I was looking for!
You are my North, South, my East and West, my working week and my Sunday rest.
You are my north, south, east and west, my working week and Sunday rest.
Before I met you, I never knew what it was like to smile for no reason.
Before I met you, I didn't know what it was like to smile for no reason.
Your parents are thieves because they stole all the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes.
Your parents are thieves because they stole all the stars from the sky and put them into your eyes.
I could walk forever and a day with you.
I could walk beside you forever.
If I died and God asked me what I'd like to come back as, I'd say a tear; so I can beborn in your eyes, roll down your cheek, and die on your lips.
If I were to die and God asked me what I would like to be reborn as, I would answer, "A tear." So that I can be born in your eyes, roll down your cheek and die on your lips.
You are my religion. I would die for you.
You are my religion. I would give my life for you.
My love for you is like a circle - it has no beginning and will know of no end.
My love for you is like a ring - it has no beginning and no end.
I love you more than yesterday but less than tomorrow.
I love you more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow.
I was one of those women who believed that all men were equal, but it was enough to meet you and share some moments with you to realize that I was very wrong because you are unique.
I was one of those women who thought that all men were the same, but it was enough for me to just meet you and share moments with you to realize that I was far from the truth, because you are unique.
No day can be perfect if I have not had the opportunity to have been even at your side for a moment, exchanging some words and contemplating those beautiful eyes that you have.
Not a single day can be considered perfect if I did not have the opportunity to be with you for a little while, to exchange a few words, contemplating your beautiful eyes.
I lived in a world full of sadness and darkness until you appeared in my life, illuminating everything with your light, and since then I look forward to your company because that"s when my happiness becomes complete.
I lived in a world full of sadness and darkness until you appeared in my life, illuminating everything with your radiance, and since then I have been striving to be with you, because that is when my happiness becomes complete.
While you have not yet gone headlong into your fantasies and have not begun to think about what kind of phrase to surprise your loved ones with, we want to draw your attention to the main part of today's article.
In the video below, Chen Lizra, a writer, dancer and just a master of seduction, shares her experience with us. She will tell us about the main components of the art of seduction and charm.
The following simple but pleasant suggestions may be appropriate at a later stage of the relationship. Any conversation will become much more pleasant if you use one (or more) of the following phrases in it.
"What can I do right now to bring a smile to your face?"
"What can I do right now to put a smile back on your face?"
When a woman feels upset, overwhelmed, or simply tired, she deeply appreciates that her man not only notices, but also offers her everything she needs to correct the situation. Most women want to please their man, thinking in advance about
which will make him happy, but rarely feel reciprocated in return. They believe that there is a double standard here, and they fear that they may lose their man if they cannot maintain control over the situation.
You can kill three (!) birds with one stone at once, putting aside your current desires and becoming completely available to express your love when a woman so needs it. By verbally acknowledging how much she deserves to be worried, a man shows that he understands and loves her when it really matters. The ability to be valuable to someone without selfish goals is a gift for years to come.
"I know my long stories can drive you crazy, so I'll start with the bottom line and you can ask for more details if you need them".
“I know that my long stories can be crazy, so I’ll start with the basics and you can elaborate on the details if necessary.”
Sometimes women can be misleading and sound rather indirect when wanting something or "exchanging their experiences". Then it makes sense to work on developing a more direct approach that does not keep you waiting, and try to give an answer that directly, without unnecessary "decor", answers the man's question.
Women understand that it is much easier and more pleasant for men to listen to some topics. For example, dissatisfaction with the behavior of a man in a relationship should be expressed in the most concise way: complaint, context, feeling and desired result. Interesting stories, in turn, directly related to the life of men, deserve, of course, a longer period of time for discussion.
"Even if we lost everything, I'd still have you, and that's what matters the most."
"Even if we lose everything, I'll still have you, and that's the most important thing."
