In relation to a worthless person, disrespectful in society, interrupted by casual earnings, sometimes a half-joking expression is used “retired goat drummer”. The meaning of phraseology, despite the existence of several versions of its origin, remains unclear and vague. It is likely that there was a substitution of concepts or a mixture of consonances, and the original meaning of the saying was irretrievably lost.
The accompanist also called in the troupe of wandering artists
The main option explaining the meaning of phraseology “a retired goat drummer” is considered to be the tradition of keeping a person in a mobile theater entertaining the audience by playing the drum or tambourine. Such an uncomplicated art could be mastered by both an unshakable boy and a weak old man. Often the work was entrusted to retired soldiers who were ready to play the role of a musician and barkers for the most modest pay. And where was the servant who had given a quarter century of the army to, who did not have time to start a family and learn serious craft?
The main character in the performance of comedians was usually a trained bear controlled by a guide. The audience was amused by jokes and jokes by an actor dressed in a female sundress and a mask resembling the head of a horned animal. With this impromptu “goat” the accompanist consisted of beating out a rhythmic beat.
One can imagine such a scene: someone from the public speaks to a man in a dilapidated military uniform and with a drum in his hands: “Is it really a servant?” To which the soldier, stretched into a string and putting his hand to the tip of the cap, replies: "No way - retired, goat drummer!" The meaning of phraseology is briefly and literally explained, most likely, by this very statement thrown by accident or intentionally by a wandering artist. Self-irony clearly sounds here: "I used to be necessary and in demand, and now I'm doing nonsense."
Nonexistent post
Consider a slightly different meaning of phraseology. A retired goat drummer is a person who ascribes to himself imaginary merits, assuring others of his outstanding professional abilities, the presence of business connections and career achievements. “I’m a director, boss, cool businessman, I am friends with the Rothschild and Rockefeller family!” - something like this is characterized by a certain individual. But when it comes to specific actions, it turns out that he is zero without a wand, and all his stories are just the fruit of an irrepressible imagination.
It is possible that the exposure of such a lie interprets the meaning of the phraseology “retired goat drummer”. So they said, having learned the truth about a man who posed as an influential official, while working as a petty clerk or janitor. What about a goat and a drummer? Apparently, the popular heroine of Russian folk tales, along with the musician who served her, accidentally crept into a pun outlining the ridiculousness of a post made up by a bouncer.
Lost Judge
There is a version that the phraseological meaning of “retired goat drummer” goes back to the custom accepted in eastern countries to accompany the Sharia judge to the people with drum roll. The judge (in the Turkic "Kazi") sooner or later resigned, ceased to use his privileges. Accordingly, the drummer who was with him lost his former importance. Initially, the expression was about a retired kazi, over time, an unusual word, due to harmony, was transformed into a “goat”.
Be equal! Attention! Equal to the goat!
Revealing the meaning of the phraseology “retired goat drummer”, one cannot fail to mention the tradition existing in Great Britain from the middle of the 19th century to enlist the real goat in the royal regiment of fusiliers. The animal is assigned the rank of junior corporal, it is recorded under the name of William Windsor. Like any soldier, the goat is entitled to cash, uniforms, food allowances. The younger ones are required to salute him when a goat appears.
Accompanied by the "goat major," William takes part in military exercises and ceremonial parades. When a certain age is reached, the goat is retired with honors, and in its place a special commission selects the new William Windsor. How to know? Perhaps idiom about a goat and a drummer was born thanks to a horned corporal noticed by some of the Russian jokers in the ranks of the British troops?