Some people do not quite understand what kind of pipes they are talking about and why anyone is still talking like that. The existence of the expression "pipes are burning" can be explained by the stratification of society into the lower, middle and upper classes. Due to the fact that the lower strata of the population are more likely to abuse alcoholic beverages, it is they who most often suffer from a hangover. A hangover always brings with it a large number of unpleasant symptoms, which are compared with burning and explosions that occur inside the body.
The history of the expression
There are two theories about how the expression "chimneys are burning".
According to the first theory, the word "pipes" is used in the meaning of the digestive tubes, which have a similar shape. If they burn, it means that the throat burns unbearably.
And in the second theory, pipes mean ordinary pipes made of metal or other material. Steelworkers know that when there is no coal in them, the furnacestarts to burn and smoke. The stove-makers, who often drank at their workplace, compared their condition in the morning to burning chimneys.
What does the expression pipes are burning mean?
Today, society has come up with a lot of popular expressions. Many people wonder what "the pipes are on fire" means.
Not everyone comes to mind that this phrase is used not literally, but figuratively. Consider this expression verbatim.
The first word is "pipes". Dahl's Russian dictionary contains more than 70 links with this word. "Pipe" in the meaning of "guts" is in second place in the dictionary. And only in the eighth place this word is explained in the meaning of a hollow conductor with holes at two ends. From this we can conclude that, most likely, in the expression this word is used in its biological meaning, and not in practical.
Consider the second word, namely "burn". The verb "burn" most often in all styles, both scientific and artistic, occurs in the meaning of "ignite" and "blaze with fire."
Combining the meanings of the two words, we can understand that the expression "pipes are burning" means discomfort in the stomach.
Summarize
What does "the pipes are burning" mean, a rather narrow circle of people is interested. After all, these words are used only in relation to people who often drink or depend on alcohol.
As we found out, this expression is used becauseunpleasant symptoms (burning in the abdomen, as well as in the pharynx; dry mouth), which resemble the burning of internal organs in a serious illness.
People who often have burning pipes look sickly. You can "treat" them only by refusing to drink alcohol.
