Come out dry from water. How to get away with it

Get away with it GET DRY FROM THE WATER. COME OUT DRY FROM WATER. Razg. Express Remain unpunished, avoid deserved punishment . Neither before nor after he had set his sights on someone else’s, but here, in a drunken shop, one trickster encouraged him to cheat with government-issued alcohol. The trickster came out of the water unscathed, and Vasily Petrovich was immediately caught(N. Pochivalin. Past).

Phraseological dictionary of the Russian literary language. - M.: Astrel, AST. A. I. Fedorov. 2008.

See what “getting away with it” means in other dictionaries:

get away with it

Get out / get away with it- Razg. Disapproved Avoid deserved punishment, remain unsullied, uncompromised in difficult and unpleasant situations. DP, 426, 661; BMS 1998, 90; SPP 2001, 22; SERGEEVA 2004, 205; BTS, 139, 172; Versh 6, 432…

come out dry from water- get out / get away with it Unscathed. More often owls. past vr. Avoid deserved punishment; to remain unpunished (about cunning, dexterous people). With noun with value persons: teenager, young man... came out unscathed; to whom? a criminal, a violator... will not get away with it... ... Educational phraseological dictionary

GET DRY FROM THE WATER. COME OUT DRY FROM WATER. Razg. Express Remain unpunished, avoid deserved punishment. Neither before nor after he had set his sights on someone else’s, but here, in a drunken shop, one trickster encouraged him to cheat with government-issued alcohol.... ... Phraseological Dictionary of the Russian Literary Language

Get away with it- Gorky. The same as getting away with it. BalSok, 29… Large dictionary of Russian sayings

May you stay dry on the water- Novg. The same as getting away with it. NOS 1, 104 ... Large dictionary of Russian sayings

WATER- For water. Arch. In the absence of anyone AOC 4, 153. Mad water. Alt. Spring flood. SRGA 1, 65. Big water. 1. Arch., Sib. High water. AOC 4, 147; SBO D1, 38. 2. Arch. Tide. AOC 4, 147. Breaking water. Don. Beginning of ice drift. SDG 2, 31 ... Large dictionary of Russian sayings

List of South Park characters

Books on the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.- Books on the world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Many modern writers became interested in the game world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.. As a result, a series of books were written that interpret the world of the game in their own way. The series is published by Russian publishing houses Eksmo and... ... Wikipedia

South Park characters- All the characters listed below are heroes of the animated television series “South Park” and the full-length cartoon “South Park: Big, Long and Uncut.” Characters are listed only once, in the subsection dedicated to them. Characters ... Wikipedia

Books

, Robin Andy, Kavet Gregg. Understanding the variety of cutlery is not so difficult. But what if you fall asleep at a meeting or get caught giving away a gift? The authors of this book explore dozens of awkward... Buy for 292 RUR
How to get away with it. The art of getting out of the most awkward situations in life, Robin E., Kavet G.. Dealing with the variety of cutlery is not so difficult. But what if you fall asleep at a meeting or get caught giving away a gift? The authors of this book explore dozens of embarrassing...

Understanding the variety of cutlery is not so difficult. But what if you fall asleep at a meeting or get caught giving away a gift? The authors of this book explore dozens of awkward situations in which any of us may find ourselves. With the help of clear illustrations and a whole range of methods and techniques, you will learn how to get out of various difficult situations. Everywhere and everywhere you will confidently resolve the situation, deftly extricating yourself from situations that could turn into a complete nightmare.

* * *

The given introductory fragment of the book How to get away with it. The art of getting out of life's most awkward situations (Andy Robin, 2012) provided by our book partner - the company liters.

Andy Robin, Gregg Kavet

SAVING FACE: How to Lie, Fake, and Maneuver Your Way

Out of Life's Most Awkward Situations

Originally published by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of the electronic version of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including posting on the Internet or corporate networks, for private or public use without the written permission of the copyright owner.

If the book you purchased does not have a cover, you should be aware that the copy is stolen. In the publisher's reports, it appears as “unsold and destroyed,” and neither the author nor the publisher received any profits from the sale of the “stripped” book.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, events and incidents are either invented by the author or used in a fictitious context. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locations is purely coincidental.

We thank Tricia Boczkowski of Simon Spotlight Entertainmentmet for the project idea; our editor Patrick Price for improving it, and all those who helped us get out of awkward situations before we learned how to do it ourselves: Lindy, Anna, Roxanne, Peter, Jackson and Kirsten Larson.