Many men believe that if they do not provide, protect or curry favor with their women, then by principle they cannot be considered representatives of the strong half of humanity to the fullest. If they fall ill, lose their jobs, or are not around at critical times, they may feel neglected in relation to their obligations. Men who know they are deeply loved and appreciated don't get hung up on what they should do or who they should be. They are grateful to their women for the fact that they do not have to adapt and always prove themselves, no matter what position they are in and how they feel.
"I love you even when you're upset."
"I love you even when you're upset."
Many men often pull away when their ladies are in turmoil. They don't want any part of an angry or complaining woman to ruin their mood. As a result, many women give up their bad mood for fear of losing love,
which they so need in difficult times. A man's reassurance that a woman's suffering won't alienate him or make him more "cold" in a relationship leads her to believe that she is loved, no matter her condition.
This behavior, however, is not always appropriate, for example, when a woman views the man's assurances described above as an attempt to minimize or get rid of the problem. Otherwise, it is the most wonderful experience when, instead of criticism, she receives support.
"Take all the time you need to get your thoughts and feelings out. I'm not goinganywhere."
“You have as much time as you need to express your thoughts and feelings. I'm not going anywhere."
Women tend to express their feelings out loud. And when it is not possible to do this, they begin to scroll through a bunch of thoughts in their head. These thoughts sometimes lead them to deplorable conclusions. Impatient men, in turn, can often interrupt a fragile female monologue at an early stage and demand a debriefing or simply lose interest in the topic. Women feel welcome with those who will be themselves with them, while listening to them, no matter how long it takes. This may prove to be a precious gift for them.
"I feel the safest when you're near me."
"I feel safe when you are by my side."
Men generally want their women to feel secure, valued, and not overly interested. If women are too dependent on them and need constant reassurance, then men may feel burdened or irritable. But when a woman is not too in need of attention or care, then a man is free to open up and feel connected. Most men want to protect their women when they can and feel proud in that aspect.
Phrases to start a conversation
Finally, we present to your attention a few phrases with which it is good to start phrases while in a relationship.
"I understand how important this is to you."
I understand how important this is to you.
Women rate relationships by how well they think you understand them. And one way to express understanding is not to take action every time there is even the slightest disturbance. Many men do just that. Look, here's how we can fix it! Instead, just listen and say that you understand the cause of the concern (even if you don't agree). Listening and understanding is a powerful indicator of how much you respect the person.
"Let me tell you how my presentation went."
Let me tell you how my presentation went.
When you are asked about how your day went, no one wants to hear the answer: “It's fine. Your?". Details are needed here, not key information. To increase efficiency, categorize everything in terms of your emotional responses: "I was so nervous when they didn't buy my offer, but then I was relieved when they realized that I was right after all."
"Let's talk about the work tomorrow. Tonight should just be about us."
Let's talk about work tomorrow. Tonight should be all about us.
Focus on each other as much as possible, whether it leads to anything in particular or not. Don't bring up painful topics of conversation, especially if you're already sitting on the couch together. After all, this is one of the most important moments in a relationship.
"I'll draw you a bath."
I'll give you a bath.
A great way to unwind after a hard day. And it's so nice when a loved one offers his help in such undertakings.
"You deserve a perfect weekend with your friends. I'll take care of everything."
You deserve a great weekend with your friends. I'll take care of everything.
"I adore your moles."
I love your moles.
To feel beautiful, you need to feel beauty within yourself. It is important. It is important to hear the words of loved ones that notice small details, whether it is your appearance or character traits, those that may have seemed ugly to you and embarrassed you.
"The weather "s just terrible! Let me pick up the groceries."
The weather is just terrible! Let me drop by for groceries.
It is not always necessary to do everything according to the established schedule. It's so easy to do a nice act - just offer spontaneous help.
Conclusion
Now you are one step closer to your ideal relationship. Use the right phrases and words with meaning and be gentle and gentle with your loved ones.
Don't forget to surprise them with your attitude and your English!
Big and friendly family EnglishDom
Public speaking can be quite stressful. In order not to worry in vain and to know that your speech can be effective and confident, use special phrases. They ensure that you come across as an excellent speaker. So, which expressions to use for one purpose or another?
