"Vulgarity" is a word whose origin goes back to history when writing was a curiosity. Its first meanings were significantly different from modern ones, in view of the fact that many concepts at that time did not exist at all. In the entire history of the Russian language, it is rarely possible to find a word that in each era acquired a new meaning.
History reference
The word appeared from the verb "go" and until the 17th century meant belonging to antiquity. It was used in such meanings as ancient, primordial, tribute, tax. With the advent of Tsar Peter I, the attitude to the past changed, and the meaning of the word “vulgarity” acquired a slightly different meaning, of a more negative nature. His definitions appeared as unimportant, rustic, low, ordinary. In the 19th century, the famous Russian scientist and writer Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl, the creator of the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, adds new meanings to the word vulgarity, most of which are still in use. Then the concepts of “vulgarity”, “indecency”, “meanness”, “triviality” appear. The word forms "vulgar", "vulgar", "vulgar" are becoming more used.
In the essay S.M. Solov'eva about the writers of the 18th century noted that just this period was marked by a final renunciation of antiquity, since under the use of this word their base motives were often hidden. Proponents of novelty believed that vulgarity is everything that goes apart with their worldview and ideas about a bright future.
In many dictionaries, “vulgarity” disappears until the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century. Until our time, only one of its word forms remained unchanged - “duty”, meaning tax or a fee.
The word "vulgarity" in the literature
At the beginning of the 19th century, the word “vulgarity” received a rebirth and began to be widely used not only by ordinary people, but also by famous writers and poets in their works, many of which became classics of Russian literature. Until now, the adjective "vulgar" was used, to which the suffix "-st" was added, and the word was obtained, which is still popular today.
Writers such as Pyotr Andreyevich Vyazemsky, Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol often spoke of their companions in the pen Alexander Pushkin, Vasily Zhukovsky, using the concept of “vulgarity”. Expressing an opinion, they described their vision of the works of famous colleagues, considering many of them unworthy of attention. Simply put, banal and mediocre without any shade of novelty. Since the second half of the 19th century, the meaning of the word “vulgarity” has changed again. The meanings “wear-out”, “weariness”, “stereotype” appear.
Synonyms of the word "vulgarity"
In modern Russian, synonyms for the word “vulgarity” are quite easy to find. However, they will differ significantly depending on the area in which they are used. For example, if we are talking about fashion, it is often said about dresses that they are “tasteless”, “colorless”. The synonym “vulgar” will be suitable immediately for both fashion and speech or behavior. "Patterned" or "trivial" will characterize any use of the stereotype. In relation to the media, the term “tabloid” is often used, which characterizes the publication’s low rating. If we are talking about a frequently used phrase or joke, they say that it is “battered”. A person with a narrow horizons is called "limited", which, in essence, is also similar to the concept of "vulgarity."
Vulgarity today
Today, the answer to the question of what vulgarity is unlikely to be unambiguous, since this concept can be considered from several sides. For example, “vulgarity”, the definition of which in communication is marked by the use of obscene language that offends the honor and dignity of other people. However, swear words entered our life so tightly and reached such a level that they are able to replace some generally accepted concepts inherent in pure literary speech. Their widespread use adversely affects the development of a person as a person, reducing vocabulary and making it more limited. On the other hand, the word “vulgarity” has an intimate background. The free access of the masses to the most intimate moments of the life of a man and a woman significantly vulgarized the relationship with the opposite sex.
Vulgarity in society
The vulgarity in society is manifested primarily in the behavior of many public figures, politicians, pop stars, theater and cinema. Now in fashion the so-called "black PR", thanks to which many of the above safely raise the rating. If we analyze the subject of scandals around famous people, then they can conditionally be divided into several categories:
1. Defiant behavior.
2. Passion for alcohol or drugs.
3. Violation of the law (the most common - fights and accidents, most often in a state of intoxication).
Recently, political figures from the rostrum have also not disdained to use foul language or to apply assault directly in the conference room, which all TV channels from a single country as well as from the world level broadcast with pleasure.
Vulgarity in architecture
What does “vulgar” mean in architecture? If we consider the value from the point of view of stereotype, as it was defined at the end of the 19th century, then many cities of the former USSR fit this category. Most municipal buildings and housing estates were built according to a certain pattern.
Therefore, coming to any of the republics, you still feel as if in your own city, where all the buildings of that era are in the same manner. Then the main thing was quantity, that is, the more they build, the better. Therefore, many buildings gradually began to collapse under the influence of precipitation.
What is vulgarity in modern buildings? This is primarily the use of precious metals in the manufacture of ordinary household items such as door handles interspersed with diamonds or gold plumbing. Only a few can pamper themselves in this way, however, exposing their mansions for all to see, they cause rather a negative attitude towards themselves from others.
Common jokes - what is it?
It is difficult to say now what vulgarity is in jokes and various jokes, since what was previously considered shameful is now perceived as the norm. For example, stories about drug addicts “high”, traffic police and police officers who did not arrive on time from their business trip husbands evoke laughter. Compared to the jokes of the times of the USSR, the current ones have become tougher, sharp, offensive. Reviewing modern humorous programs, you come to the conclusion that many of them are ready to laugh even at human grief. Often vulgarity borders on wit, but rarely does anyone catch this line. Because of the seemingly innocent at first glance joke, there may be an insult to life. Therefore, you must be extremely careful to joke about the actions of people or ridicule the appearance, so as not to make enemies in their face. This is what “vulgarity” is on a modern scale.