Andy Robin, Gregg Kavet

SAVING FACE: How to Lie, Fake, and Maneuver Your Way

Out of Life's Most Awkward Situations

Originally published by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Inc.

Acknowledgments of the authors

Preface

Awkwardness is like pornography difficult to define, but easily recognized: cold sweat, stupor and the feeling that everyone is looking at you.

Ask anyone to list the ten worst moments of their life. Most likely you will be told about a bereavement and a couple of bouts of illness or acute pain, but there is a good chance that the remaining seven or eight will include disgusting, annoying, terrifying awkwardness.

All our lives we try to avoid awkward situations, but... we find ourselves in them again and again. We get stuck, don't know what to do, and end up saying and doing things that make everything worse.

The problem is that we weren't taught this. No one has ever systematically studied awkward moments or suggested easy ways to deal with them.

Nobody except us.

From our own experience, we have tried thousands of remedies that can help in such situations. Most of them turned out to be completely untenable. We were slapped, yelled at, sued, and expelled from everywhere. We lost our jobs, became estranged from our relatives, and had our sex life pretty much ruined.

And all for your sake, dear reader.

But some methods still worked. On the pages of our book you will find specific recommendations on how to get out of all sorts of unpleasant situations. How to greet someone whose name you can't remember? How to evade responsibility by clogging your wife's parents' toilet? How to break up an affair with a colleague? How to return a car with a burned out engine to your neighbors?

So, even though awkward situations await you literally everywhere, you will no longer have an excuse to hide at home like some clean-shaven Ted Kaczynski 1
Theodore Kaczynski was an American mathematician, social critic, and terrorist known for his mail-in bomb campaign. An integral part of his image was a thick beard. – Note lane

Go out, communicate, work, live, desire and love. But always keep this book handy. Because you never know in advance at what point a situation might... um... turn awkward.

Introduction: Our Arsenal

The techniques described in the book suitable for anyone, from a brain-damaged simpleton to an unbridled genius.

However, all readers will benefit from learning a few techniques and then combining them into a system we call “our arsenal.”

Our arsenal

Lies

Lies should become your good friend. You will have to lie again and again, in small things and in big ways. Practice the art of lying.

Lie so that people believe you. If there's anything worse than not lying at all, it's lying unconvincingly.

Modern telecommunications equipment

Because the telephone frees us from personal confrontation, we will use it extensively throughout the book. But to maximize its capabilities, you will need to put a variety of modern gadgets at your service: an answering machine, voice mail, caller ID, a forwarding, waiting and selective call blocking system, as well as the STAR 69 multifunctional system.

Carefully study the capabilities of your phone. What is the maximum number of messages his voice mailbox can store? What is the connection code for the “anti-determinant”? In what places does your phone usually not receive reception, so that at the right moment you can be successfully “disconnected”?

Dejected look

Let this be your default facial expression. Looking dejected makes people forgive you for a lot of tactless or deadly stupid things you do. Practice this facial expression in front of a mirror. One of these thoughts will help you get into the right frame of mind: your mother has just died; you are already a week late in delivering a major project; you are terminally ill. Situations like these cause the same internal torment that usually excuses irresponsible actions.

Lack of money

Money is a great thing. But for our purposes, lack of money is more useful. Well, or at least the appearance of it. Citing a lack of money, you can reduce prices for services, fire a housekeeper or kick out workers, save on a gift and cancel the agreement. To be even more convincing, complain often about the emergency expenses you have recently experienced. You lost your case in court. Your child has thrombophlebitis and requires treatment. Your car fell into a karst sinkhole. You need to excavate, reconstruct and replace the foundation of the house.

Scapegoats

Nothing relieves us of responsibility faster than having someone to blame on, be it a secretary, assistant, wife or husband. They don’t even have to really exist - the main thing is that they are guilty. Set the stage early by complaining about the scapegoat: “I have the worst secretary in the world! I need to find someone else. By the way, do you have a decent secretary in mind?” For more extreme cases, it is worth considering an identical twin.

So we have completed our arsenal. Keep it clean, tidy and ready for action. You'll need it soon.

