As you have noticed, in all these phraseological units there is the word "hat" or a derivative of it. The word "hat" appeared in Russian at the end of the 16th - beginning of the 17th century (during the reign of Boris Godunov). It came from the German language - "slappe". So the Germans called hats with wide brim and a round crown.
And in Russia, any foreign headgear began to be called “hats”. As for the phraseological units under consideration, their meaning is in no way connected with hats, and the intonation with which they are pronounced is different, as well as the history of occurrence. Although in some cases the origin of different expressions intersect. In addition, the opinions of linguists and historians differ on this issue. So one can only guess how the "hat" phraseological units got into the Russian language, where they are used to this day, some more often, and some less often.
The meaning and origin of the expressions "hey you hat"
Some of these forgotten and little-used phrases are such appeals to a person as “hey you hat” and “oh you hat”. They differ only in the interjections "hey" and "eh". But these small changes completely change the meaning of the expression, and they are pronounced with different intonations.
Who are these "hats"? As you know, in the old days it was customary to wear a headdress, by which one can determine both the position of a person in society, and sometimes his profession was guessed. It was on this difference that the expression "hey you, hat" appeared. It shows a clear disrespect, neglect, as well as some contempt for a person.
It turns out that this is what military civilians were called. And they can be understood. How should a brave warrior, who defended the Fatherland on the battlefield, treat a civilian who did not sniff gunpowder in full bearing. Only with disdain.
According to another version, in pre-revolutionary times, the working class began to call "hats" the intelligentsia, who wore hats at that time, while the proletariat preferred caps. And in the class struggle that flared up in those days, one can imagine that not a drop of respect was invested in this appeal, but rather malicious contempt.
Since then, notes of disrespect, disdain and contempt have been invested in the meaning of the expression “hey you, hat”.
The meaning and origin of the expression "oh you hat"
But in the expression “oh you, hat”, the word “hat” has a different meaning, meaning a gaping, mumbling, soft-spoken person who always “missed” and “overslept” something. The origin of the meaning of the word "hat" is associated with the German language, or rather with the word "schlafen", that is, "sleep, oversleep, sleep." And knowing the fashion to insert foreign words into the conversation (moreover, without really knowing the language, which is why words appear in a distorted form), it is not surprising that sleepyheads and razzyav began to be called "hats". There was even such an old saying (now rarely used):"while you are hat, your suitcase is drape",where the word "drapen" has the meaning "stolen".
According to another version, the meaning of the word "hat" came into Russian from the consonant German word "schlappe", which in translation means failure, failure or miss. In this case, it becomes clear why the expression “oh you hat” is associated with an unlucky person who constantly suffers some kind of failure and gets into various unpleasant stories.
The meaning and origin of the word "slap"
This is where the word “slip” came from, which means that a person did not cope with the task or failed in some business; missed someone or something, overlooked someone or something, made a mistake, made a mistake.
Here are some examples of the word being used in fiction:
“It was he who, after his shag, fell asleep in the car, and our shepherdess blew it.”
V.P. Kataev (1897 - 1986), "Son of the Regiment", 1946
“We will discuss this case at the meeting. Whoever slipped it will answer."
Y. O. Dombrovsky (1909 - 1978), "Keeper of Antiquities", 1966
Some linguists believe that the word "shuffle" was formed in Russian much earlier, because of the expression "it's in the bag." According to the well-known Russian ethnographer Sergei Vasilyevich Maksimov (1831 - 1901), the phraseological unit “it's in the bag” appeared due to a technique borrowed from biblical Jews, where contentious trade issues were resolved with the help of lots drawn from the hat. Here is how S.V. Maksimov describes this action:
“Some think to produce it in the form of a translated word from the French language, although, according to many signs, this expression can be considered indigenous or, if borrowed, then in very distant times. Throwing lots, determining the queues - a technique known to biblical Jews - was also practiced in Russia. The hat, felted from sheep's wool, has also been a Russian folk headdress since ancient times, and we see the Belarusian cap-mugger hat on Scythian sculptures. All sorts of lots are thrown into these hats throughout the various stretches of Russian land in the form of conventional signs - whether they are stone or bitten and chipped coins, or pieces of lead marked for good luck - in disputes and hiring. "The foal is God's judgment" (says the proverb); "to throw foals - do not blame forward." Whose mark will be taken out, on that person and all disputes will end; his right to receive an order before his rivals for buying and selling, for the supply of horses for overclocking, etc. is undeniable, and the case in the hat was only waiting in line: put it on your head - now your business will not jump out of it.