To make people remember an important thought
No matter how great a speaker you are, people won't remember everything you say anyway. Therefore, it is so important to be able to emphasize the points that the audience needs to remember in the first place. This is a kind of bookmark with which you attract attention. Use the phrase: "There is only one thing worth remembering, and that is...". Such formulations work perfectly and help listeners remember exactly the places in your speech that are needed. 
To prove your idea
If you want any of your ideas to sound convincing, support it with three examples. According to some studies, only three to five topics linger in a person’s memory, moreover, even this number is too large. As a result, we can say that three is the ideal, most effective number. 
This is very logical, because one example will seem like too modest confirmation, and five is already too many. Keep a light-hearted tone of conversation - you're not writing an essay. A calm and easy voice, listing convincing examples, will make the maximum impression. 
To make your point
If you want to emphasize your point, back it up with a few repetitions. Repetition helps people remember what you said. Here, too, you can use the rule of the number "three". The repetition of the phrase can be located at the beginning or end of the sentence, just choose the appropriate expression format and complete it with your thought. 
You can also use the tactic of moving parts of a sentence - it works convincingly and effectively. An example is the phrase: "Ask not what a country can do for you, ask what you can do for a country." By constructing sentences in this way, you will achieve your goal without difficulty. 
To emphasize the change of subject
Always signal that you have finished covering the previous topic and move on to the next one. If you use a phrase that indicates a change in topic, the listeners will notice the change more carefully. The exact choice of words is not of fundamental importance, the main thing is that the audience understands that the previous topic is over. For such phrases, the functionality turns out to be much more significant than their verbal design. Feel free to come up with your own wording, the main thing is to use it. 
To capture the attention of the audience
Try to tell a story. You can even start with the most familiar phrases like “It happened to me once ...” - personal stories always attract people's attention more than dry facts. People may forget the exact statistics, not pay attention to the graphs that you show, but they will definitely remember the story from your biography. This type of narrative is the easiest to remember because it relates to everyday life. 
Such phrases are familiar, so they are not forgotten. Present the facts you care about with a compelling story, use the data to tell a compelling story. Stories in which you managed to win in a critical situation sound especially advantageous. If this story has nothing to do with your topic, come up with another successful version of the story. The main thing is to match the idea of your performance and a dynamic plot. 
To connect with the audience
Try to use the pronoun "I" as little as possible. A speech works best when it is not dedicated to one person, but is directed to the audience. If you talk about others, you connect better with your audience. Try to talk less about yourself. Instead of listing your own successes, talk about team accomplishments or talk about a joint project without focusing on your personal contribution to it. By replacing "I" with "we", you get the maximum response from the audience and make people like you. 
To show that soon you will finish the speech
Emphasize that you will finish your speech soon. This will help your listeners, and it will also draw their attention to the last sentences, which can be devoted to the topics that are most important to you. The phrase “In closing…” is very powerful. She indicates that the speech will be over in a couple of minutes and emphasizes the key points of your message. People immediately begin to listen more attentively. Be sure to use phrases that indicate the end of the speech soon if you want to impress others as an experienced and successful speaker.
Quite often, one particularly memorable phrase can become the quintessence of the entire plot, the author's intention and the nature of the film in which it sounded. As a rule, such phrases become an integral part of not only the history of cinema, but also the life of the audience.
We bring to your attention the 50 best phrases that have become classics and are firmly entrenched in the minds of a huge number of people:
1. I'll be back.
"Terminator", 1984
2. Honestly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
"Gone with the Wind", 1939
3. I will make him an offer he cannot refuse.
The Godfather, 1972
4. Asta la vista, baby!
"Terminator 2: Judgment Day", 1991
5. May the Force be with you.
Star Wars, 1977-2005
6. I had two heart attacks and had to have an abortion because I took heroin during my pregnancy. Otherwise, I'm fine.
"Amelie", 2001
7. In Hollywood, women have three ages: "baby", the district attorney and crazy Miss Daisy.
"Club of the first wives", 1996
8. Greed, for lack of a suitable word, is good.
"Wall Street", 1989
9. I had an old friend for dinner. I ate his liver with beans and a glass of chianti.
"Silence of the Lambs", 1991
10. My charm!
"Lord of the Rings", 2001-2003
11. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a stormy night.
