In the Russian language there are many interesting expressions, proverbs and phraseological units. One of these sayings is famous phrase“What is good for a Russian is death for a German.” Where did the expression come from, what does it mean and how can it be interpreted?
Difference between Europe and Russia
It is known that the physical constitution of a person largely depends on natural and climatic conditions in which society is forced to live. The European climate, like the Russian one, gives rise to a corresponding character.
The climate in Europe is mild and moderate. The life of the peoples inhabiting these lands has always been the same. The time when it was necessary to work was distributed evenly throughout the year. While the Russians were forced to either rest or work beyond their strength.
The natural conditions of Russia cannot be called soft. Short summer and long lasting Cold winter contributed to what is commonly called the Russian soul. Forced to constantly struggle with cold winters, Russian people have a special character that cannot but be called a little aggressive. In addition, climate has a significant impact on the formation of the physiology of a nation. This must be kept in mind when explaining the meaning of the saying “What is good for a Russian is death for a German.” And of course, every nation has its own history, which affects the mentality of people, their way of life. Difference between Western European countries and Russia in in this case very revealing.
The first version of the origin of the proverb “What is good for a Russian is death for a German”
This expression is used in everyday speech all the time. When pronouncing a proverb, people do not think about its origin. “What is good for a Russian is death for a German” - no one will remember who said this for the first time and where this phrase came from. Meanwhile, according to one version, its origins should be found in history Ancient Rus'. On one of the holidays in Rus', a table was set, rich in various delicious dishes. In addition to them, they brought traditional sauces, horseradish, and homemade mustard. The Russian hero tried it and continued the feast with pleasure. And when I tasted mustard German knight, he fell under the table dead.
Another version of the origin of the proverb
“What is good for a Russian is death for a German” - it is difficult to say whose expression this was before. Exists interesting story, explaining the origins of the catchphrase. A doctor was called to see the sick craftsman boy. After conducting an examination, he concluded that he did not have long to live. The mother wanted to fulfill any last wish child, to which the young doctor allowed him to enjoy any food. After the child ate cabbage with pork, which the hostess had prepared, he began to recover.
Then a German child who suffered from the same disease was invited to dinner. When the doctor ordered him to eat cabbage and pork, the unexpected happened: the boy died the next day. The doctor made a note in his notebook: “What is good for a Russian is death for a German.”
Russia will save the world
What else is so different that it allows many great minds to call Mother Russia the savior of the world, in particular of Europe? Some differences appear even in privacy. Case in point the banal habit of washing can serve. For many Western historians You can find notes indicating that the Slavs have a strong habit of constantly pouring water on themselves. In other words, Russians are accustomed to washing in running water.
What is good for a Russian is death for a German, or Everyday habits of different nations
To compare historically established European and Russian customs, it is necessary to do small excursion to the past. During the Roman Empire, cleanliness was always the key to not only health, but also full life. But when the Roman Empire fell, everything changed. The famous Roman baths remained only in Italy itself, while the rest of Europe amazed with its uncleanliness. Some sources say that until the 12th century, Europeans did not wash at all!
The case of Princess Anna
“What is good for a Russian is death for a German” - this proverb expresses the essence of the differences between representatives different cultures and nations. An interesting incident happened with Anna, a Kyiv princess who was supposed to marry King Henry I of France. After arriving in France, her first order was to take her to the bathhouse to wash. Despite the surprise, the courtiers, of course, carried out the order. However, this did not guarantee deliverance from the princess’s wrath. She informed her father in a letter that he had sent her to a completely uncultured country. The girl noted that its inhabitants have terrible characters, as well as disgusting everyday habits.
The price of uncleanliness
Surprise similar to that experienced by Princess Anna was also expressed by the Arabs and Byzantines during the crusades. They were amazed not at the strength of the Christian spirit that the Europeans had, but at a completely different fact: the smell that reeked a mile away from the crusaders. Every schoolchild knows what happened afterwards. A terrible plague broke out in Europe, killing half the population. Thus, we can safely say that the main reason that helped the Slavs become one of the largest ethnic groups, to resist wars, genocide and famine, it was cleanliness.