S.V. Maksimov, "Winged words", 1899
In Russia, this experience was adopted, and all disagreements in trade and money matters began to be resolved by drawing lots. That is, naturally, the “case” was “in the hat”. "Lucky" literally pulled his luck out of the hat, which means he won the case. Well, about a person who was unlucky, they said that he “blundered” his business, that is, he missed his chance and lost hope for something conceived. In the future, the word "splashed" acquired a broader meaning, described above.
The meaning and origin of the expression "case in the bag"
But there are other versions of the origin of the phraseologism "it's in the bag." Let's consider the most plausible.
One of them is connected with bribery, which flourished in Russia for a long time. So officials of different ranks took bribes for some reason in hats. If a monetary reward was accepted by an official, then this significantly increased the chances of success. The case will be won, as the money is in the hat. And if not, then no. In a word, the outcome of the case directly depended on the hat, or rather, on whether something was in it or not. That is, the whole thing is in the bag. Just such a case was played up by the Russian writer and poet Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy (1817 - 1875) in one of his poems:
“The plaintiff came to the deacon, he said:“ You are the father
the poor;
If only you helped me - you see the money bag
Copper, -
I would have poured those, she-she, ten rubles into a hat,
Joke!"
"Rash now," said the clerk, holding up his cap. —
Come on!”
A.K. Tolstoy, “People were gathering at the command gates…”, 1857
According to other sources, the phraseologism "it's in the bag" originated several centuries ago, when mail as such did not yet exist. And the delivery of urgent messages, news and other important papers from one settlement to another was carried out by messengers, something like a courier. But such trips were not safe, there were attacks by robbers and robbers. Therefore, so that documents, and earlier they were called “cases”, did not fall into the hands of “dashing people”, and also, in order not to attract undue attention with a bag, they began to be sewn into hats. Here is such a story. But still, it is unlikely that this particular option is related to the origin of the expression "deed in the bag" with a meaning that has come down to our days - the work begun is done or almost done; the process is in full swing, and there are no doubts about its completion; everything will be fine.
“Everyone was convinced that starting a new economic system was mere trifles: it’s worth buying cars, hiring Germans, etc., and it’s in the bag”
S.N. Terpigorev (1841 - 1895), "Impoverishment", 1880
Internet marketer, editor of the site "In an accessible language"
Publication date: 10/16/2018
Who has not experienced a sense of joy from the fact that the work begun is being argued and is coming to its successful conclusion? Under such circumstances, on emotions, I want to say "in the bag"! But why at such moments they remember the headdress? What versions of the origin of the famous expression exist, and in what cases is this word usage appropriate? Let's try to figure this out.
The meaning of phraseology
The phrase "deed in the bag" means that the deed is done or is nearing its successful completion.
In modern speech, a stable turnover is used in the conversations of adults and children, because thanks to it you can quickly and easily characterize the current situation. For example, a student says: “I passed almost all the exams, there was one test left, but I have an “automatic machine” for it, so that's it, “it's in the bag”, the session is over!”.
Or another illustrative case - the conclusion of a deal between business partners: “The negotiations were successful, it remains only to put our signatures and“ it's in the bag.
In both cases, the headdress is remembered when they talk about a business in which everything goes smoothly, "like clockwork", and success is within easy reach.
History of phraseology
It is impossible to say exactly where the expression came from, and which version of its origin sounds the most convincing, but you can see that they are all based on a hat. There are several versions of why things are "put" in a hat:
1. A bribe in a hat.
In Russia, bribery existed before, only it was called "bribery." It was customary to put a bribe (bribe) in an official's hat.
Usually, a bribe taker, having transferred a bribe, counts on a quick and successful solution of an important issue for him.
It is likely that the phrase "the case in the bag" usually sounded from the lips of bribe takers, who thus declared to their associates that an important issue for them would soon be resolved.
2. Letter from a messenger.
In ancient times, mail, as such, did not exist, and important documents and letters had to be delivered. Therefore, there were messengers who delivered letters. At the same time, they put the most important messages under the hat so as not to lose them.
When the messengers took the documents for dispatch, they informed the sender "the case is in the bag", which meant "the job will be done, I will deliver your message to the addressee on time." Over time, phraseological units began to be used in other situations.
