"Are you in debt again?" - this reproach had to be heard, if not by everyone, then by many. And it becomes somehow offensive: think, debts. Not the first time, we'll pay off where we go.
Meanwhile, the phrase "in debt, as in silks" has a deep meaning. Which? Learn about it from the article. But first, let's talk about the meaning of this expression.
Hello from Japan?
It would seem, what does Japan have to do with it? The expression is Russian. This is what we think. And one of the versions about the origin of the saying "in debt, as in silks" originates in Japan. There is a lot of silk in the roll, so a person has so many debts that it is comparable to this roll. In order to sew a kimono, it takes 11 meters of silk fabric. And not several pieces, but the size of one piece is as follows. The kimono is sewn from a single piece of silk. Obviously, this pleasure is not cheap. Here people have comparedthe high cost of Japanese clothing and its length with its debts, having received the expression known to us.
Oxymoron?
Compatible incompatible? This is the literary device called an oxymoron. When they combine what cannot be combined. And the expression "in debt as in silks" is ironic, nothing more. Compare the incomparable: what silks can be in debt?
Simple rhyme?
"In debt, as in silks" - the phrase is built in rhyme and carries a certain rhythm. Perhaps there is nothing so significant in it? Ordinary beautiful consonance and given alternation?
It's all about the silk?
There is still a sense in the phrase "in debt, as in silks". But where did this expression come from?
There is another version of the appearance of the phrase. It all started with the popularity of silk fabric. It was fabulously expensive in Russia and not everyone could afford it. But the Russian nobility was cunning at all times, although this expression is usually applied to the poor. The rich are no exception. They are used to looking good, dressing up, attending balls and hosting social events.
For example, in Pushkin's famous poem "Eugene Onegin" it is said about such people: motes. They could squander all their money, get into debt for the sake of external gloss. And it doesn’t matter that then you had to starve. It’s not a shame in front of others, but the reception was chic.
Know loved to splurge. And when silk robes came into fashion, by all means, but it was necessaryshow off your we alth. After all, only the rich are able to dress in such expensive clothes. So they had to mortgage their estates in order to acquire a luxurious outfit. Money was borrowed, estates were mortgaged, and people got into debt again.
Perhaps this is where the familiar phrase came from.
The burden of silk and the burden of debt
Another interesting version of the origin of "in debt, as in silks." Silk - although a beautiful fabric, it is uncomfortable to walk in it. Silk clothes used to be loved, and dressed in them with pleasure. Especially the fair sex. When there is too much silk on a person, this fabric becomes heavy. So are debts: they are hard to carry around and hard to get out of them.
Rich against the poor
The latest version of the origin of the phrase "in debt as silk". The really rich people dressed in silk. They got confused in them, changing the boring outfit for a new one. And what to take from the poor? He gets confused in debts: not having time to give the previous one, he already climbs into the next one. Hence the origin: the rich man in silks, and the poor in debt.
Let's talk about meaning
Everyone knows the phrase "in debt, as in silks." What is its meaning? It has several meanings. Let's start with the first value:
- This proverb reflects the essence of an irresponsible person. He got into debt and lives for himself, he doesn’t blow his mustache. He owes money to everyone and everywhere, but he doesn't even think about repaying it.
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A person lives in poverty, but does not want to notice it. For all itsinsolvency manages to live completely beyond his means, constantly getting into debt. Previously, such a life was practiced among the nobles. It is known that after the death of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, he was left with a debt of 100 thousand.
- The man has accumulated a lot of debts, but this does not burden him. He is comfortable living like this, being a constant debtor.
- Another version of the meaning of the saying. A person borrowed money from everyone, but did not calculate how he would return. On the one hand - complete irresponsibility. On the other hand, he didn’t calculate, but he gets out as best he can, slowly returns the debts.
- A person regularly borrows, but does not repay. So it gets bogged down in them.
For dessert
There is a very interesting version concerning the proverb familiar to us "in debt, as in silks". What we know is not true. Like this? And so that one word was removed from the proverb, and what came down to us turned out.
Initially, the phrase sounded like this: "in debt, like a worm in silks." And what about the worms? The fact is that the debtor is compared to a silkworm larva. The silkworm entangles itself with a thread and finds itself inside a cocoon. Likewise, the debtor: entangled himself in debt and found himself in a hopeless situation.
Summarizing
The main purpose of the article is to tell the reader what the phrase "in debt as in silks" means. And where does it come from. Let's highlight the main aspects:
- There isseveral versions of the origin of the saying, including Japanese. The most plausible and appropriate phrase is about the Russian nobility, who mortgaged their estates and got into debt in order to walk in silk dresses.
- There are also several values. If we bring them to a common denominator, it turns out that we are talking about a person who owes money to everyone and everywhere, perhaps quite careless. He lives for his pleasure, despite the fact that he is entangled in debts.
Conclusion
Summing up, I would like to note that living within your means is a panacea for not getting into debt. Of course, you can't forbid living beautifully. However, pleasure must be combined with reason, so that you do not get such a life as the nobility: the pursuit of gloss.
