Is the lyceum an actor, a pretender or a hypocrite?

The meaning of the word "lieder" now has a purely negative, even offensive character. Call it an actor - he will take it like a spit in the face. Although in fact there is nothing insulting in this word initially. Perhaps, and it sounds phonetically not very pleasant, but originally the meaning was different.

What dictionaries say

In the "Etymological dictionary of the Russian language" Krylov argues that we have received this word as a literal translation from the ancient Greek concept of "prosopoleptos", which means "he who wears someone else's face", "makes someone else's face". This word in antiquity called the actors, relying on the fact that during the performances they wore masks. That is, initially the Greeks in such an expression had no negative meaning and did not think to invest. Explanatory dictionary Ozhegova says that the lyceum is an actor. Most other reference sources use the same meaning. The word "pretender" is also mentioned.

Church and hypocrisy

This word color was received in the Middle Ages, thanks to the efforts of the church. Christianity immediately branded hypocrisy as one of sins. They say that not only does it awaken low-minded passions in people with their grimaces, it also takes on the personality of another person, adopts all its misdeeds. They did not care whether they were invented or not.

For the sake of justice, it should be noted that, in part, the Orthodox priests were right - at that time we did not have a serious theater, and there was no question of any catharsis. There were only strolling entertainers-buffoons, cheering people. They were often noticed where debauchery occurred. However, this is clearly not an excuse to claim that the lyceum is a direct messenger from the Devil.

The reasons for the church for such a relationship were in fact very pragmatic. The magicians and acrobats led the flock out from under the nose, and something had to be done about it. In the end, we came to the old conclusion - "wedge the wedge with a wedge," using weapons of buffoons and turning them into a nativity scene and Easter shows.

Hypocrite and hypocrite

Despite the formal adoption of faculty by the Orthodox Church, this word still received a negative color for many centuries. Sinfulness became attached to acting, it seems, forever.

In addition, the meaning of the word "lieder" was now associated with the hypocrite. "Bearing someone else's face" stood in line with the "changing face." Lycheedians continued to move away from actors, moving on to various unpleasant personalities. "A lyceum is the same hypocrite" - people who were far from the etymological order were sure.

In addition, at this time prototype theaters began to appear with an attempt to tell dramatic stories. And now it's quite inconvenient to put people (sometimes even noble family) engaged in this art on a par with unwashed vagabonds-buffoons. Therefore, gradually the term "lyceum" departed various jesters and unsuccessful comedians, becoming an insult to people who create real art.

Contemporary Litany

Nowadays, the hypocrite almost completely became a synonym for the hypocrite. True, with one fundamental difference. The word "lyceum" is used not for any rabble, but in relation to supposedly "respected" people. In their role can be pseudo-singers and pseudo-singer, dancers and football players. A president may even be a hypocrite who tries to create the image of "his boyfriend" among the people, having 18 chic palaces. True, clowns and magicians still relate to this term, because their work is somewhat different from the theater and is aimed primarily at the spectacle.

Now the lycee is a public person who in reality does not change masks much as he wears one - someone else's. For the act of hypocrisy, the closest analogue was pretending.