1. Unhappy Hour: How to Survive Parties and Other Gatherings

God himself ordered We begin our book with an examination of a party - that planned sequence of absurd rituals designed specifically to confuse and confuse all those invited through a barbaric culling of antisocial elements. Arrival and departure, greetings and farewells, gifts, food, conversations and appearance - all this is regulated by a myriad of unwritten laws. If you make a slight mistake, the destructive gaze of the other guests will immediately turn on you, crushing your ego and echoing painful waves of shame in your soul.

If you hope to survive the party, your only option is to take these tips to heart. Learn the rules, practice the tricks, and visualize the path to escape now, without waiting for your “moment of truth” to arrive one fine holiday evening, many months later.

1. You are dressed too formally or not formally enough.

Thinking about what to wear, a person spends an average of 5 minutes a day. But when we go to a party, this time increases to five hours.

Sometimes there are hints in invitations, but unfortunately, they are usually very vague and misleading. Collocation evening dresses stands for: “We’re having a party. Don't come naked." Relaxed evening style means "dress like a schizophrenic." Black tie, creativity- the trickiest of all the tips. Are you invited to a Republican fundraiser or a gay pride parade?

But no matter what the invitation says, you will most likely miss the mark and will look either like a pompous snob or, on the contrary, a sloppy simpleton. And the only question is how to justify your appearance in this form.

Techniques

explain where you come from

Tell people you just got home from work. If you are dressed too pretentiously, then you are a big boss. If your outfit is not up to par, you are a creative person: musician, sculptor, Richard Branson 2
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is a British entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin Corporation, one of the seven richest people in Britain. Known to the general public for his unconventional actions and extravagant appearance. – Note lane

explain where you are going

If people know who you really are, refer to where you're going after the event: a pool party, a debutante ball, a scavenger hunt. 3
A fashionable game in which participants must find and collect certain items in a limited amount of time. – Note lane

Or to the Grammy Awards.

Blame it on your health: “My doctor says that I have jugular vein sclerosis. He said that if I wore a tie, my blood would be on his hands. Literally." If you're dressed too formally, try this text: “My Achilles tendon is so worn out that these heels are the only thing keeping my foot from falling off my leg. Well, this robe is the only thing that suits them.”

turn the situation inside out

If you're dressed too casually, call other guests "prissy bores" and tell them to "relax." Yell: “People, what are you doing! It's a party!" Spill drinks on guests' jackets. Push them into the pool. Playfully rip off someone's tie and tie it around their head like a samurai headband.

2. You came without a gift

If at the entrance to your friend's house you're greeted by balloons tied to your mailbox, the first sign that you're in for more than just a friendly get-together. And - to confirm your fears - no one comes into the house empty-handed: some carry a colored box, some a gift bag, and some a bottle! You look like an idiot, a bad friend and a cheapskate.

Techniques

get in on the action

Approach a group of people who have contributed to a generous gift and ask if you can contribute. Most likely, they will be glad to have the opportunity to reduce their expenses. Be sure to write your name large and legibly on the birthday card, and mention your gift several times while chatting with the birthday person.

think of a complementary gift

If no group is willing to help you out, or if participating in a group gift would cost more than what you don't mind spending, try the idea of a matching gift. This is a kind of substitute that seems to be associated with a collective gift, but has the advantage that it does not need to be given immediately. For example, if several people chip in for a tennis racket, give the owner a note saying you are giving him a free tennis lesson.

This move will give your gift an aura of thoughtfulness and care, although in reality it does not smell like this.

Secret Santa
Remember, you are not Santa. You are Secret Santa. All you need is to bring something with you, at least something, and you will probably get something valuable in return. Wrap old magazines in gift paper. Stuff Lipton tea bags into a box. Grab a knitted hat from the lost and found.

When your gift is opened, do not forget to express your strong displeasure with everyone else. Suggest your own answer to the question: who among those present turned out to be the bad Santa?

look what's in your pockets

Cute pen? A folding knife? Almost new wallet? Cute key chain? If you're wearing a new sweater or pullover, take it off, grab the gift box from the table, and voila, you're a model of attentiveness!

What God sent
If there is a decent restaurant or market nearby, you can contribute to the table at the last minute. Well, what if there are none? If the only available source is a regular supermarket or a snack vending machine? The key to success is to attach your bullshit to something better. If someone was not too lazy to prepare a meat stew, start arranging pieces of bread around the dish. “Join” the boiled beans by sprinkling them with crispy chips. Stick candy bar pieces into the ice cream. And if someone asks what you brought, point vaguely in the direction of the dish you “added” and modestly say, “It turned out better than I thought!”