An interesting fact is that after Galicia came under Polish rule, Russian baths completely disappeared there. Even the art of perfumery itself originated in Europe with the goal of combating unpleasant odors. And this is reflected in the writer’s novel “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.” In the book, the author vividly describes what was happening on the streets of Europe. All biological waste was poured out of the windows directly onto the heads of passers-by.
Pharmacy legend
When Russian troops captured Prague on November 4, 1794, the soldiers began drinking alcohol in one of the pharmacies. Having shared this alcohol with the German veterinarian, they accidentally took his life. After drinking the glass, he gave up the ghost. After this incident, Suvorov said popular expression: “What is good for a Russian is good for a German,” which translated means “pain, suffering.”
It should also be noted interesting fact. The proverb “What is good for a Russian is death for a German” does not exist in German. It is offensive, so it is better not to say it in the presence of representatives of this people. For us it means the following: what may be useful to one person may be harmful to another. In this sense, its analogue can serve as the well-known proverb “Another person’s soul is darkness” or “To each his own.”
It is also necessary to remember that previously in Rus' not only people from Germany were called Germans. All foreigners bore this name. Those who did not know local traditions, Russian customs and could not speak Russian were called dumb, or Germans. Because of this, they could end up in various comical, and sometimes unpleasant situations. Perhaps this proverb was born as a result of such cases.
This phrase has a deep meaning practical significance. Very often people are incapable of empathy. It is not for nothing that ethical sense among children is considered giftedness. But for adults, the ability to put themselves in the position of another person and “try on their skin” is very important for successful interaction in society. There is also a similar meaning that says that you should not make judgments about a person or judge him in any way until the person who wants to make a judgment has spent a day in his shoes.
What is beneficial for one person is extremely undesirable for another. And maybe even fatal. Take, for example, the widespread statements that you should not recommend to your loved ones, friends and acquaintances medications that have helped you - they can not heal, but aggravate the disease. And this will also help you fully understand true meaning a well-known proverb, which in fact does not contain a drop of nationalistic views.
There is an assumption that this saying was born during the storming of Prague in 1794. Having destroyed the pharmacy during street fighting, Russian soldiers took the bottle out into the street and began to drink, praising the contents. A German was walking past. Thinking that the soldiers were drinking water, he drank a glass and fell dead. It was alcohol!
When Suvorov was reported about this, he said that the Germans had no reason to compete with the Russians: they say, what is healthy for a Russian is death for a German. Since then this phrase has cropped up in different situations as confirmation: what is good for some is unacceptable for others. And this is not without reason!
So what is good for a Russian, but not so good for a German, to put it mildly?
1. Feast
Source:Each nation has its own habits and traditions of celebrations. The generously laid tables of the Slavs are very different from festive tables Germans. Many have seen how surprised Germans are when they visit Russians and see a huge amount of food and alcohol on the table. And they are even more surprised - and frankly, they can’t stand it - when you have to keep up with every new toast, and not forget to have a snack, and then dance, sing and drink and eat again! And there is no point in arguing about which is better. To each his own!
2. Alternative treatments
Source:Russians love to be treated folk remedies, tinctures, decoctions and herbs. Reduce the temperature with an alcohol solution, apply an aloe or plantain leaf to a wound, garlic to the wrist to relieve a toothache, breathe over cabbage or potatoes, apply mustard plasters to cure a cough - yes, such remedies used by Russians surprise German doctors.
3. Zelenka
Who among those who grew up far outside of Germany did not have green knees? Many people also remember painted in green color chickenpox spots on the body? Zelenka can still be found in almost every home. And it doesn’t matter that there are much more effective and affordable antiseptics. Zelenka was, is and will be among the Russian people. And try to explain to the Germans that better means can not be.
