Some sonorous expressions are intuitive because of the vivid images used to create them. However, it is always interesting for a contemporary to get to the bottom of the root cause, to understand: the lion's share is what part of the total? I want to understand if it differs quantitatively or qualitatively. How did the outlandish phrase form if lions can be found exclusively in cages in the territory of Russia? Philologists suggest that the origins are in Greek culture.
Why is a lion better than others?
One of the possible options is called Aesop's fable, dedicated to the division of prey between animals. In the original, the leading role was assigned directly to the lion, the cunning fox and the hardworking donkey. Subsequently, the plot was repeatedly repeated for authorship:
- Tredyakovsky;
- Sumarokova;
- Chemnitz;
- Krylova;
- Lafontenta;
- Fedra.
Some hunting circumstances remained, the division of a certain treasure, land, food, as well as the main character - the king of animals. In its original form it was impossible to say whether it was a lot or a little - the “lion's share”, since the phraseological unit was as close as possible to the concept of "everything" and was equal to 100%. One hero turned out to be in abundance, while by the way heavy labor and deprivation fell out.
What has changed over the centuries?
It is important to note that the semantic load has changed. At the same time, there is an expression of Leonīna societas, aka “Lion community” based on the same work of Aesop. This type of relationship is hidden behind him, when one party to the agreement receives only profit, while the other is forced to pay all losses individually. Absolute injustice, the absence of even a hint of equality. But it is impossible to withdraw from the contract, since the "comrade" knocked out such conditions by right of the strong.
Over time, the emphasis shifted from the position “to take everything to the detriment of others” to “get the best or most”. If initially there was a strictly negative subtext, the modern version can be used in almost any situation. Now the lion's share is a fair amount of different indicators:
- treasures, income, stocks - in the classic interpretation;
- suffering, labor, love - in the updated version.
So, a speaker with the help of phraseology can say that half of the family budget is spent on raising children. Or to indicate the psychological, mental state of the mother, if some kind of trouble happens with the child, because it is the parents who bear the main emotional load in a crisis situation.
How to use?
It is necessary to remember the nuance with the change of meanings. In the XXI century, the phrase is appropriate in any context, is not necessarily associated with something bad or shameful, is not associated with injustice. But if the reader looks into classical Russian literature, he must remember the negative connotation of sonorous expression, which previously hid only greed, cunning and the desire to cash in at the expense of the weak.