Extreme measures

Write a short, somber note indicating that you have made a contribution to a mythical charity on behalf of the hero of the occasion. The title should sound tragic: “Let's help children suffering from cirrhosis of the liver” or “Save puppies.” If you have any questions, go into a coughing fit.

3. Are you at a loss when choosing a greeting: a hug, a kiss or a handshake?

You're invited to the party to a familiar couple. The hostess opens the door for you, and panic begins: What’s better – shake her hand, hug her, or maybe kiss her? She seems to be quite relaxed, but I don't know her well!..

Without any confidence, you try to fake an awkward hug and immediately stumble upon the hand extended for a handshake, so that it ends up sandwiched exactly between your torsos. You pull away abruptly, and your clumsy, convulsive gesture looks very unsightly.

Techniques

quarantine

The gold standard for anyone who doesn't want to kiss those with slobbering, lipstick or foul-smelling mouths. However, it's also a great way to avoid a potentially awkward greeting and simply wave to the person.

When people approach, cover your mouth with your palm and say sadly: “I’m afraid I’ll infect you with the flu.” If this does not stop them, cough several times in warning or blow your nose deafeningly into some tiny chewed piece. If that doesn't help, you might have to tell them that you recently visited a bird market in Guangdong or a monkey nursery in Kinshasa.

be a leader, not a follower

To prevent the greeting from turning into a game of “who will chicken out first,” warn about your actions in advance. Having chosen the poison, let the victim know exactly what awaits him: open your arms for a hug, purse your lips for a kiss, or extend your hand in advance. If time or distance may prevent you from recognizing the message, voice your intention: “Now I will kiss you!” or “High five, old man!” Now I’ll shake your paw.”

collective greeting

If you have a lot of people to greet, try reaching everyone at once. Get everyone's attention with an energetic "Hello everyone!" Then look at the faces of those farthest from you, wave your hand and call out a few recognizable names: “Dave! I'm glad to see you! How are you, Sam? Mary! Susie! Joey! Just look, everything is here! This is great! Wow!"

in the heat of battle

If possible, find something useful to do that keeps your hands busy: grill meat, cook, pour drinks, soothe a crying child. In this situation, you can get by with a greeting smile. Moreover, everyone will quickly move away from you until you ask for help.

Cool pepper handshake
Sometimes the problem arises even when both parties choose to shake hands. This gesture has many variations, and the most labor-intensive of them is a complex sequence of strange manipulations with the fingers and palms, which is almost impossible to master unless you buy or sell large quantities of “dope.” If you suspect that there is a “cool pepper” in front of you, then, in order to avoid embarrassment and confusion with your fingers, give him a clenched fist in advance and with enthusiasm, which should also be greeted with a fist. By ending the fist bump with a guttural "Yea," you're signaling that there's no need for further finger waving, little finger clasping, or other annoying hand games.

4. You forgot someone's name

You enter the room, which is full of your friends, and you start greeting each individually: “Hi, Grace! Great, Terence! How is it, Ted? And then your gaze lands on... that guy. The one, short, with thick eyebrows and slightly affected by eczema... You worked with him for eight years. He still has plenty of cats at home. Damn!.. Yes, you should know his name a hundred pounds!

Techniques

universal appeal

Let it be a baby, a dude, a guy, an old man, a tiger, a friend, a lady, a big boy - or even Miss Cool. The main thing is to sound convincing. And to do this, openly use such words when addressing people whose names you definitely know, for example, your wife or boss. If there is no one suitable nearby, start calling everyone kids, dudes and buddies and only then approach the mysterious anonymous person. And the word “tiger” will suddenly sound like an expression of friendly affection, which, of course, did not spend the night there.

tactile contact

A memory lapse can be compensated for by a touch, pat, hug, handshake, kiss, or playful scuffle.

create the appearance of participation

Even the vaguest references to shared memories can serve as an excellent cover if you voice them in a heartfelt, soulful tone. Talk about that wonderful fishing trip. Ask how his wonderful cats are doing. Better yet, share details from your life: your grandmother can’t do without lithium now, your niece married a non-Christian, and there are some suspicious dark spots in your latest ultrasound image of the esophagus. If possible, use the formula: “You are one of the most important people in my life right now.”

try to get information

Exchange email addresses, compare license photos, tell each other your childhood nicknames, or ask the other person why their parents chose that particular name for them.

