Phraseologisms have firmly entered our lives, in everyday speech, we, without noticing it, often use such speech turns. It happens that this or that phraseological unit does not have an author, or rather there is, and this is the people themselves. We transmit this gift, this feature from generation to generation. So, today's publication is devoted to the phraseology "sleep without hind legs."
The meaning and origin of phraseology
As for this rather ironic speech turn, which we use with great pleasure to convey those emotions in speech, it should be noted that the history of its origin is very interesting. The expression "sleep without hind legs" arose as a result of observation of domestic animals. Even in those distant times, when peasants cultivated the land by harnessing a horse to a plow, they noted one interesting fact that after a hard day's work, the poor animal regained its strength by a long sleep. Moreover, as you know, a horse can sleep while standing. I recall one old joke to the place: "I sleep like a war horse at the post." Usually this expression is used when they want to emphasize their readiness for work at any moment, even in minutes of a short and forced rest.
The fatigue horse goes to bed on its side, and if it is unexpectedly woken up, it always rises to its front legs, and the rear ones in the first minutes of awakening do not listen to it. This is exactly how the expression “to sleep without hind legs” was born, the meaning of which can be compared with the words “to sleep without moving from fatigue”.
Examples and comparisons
To date, this expression "sleep without hind legs" is used in relation to a soundly sleeping person. Quite often, in colloquial speech, we use another similar expression, the emotionality of which accurately conveys the sensations and state of a person: "You run around like a dog in a day, and then sleep without hind legs." That is, in other words, it can be said that a certain person or group of persons, experiencing an extreme degree of fatigue from a long stay on their feet, indulged in a sound and deep sleep. Obviously, applying this expression to a person, you know and understand perfectly well that there are no “hind legs”. But it is worth noting that the use of this speech revolution makes it not only ironic, but also as understandable as possible.
What could be better than a sweet cue, released at the moment of fatigue, able to cheer up and cause, even a slight inner smile on your face? May you be tired and ready to sleep without hind legs. Behind it is a fruitful, albeit hard, day of work, which will certainly bear fruit. If, for comparison, we say the phrase “sleep without hind legs” in the “classic” style as a small experiment, then it is unlikely that you will hardly be able to convey the emotions you are experiencing. For example, "I spent a lot of time on my feet today and am very tired."
The image of phraseologism is easily correlated with stereotypical ideas about the properties of animal behavior, which in this case acts as a source of human comprehension of the world around him. The metaphor this phraseological unit contains is an internal feeling of fatigue. Let us recall one more no less vivid speech revolution - “I spin like a squirrel in a wheel”. Remember that fatigue requires rest and sleep. Recall another ironic expression: “God created sleep and silence, and the devil - rise and foreman!”
Conclusion
In conclusion, summing up the above, it should be noted that understanding of linguistic culture is one of the main tasks of modern society. Moreover, to be able to listen to other people and to note accurate phraseologism, such as “sleep without hind legs” from verbal weed, is the goal and task of every self-respecting member of society.