It's no secret that the Russian language is rich in phraseological units. Some stable expressions, which are famous today, arose several centuries ago, others appeared recently in Russian. For example, many phraseological units with the word “labor” are actively used in everyday communication. What is the meaning of these speech structures, where did they come from? This information is useful to people who want to expand their vocabulary.
Phraseologisms with the word “labor”: Sisyphean labor
Remembering the steady speech turns containing this word, it is worthwhile first of all to turn to the notorious misadventures of King Sisyphus. The meaning of phraseologism with the word “labor” is most often directly related to the history of its origin. The Corinthian ruler Sisyphus is one of the most prominent characters in ancient Greek mythology. The king became famous throughout the world for such qualities as deceit and cunning. He repeatedly managed to mislead the Olympic gods, when they tried to put an end to his free-living earthly existence, over and over again deceived death. It was thanks to Sisyphus that the famous phraseologism with the word “labor” was born, which managed to remain relevant in our days.
So, what does the steady expression of "Sisyphus labor" mean? Once the thunder Zeus was tired of the behavior of the disrespectful Sisyphus, who placed himself above the inhabitants of Mount Olympus. As a punishment, he condemned him to endless torment in hell. The Corinthian king was forced again and again to drag a huge stone onto a steep mountain. As soon as Sisyphus got to the top, his burden fell from his hands and rushed down. Tiring, meaningless work - such a meaning has for centuries been embedded in the expression "Sisyphean labor."
Monkey labor
There is another famous phraseologism with the word “work”, which many people like to use in their speech. The stable expression “monkey labor” is already interesting because its inventor is well known, which rare phraseological units can boast of. More precisely, apt phraseologism has two authors at once. The honor of his invention belongs in part to fabulist Ivan Krylov, who wrote many wonderful works, including the fable "Monkey".
The main character of the fable is the envious Monkey, who did not like the fact that they praise someone other than her. In an effort to earn the compliments of passers-by, she tried to portray violent activity, dragging a useless log back and forth for several hours. It becomes obvious that the phraseological phrase “monkey labor” defines a meaningless work that no one needs. However, it was not the author of the fable “The Monkey” who introduced it into everyday life, but the literary critic Pisarev, describing vain efforts.
Hercules work
Of course, there are other wonderful phraseological units with the word “labor” that are known to many people. The steady expression “Hercules labor” can be cited as an example. Unlike the two speech constructions described above, positive meaning is traditionally invested in this revolution, in some cases it can be ironic.
As is known from ancient Greek mythology, Hercules (Hercules) is the son of not only mortal woman Alkmene, but also the most powerful god Zeus. Titan was mortal, but was endowed with extraordinary power inherited from his father, which allowed him to hit the world with his twelve exploits.
Thus, the expression “Hercules labor” (or “Hercules labor”) suggests that some person coped with a task that seemed impossible, implied incredible efforts (moral and physical). In addition, the construction is sometimes used as a description of hard work, and also as a joke if someone greatly exaggerates their own merits.
Titans labor
What other original phraseological units with the word “labor” exist? Some people like to use such an expression as “titan labor”. The debate of linguists on its origin still does not stop. Most researchers believe that it came from the speech construction of "Hercules work", respectively, it has a similar meaning.
There is another point of view, less popular, which says that the phraseology “titan labor” came from the speech “Sisyphus labor”. If we dwell on this theory, then its significance is useless exhausting work.
Labor callus
Many phraseological units with the word “labor” have a folk origin, in other words, linguists have not yet been able to establish their author. This category, of course, also includes the popular speech construct “labor callus”. It's no secret that calluses are called small hard tubercles that appear on hands tired of hard work. Sometimes it’s enough to shake a person’s hand to understand that he has to work a lot physically.
It is not surprising that some joker guessed to compose phraseologism with the word “labor”, in which the callus (result of labor) is mentioned. "Callus" is ironically called bulging belly. Unlike real corns, you can get it without effort, you only need to eat a lot and move a little.
Ineffective phraseology
Often found in everyday speech and stable speech structures in which the word "work" is mistakenly used. "Phraseologism", in Russian officially non-existent, but loved by many people: "with difficulty dragging his feet." In fact, this steady speech rotation looks like "barely dragging your legs."
There are several meanings of the above expression. This is what they say about a person who is going very slowly, while he needs to hurry for one reason or another. Also, this phraseological unit is remembered when they talk about how someone falls down from fatigue, is sick. Finally, it is used when describing the state of health of the elderly, most often with a negative meaning.
We compose ourselves
To come up with phraseologism with the word “work” is a task that many people studying Russian can encounter (schoolchildren, students, foreigners, and so on). It is easy to carry out, for example, using the word "sleeve". It's no secret that you can work either "rolling up your sleeves" or "after your sleeves". Replacing the verb “work” with the verb “work”, you can complete the task.
What does the speech design “work with rolled up sleeves” mean, which sleeves are related to work? Women's and men's outfits in Russia traditionally had long sleeves. Of course, it was difficult to carry out everyday duties in such clothes, so before work the interfering sleeves rolled up so that the worker would not be distracted by them. Consequently, phraseologism is used when a person works hard, not sparing strength.
You can say "work through the sleeves." Obviously, the opposite meaning is embedded in this speech construct. So they say when a person treats his own duties carelessly, performs them reluctantly. How to compose phraseologism with the word “labor”, taking other constructions as a basis? For example, instead of the expression “clumsy work” (rough work), you can say “clumsy work”. Or substitute the word “labor” in the speech circulation “Penelope’s work”, which describes an endless occupation. We are talking about the wife of Odysseus, who, pending the return of her husband, rejected numerous suitors, promising to consider their marriage proposals when she finishes spinning the canvas. Of course, the canvas blossomed every night, in the morning work began anew.
Popular aphorisms
Not only phraseological unit with the word “labor” can be original and bright. Aphorisms in which it is involved are also actively used in everyday speech. For example, “labor wears out, but laziness destroys it much faster” - this beloved aphorism by many is the fruit of the invention of President Franklin Roosevelt.
The same opinion about work as the aforementioned president was held by the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci, whose paintings are still fascinated by the whole world today. The aphorism, which entered the people with his easy hand, says that "happiness becomes the destiny of only one who works hard."
Proverbs
Remembering interesting phraseological units with the word “labor” and their meaning, one should not ignore popular proverbs. Almost every resident of our country in childhood learns that "without difficulty you can’t get a fish out of a pond." The meaning of this proverb is obvious - it is impossible to finish this or that business and enjoy its fruits without at least minimal effort.
Proverbs, as well as phraseological phrases with the word “work”, are a reflection of folk wisdom, pass on the life experience accumulated by many generations. For example, you can recall the following statements: “evaluate a person by his work”, “laziness spoils, and labor feeds”, “heroes are born in labor”.
Interesting fact
Stable speech turns that describe a person’s labor activity may not contain the word “labor”. Examples of phraseological units, one way or another devoted to work, are easy enough to cite, let’s say, one can recall the popular expression “beat the buck”.
The speech structure has been preserved since those times when representatives of the common people used only wooden spoons during meals. The quality of these products depended directly on the craftsmanship of the manufacturer, some turned out great, while others did not work. The latter was traditionally trusted only with rough work - chopping chocks intended for spoons, which were called "buckwheels." This task was regarded as one of the easiest, even a child could cope with it. Therefore, “beat the buck” means idle pastime.
The expression “spinning like a squirrel in a wheel” is also associated with work, although this is not phraseological unit with the word “labor”. Examples can be recalled by others, say, “chasing a loafer”, “easier than a steamed turnip”.