If you manage to find out the necessary information, do not rush to use it immediately. You should wait a little, and then loudly and confidently address the person by name.

You made a mistake in your name
An annoying option because you almost remembered the name and would like to receive the trust they deserve. You can make a mistake in stress or vowel length, as is the case with names Alicia And Andrea. If you don't dare give a rough idea, try to make up a funny nickname from the part of the name that you're sure of. For example, try Sri Man instead of Srivastava And Lady A- instead of Alicia. You can use a surname (although with anthroponyms like Srivastava Megavasartavi this obviously won't work).

You blurted out “nice to meet you” to a friend
Realizing that your previous encounters have not affected a single neuron in your brain, a person may be offended. To avoid the problem, instead of “Nice to meet you!” Every time you say “Glad to see you!” – even if it seems to you that this is the first meeting. If you have already blurted out “Very nice!” and noticed that all the color had drained from the face of the offended interlocutor, try to rehabilitate yourself by continuing the phrase: “It’s very nice... to meet you here!” Such a turn suggests that you have already met, but in this setting – for the first time. Support your justification by saying why this place is so special. For example: “It’s great to meet you here...at the party where we can finally relax and chat.” Or this: “It’s very nice to meet you here in the technology park, where we can see how our country works!”

decoy

Complain to your interlocutor that you cannot remember the name of one of those present. Would he be so kind as to help you out by performing the full introduction ritual? Your task is to hear how the person will pronounce yours Name. By the way, asking for a pseudo-favor will also bring you additional points into the “soul friend” box.

5. You missed the mark on your gender/status

Pregnancy- such a wonderful and life-affirming state that even busy strangers are tempted to stop and note this fact. Well-meaning questions like “Is this the first?” will usually elicit a smile and a cheerful—though not very original—answer.

Unless the person who asked the question mistakenly mistook the fat deposits for the fetus.

Let me remind you: the fetus is a source of pride and a living symbol of maternal love. But fat deposits are a source of shame.

And if their volume is so large that it creates the appearance of pregnancy, then it is also a symbol of late-night overeating on ice cream and unused fitness club memberships.

What follows from this? Never rush to classify people into one category or another until they talk about it themselves. An older man holding the hand of a teenage girl may not be a grandfather at all. A stocky, short-haired longshoreman will probably pee while sitting down and will ask his boyfriend to clean up your face if you say otherwise. And two slender men holding hands could well be brothers, Siamese twins, or Italians.

If the damage has already been done, you can always try one of the following tactics.

Andy Robin, Kavet Gregg How to get away with it. The art of getting out of life's most awkward situations
Acknowledgments of the authors
Preface
Introduction: Our Arsenal
Our arsenal
1. Unhappy Hour: How to Survive Parties and Other Gatherings
1. You are dressed too formally or not formally enough.
2. You came without a gift
3. Are you at a loss when choosing a greeting: a hug, a kiss or a handshake?
4. You forgot someone's name
5. You missed the mark on your gender/status
6. You're just pretending you know what you're talking about.
7. You're having a drink with an alcoholic.
8. You got caught in a lie while telling a story.
9. You don't like food
10. You leave too early
2. Service sector: what to do to avoid being spat in your sandwich
1. You are talking to a person who allegedly stole something from you.
2. This isn't the first time you've lost your prescription drugs.
3. You find out that the person you are about to fire has money problems.
4. Should I leave a tip?
5. You are being scammed for money.
6. You undressed too early at the doctor's
7. You “did it yourself” and regretted it.
8. You changed hairdresser
3. Workplace: how to protect your dignity from nine to six
1. You are having an office romance
2. You want to end an office romance
3. You fell asleep in a meeting
4. You constantly meet with the same colleague
5. You get fired
6. You are fighting an undeclared war
7. You sit next to your boss on a plane.
8. You were put in the same room with a colleague
4. Sex: how to hear the cherished “Yes, yes, yessss!”
1. You shouted out the wrong name during sex.
2. You mistakenly thought that wedges were being placed under you.
3. The person you want to break up with has met with misfortune.
4. You were too quick to undress
5. You regretted asking your partner about his fantasies.
5. Friends and Family: How to Hide the Worst About Yourself from Those Who Know You Best
1. You missed a family event.
2. You were asked to rate your girlfriend/boyfriend
3. You gave a gift and got caught
4. You didn’t call your relatives when you were in their city.
5. You didn't call back
6. You're trying to get guests out.
7. You encourage someone who shouldn't.
8. You left a bad message on your answering machine.
9. You feel obligated to buy your friend's work.
10. You ruined a borrowed item
11. You buy sensitive items
12. You are asked for a recommendation by someone who is not worthy of it.
6. Closer to the body: Very private matters in public places
1. You are looking for a toilet
2. You're in a toilet that doesn't lock.
3. You are in the toilet, from which you can hear everything perfectly.
4. You need to hide your erection
5. You clog someone else's toilet
6. You passed gas in public.
7. You don't have any toilet paper on hand.
7. Clash of Civilizations: How to Curry the Favor of 6.3 Billion People
1. You order from a foreign cuisine menu
2. You have exhausted your knowledge of a foreign language
3. You can't tell one person from another
4. You participate in unusual ceremonies
5. You can't tell if people are speaking English to you.
Afterword
About the authors