4. Signs
Source:Every nation has whole line will also accept superstitions, but you must agree that Russians have a ton of them. Sit on the path, knock on wood, don’t whistle in the apartment and don’t come back if you forgot something - this is the minimum that almost everyone observes. It’s interesting to watch the Germans when they see how the Russians, before a long journey, suddenly sit down together and remain silent. On the path!
5. Buckwheat and seeds
You can buy buckwheat in Germany, but Germans don’t eat it. Moreover, many of them do not even suspect that it can be eaten, not counting, of course, those who have Russian relatives. And you can talk for a long time about the benefits of this dietary product, but the fact remains a fact.
And, of course, seeds. Despite the fact that sunflowers began to be grown in France and Holland in the 17th century, it was the Russians who took root in eating its seeds. And no one can understand these gourmets!
I was interested in the origin of the expression: What's good for a Russian?(Dal’s is great) then the German is dead. As I expected, this is directly related to the German word Schmerz - pain, suffering, sorrow (?), grief (?). Apparently, it was not easy for the Germans to live in Rus', they often complained about life, for which they even received the contemptuous nickname - Schmerz (along with the nickname Sausages).
Information about the exact origin of this particular expression is contradictory, for example, excerpts from the memoirs (1849) of Thaddeus Bulgarin (It’s not a problem that you’re a Pole. ;)):
“You, my dear readers, have no doubt heard the humorous saying more than once: “It’s great for the Russian, death for the German!” General von Klugen assured me that this proverb was born during the storming of Prague. Our soldiers, having smashed the pharmacy, which was already engulfed in flames, took the bottle out into the street, tasted what was in it, and began to drink, praising: glorious, glorious wine! At this time, a horseman of our artillery, originally from the Germans, passed by. Thinking that the soldiers were drinking ordinary vodka, the horseman took a glass, drank a little - and immediately fell down, and a short time later he died. It was alcohol! When Suvorov was informed about this incident, he said: “A German is free to compete with the Russians! It’s great for the Russian, but death for the German!” These words formed a saying. Whether Suvorov repeated the old and forgotten, or invented a new saying, I can’t vouch for it; but I say that I heard.”
N.A. Polevoy (1834) "Stories of a Russian Soldier",
“When our general Leonty Leontyevich Beniksonov showed Bonaparte that a Russian is not a Prussian and that in winter a Russian fights even better, according to the proverb, what’s great for a Russian is death for a German, and vice versa, Bonaparte was glad to make peace and pretended to be such a fox that our great emperor Alexander Pavlovich believed him.”
Let us now turn to the word Schmerz
According to Vasmer, this is “a mocking nickname for a German,” Olonetsk. (Sandpiper.). From it. Schmerz "sorrow, pain", perhaps, according to the consonance of German. words from Russian stink (see below) P.D. Boborykin Vasily Terkin, 1892 “A kind of “schmerz”, a land surveyor, but he speaks to him, Chernososhny, like a boss with a petitioner, albeit in a respectful tone... Nothing to do... Times like these! We must be patient!" Where there are no Germans, she is in the blues, And gave herself over to the smoked heart It's not smoked. By the way, Vyazemsky has funny quatrains about the Germans: The German is a dock for everything, The German is so thoughtful That you will fall into it. But, according to our cut, If a German is taken by surprise, And especially in winter, The German - your choice! - is bad. Sukhovo-Kobylin (who hasn’t read it, I recommend reading his trilogy, especially Delo - modern to the point of trembling) has a character with the last name Shmertz. I can’t get past the completely understandable nickname of the Germans - Sausage Man:), from Dahl I found the word Perekolbasnik (Germanize) with an example: “Peter oversausified all the Russians, everyone became oversausified, became Germanized.” :)). And here "to the sausage" Die Kalebasse (German), calabash (English) calebasse (French) - pumpkin bottle.Sausage - in literally intestine stuffed with meat, shaped like a pumpkin bottle (kalebasse)." -I was joking :), I know that Vasmer vehemently denies this etymology :)). But, by the way, I myself use the word kolabasse in relation to a solid round-shaped object measuring approximately with a fist :). But I digress, I continue. The origin is German word Schmerz I don’t know, I don’t know German, I really ask German-speaking friends to help with the etymology of this word. I hear in it Russian Death(in