To survive before, a person was forced to somehow delimit the space around him, for example, point to the habitats of dangerous animals. This approach made it possible to lay safe routes, protect your home and family. The word "den" served as a marker. This concept is multifunctional, it is used on a daily basis even by people of the 21st century, although the majority has ceased to engage in the fishing of wild animals and rarely happens in the forest.
Where is the meaning?
The etymology is clear to specialists, but the younger generation may get confused. The closest related verb is called "to lie." From it comes the noun "log", which designates a long ravine with sloping slopes. What is the connection? The standard lair is a rookery, a resting and breeding place where wild animals can hide in case of danger. In the Russian language there are many cognate words. Some of them seem completely extraneous:
- prologue - valley, the threshold of the mountains;
- fallow, pledge - a field under steam, “for the future”;
- isogue - ravine;
- vlog - pit, deepening.
It implies a flat, calm place. And prefixes, other morphemes describe the environment, landscape features or processing methods.
Where did the bear lie?
This implies the basic interpretation. Seeing the drawing with the sleeping master of the taiga, the child will reasonably ask: what is it, a den or a den? In a particular case, words are synonyms. The studied concept always indicates a depression, trampled or dug on the surface, insulated with twigs, grass. A small cave, a notch, is also suitable for the description. Animal house, sheltered from prying eyes by plants, rocks. The main thing is a sense of security.
How did the people change their minds?
Despite its neutral meaning, the term gradually gained a negative connotation. After all, the den is also the home of various predators who steal chicken and ducks from the yard, drag calves, or even attack mushroom pickers! Against this background, additional allegorical meanings arose:
- base of the criminal or enemy;
- home of man.
In the first, the lichodea is compared to a wild beast, and its shelter is considered a dangerous place, where you need to come in a large group and always armed. Reasonable precaution when it comes to a house full of terrorists, smugglers or the mafia.
The second option is context-sensitive. In an ironic vein, the human lair is a teenager’s room, a dirty hostel for a dozen families, and a millionaire’s penthouse. However, the speaker often hints at the ugliness of the premises, the lack of comfort or order in them. That is, again, there is an indirect comparison of the owner with the animal.
Is it worth it to use?
This is an ordinary term that is often used, there is nothing wrong with it. Also, his colloquial form will be appropriate in communicating with friends and relatives. Feel free to remember and diversify the vocabulary!