A slap in the face is a slap in the face. So this word is briefly associated with a Russian person. In the article we will consider the history of the origin of the word "slap in the face". We explore the lexical meaning of the concept. And in the end, we will select synonyms for it and give examples of its use in the context.
Etymology and history of the word "slap"
This concept comes from the verb "spit". That is, the word "slap in the face" is a derivative of "slap in the face".
Spit is a term that comes from the Proto-Slavic "pjuti". And it, in turn, became the old Russian "plvati".
Why is the studied word "slap in the face" associated with spitting? This is due to the ancient custom of slobbering fists before a fight. In Russia, and among other peoples, many signs are associated with saliva. This is now a sign of bad taste, but earlier it was believed that she had many useful and healing properties that could even heal wounds. Not to mention the magical effect of saliva.
So before a fight, back in the Roman Empire, warriors spit on their hands before a fight because they believed it would give them strength. Such a blow promised to be powerful.
However, many items can now be justified, not by magical action, but by practice. So, saliva on the hands before the blow will help not to break the fist.
The lexical meaning of the term "slap in the face"
This term is colloquial. According to the explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language S. I. Ozhegova, T. F. Efremova, D. N. Ushakov, this word has a direct and figurative meaning. A slap in the face is:
- Punch in the face. Same as a slap.
- A sharp insult that strikes with its barb.
V. Dahl's dictionary also refers to the meaning of this word as a blow to the cheek. However, he still explains the word "slap" - this is a rich German bun.
In addition, a slap in the face is a bear trap that is set on a bear trail. The beast catches the rope and gets hit with a spear.
Synonyms and examples of usage
There are several words that are similar in meaning to the one being studied:
- slap;
- strike;
- cuff;
- kick;
- crack;
- slap;
- spit.
To better imagine the word in context, here are examples of its use:
- They argued for a long time before one of them slapped Petrovich in the face.
- I feel like we will get a slap in the face from the authorities.
- The husband came home only in the morning and received a resounding slap in the face from his wife.
- He scolded him like he was punched in the face.
- HuntersTransbaikalia set a slap in the face for a bear.
Thus, we found out that the word being studied is of Proto-Slavic origin and is associated with the custom of spitting on the fist before a fight. This concept has the meaning of a slap, humiliation and a bear trap.
