Phraseologisms are universal expressions. With their help, you can convey your thoughts, feelings, show your own attitude and the attitude of others. For example, say: “Vaska listens, but eats.” The meaning and origin of phraseology we will consider in this article. And we note what attitude this stable combination of words expresses .
“And Vaska listens, but eats”: the meaning of phraseology
For an accurate definition of this expression, let us turn to the dictionary of steady revolutions edited by Rosa T. V. It contains an interpretation of the phrase: “Vaska listens, but eats.” The meaning of phraseology in this dictionary is “one person reproaches, and the other does not pay attention to reproaches”.
How did such a turn come about? You will learn more about this later.
The origin of the expression
Phraseologisms are formed in different ways. Some of them are someone’s statements, others are folk sayings. There are expressions that are quotes from works of fiction. Among them, one can note the phrase: “Vaska listens, but eats.” The value of phraseology, as we have already noted, is to ignore what they say and continue to do their own thing, not noticing someone else's dissatisfaction.
The expression came to our speech from the work of I. A. Krylov - the fable "Cat and Cook".
What is this poem, in connection with which the phrase under consideration has acquired such a meaning? You will learn about this by reading the contents of this story and its analysis.
Fable of I. A. Krylov “Cat and Cook”
In this brief allegorical and moralizing poem, the author tells the following story. One cook, literate, withdrew from the cookery to the tavern. On that day, he celebrated the feast on the kuma, as he was a devout person. To keep food from mice, he left his cat.
And when the cook returned to his house, what did he see? On the floor are the remains of the cake, and his cat, Vaska, in the corner behind the barrel, grumbling and purring, is eating chicken. The cook begins to scold the animal, calls it a glutton and a villain. He is trying to appeal to his conscience, saying that you should be ashamed not only in front of the walls, but also in front of people. At the same time, the cat continues to eat chicken.
The cook further expresses his bewilderment, resentment and anger at the animal. He says that he was honest and humble before, was an example, and now he is dishonoring himself. Now everyone will call the cat a rogue and a thief and will not be allowed not only to the cookhouse, but even to the yard, ”the cook continues to speak. Compares Vaska with a wolf in a shepherd, corruption, plague, ulcer and can not finish his indignation and moralizing. And the cat, meanwhile, listened and ate until it ate all the fries.
Krylov ends his fable with basic thoughts. He writes that instead of long empty speeches, in such situations one needs to use power.
By his work, the author showed that in some cases actions are needed, not words. You cannot be soft-skinned with those who behave rudely. You don’t need to be the impudent cat Vasya, but you don’t need to be a naive, trusting and spineless cook - that’s what the author wanted to tell us with his work.
Thanks to this fable, the expression entered the treasury of the wealth of the Russian language: "But Vaska listens, but eats." The meaning of phraseology is associated with the behavior of the main character of the work. He does not pay attention to his master and continues his work - he eats up the chicken. And this phraseologism appeared.
Use
We have learned the interpretation and etymology of the expression: "But Vaska listens, but eats." Phraseologism appeared in 1812. Despite this, it is still relevant. It can be found in literature, the media, heard in everyday speech. This expression is directed to people who do not care about others, arrogant, ill-bred. After all, it means ignoring other people's words, continuing actions that harm someone.