German death is Tod). By the way, let’s look at the etymology of the word Death and at the same time Smerd. Smerd(there is an opinion that the German nickname Schmerz also meant from Smerd, in a negative sense): Vasmer: other Russian. smird "peasant" Praslav. *smеrdъ from *smеrdeti (see stink). This word bears the imprint of contempt for agriculture, which was regarded as a base occupation and was the lot of slaves and women From the Brockhaus-Efron dictionary: From one place in the Ipatan Chronicle (under 1240) it is clear that S. could rise to the highest strata and even to the rank of boyar; at least the Galician boyars, according to the chronicle, came “from the Smerdya tribe.” At the initiative of Leshkov, in our historical and legal literature for quite a long time they took S. for special class, who was in some immediate regard to the prince At what point the word acquired an abusive meaning, I was never able to find out (back in the 16th-17th centuries, the word smerd was used to designate the service population in official addresses to the tsar and the tsar to the population.) And then such proverbs appeared (from A.G. Preobrazhensky)
- The distance is short - expletive: German, sausage maker
In the dictionary M.I. Mikhelson we find a quote from a poem by P. Vyazemsky Eliza (I couldn’t find the poem itself on the Internet)
Her mind is delirious with smoked shmertz,
The German is ranked among the sages,
There is also an opinion that the nickname Schmerz hints at German sentimentality (on the popular rhyme Schmerz-Herz - heart).
Death:
Vasmer: Praslav. *sъmьrtь along with *mьrtь (in Czech mrt, gen. p. mrti zh. “a dead part of something, dead tissue on a wound, barren land”), it finds common roots even with ancient Indian. mrtis, not to mention the understandable Latin mors (mortis). Slavic *sъ-мърть should be associated with Old Indian. su- “good, good”, original. “good death”, i.e. “one’s own, natural”, is further connected with *svo- (see one’s own).
In Karamzin we read: “The name smerd usually meant peasant and mob, that is ordinary people, not military, not bureaucrats, not merchants... Under the name of smerds we mean the common people in general. .. Probably the name smerd came from the verb to stink... There were smerds free people and in no case could they be equal to the slaves... The serfs paid the princes sales, tribute or penalties, but there was no monetary recovery from the slaves, because they had no property" (I apologize, I am writing in Russian because I have no other font ). You can also look at different dictionaries or on the wiki.
A stinking look is worse than a curse!
The spruce stump is unbroken, the stinking son is unbowed.
More often they say the opposite: “What is good for a Russian is death for a German.” In the book by V.I. Dahl’s “Proverbs and Sayings of the Russian People” recorded another option: “What is healthy for a Russian is death for a German.” In any case, the meaning remains the same: what is good for some is unacceptable, and maybe even destructive, for others.
What's good for a Russian...
How did this one come about? catchphrase, it is not known exactly. There are several stories that perfectly illustrate it, but they are unlikely to reveal the secret of its origin. For example, they talk about a certain boy who was hopelessly ill. The doctor allowed him to eat whatever he wanted. The boy wanted pork and cabbage and soon unexpectedly recovered. Amazed by the success, the doctor prescribed this “” to another patient - a German. But he, having eaten the same, died. There is another story: during a feast, a Russian knight ate a spoonful of vigorous mustard and did not wince, and a German knight, having tried the same thing, fell dead. In one historical anecdote we're talking about about Russian soldiers who drank and praised, while a German fell off his feet and died from just one glass. When Suvorov was informed about this incident, he exclaimed: “A German is free to compete with the Russians! It’s great for the Russian, but death for the German!” But most likely, this saying did not have a specific author, it is the result folk art.That's a Schmerz for a German
The origin of this phrase is probably caused by the reaction of foreigners to various everyday inconveniences that they encountered in Russian: winter frosts, transport, unusual food, etc. Where for the Russians everything was ordinary and normal, the Germans were amazed and indignant: “Schmerz!”German Schmerz - suffering, pain; grief, grief, sadnessThis behavior was surprising from the point of view of a Russian person, and the people jokingly remarked: “Where it’s great for a Russian, it’s schmerz for a German.” By the way, in Rus' they used to call all foreigners Germans. The German is “not us”, a foreigner. But immigrants from Germany were teased as “sausages” and “schmerz”.
