Internet marketer, editor of the website "On accessible language"
Publication date:09/25/2018

The phrase “” is familiar to many: it often appears in hearing and speech, especially if you want a specific person not only to perceive the meaning of what was said, but to understand it very well and remember it for a long time. However, do you think foreigners will understand this phrase in a literal translation? Probably not! Phraseologism is difficult to translate and, as a result, loses its original meaning, and may even seem like a “call to self-harm.”

Today we will tell you about what the phrase “Hack on the nose” means now, what meaning it had before, where it came from, and why its figurative meaning has nothing to do with the organ of smell, which immediately comes to mind when you hear this expression .

The meaning of phraseology

In the modern interpretation, the expression “get it on your nose” means to remember once and for all, for the rest of your life. The phrase can be quite aggressive in nature; depending on the situation, it can play the role of a warning, a warning, or a desire to draw certain conclusions, for example, when one of the interlocutors demands that his opponent remember the information he is presenting.

This phrase can also be used in a calmer tone, for example, for educational and instructive purposes, when the teacher is trying to convey important material to his students, emphasizing its great significance.

Many may think that “cutting to death” is not aesthetically pleasing and, even, very harsh. But the proposal to make a scar on the face has nothing to do with damage to the organ of smell.

Origin of phraseology

Why is the “nose” the central figure? catchphrase? The history of phraseological units began in Rus', when most of the population did not have the skills of either writing or reading. This lack of minimal education had a bad effect on trade; people simply could not take part in fairs, manage money correctly and make transactions in the market. At that time, it was customary to carry wooden tablets with you to writing lessons, on which certain notes were made.

This habit also spread to merchants, who made notes on completed transactions and financial transactions on their tablets. The word “Nose” in the sense in which it makes sense in the phraseological unit under consideration comes from the verb “to wear”. Residents who were not trained in literacy carried the signs with them almost everywhere and never parted with them.

Photo: www.kakprosto.ru

The addressed phrase “notch it on your nose” at that time meant “write it down in your notebook-board” and in no way implied putting a mark on the organ of smell :).

Another purpose of this kind of notebooks is to keep track of debt obligations. Let’s say one neighbor borrows three bags of grain from another, and in order to record this operation, the neighbor puts three notches on the board. If the return was made in stages, then such a notebook was divided between neighbors, in each half of which a part of the notches was preserved.

Thus, the phrase “get it on your nose” is relevant in speech to this day, despite the fact that over time it acquired a figurative meaning and a special emotional connotation.

In ancient times, peasants did not know either literacy or arithmetic. And if one asked the other to borrow several bags of grain or flour, they could not make notes or draw up receipts. And so that there would be no disputes during the settlement, the one who took the loan brought with him a long wooden plank, which was called a “nose”.

Transverse notches were made on this board according to the number of bags borrowed, then the board was split from top to bottom, and everyone was left with a half with notches. When the debtor came to return the bags, both parties to the transaction put their nose halves together. If the notches coincided, and the number of bags was equal to the number of notches, this meant that none of the peasants forgot or mixed up anything.

The same custom existed in medieval Europe. In the Czech Republic, for example, in the 15-16th centuries. innkeepers widely used special sticks - “cuts”, on which they made, “cut out” with a knife, marks on the amount drunk or eaten by visitors.

Homonymy

The word “nose” in the expression “on your nose” does not at all mean the organ of smell. Oddly enough, it is a “commemorative plaque”, a “record tag”. The name of the tablet itself obviously comes from the Old Slavonic verb “carry” - in order for the notches to be useful, this tablet always had to be carried with you. And when it is desirable not to forget or confuse anything, they say: “Notch it on your nose!”

In addition, the word “nose” was previously used to mean an offering, a bribe, and if someone failed to come to an agreement with the person for whom this nose was intended, this unlucky someone, as you might guess, remained with this very nose.

Thus, “cut it on your nose” lives to this day, and its original meaning has lost its meaning.

Interest of scientists

Etymologists are especially interested in the relationship between the supposed homonyms nose “organ of smell” and nose “tag with notches for memory.” Trying to completely reject the association with the first homonym as absurd, E.A. Vartanyan notes that understanding would indicate cruelty: “it’s not very pleasant if you are offered to make notches on your own face,” and, reassuring readers from this “vain fear,” he proceeds to present the traditional etymology.

V.I. approaches this interaction somewhat differently, without denying the completely natural in everyday perception of the associative connection between the phrase “on the nose” and the nose as an “organ of smell.” Koval. He connects material from the Belarusian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian languages ​​to his analysis. Recognizing the original meaning of “record tag,” he emphasizes that gradually this word began to correlate with the generally known meaning, which led to the loss of the original image. Thanks to this, a person supposedly perceives it as “an image of a notch on the nose (the organ of smell).”