3. Court case.
In the time of Ivan the Terrible, decisions on some court cases were made by lot, which had to be drawn from the judge's hat. When the decisions were already in the hat, the participants in the trial understood that the verdict would be adopted in a very short time.
It is worth noting that linguists do not consider this version plausible, since during the reign of Ivan the Terrible the word “hat” did not yet exist in Russian.
4. Jewish custom.
There is an opinion that by drawing lots the Jews decided who gets the right to some business, let it be the sale of goods, the receipt of an order, the purchase of something. The hat, in its own way, played the role of a materialized hope (everyone believed that it was he who was lucky), therefore, another stable expression “to miss” followed - to miss or lose an opportunity.
As you can see, all options are ambiguous in their presentation and origin, but they deserve attention, and until the experts come to a consensus, everyone can stick to the version that he likes.
They make speech interesting and multifaceted. Many statements are rooted in the distant past, and in order to understand where they came from, one must dig deep into history. This is the case with the expression "it's in the bag." The meaning of phraseology is as follows: everything is in order, there is no reason to panic, everything goes on its own, and all participants in the event can relax and wait for a positive result. In other words, there is very little left before the successful completion of the case.
Various types of headwear
As you know, the word "hat" means a very common headdress. Moreover, hats are both male and female. Since the 16th century, they have thoroughly entered everyday life, although in one form or another they existed in ancient times. An image of a man in a straw hat was found on ancient Thebes tombstones. The ancient Greeks also wore hats in the form of bonnets (pilos) and with fields (petastos). But mostly they were worn only on trips.
The ancient Egyptians considered the headdress a symbol of power. The pharaohs wore large boards with crowns worn on top. The rest of the citizens wore overlays made of plant fibers. The nobility had lush curls, the common people had poorer wigs. Slaves did not cover their heads with anything.
In the Middle Ages, capes and hoods were worn, headdresses were used for decoration and were a luxury. Wide-brimmed hats in Europe have become a symbol of wealth, nobility and foppery.
The appearance of hats in Russia
Russia is no exception. The headdress brought from abroad to Russia has taken its niche in the wardrobe of both men and women. The name itself was borrowed from the Germans. The etymological origin is from the word slappen (to hang). In the old days, these were headdresses that had sagging brim.
The first hats were purchased for the royal court and officers back in the 17th century. But they began to become widespread under Peter I. He even issued a decree on the manufacture of hats from beaver down and hare hair. This was in 1701. In Moscow, the Hat Yard was engaged in the production of hats.
The hat coped with its intended purpose quite successfully. But besides this, other functions began to be assigned to it. In particular, it was:
- Large capacity for collecting alms.
- Container for paper notes or marks during the draw.
It is possible that these non-standard approaches to the use of a traditional wardrobe item allowed a stable turn of speech to appear.
Important messages were hidden in a hat
There is such a version of the origin of the expression. If we go back several centuries, we recall that in those days the postal service was organized as follows. Messengers on horseback delivered important packages and letters from one point to another. But fearing the robbers who roamed the roads and highways, the messengers tried not to carry bags with them so as not to attract the attention of robbers. And it's not hard to get the bag out of your hands. Therefore, especially important papers (otherwise they were called affairs), sewn into the lining of the hat.
Probably, then such a definition arose. The meaning of the phraseological unit “the case in the hat” can be interpreted as follows: the absence of danger or risk.
Die is cast
The roots of another meaning of the phraseologism "it's in the bag" go back to the years of the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Court cases, the outcome of which was to be decided by lot, were decided by the fact that twisted pieces of paper with a verdict were taken out of the judge's hat. They said, in a word, "it's in the bag." The meaning of a phraseological unit can also have such an interpretation.
However, not only judges used the headgear to resolve issues. Ordinary citizens followed suit. If the issue could be resolved on the spot, without resorting to the help of representatives of justice, who had to pay a lot of money, the "case" was thrown into the hat, and only chance determined the result.
In the same way, in Russia, the fate of any transaction was determined, for example, the right to buy or sell goods (now this is called a tender). The headpiece gave hope. This is where the word “slip” came from - that is, hopelessly losing the opportunity.
Bribes and cribs
One can also guess that the meaning of the phraseologism "it's in the bag" lies in the fact that once officials could take bribes, this was done by placing money under a headdress. The plausibility of this version will remain a mystery, shrouded in darkness.
As an option, a version with military personnel who put “cheat sheets” into the lining of their headgear has the right to exist. In difficult cases, the note was taken out and put into action. Thus, the owner of the hat solved his problem and could note that the matter was in the hat. Many elderly people can still put notes in caps or hats, for example, with some address or phone number.