Come out dry from water

In ancient times, many nations had a custom of testing someone accused of a crime or witchcraft with water. The suspect was thrown into a river or lake. If he did not drown, that is, the water did not accept him, he was considered a criminal and tried. If she drowned, then they believed that this person was not guilty of a crime, she was slandered, therefore, she died in vain. Those who were lucky enough to escape death were said to have come out unscathed. Now this expression is used in relation to those who managed to avoid big troubles.

Wash dirty linen in public

The ancient Slavs believed that dirty laundry should be burned and not thrown away, because evil people could use it for witchcraft. But the ashes from the stove or coal were often tied into a knot and thrown onto the roads. This was a talisman against illness. In a figurative sense, washing dirty linen in public “means to divulge, to bring to human court family disputes, misunderstandings, secrets.

Drink the bitter cup

The image of the bitter cup has biblical origins. The Gospels record the prophetic words of Jesus Christ that he would have to drink the bitter cup of suffering and die on the cross for his sins. This expression is used to mean: endure all trials, troubles, complete a difficult task.

Release the spirit (genie) from the bottle

In one of the stories that Scheherazade told the Persian king over the course of a thousand and one nights - “The Tale of the Fisherman” - it was about how one day a man pulled a bottle out of the sea. When he tore off the cork with a knife, smoke suddenly came out of the bottle, which became a spirit with its head in the clouds and its feet on the ground. It was a threatening surprise caused by carelessness. It is in this sense that the phraseological phrase “letting the spirit out of the bottle” is used.

Get out of the swamp

The Slavs have long considered the swamp a dangerous place where evil spirits live. They associated the formation of swamps with the devil: where he spat, a swamp arose. This connection is also expressed in the sayings: “There would be a swamp, but there would be devils,” “There are devils in still waters,” “And the devil doesn’t have a lot of money, but sits in the swamp.” There was a custom of throwing “unclean” things (an old broom, the clothes of a dead person) and garbage that was collected during Christmastide (Christmas holidays) into the swamp.

Swamp, mud, dirt, dirt, silt, puddle - these synonyms mean something nasty, slippery, unsightly, unclean, which you want to quickly get rid of or avoid. In this regard, many phraseological units associated with the word “swamp” arose: “to throw mud at”, “to throw mud at” - it is unfair to accuse someone of something, to slander, dishonor, disgrace; “don’t lose face in the mud” - show yourself from the best side, don’t disgrace yourself. The phraseological expression “to pull out of the swamp” means to help someone get out of a humiliating situation or get rid of poverty.

Shelve

The expression originated in Russia. Moscow Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich replaced custom accepting petitions (requests). In addition, they were placed in the Archangel Cathedral on the tomb of the king of our ancestors. And the tsar ordered a long box for petitioners to be nailed to the gates of his palace in the village of Kolomenskoye. The royal office was in no hurry to consider the affairs of the common people. So, the petitioners often did not have an answer to their requests, and if some did receive it, they had to wait too long. The state spread the sad fame of the royal “long box”. This is how the phraseology “put on the back burner” arose, which means putting off some issue for an indefinite period.

Discover America

In 1492, the Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered the American continent in search of a route to India. Even careful explorers of these new lands could not shake his glory as a discoverer. The expression “discover America” ironically characterizes a phenomenon known to everyone for a long time, which is presented as something new and is extremely important.