In the Russian language you can find such expressions and idioms that will baffle even a foreign professional linguist. People who try to learn the Russian language are generally shocked when they try to understand the meaning of many catchphrases. Not even every Russian can explain the meaning of a phraseological unit " Nick down".

In Russia, everyone is familiar with this expression and understands its meaning perfectly. For example, a mother, scolding her child, can say: “Nikolai, don’t ever do that again, get it on your nose.” And the baby fully understands that this is the last warning that cannot be violated, otherwise bad consequences will follow. Although the child is unlikely to understand the meaning of this phrase, he understands the emotional connotation of this expression.

The history of the expression “hack on the nose”

In general, unfortunately, literacy was not held in high esteem among our ancestors. Only after the October Revolution 1917 year, accomplished with the help of English and German intelligence, the process of not only electrifying the entire country, but also teaching all its citizens literacy began.

However, in the dark ages of medieval Rus', only priests and nobles were literate, and not all of them. However, life in the country was seething and in full swing, trade caravans scurried between cities, fairs and trading houses opened everywhere. Merchants made deals and earned money.
Given the general illiteracy, it was necessary to somehow get out.
At that time, there were special tablets on which sticks (notches) were scratched.
For example, one merchant lends a man three skeins of fabric. He takes out a board and puts exactly three notches. Then, when the debt is gradually returned, the board is divided into parts. This is done in such a way that half of each notch remains on both sides.

Well, this is all clear, but many will have a question.
What does the nose have to do with it?
Researchers believe that we are not talking about a human organ, but about a derivative of the verb “to wear.” The tablets on which the notches were made were of great importance in ancient Rus', so most citizens carried them with them without leaving them for a minute. After all, it was their money.

How did the well-known expressions of the Russian language appear?

We are used to using idioms and sayings to better express our thoughts. But sometimes it becomes strange: what kind of hedgehog understands everything and how can you hack something off your nose?

Bright Side I have collected a story of 15 expressions that will change your understanding of them.

Nick down

The expression takes root in the depths of centuries, at a time when the beginnings of writing already existed, but there was no paper yet. And so, in order to remember something important, people made notches on a special wooden tablet that they carried with them. This board was called the “nose”.

So “get it on your nose” just meant “make a note in your notebook.”

No brainer

In Soviet boarding schools for gifted children, teenagers were recruited who had two years left to study (classes A, B, C, D, D) or one year (classes E, G, I).
The students of the one-year stream were called “hedgehogs.” When they came to the boarding school, the “two-year students” were already ahead of them in the non-standard program, so at the beginning school year The expression “no brainer” was very relevant.

Shabby look

“Shabby” was the name given to the clothes of church servants, which they wore “at meals,” that is, simple clothes, and not elegant ones, which they wore for services.

Later, cheap cloth came into use, which was used on tablecloths, napkins and towels. This fabric, which was most often used by ordinary people, was named after the Zatrapezny merchant family, which owned the linen manufactory. Clothing made from this fabric received the same name - usually it is rough, simple clothing.

There is no truth in my feet

Now this is a harmless invitation to sit down, but before the expression even had a cruel meaning.

In ancient times in Rus', debtors were severely punished, beaten with iron rods on their bare legs, seeking repayment of the debt, i.e., “truth,” but such punishment could not force those who did not have money to repay the debt. This was called "pravezh".

According to another version, it was believed that the landowner, having discovered that something was missing, gathered the peasants and forced them to stand until the culprit was named.

Rub glasses

The expression has nothing to do with the glasses people wear. In the 19th century, gamblers resorted to a trick: during the game, using a special adhesive composition, they applied additional points (red or black marks) to the cards with powder, and if necessary, they could erase these points.

This is where the expression “to rub glasses” comes from, meaning “to present something in a favorable light” or simply “to deceive.”

Seven Fridays a week

Once upon a time, Friday was free from work and market day. Therefore, on this day it was customary to fulfill various trade obligations. On Friday, when they received the money, they gave their word of honor to deliver the ordered goods on the next market day. On Friday, when they received the goods, they promised to give money for it next week.

It was then that they began to talk about a person who breaks his promise over and over again.

There is nothing behind the soul

“Soul” was the name given to the depression between the collarbones, the dimple in the neck above the sternum, where, according to popular belief, the human soul was located. In the same place on the chest (behind the soul) wallets were worn.

Leave with your nose, stay with your nose

The fact is that the word “nose” in this expression does not mean part of the face at all. It is a noun derived from the verb “to carry.”

According to one version, this refers to the nose that the groom ancient custom presented to the bride’s parents (i.e. “gift”, “ransom”). If the groom was refused and the gift was rejected, then the groom was left with his nose.