The conclusion suggests itself: the expression in the bag, the definition of this phraseological unit, which arose several centuries ago, was dictated by the life traditions and observations of ordinary citizens. Be that as it may, it has become firmly established in everyday life and has become a stable idiom. Currently, there are many synonyms, the use of which is also not uncommon. You can often hear the following phrases: case burned out everything on the ointment. This means that the process is underway and will soon be successfully completed.
Interesting facts about hats.
“It's in the hat” - an expression meaning that the owner of this hat is doing well or the outcome of an event will be decided in his favor. It is believed that the messengers who delivered important documents hid them behind the lining of their hats so as not to attract the attention of robbers.
There is another assumption - the hat was used during the draw, pulling out pieces of paper with notes from it. Accordingly, the matter will be resolved as soon as possible.
During the Middle Ages, bankrupts were required to wear yellow or green hats. Thus, those around knew that the financial affairs of these people were unimportant, it was impossible to make commercial transactions with them.
Having visited Europe at the end of the 17th century, Peter the Great issued a decree to replace Russian hats with foreign hats. The Hat Yard opened in Moscow, then similar establishments appeared in other cities of Russia. To provide them with raw materials, beaver fur was forbidden to be exported abroad.
And Pavel the First, frightened by the revolutionary scope in France, on the contrary, fought against "free-thinking". In 1897, he forbade the wearing of round hats, as well as tailcoats, pantaloons and boots with lapels.
Chinese silk was incredibly expensive in other countries. Not surprisingly, the export of silkworm butterflies, as well as caterpillars and eggs of this insect, was banned under pain of death. In the 4th century, one of the Chinese princesses, marrying the ruler of Bukhara, took a desperate step - she brought silkworm eggs in her hat as a gift to her lover. Customs did not dare to search the princess.
The famous bowler hat was originally used by foresters. Edward Coke in 1849 ordered a headdress from the London firm Lock & Co that would protect against blows from branches and not fall off the head. However, the "bowler" was appreciated not only by the foresters. Until the middle of the twentieth century, he was a must-have item in the wardrobe of an English gentleman.
And in the first half of the nineteenth, top hats were popular among the representatives of the nobility. Their production was established in 1797 by the hatmaker John Hetherington. At first, “cylinders” were made from beaver felt, therefore, only wealthy people could buy them. When making felt, mercury was used, which led to severe poisoning of the craftsmen. When there was not enough beaver skins, they switched to cheaper material.
Historians estimate that Napoleon had approximately 120 hats, most of which were made by master Poupart. Only 19 pieces have survived to this day. They went to museums around the world and private collections. In 2014, one of the commander's hats was sold at auction. Experts assumed that its cost would be about 300-400 thousand euros. But, the results of the auction exceeded all forecasts: a wealthy collector from South Korea, who did not give his name, paid 1,884,000 euros for it.
Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev was a great connoisseur of hats. The Secretary General preferred to wear clothes made from domestic materials, with an exception only for hats - they were foreign-made. But, when the production of high-quality hats was established in the Soviet Union, Nikita Sergeevich willingly parted with "imports".
It's in the hat, literally.
One of the well-known expressions in society is the interesting expression "it's in the bag." But how did this stable phraseological unit appear, and what events were associated with hats, and not with hats or caps? And what versions of the origin of this expression can generally be considered plausible?
Versions of the origin of the phraseologism "it's all about the hat"
The most common and plausible version today is the version about messengers. The meaning of this version lies in the fact that earlier messengers - postmen sewed important and valuable letters and denunciations or other important papers under the lining of their headgear (hat, cap).
The second version is considered to be that since ancient times all disputes were resolved through a lottery. And for this they used a hat, in which pieces of something were placed, definitely denoting each, the subject of the dispute. That is why they said that the whole matter will be decided through a hat.
Third version of origin expressions in the hat lies in the fact that some officials took bribes, which in turn were put under a hat or other headgear. But this version looks implausible.
At present, you can also see clearly why people pronounce this expression in the literal sense. The fact is that, for example, the military during exercises or classes stuck “cribs” into the lining of their caps. If these cheat sheets had difficult to remember content (for example, call signs or radio frequency). And when a difficult situation arose, the serviceman got out and peeped (the case was resolved). But not only this can be seen in the military. Most older people still put some kind of note in a hat.
