Beads are not tossed before pigs: the meaning of a phraseological unit

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

Really rich speech is replete with elegant epithets, apt comparisons, capacious idioms. In order to skillfully use all the abundance of the beauties of the Russian language, you need to know and understand the interpretation of words and set expressions. So, for example, what does the idiom "throwing pearls before pigs" mean? Need to figure this out.

Meaning of phraseology

It is impossible to consider the interpretation of an idiom by the meaning of each individual word in its composition. Phraseologism, first of all, is a stable and indivisible expression, so you need to work with the whole structure at once. This is the main difficulty of translation. Literally, the essence of phraseological units cannot be conveyed, they exist within the same language, therefore, they vary depending on the people and their culture.

In this article we will try to answer the question, what does it mean to “throw pearls”? How did it happen that pigs and shiny beads were put into one expression? Probably, in order to give the phraseological unit a clear negative connotation, to connect objects that, in principle, do not combine. And it is true, since this expression is used when they want to warn a person against wasting strength and energy in an attempt to influence anotherhuman.

According to the dictionaries of phraseological units, the expression "beads before pigs do not cast" means "no need to try to prove and explain something to someone who is not able to understand your motives and will not appreciate your efforts properly." It's hard not to agree with the centuries-old wisdom contained in these words.

The history of the origin of the expression "beads do not throw before pigs"

This idiom has been around for a very long time. The authorship of these words belongs to Jesus. In his Sermon on the Mount, delivered on the slope in front of the disciples and the crowd of people gathered, he urged them not to throw pearls to pigs, so that they would not trample him and tear to pieces the thrower of precious stones. This wisdom came to us thanks to the Evangelist Matthew.

In the original version, as you can see, the idiom "throwing beads" contains the word "pearl". Nowadays, the expression exists in two versions. After all, what's the difference? A pig is unlikely to be able to distinguish between beautiful sea pearls and shiny glass substitutes. Similarly, a person who does not want to properly understand what is being said to him will not notice the difference between authenticity and falsehood.

Another interesting detail: the word "beads" came to the Old Slavonic language from Arabic through Turkic. Originally, it meant "fake pearls."

As you can see, the expression "beads are not thrown before pigs" has a very old and sacred history. The fact that it has survived so many centuries speaks of its wisdom and relevance inany time.

Synonyms

In Russian, there are countless ways to express your unwillingness to engage in useless business, to explain something to people who do not want to understand the words you said. Phraseologism “they don’t cast beads before pigs” is only one of the possible options. Synonyms for this expression may vary depending on the required meaning. For example, you can say “you are doing useless work” in the following ways: “push water in a mortar”, “carry water in a sieve”, “carry firewood into the forest”, “do Sisyphean labor”, “pour from empty to empty.”

Although the meaning of many phraseological units can be described in one word, in the case of the expression “they don’t throw beads before pigs”, it’s unlikely to be done, but you can use it instead of a lot of emotionally pale phrases. Worth a try. For example, say "throwing pearls in front of pigs" instead of "carrying on a useless discussion with an uninterested interlocutor" or "trying to convince someone who does not want to listen to weighty arguments." The speech will only get better.

Antonyms

It is a great happiness if you manage to meet a good interlocutor who knows how to listen and willingly delve into the essence of the dialogue. In the company of such a person, you want to “plunge into a conversation with your head”, “be filled with a nightingale.”

They say, beads before pigs do notrushing about”, but nevertheless it is worth trying to interest the opponent with your point of view, “put everything on the shelves” and “explain it on your fingers”. Or ask him about his vision of events. It can be so unexpected and interesting that you will listen with bated breath, without taking a breath and catching every word.

The antonymic meaning of the phraseologism “do not throw beads before pigs” is expressed by the following words: “to communicate with a good interlocutor equal to oneself. And also to enjoy this communication and exchange of opinions.”

Use of the expression "beads do not cast before pigs" in literature and colloquial speech

It would be strange if such an old, wise and effective phraseological unit was not actively used by writers of all times. The 18th century English diplomat and man of letters Earl of Chesterfield used it in his Letters to his Son. In them, he says that you should not waste your time on communicating with "empty-headed youths" who are not able to listen to reasonable arguments, because it is just as useless as throwing pearls in front of pigs. Earl Chesterfield was not the first and not the only one who noted the effectiveness of this phraseological unit.

But do not assume that set expressions are good only in novels and short stories. The speech of each of us will become much more beautiful if we turn to folk wisdom and diversify our vocabulary with it. After all, every word in Russian phraseological units was chosen with special care: they hide that cherished meaning that will be relevant for many more centuries.

Andremember, dear readers: there is no need to throw beads in front of pigs. Better save it for those who can appreciate the true brilliance of your thought.