"Are you in debt again, like in silk?" - This reproach had to be heard, if not by all, then by many. And it becomes somehow offensive: you think, debts. Not the first time, we’ll pay back where we go.
Meanwhile, the phrase "in debt, as in silk" has a deep meaning. Which one? Learn about this from the article. But first, let's talk about the meanings of this expression.
Hello from Japan?
It would seem, where does Japan? The expression is Russian. This is what we think. And one of the versions about the origin of the saying "in debt, like in silk" originates in Japan. There is a lot of silk in a roll, and there are so many debts a person has that it is comparable to this roll. In order to sew a kimono, it takes 11 meters of silk fabric. Moreover, not several pieces, but the size of one piece is as follows. The kimono is sewn from a single silk piece. Obviously, this pleasure is not cheap. So people compared the high cost of Japanese clothing and its length with their debts, having received the expression known to us.
Oxymoron?
Compatible incompatible? This is a literary device called oxymoron. When combine what is impossible to combine. And the expression "in debt, as in silk" is ironic, nothing more. Compare the incomparable: what kind of silk can be in debt?
Simple rhyme?
"In debt, as in silk" - the phrase is built in rhyme and carries a certain rhythm. Perhaps there is nothing so significant in it? The usual beautiful harmony and the given alternation?
Is it all about silk?
The meaning in the phrase "in debt, as in silk" is still there. But where did this expression come from?
There is another version of the appearance of the phrase. It all started at the time of the popularity of silk fabric. It cost fabulously expensive in Russia and was far from affordable for everyone. But to know the Russian invented a cunning at all times, although this expression is usually applied to the poor. The rich are no exception. They are used to looking good, getting dressed, attending balls and having social events.
For example, the famous Pushkin poem "Eugene Onegin" speaks of such people: motes. They could skip all their money, get into debt for the sake of external gloss. And it doesn’t matter that then you had to starve. Before others it is not a shame, but the reception was gorgeous.
To know loved to splurge. And when silk robes came into fashion, by all means, but it was necessary to show their wealth. 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, property was pledged, and people again got into debt.
Perhaps from here the phrase habitual to us also has gone.
The severity of silk and the burdens of duty
Another interesting version of the origin is "in debt, as in silk." Silk - although it is a beautiful fabric, but it is inconvenient to walk in it. Silk clothes used to be loved, and dressed in them with pleasure. Especially the fair sex. When a person has too much silk, this fabric becomes heavy. As well as debts: they are hard to carry and it is difficult to get out of them.
The rich versus the poor
The latest version of the origin of the phrase "in debt, as in silk." Truly wealthy people dressed in silk. They got confused in them, changing a boring outfit to a new one. And what to take from the poor? He is confused in debt: not having time to give the previous one, he already breaks into the next. Hence the origin: the rich man in silk, and the poor man in debt.
Talk about the meaning
Everyone knows the phrase "in debt, as in silk." 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 scored debts and lives on his own, does not blow in his mustache. I owed it to everyone and everywhere, but I don’t even think about giving.
A man lives in poverty, but does not want to notice it. For all his failure, he 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 Sergeyevich Pushkin, a debt of 100 thousand remained with him.
A man has accumulated a bunch of debts, but this does not bother him. He is comfortable living like this, being a constant debtor.
Another option is the meaning of the saying. The person borrowed money from everyone, but did not figure out how to return it. On the one hand, complete irresponsibility. On the other hand, he didn’t calculate it, but he gets out, as he can, and returns the debts slowly.
A person regularly borrows, but does not repay. And so immersed in them.
For dessert
There is a very interesting version concerning the usual proverb “in debt, as in silk”. What we know is not true. Like this? And so that one word was removed from the proverb, and it turned out that came to us.
Initially, the phrase was: "in debt, like a worm in silk." And then the worms? The fact is that the debtor is compared with a silkworm larva. The silkworm entangles itself with a thread and ends up inside a cocoon. So is the debtor: entangled himself in debt and found himself in a hopeless situation.
Summarize
The main purpose of the article is to tell the reader what the phrase "in debt, like in silk" means. And where does it come from. We highlight the main aspects:
There are several versions of the origin of the proverb, including Japanese. The most plausible and meaningful phrase is about the Russian nobility, who mortgaged their estates and borrowed in order to walk in silk dresses.
There are also several values. If you bring them to a common denominator, it turns out that we are talking about a person owed to everyone and everywhere, perhaps quite disorderly. He lives for his pleasure, despite the fact that he is entangled in debt.
Conclusion
Summing up, I would like to note that living within our means is a panacea for not being in debt. Of course, you cannot forbid living beautifully. However, pleasures must be combined with reason, so that a life like that of a nobility does not turn out: pursuit of gloss.