It should be noted that the origin of the word "bastard" is quite interesting and has several versions. At the same time, in a negative sense, which is typical for today, it was not always used. Details about the origin of the word "bastard" will be discussed in the proposed review.
What does the dictionary say?
Before considering the origin of the word "bastard", we should consider its meaning. The dictionary gives several interpretations of it.
- The first of the meanings of "bastards" is collective and speaks of vile people, scum, rabble. Example: "I'm warning you, all kinds of bastards gather there in the evening, so it's better not to go this way."
- The second refers to colloquially reduced vocabulary and describes a nasty, vile, trashy person, scoundrel and scoundrel. Example: "After we saw this man's cruelty to animals, he can only be called a bastard."
- The third meaning is also collective. It refers to all sorts of small creatures, which canbe animals or insects. Example: “When I woke up, I realized that in a dream I was bitten by some kind of blood-sucking bastard.”
- Another connotation of "bastards" accompanied by the label "collective" is obsolete. This word was previously used to refer to people of low rank, vagabonds, rabble. Example: “It so happened that this house became a haven for all sorts of bastards: thieves, cranks and other crappy people.”
Meanings of the verb
The studied word can act not only as a noun, the meanings of which were described above, but also as a verb. But in this case, the stress will fall not on the first syllable, but on the second - bastard.
The verb also has several shades of meaning.
- In the first case, this word is used in the context of colloquially reduced vocabulary and is interpreted as taking away or taking it somewhere. Example: “An order was received from the supply manager - bastard all the rubbish in one place.”
- In the second, it is used in a figurative sense and means - to steal something, to drag it away unnoticed. Example: “This Vaska is such an unreliable person, and the bastard strives for everything that lies badly.”
- In the third, it refers to the situation when you need to steal something, such as shoes or clothes from someone. Example: "He's in such bad shape that you'll have to help him get his wet and dirty clothes off."
After considering the meanings, we should move on to the origin of the word "bastard".
Etymology
PoOne of the most common versions of the noun "bastard" came from the verb "bastard", and the latter from the verb "drag", "drag". There are two cities on the Volga River, the name of one of them is Nizhny Volok, and the second is Vyshny Volochek. These names are also associated with the word being studied.
Barge haulers, rallied in artels, dragged ships up and down the Volga on their own power. They began to be called a bastard, and after that this word began to be applied to other people who, like barge haulers, did not have a certain profession, who were not artisans.
Due to the fact that they were engaged in unskilled labor, having no advantages other than physical strength, they were treated with disdain and sometimes with contempt. In addition, artel workers who made money by dragging ships did not always behave properly.
They quickly lowered the money they earned in nearby drinking establishments, arranging drunken brawls, and often pogroms. Over time, the studied lexeme began to be applied to other drunkards and hooligans, not related to barge haulers, and then just to bad people. So gradually the noun "bastard" became a dirty word.
Other versions
There are a number of other versions about the origin of the word being studied, but they are all associated with such an action as drawing.
Here, for example, the expression "bishop's bastard". The higher church ranks, bishops or hierarchs, had servants who constantly followed them, that is, dragged along. They also had to takeclothes from the owners - to drag. That's why they were called bastards. And the word acquired a negative connotation due to the fact that the duty of the bishop's servant was imputed to be naughty, that is, squealing. Therefore, they were not loved by the people.
There is an assumption that people who dragged and buried the fallen on the battlefield were also called the studied word.
According to another version, during the census in Russia, boyars were recorded by hats, and men by beards. As for unworthy people, what were the killers, thieves, they drove into a heap, tied with a rope two arshins and recorded as bastards.
Today, the first version is considered the most convincing, but others have the right to exist.
