The origin and meaning of phraseology "Like snow on my head"

The Russian language is rich in various kinds of phraseology and expressions for all occasions. For example, an unexpected visitor came to someone. And the owner was so taken aback that he could not utter a word. And we'll tell you what to say in such cases! Reader, do not lose the gift of speech, and meet the desired and unwanted guest with a speech turn: "Oh! He fell like snow on his head! ". It is easy to understand that the meaning of phraseology "like snow on the head" we are reviewing and analyzing today. Let's start with origin, as usual.

Origin

The history of the formation of the expression under consideration is rooted in peasant life. The fact is that a long time ago people also believed that winter comes unexpectedly. It turns out, jokes MN. Zadornov have even in some sense a historical meaning.

Imagine, the peasant is preparing his field for the winter. Naturally, on your land a person guides you freely and can even take off your hat. Here he works, works, thinks that everything will be in time and suddenly ... the first snow began, and he landed on the uncovered head of the peasant.

From what has been said it is clear: it is not too good a sign. If someone forgot, then we are still talking about the topic "the meaning of phraseology" like snow on the head ""

When the original value is lost

It is interesting to imagine such a situation. Imagine that we do not know anything about the peasant, his field and other charms of village life. Is the meaning of phraseology clear? Of course!

Because immediately there is a picture of how a person in a huge metropolis goes out into the street, and from the visor of the entrance (or, perhaps, from the roof of a private house), snow falls on his head and behind the collar. Not a very pleasant feeling, is it? But this metropolitan inhabitant does not have a field or seasonal obligations. His life does not change much, depending on the time of year and the weather outside the window. But enough about the origin. By the way, the meaning of phraseology "like snow on the head", of course, seems to be clear from the context, but we concretize: speech turnover is a substitute for adverbs "suddenly" and "unexpectedly". Let us turn to examples that will help clarify the essence of the matter.

The ambivalence of expression

As can be seen from the previous arguments, the expression is disapproving. But, as we know, Russian is not English. In the first there can be a free arrangement of components of the offer, and besides, in the great and mighty huge role the intonation plays. And almost any phrase can be given both negative and positive overtones. You can also voice the phrase "like snow on your head" (we analyzed the meaning a little earlier).

Teacher and student

Of course, the student is eager to pass the test. But for some reason (students always have them), he could not get to the appointed time. And then, when the teacher already wanted to go home, is Petrov and says:

- Nikolay Ivanovich, I really want to pass the test! And this time I learned everything from cover to cover. When I rewrote your lectures, I enjoyed your mastery of the Russian word.

- Okay, enough. Not only that your behavior makes me remember the phraseology "like snow on my head", so also flatter clumsily and awkwardly. If you're really ready, then let's go, I'll give 15 minutes, but no more.

Illustrating the ambivalence of the studied expression, it should be said that, despite the strictness of the teaching tone, Nikolai Ivanovich nevertheless allowed Petrov to pass the test. Hence, phraseology was used as a means of describing the student's behavior and did not pursue the goal of responding to him disapprovingly. It's another matter, if the teacher refused the student, then it would be possible to say that the student fell under the hot hand and the bad mood of the teacher, and the expression would obviously have a negative connotation.

Son and parents

Let's take another example. A son comes from the army or a long-term business trip, without warning his parents.

Call. Mama opens the door:

- Oh, son, you've come! Well, as always, like snow on your head! Why did not you call, we would meet with your father?

- Come on, Mom. I wanted to make a surprise - winking, the son answers.

Probably, he managed to please his parents. In any case, no aggression or disapproval is shown in the mother's greeting, on the contrary, she is very happy.

We hope that the meaning of phraseology "like snow on the head" no longer causes difficulties for the reader, and we turn to the tonality of the expression in question.

Tone

Initially, history showed that speech turnover had a negative connotation, because for a peasant not to prepare for the winter was a death like that. Then, over time, when people forgot history, the saying almost lost its negative meaning and became simply synonymous with adverbs "suddenly," "unexpectedly," "suddenly." It is also similar to the expressions "from the bay-barrack" and "devil from the snuffbox".

Nevertheless, it is necessary to remember the original meaning, and if possible, this "abusive" expression should not be applied to good events and desired guests.

The history of phraseology "like snow on the head" teaches us, above all, the careful handling of a seemingly well-known expression.

At the peak of the original negative meaning of phraseology

Whatever the folk wisdom and peasant way of life may say, but there is no planned happiness! If we turn to Soviet cinema and remember all the favorite comedy "The Irony of Fate, or With Easy Couple" recently left us Eldar Ryazanov, we will see that in the film the main character fell on the love of his life in full harmony with folk wisdom. And in the end everything ended very well. True, the heroes have passed, like all true lovers, through the state of war and hatred towards each other. But some believe that this is an absolutely necessary stage of strong and healthy relations.

And if the heroes were offered a joke or seriously such a task: "How does it snow on your head" - could you write a sentence illustrating phraseology? "They would undoubtedly write a story of their own acquaintance, there was one sentence.

Harry Potter and the Owls of Hogwarts, like snow

Who is not close to the Soviet classics, can remember the hero of our time - Harry Potter. Yes, the boy did not know that he was a magician. In some ordeals of the boy Harry we learn the suffering of Cinderella. It seems that a new and very old history is united by one thing: the children did not think that they would be very lucky, but fate had already prepared a surprise for them.

The latter fell to the modern hero precisely as a snow on his head (a synonym, the meaning and origin of the expression were considered a little earlier). If this suddenness did not happen, then Harry's life would be rather dull.

Okay, let's leave Cinderella alone. Now we are not haunted by an owl. Owls, who brought a cherished letter from the school of sorcery and magic - is it snow? You can even say more: the phenomenon of nocturnal predators on a quiet Tisovaya street is a snowfall!

The moral of the story is that sometimes it's snow on your head - it's not so bad, especially when it brings with it some changes. It is clear that the changes are bad only for those who are completely satisfied with their lives, but how many such people? We do not think.

Of course, it will be objected to us that there are also adults who find it difficult to restructure and taste the charm of new life circumstances. Yes indeed. But it is gratifying that now some pensioners are more active than young people, and this gives some optimism.