Quite often you can hear in a conversation such an expression as "what kind of shisha?" The meaning of the word is little known. Moreover, this word has many meanings. This is the pointed top of the poles or logs, unclean strength, and the token, which is understood as "no." The meaning of the word "shisha" and the variety of its interpretations will be described in the article.
Word in dictionaries
Studying the meaning of this term, one should turn to dictionaries that say that shisha is:
1. In the singular:
- Old Russian word for denial ("no");
- devil, demon, unclean power;
- pointy top of a log or pole;
- a rude gesture called a muzzle, a fig or a cookie;
- one of the names of the chickpea plant (Turkish pea) of the legume family;
- a river located in the Omsk region, which is one of the tributaries of the Irtysh;
- "Sleeping" volcano located on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
2. In the plural:
- funds, money (colloquial);
- the designation in pre-Petrine Russia of declassified beggars and tramps;
- the generalized name of the partisans that formed in the northern and central parts of the Russian Empire in the period from 1654 to 1667. They fought against the troops of the Polish-Lithuanian principality in the Time of Troubles.
As is clear from the information provided, “shisha” is a term that has a large number of meanings. Some of them will be described in detail below.
Rude gesture
A shish is a clenched fist with a thumb sticking out between the middle and forefinger. This gesture means a high degree of contempt or ridicule. It is also understood as negation, that is, no.
The term "shish" is also a designation of the absence of anything. In this sense, the word is used in sayings. For example: "I have no shisha." This can be understood as the fact that a person does not have money, values, etc. The expression: "Shish to you!", Means any refusal of financial or other assistance. Similar phrases are used in conversation, usually accompanying them with the gesture described above.
A shish or cookie in Ancient Russia is a gesture that scares away evil spirits and, in fact, is protective.
Devilry
Continuing to consider that these are “shishas,” it is necessary to mention the unclean power that was called this word. In ancient Russia, this was usually called the asexual impure force that lived in the forest, behind a stove, in a bathhouse or in a swamp. This is a devil, a hell or a brownie.
Shishas are different representatives of evil spirits, as well as their assistants. In a figurative sense, this term was called a slow, unassembled and sluggish person. They were also called "shishigi". In the old Belarusian tradition, these are unclean spirits (unclean) who lived separately from other unclean forces.
Plant
Shish is the most common name for chickpeas - Turkish, or lamb, peas in Muslim countries (Turkey, Iran, Iraq). It is a herbaceous plant belonging to the legume family. This food product is common and popular in the cuisines of the Middle East.
The fruits of this large pea are eaten. It is boiled and seasoned with various spices, served as a side dish for meat (lamb, veal, goat meat). Also, flour is made from fruits, which is used in the preparation of cakes and bread.
At present, shish (chickpea, nohut) has also appeared in European cuisines. Due to its taste and nutritional qualities, dishes with it are very popular.
Partisans
As mentioned earlier, one of the meanings of the term “shishi” is the generalized name for partisans, consisting mainly of peasants. The exact date of the formation of their units is unknown, the main version suggests that they appeared in the second half of the 17th century.
They, being in an ambush, waited and attacked the troops of the Polish-Lithuanian principality. Shisha fought with the interventionists and Polish feed teams. The main objects of the partisan attack were convoys with provisions and weapons. Destroying them, the shishas deprived the Polish-Lithuanian army of supply, making it thereby weak.
Their units were distinguished by a high level of mobility and effective performance in battle. They instantly destroyed the enemy due to the effect of surprise and their skills. It is known that in the middle of 1612, with their actions, the shisha units did not allow the hetman of the Polish-Lithuanian princedom Jan Khodkevich to break through to the Polish garrison blocked in the Kremlin. As a result, the Poles were forced to capitulate.