XIV Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2022

Phraseological units and idioms are an expressive part of the language vocabulary. Studying grammar isn’t enough to fully communicate with native speakers. Therefore, the knowledge of phraseological units and idioms allows people to immerse in a foreign language. Phraseological units and idioms are the linguistic wealth that has been formed in the language for many centuries. A lot of people use them in their speech without a second thought, but few people know about their origin.

Let’s consider the origin and meaning of the most widely used idioms:

Achilles’ heel – a weak or vulnerable spot in something or someone which is otherwise strong. According to Greek mythology, Thetis held her young son Achilles by the heel while dipping him into the river Styx to make him invulnerable. Achilles’ heel, however, remained dry and was his only weakness. After years as a brave and invincible warrior, Achilles was killed during the Trojan war by an arrow which pierced his heel. [1, p. 2]

Bell the cat – to undertake a difficult mission at great personal risk. An ancient fable, related by Langland in Piers Plowman (1377), tells of a colony of mice who met together to discuss how they could thwart a cat who was terrorising them. One young mouse suggested hanging a bell around the cat's neck so that its movements would be known. This plan delighted the rest until an old mouse asked the obvious question, ‘Who will bell the cat?’ [1, p. 22]

Hobson’s choice – no alternative, no choice at all. Thomas Hobson (1544-1631) ran a livery stable in Cambridge. Customers were never permitted to choose their own mount but were obliged to take Hobson’s choice, which was always the horse nearest the stable door. As Hobson moved his horses round in rotation, he was thus able to ensure that every horse was worked fairly and that no animal was ridden too often. [1, p. 102]

Jump the gun – to be hasty in embarking upon a course of action. Running races are started by a pistol being fired into the air. An athlete who, in anticipation, starts to run before the gun sounds is guilty of jumping the gun. [1, p. 115]

Pandora’s box – a seemingly harmless situation fraught with hidden difficulties. Prometheus offended the gods. In revenge Jupiter ordered Pandora, the first woman, to be made. Jupiter gave Pandora a box which she was to offer to the man she married. Prometheus was wary of Pandora, but his brother, Epimethius, married her and, though warned against it, accepted the box. The moment he opened it, all the problems and wickedness which afflict mankind were loosed to do their worst and have done so ever since. All that was left in the bottom of the box was Hope.[1, p. 142]

Pot calling the kettle black – to refer to someone who criticises someone else, for something they themselves are guilty of. First used in the literature of the 1600s – notably Don Quixote by Cervantes – this expression has its origins in the Medieval kitchen, when both pots and kettles were made from sturdy cast iron and both would get black with soot from the open fire. [2]

White elephant – an unwanted object, especially something cumbersome. The devious kings of Siam invented an ingenious way of ridding themselves of any courtier who irked them. They would present the hapless fellow with a white elephant, a rare and sacred beast. The cost of maintaining the creature, which was not permitted to earn its keep as a working animal, was excessive and gradually ruined its new owner. A white elephant has taken on much more diminutive proportions in modern use, where the reference is often to unwanted items. These are sold off at the white elephant stall at the local church bazaar or school fete. [1, p. 199]

Phraseological units and idioms reflect the cultural heritage of a country and enrich the vocabulary of a speaker. Their use gives the speech liveliness and imagery. They are used in everyday speech, media and fiction to give a phrase or statement brightness and expressiveness.The search for the idioms’ origins definitely has a connection with the world of history, culture, customs and traditions. It is a great opportunity to immerse in the history of the language. Moreover, studying the idioms origin helps us memorize them faster.

References:

Flavell Linda and Roger. Dictionary of idioms and their origins – London: Kyle Books, 2011, 217 p.

20 English Idioms with their Meanings and Origins. Электронный источник. URL: https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/bizarre-english-idioms-meaning-origins/