The state structure at all times remained very confused. Each element of a complex hierarchy is responsible for its own sphere, and some of its nodes are engaged in general coordination. No wonder the appearance of numerous terms, one way or another pointing to the participants in the government apparatus. One of the most universal is the “dignitary”, which does not depend on the system or ideology. The definition is very capacious, sonorous, but at the same time unambiguous and not allowing for ambiguous interpretation. Although some people manage to use it in an ironic manner.
Turkic roots
Specialists have no doubt about the etymology of the word. The original name is the concept of "san", which was borrowed directly from Turkish. Foreign san breaks up into values:
- title, title;
- respect;
- honor.
Related definitions exist thanks to which a “dignitary” is a person gifted with fame and fame among ordinary citizens. Arranged in modern Russian, we are talking about a media personality who plays an important role in the life of the state.
High position
What does the speaker mean? Today the word "dignitary" is considered obsolete, it is almost impossible to hear. At the same time, tsarist, imperial times were found and acquired an understandable interpretation:
- a person close to the ruler;
- an influential person;
- top official.
Many associate the term solely with bureaucratic activity, however, the difference from the ordinary employee is significant. A simple clerk does not affect the life of the country, does not adopt laws, it is easy to remove him from his post and replace it with another. A completely different level, even the inferior dignitary. This is a huge personality. And even if she does not occupy any official post, she performs a decorative function at court, her words and thoughts regularly push the monarch towards concrete decisions.
Against this background, allegorical meaning appeared when approaching the "nobleman". With an disapproving or mocking intonation, this could be called some arrogant person whose self-esteem does not correspond in any way to the work done, to the achievements achieved, or to the authority in the team.
Everyday communication
Do contemporaries need to remember all this? Dignitaries are a thing of the past with monarchies. Carriers of this status can be found only in the United Kingdom and Thailand. However, the inhabitants sometimes turn to the vocabulary of their ancestors and jokingly denote by their colorful characterization their negative, partly mocking attitude towards a high-ranking official. A great option if you do not want to slide into banal insults!