"Vulgarity" is a word that has its roots in history, when writing was a curiosity. Its first meanings differed significantly from modern ones, due to the fact that many concepts did not exist at that time at all. In the entire history of the Russian language, it is rare to find a word that in each era acquired a new meaning.
Historical background
The word came from the verb "to go" and until the 17th century meant belonging to antiquity. It was used in such meanings as ancient, primordial, tribute, tax. With the coming to power of Tsar Peter I, the attitude towards the past changed, and the meaning of the word "vulgarity" acquired a slightly different meaning, of a more negative nature. There were such definitions as unimportant, rustic, low, ordinary. In the 19th century, the famous Russian scientist and writer Vladimir Ivanovich Dal, the creator of the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, added new meanings to the word vulgarity, most of which are still used today. Then the concepts of “vulgarity”, “indecency”, “meanness”, “triviality” appear. Become moreused word forms "vulgarity", "vulgarity", "vulgarity".
In the essay by S. M. Solovyov about the writers of the 18th century, it was noted that just this period was marked by the final renunciation of antiquity, since under the use of this word they often hid their base motives. Proponents of novelty believed that vulgarity is everything that goes against their worldview and ideas about a brighter future.
In many dictionaries, "vulgarity" disappears until the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century. Only one of his word forms has remained unchanged to our time - “duty”, meaning a tax or a fee.
The word "vulgarity" in literature
At the beginning of the 19th century, the word "vulgarity" received a second birth and began to be widely used not only by ordinary people, but also by famous writers and poets in their works, many of which became classics of Russian literature. Until now, the adjective "vulgar" was used, to which the suffix "-st" was added, and the result was a word that is still popular today.
Writers such as Pyotr Andreevich Vyazemsky, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol often spoke of their fellow writers Alexander Pushkin, Vasily Zhukovsky, using the concept of "vulgarity". Expressing their opinion, they described their vision of the creations of famous colleagues, considering many of them unworthy of attention. Simply put, banal and mediocre without any shade of novelty. Since the second half of the 19th century, the meaning of the word "vulgarity" has changed again. The meanings of "weariness" appear,"shabby", "stereotypical".
Synonyms for "vulgarity"
In modern Russian, it is quite easy to find synonyms for the word "vulgarity". However, they will differ significantly depending on the area in which they are used. For example, when it comes to fashion, clothes are often said to be “tasteless”, “colorless”. The synonym "vulgar" will immediately fit both fashion and speech or behavior. "Camped" or "trivial" characterize any application of a stereotype. In relation to the media, the term “tabloid” is often used, which characterizes the low rating of the publication. If we are talking about a frequently used phrase or joke, they say that it is "beaten". A person with a narrow outlook is called "limited", which, in its essence, is also similar to the concept of "vulgarity".
Vulgarity today
Today the answer to the question of what vulgarity is is unlikely to be unambiguous, since this concept can be considered from several angles. For example, “vulgarity”, the definition of which in communication is marked by the use of obscene language that offends the honor and dignity of other people. However, swear words have entered our lives so tightly and have reached such a level that they are able to replace some generally accepted concepts inherent in pure literary speech. Their widespread use adversely affects the development of a person as a person, reducing the vocabulary and making it more limited. On the other hand, the word "vulgarity" has an intimate connotation. Free access of the general public to the most intimate momentsthe life of a man and a woman has significantly vulgarized relationships with the opposite sex.
Vulgarity in society
Vulgarity in society is manifested primarily in the behavior of many public figures, politicians, pop stars, theater and cinema. Now the so-called “black PR” is in vogue, thanks to which many of the above successfully raise their ratings. If we analyze the topics of scandals around famous people, then they can be conditionally divided into several categories:
1. Challenging behavior.
2. Passion for alcohol or drugs.
3. Violation of the law (the most common are fights and road accidents, most often drunk).
Recently, politicians from the podium also do not disdain to use obscene language or to use physical assault right in the meeting room, which is broadcast with pleasure by all TV channels of both a single country and the world level.
Vulgarity in architecture
What does "vulgar" mean in architecture? If we consider the meaning in terms of stereotyping, as it was determined at the end of the 19th century, then many cities of the former USSR fit into this category. Most municipal buildings and housing estates were built according to a certain pattern.
Therefore, coming to any of the republics, you still feel like in your hometown, where all the buildings of that era are in the same manner. Then the main thing was quantity, that is, the more they build, the better. Therefore, many buildings gradually begancollapse under the influence of precipitation.
What is vulgarity in modern buildings? This is primarily the use of precious metals in the manufacture of ordinary household items such as doorknobs interspersed with diamonds or gold plumbing. Only a few can treat themselves to this, however, exposing their mansions to the public, they cause rather a negative attitude towards themselves from others.
Dirty jokes - what is it?
It is difficult to say now what vulgarity is in jokes and various jokes, since what was considered shameful earlier is now perceived as the norm. For example, laughter is caused by stories about drug addicts “high”, traffic police and police officers, husbands who arrived at the wrong time from a business trip. In comparison with the jokes of the Soviet era, the current ones have become more harsh, caustic, offensive. Reviewing modern humorous programs, one comes to the conclusion that many of them are ready to laugh even at human grief. Often vulgarity borders on wit, but rarely anyone catches this line. Because of a seemingly innocent joke at first glance, a resentment for life can lurk. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful to joke about the actions of people or make fun of their appearance, so as not to earn enemies in their face. That's what "vulgarity" is on a modern scale.