Wide use The expression “what is good for a German is death for a Russian” received in the nineteenth century.
And now people continue to practice their wit.
What is good for a Russian is what a German already hasNew versions of the proverb have appeared, and what will remain in
What is good for a Russian is a disappointment for a German
What is good for a Russian is why it is bad for him
What's great for a Russian is death for a German- What is good for one may be disastrous for others. According to one version, the origin of this turnover is associated with specific case. Once a young doctor, invited to a hopelessly ill Russian boy, allowed him to eat whatever he wanted.... ... Phraseology Guide
Wed. They treated the Germans condescendingly, adding, however, as an amendment, that what is healthy for a Russian is death for a German. Saltykov. Poshekhonskaya antiquity. 26. Wed. It was not in vain that the word of the grandfathers was confirmed by the people's mind: What is healthy for a Russian is for a German... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary
It's great for the Russian, but death for the German. Wed. They treated the Germans condescendingly, adding, however, by way of amendment, that for a Russian it’s great, for a German it’s death. Saltykov. Poshekhonskaya antiquity. 26. Wed. It was not in vain that the grandfather’s word was confirmed by the people’s mind: What... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)
Kosciuszko Uprising 1794 ... Wikipedia
- (1794) Polish uprising Kosciuszko 1794 Storm of Prague in 1794. A. Orlovsky, 1797 Date ... Wikipedia
Blood with milk. It's about to burst. Don't ask for health, but look in the face. Judge not by your years, but by your ribs (teeth). Healthy as a bull, as healthy as a hog. Strong as a forester. I’m as healthy as a bull, and I don’t know what to do. He'll squeeze the knot in his fist, so the water will flow. I'll squeeze it into...
Or health wed. the state of the animal body (or plant), when all vital functions go into in perfect order; absence of illness or disease. How is your dear health? Yes, my health is bad. Health is most valuable ( more expensive than money). He is a stranger... ... Dictionary Dahl
Chu! There is a smell of Russian spirit here. Ancient Novgorod and Pskov are gentlemen (and Novgorod was even a master, sovereign). Heart in Volkhov (in Novgorod), soul in Velikaya (ancient Pskov). Novgorod, Novgorod, and older than the old one. Novgorod honor. Novgorodskaya... ... IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
The Russian gave the German some pepper. A German (French) has thin legs and a short soul. Prussian gut (good), and Russian gutee (soldier). A real Englishman (i.e., he pretends to be a gentleman, is too overbearing, an eccentric, and does everything his own way). A real Italian (i.e., a scoundrel) ... IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people
- [pseudonym of Stukalov, 1900] Soviet playwright. Genus. V peasant family. He spent his childhood with his mother, who was engaged in sewing. Don villages. He worked in bookbinding and metalworking shops. I started writing at the age of 20. Worked as a traveling... ... Large biographical encyclopedia
Books
- Why Russia is not America. 2015, Parshev, Andrey Petrovich. This book is for those who decided to stay in Russia. You, dear reader, are apparently thinking about such a decision. Otherwise, why did you pick up the book? For those who are planning to leave...
- Why Russia is not America, Andrey Petrovich Parshev. This book is for those who risked staying in Russia. You, dear reader, are apparently among them. Otherwise, why did you pick up the book? For those who are planning to leave, hundreds are issued...