There are many words in the Russian language, the origin of which takes roots from ancient times, but is common today. The origin of obscure words has its own history and interesting facts. Sometimes it means a completely different meaning, or, on the contrary, confirms the meaning that is invested in it.
Scornful word
The meaning of the word "trash" is quite interesting and varied. Several subjects were called trash. First of all, "trash" is rabble, shushval, nonentities. This was how the lowest stratum of society was characterized, vile and nothing of itself. These are insignificant people, with disgusting deeds, who have lost the respect of society.
Tailor Ivan Shval
There are other versions of what trash is. Dahl's dictionary contains information that this word is associated with sewing. A man who sews clothes, a tailor who creates a new wardrobe with his own hands, was respected, but the old origin of the word "shvets" sounded like "trash".
Why is the tailor still called trash? There is an interesting story behind the origin of the rude nickname.
In 1611, the Swedes attacked Russia. They surrounded Novgorod and did not have the opportunity to get into the city. They were inactive for a long time, and the townspeople, who prayed to God day and night for salvation from the enemy, hoped that the enemies would soon retreat. However, a certain tailor, nicknamed trash, betrayed his native land by opening the city gates in front of the enemy army. Earlier, he promised the Swedes that he would let them into the city, because he knew that they were not guarding the gates very diligently. On July 15, Ivan Shval fulfilled his promise. Because of this, in the future, the word "trash" began to be used as a contemptuous description of a traitor, insignificance, base personality.
French nickname
According to another version, the word "trash" has come down to modern times since the Napoleonic days. When Napoleon's army besieged Russian cities, the soldiers often starved and ate horse meat. They did not even feel squeamish about eating the meat of fallen horses. The French word le cheval is translated as "horse". Russian people, watching the French with contempt, called them "trash".
When discussing what trash is, scientists say that it is an abbreviation of the word "shushwal". So in the old days they denoted "a useless thing, a piece of fabric from which nothing can be created." In any case, "trash" has the meaning of "uselessness" and "worthlessness", "junk". Gradually, in Russia, the word "trash" moved from things to a description of a person despised by society and not doing anything.good.