According to another version, the word nose is used here in the meaning of “offering”, “bribe”. In this case, staying with the nose meant “leaving with an unaccepted offering; leave without agreement."

Big boss

The expression goes back to the speech of barge haulers, in which the most experienced and strong barge hauler, walking first in the strap, was called “bump”. Now a “big shot” or “important shot” is an influential person.

In the bag

It’s over, it’s decided, it’s settled, everything is in order, everything ended well.

Soft cloth hats were worn by officials who were called “solicitors.” The attorneys prepared documents for the court and “concocted” the case. And these officials had a habit of putting important documents in the lining of their hats so as not to lose them.

So it was believed that if the solicitor put the petition in the hat, it means that it will reach the court, they will consider it there, and the case will be decided.

There is also an opinion that the phraseological unit is connected by the habit of messengers to sew very important papers, “deeds”, as they were then called, into the lining of their hats. This was a relatively reliable way to avoid being robbed.

Enjoy Your Bath!

In Russian baths, the hottest place was almost under the ceiling, where there was a platform on which they steamed. Steam rose from hot stones doused with water. Those going to the bathhouse were wished for a light steam, that is, the kind of steam that quickly rises upward from the hot stones.

The meaning is connected with another version: in the baths, steam could be mixed with carbon monoxide, from which people often got burned. This steam, in contrast to light, good steam, was called heavy. Therefore, they wanted an easy steam.

Put your teeth on the shelf

This expression is associated not with false teeth, but with tools.
If you have work, then you will always have a piece of bread on the table. If there is no work, then put your teeth on the shelf and go hungry.

Indian summer

The origin is connected with that period in the life of the peasants when field work ended and women began to do household chores: they soaked flax, ruffled it, and weaved it.

According to another version, the combinations “Indian summer”, “Indian days”, “Indian cold” in the old days had a meaning based on the superstition that women could influence the weather. In addition, during this period, thin, light cobwebs fly across fields and forests, foreshadowing dry weather. This web is associated with barely noticeable gray strands of hair in women, and the time of warm and fine days is associated with her age, which precedes old age.

sit in the livers

In Rus', the liver was considered the reservoir of vital force. That is, “to sit in the liver” meant to poison life, to interfere with life.

Show where crayfish spend the winter

Many landowners loved to feast on fresh crayfish, but in winter it is very difficult to catch them: crayfish hide under snags, dig holes in the banks of a lake or river and spend the winter there.

Therefore, in winter, guilty peasants were sent to catch crayfish, who had to get them out of the icy water - this is where this threat came from.

Seventh water on jelly

This is what they say about a person who is such a distant relative of you that it is not even clear whether he is a relative.

If the jelly sits for a long time, it loses its taste and a layer of water appears on it. The seventh water is water that appears on jelly that has stood for a long time, which is why its taste no longer has anything in common with jelly. The numeral “seven” is used here purely symbolically, as in other Russian proverbs and sayings. Sometimes they use the “tenth water on jelly” option.

Image: B. Diodorov
Based on materials:

Phrase " cut it on your nose” means remember once and for all, remember firmly.

Take into account for the future tense, remember well (Explanatory Dictionary of D. N. Ushakov, 1935-1940)

This expression appears quite often in the literature:

Ostrovsky A.N.
“Thunderstorm” - merchant Kabanova says to her son: “Well, you remember everything I told you. Look, remember! Cut it on your nose!”
“A lucrative place” - Yusov says to Zhadov: “You should have listened to this man with your mouth open, so as not to let out a word, but to kill his words on his nose, but you argue!”
Dostoevsky F.M.
“Idiot” - “hear, not with a request, but with a demand, kill yourself with this!”

As a child, I heard this expression very often from my parents and teachers. When the purpose of a conversation with me was to remember some written or unwritten rule, I was told, and quite strictly: cut it on your nose! Those. this cannot be done, or it must be done differently.

Do you know where this seemingly meaningless expression came from? And what is the connection between cutting on the bow and the process of memorization?

In the Middle Ages, wooden sticks were used as promissory notes. This was due to the fact that debtors and creditors did not know how to write. For example, in Ancient Rus' If a peasant took 2 bags of flour from a neighbor, he would plan a stick and make 2 cuts on it. Then, the debtor had to split the stick into 2 longitudinal parts and give one part to the neighbor, and keep the second for himself as evidence of recognition of the debt. At the time of calculation, both halves were added together, and the notches had to coincide. In Rus', such sticks were also called “nose” and were always carried with them for memory. Hence the expression “ kill yourself on the nose».
In England, the same notched tags were used for accounting and tax collection until the 17th century. And recently in Germany they found such a wooden promissory note. The find was made during excavations in the town of Wittenberg. The thirty-centimeter stick has 23 cuts, and the name and date - 1558 - are also carved on it. I wonder if this townsman managed to pay off his debts?