"All About Eve", 1950
12. I will think about it tomorrow.
"Gone with the Wind", 1939
13. Choose life. Choose the future. Choose a career. Choose a family. I chose something else.
Trainspotting, 1996
14. Elementary, Watson!
"Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson", 1979-1983
15. Do you want to arrest me for smoking?
"Basic Instinct", 1992
16. Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what filling you will get.
"Forrest Gump", 1994
17. My name is Bond. James Bond.
Any Bond movie from Dr. No (1962) to Casino Royale (2006)
18. Nobody kills anyone in my shop. Just me and Zed. And here's Zed.
"Pulp Fiction", 1994
19. - How do you like the boots?
- Very defiant, I would not take such.
- So, good boots, you have to take them.
Office Romance, 1977
20. - You said that you never cheated on your husband.
“I said I never cheated on him in Paris.
"Emmanuel", 1974
21. Don't teach me how to live, better help financially.
"Moscow does not believe in tears", 1979
22. Self-improvement is masturbation. Self-destruction is what really matters.
"Fight Club", 1999
23. Sushi. That's what my wife called me. Cold as a fish.
"Blade Runner", 1982
24. You turn me on, baby.
"Austin Powers", 1997
25. I have never drunk champagne before breakfast. It happened at breakfast. But never before.
"Breakfast at Tiffany's", 1961
26. You shoot as badly as you cook.
"Mr. and Mrs. Smith", 2005
27. How can a woman remain attractive and not starve to death?!
Tootsie, 1982
28. The Lord appointed me his beloved wife!
"White Sun of the Desert", 1969
29. Look at me, I'm masturbating in the shower - this will be the high point of my day. Everything will only get worse from there.
American Beauty, 1999
30. I can not imagine anything sexier than a naked girl with a gun.
"9 yards", 2000
31. Every day is important
"Titanic", 1997
32. I now think that the power is in the truth: whoever has the truth is stronger!
"Brother", 1997
33. Sometimes your whole life comes down to one crazy act.
"Avatar", 2009
34. Happiness makes sense only when there is someone to share it with.
"In the Wild", 2007
35. I was drunk, my behavior is unworthy of a Soviet officer!
"Assa", 1987
36. I smoke dope, I chase balls, the last 15 years my career has not been on the rise.
The Big Lebowski, 1998
37. It is a tradition: when another child is born in the house, one of the children must die.
The Moral Values of the Addams Family, 1993
38. I demand the continuation of the banquet!
"Ivan Vasilyevich is changing his profession", 1973
39. If you can steal an idea from someone's head, then you can put it there.
"Beginning", 2010
40. You may not be ready for this kind of music yet, but your kids will love it.
"Back to the Future!", 1985
41. No spoon.
"Matrix", 1999
42. Stole, drank - to prison. Stole, drank - in jail. Romance…
"Gentlemen of Fortune", 1971
43. Whoever said that orange is the new pink is seriously ill.
Legally Blonde, 2003
44 – Daniel, what you just did is illegal in several countries.
That is why I am happy that I live in Britain.
Bridget Jones's Diary, 2004
45. - Will you declare something, sir?
- Yes. To England - not a foot!
"Big jackpot", 2000
46. A magician does not come late, Frodo Baggins, nor early. He appears when needed.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 2001
47. I don't know who I am, but I certainly have a lawyer.
"Overboard", 1987
48. Avada Kedavra!
"Harry Potter", 2001-2011
49. Every passing minute is another chance to change everything.
"Vanilla Sky", 2001
50. Carpe diem. Seize the moment, boys. Make your life extraordinary.
Dead Poets Society, 1989
If you have your own versions of the best phrases, then the list can be continued in the comments. ;)