In any language, there are phraseological units, understanding the meaning of which causes a lot of problems for foreigners. To translate them, one has to look for analogues in other languages. As an example, let's find out the meaning of the phraseological unit "cannon fodder". In addition, consider its history and what options this idiom has in other languages.
What does the expression "cannon fodder" mean
This phraseological unit in the modern world is called a soldier whose lives are absolutely not valued by the leadership. Such people are often sent on combat missions with a high probability of a fatal outcome. Moreover, such an ending is usually known to their command.
In addition to the military, in the modern world, the idiom "cannon fodder" is also often used by gamers (players in computer games). So they call weak, but numerous characters, whom it is not a pity to send to the slaughter of the enemy in order to weaken him or divert attention.
What is called this phrase in chess
Besides military affairs and computer games, the idiom "cannon fodder" inchess is also used.
In this ancient and complex game, all eight pawns are called so. They got a similar name due to the fact that during the game they are more often sacrificed than others. This is done in order to save more powerful pieces or outwit the opponent and attack his king. Only one thing pleases in this situation: although the pawns are cannon fodder, they are the only ones of all the pieces that have the opportunity to get the abilities of the queen.
Etymology of this phraseologism
The idiom "cannon fodder" does not belong to the original Slavic ones, such as "put your teeth on the shelf" or "beat the buckets". It first appeared in English in the 16th century.
The progenitor of this expression can rightfully be considered William Shakespeare. It was he who first used this expression in his historical play "Henry IV".
One of his heroes, speaking of ordinary soldiers, said the following phrase: food for powder (literally translated as "food for gunpowder"). It is possible that this expression was used before Shakespeare, but it is he who owns his first written mention.
With the light hand of the British classic, this phrase has become very popular not only in his homeland, but also far beyond its borders. However, the idiom got into Russian and other Slavic languages thanks to the French writer Francois de Chateaubriand, who lived almost two hundred years after Shakespeare.
At that time, came to power from the bottom - NapoleonBonaparte, which was negatively received by fans of the monarchy, to whom Chateaubriand belonged. Therefore, the writer composed a very witty pamphlet criticizing the Napoleonic regime.
In particular, in this work the military policy of the future emperor and his disregard for the lives of his own soldiers were scathingly criticized. Allegedly, Napoleon treated them like "raw materials and cannon fodder."
Because the great commander had many enemies, this pamphlet soon after publication became very popular, like the expression itself.
To be fair, it should be noted that in reality Napoleon had a phenomenal memory and knew almost every soldier by name. However, due to the huge number of wars he conducted, the military died really a lot.
It is worth remembering that despite the war between France and Russia in 1812, most Russian nobles spoke French better than their native language. Thus, the caustic but precise expression of Chateaubriand soon became popular among Russians and firmly entrenched in this language, existing in it today.
What idioms-analogues does the phrase in question have in other languages
If you try to translate the phrase "cannon fodder" through any online dictionary into French, you get the expression fourrage au canon. However, the French don't actually say that because they have their own idiom: chair à canon.
The British in the past (even under Shakespeare) used the idiom food for powder. But today they have accepteduse another expression cannon fodder.
Poles call "cannon fodder" like this: mięso armatnie. Ukrainians say “harmatne meat”, Belarusians say “harmatne meat”.
Computer game "Cannon Fodder"
The idiom under consideration is also the name of a popular computer game released in 1993
At its core, its genre can be defined as a strategy with action elements.
This computer toy was quite popular with kids, teens and even adults in the 90s, so there were sequels and expansions for many years to come (the last one dates back to 2011).
This game got such an unusual name because of its features. Unlike others, in its first version, each player had the opportunity to choose from 360 recruits. Moreover, each of them had a unique name and abilities. In the event of death, data about him was recorded in the so-called "Hall of Memory". That is, in fact, like pawns in chess, cannon fodder in Cannon Fodder could not only survive, but also achieve career success.
In further releases of the game, such a complex technology was simplified and corrected.
