Nowadays, the phraseology “shoe a flea” can be heard quite rarely. Fortunately, this original stable expression, which was put into use with the light hand of the writer Leskov back in the late 19th century, was not completely forgotten. In what cases do people remember a vivid speech turn, what is the meaning of it traditionally invested in?
Phraseologism "shoe a flea": meaning
As you know, a flea is an insect parasite with a microscopic size. Of course, when talking about a particular person that he can “shoe a flea,” people do not at all mean his ability to put a horseshoe on a parasite. A completely different meaning is embedded in this stable expression.
Such phraseologism is traditionally pronounced when they want to note the unique talent that a person possesses, his ability to solve the most complex and even impossible task.
Background
The occurrence of the speech turn “to shoe a flea” is directly related to the situation that developed in Russia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Representatives of the highest nobility neglected everything that was produced by local craftsmen. Criticized were works of art, household goods. It was believed that only abroad they know how to work efficiently, and Russian masters are only able to imitate foreign colleagues by producing low-quality fakes.
Of course, the common people did not like such an attitude of representatives of high society to local goods. Attempts were constantly made to change the situation, to demonstrate the high quality of Russian products. This topic is addressed in many short stories and tales written at that time. These works describe the crushing victories of Russian masters, leaving fools of foreigners.
The story of Nikolai Leskov
Who is the author of the phrase “shoe a flea” when the original stable expression appeared? It is known that this speech circulation was first used by the writer Nikolai Leskov. In 1881, his story “Left-Handed” was presented to readers, which quickly gained popularity.
The central character of the story is a craftsman from Tula, the fame of whose skill walked throughout the Russian Empire. This master was so talented that he managed to create horseshoes for an iron flea manufactured in the West, which has a microscopic size. Moreover, he decorated each horseshoe with the trademark that he used in the manufacture of his own products.
Readers of Leskov liked the story invented by the author so much that the phrase “shoe a flea” began to be used everywhere. It was used not only by people from the people, but also by representatives of the highest nobility.
Myth or reality
Of course, the master from Tula, who managed to solve a problem that seems impossible, was invented by Nikolai Leskov. However, the miniature steel flea is not at all a figment of the author’s imagination. The writer in his story used an event that took place in real history.
The owner of a metal flea, which has a microscopic size, once became the Russian emperor Alexander the First. This happened when the autocrat traveled to England. From one of the local craftsmen, the king acquired a steel fake, depicting a flea, which he liked very much.
Bold experiment
Above, the meaning of the speech phrase “to drive a flea” is revealed, the meaning and origin of phraseology is also revealed. But did someone in real life manage to cope with this difficult task? This person was Nikolai Aldunin, an experienced microminiature master who lived in Tula.
The story, written by Nikolai Leskov, made a huge impression on Aldunin. The master wanted not only to repeat the success of the craftsman invented by the writer from Tula, but to surpass him by putting on a horseshoe on a living parasite. Nikolai was able to work with metal brilliantly, gaining experience while working as a locksmith and a turner.
Obviously, obstacles arose on the path of Master Aldunin, which might seem insurmountable. The main problem is the hairs with which the legs of a real insect are covered. Nikolai managed to eliminate this obstacle by removing part of the hairs and cutting off the remaining ones. Also, the craftsman had to invent miniature tools that could be used in work. The mere manufacture of such devices required two years of work. It is also known that, conjuring a flea, Aldunin used an ultrastrong microscope.
Victory of the master
The phrase “shoe-side” made such an impression on Aldunin that he managed to cope with this task. This man became the first craftsman in the world who managed to put a horseshoe on a live parasite. This happened only 150 years after Nikolai Leskov presented his work “Left-Handed” to the readers.
Of course, it is also interesting what metal was involved by the talented craftsman in the manufacture of miniature horseshoes. Small horseshoes, as well as carnations for them, were created of gold. It is interesting that the weight of each horseshoe does not exceed 0.00000004419 grams; in total, Aldunin made six of them.
What does "shoe a flea" mean? As already mentioned, this phraseology is used when people want to express their admiration for the talent of a person. Nikolai Aldunin can be called a great example of a master who is able to "shoe a flea." By the way, this genius, who managed to put on a horseshoe on a miniature insect, was not limited to this outstanding achievement. Aldunin left a huge number of interesting microminiatures to his heirs. For example, he created the traditional Tula samovar, the height of which barely exceeds a millimeter. He also made a portrait of the famous writer Pushkin on a grain of rice.
This talented man passed away in September 2009.
Famous gift
As follows from the foregoing, the expression may have a direct meaning. Not only Nikolai Aldunin from Tula was able to “shoe a flea”. A resident of the Omsk region coped with this difficult task. Anatoly Konenko presented his product as a gift to Vladimir Putin, and for the exhibitions he made an exact copy.
By the way, a miniature flea with horseshoes is far from the only achievement of this talented master. Anatoly is the creator of illustrated books with a miniature format. Information about his work even got into the famous Guinness Book of Records. It is interesting that these books can not only be admired, with a microscope, they are also suitable for reading, they contain works by various famous writers. Konenko and other outstanding works belonging to the genre of miniatures were created. The master’s works are currently represented in many museums.