"Where the dog is buried": the meaning of phraseology

Very often winged expressions contain in their composition, like words not related to their general meaning. We say "this is where the dog is buried," not referring to the place of burial of a pet.

The meaning of expression

Trying to understand the problem, the person puts forward various versions, considers all possible aspects. And when the illumination happens, it's time to exclaim: "That's where the dog is buried!" The meaning of this idiom is "deciphered" as "to understand the essence of this or that event, fact", "get to the truth".

This expression can also determine what is the most important, fundamental in some problem, i.e. Already understood its essence, the reason, the motive of what is happening. For example, a person reflected, thought, that he was straining in some situation or phenomenon, and then, as if his eyes had opened, and it became clear where the dog was buried.

However, this may not be a global problem at all , but a household issue: where, for example, the son's school diary disappeared. And if suddenly it turns out that he hid it himself, because the record about unworthy behavior has worked elementary, you will understand where the dog is buried. The meaning of phraseology And in this situation is expressed by the establishment of truth.

Etymology

This winged expression is rich in the version of origin - one another is more interesting.

Some researchers believe that phraseology is a tracing paper from the German Da ist der Hund begraben, literally translated and meaning "that's where (or - what) the dog is buried in," "that's where the dog is buried."

The scholar-Arabist Nikolai Vashkevich is generally convinced that in this phrase, speech about the dog, or about its instillation does not go at all. In Arabic, the word "zaria" means motive, reason, reason. A consonant with the "dog" official word "Sabek" - "precedent" (such as English perfekta). The literal meaning of this expression: "This is the reason that preceded this phenomenon."

Among linguists there is an opinion that this is a phrase from the lexicon of treasure hunters. Allegedly, those who fear wicked spirits who, as is known, guard treasures, veiled them to mislead them, called them "black dogs", and hoards themselves - dogs. Thus, from the language of treasure hunters, the expression "translates": "This is where the treasure is buried."

However, there are other points of view. Much more romantic are two more etymological explanations of phraseology "that's where the dog is buried." Origin This idiom is dedicated to the devotion of dogs.

The most ancient version dates back to the battle of the island of Salamis. Before the decisive naval battle, the Greeks planted all "civilians" who could not take part in it, on ships and were sent to a safe place.

Xanthipp, father of Pericles, had a favorite dog, who, unwilling to part with the owner, threw herself into the sea and swam after the ship. And when she reached the land, she died from exhaustion. Shocked Xanthipp buried the dog and ordered to erect a monument to her - in commemoration of true devotion. This sign, where the dog is buried, was shown for a long time to those interested.

The second legend is connected with the dog of the Austrian commander Sigismund Altensteig, who accompanied him in all campaigns. In one of them, the warrior was in a dangerous binding. But a devoted dog at the cost of his life saved the owner. Alteneshig also decorated the grave of his pet and savior monument. However, in the course of time it became very difficult to find the monument, because only a few people knew this place and could show it to tourists. So the expression "that's where the dog is buried" was born with the meaning of "finding out the truth", "finding what I was looking for".

Synonyms

An interesting interpretation of phrases similar in meaning to the one under consideration can be found both in the literature and in colloquial speech. The surprise about the same phenomenon is expressed in different ways. Say, the investigator wants to find out where the dog is buried, about the incomes of the defendant. He is tormented by this question, makes guesses, estimates, who can tell, "where the legs grow" from these capitals.

Less transparent meaning is the expression "because of what all the fuss broke", but in a certain situation, too, can be used in the meaning of the "buried dog": "Two in physics? Well then it is understandable, because of what the fuss broke. "

In the "Dictionary of Russian Argo" V. Elistratov recorded the phrase: "That's where the dog rummaged" - with the appropriate notation that the expression is a) jargon-youth, playful-ironic; B) the punning transformation of a well-known literary idiom. The authorship of this phrase is attributed to MS. Gorbachev, who at one time said it, either accidentally making a reservation, or deliberately distorting. In any case, later the expression acquired an additional subtext: they say, where the dog rummaged, something is hidden and there is a stink, there it is necessary to look for the cause of what is happening.

Antonyms

If the idiom "that's where the dog is buried" means the underlying cause of an event or phenomenon, a certain level of their clarity, then the "legalized" phraseological antonym of this expression can serve as a "fog". This idiom is used when it comes, on the contrary, about making an ambiguity in anything, if someone wants to confuse something, mislead someone.

In modern colloquial language, especially in the youth environment, an expression with the word "fog" is also common and with the same meaning of uncertainty in some business: "continuous fog ". In a similar sense, the running "dark forest" is also used: "Well, you figured out what is the trick with this problem? - Come on her! Dark forest…"

The use of expression in the literature

Phraseologisms under the heading "book" in the Russian language is much less than spoken, yet they form a certain stylistic layer. Such expressions can represent terms used in scientific, publicistic, formal-business speech. For example, in the article about the idioms of the Russian language, the authors write: "That's where the dog is buried" - a phraseology that is a tracing-paper from the German language. "

Interestingly, the use of this expression is noted in the journalism of VI. Lenin. Turning to his written opponent, he writes: "... you have forgotten how to apply the revolutionary point of view to the evaluation of social events. That's where the dog is buried! ".

However, the broadest application of the phrase "that's where the dog is buried" is observed in fiction. It is used in different variations. There is, for example, a form of "what the dog is buried in".

Using an expression in colloquial speech

Very often, in order to achieve a certain effect, it is necessary to strengthen the expression. The usual words of the language for this purpose are not enough. More clearly, clearly and emotionally, speech will sound if you use winged expressions in it.

Often they are pronounced as if by themselves, without much effort. This only confirms and confirms the natural place in the language that these combinations occupy.

In colloquial speech, no, no, and yes, the phrase "where the dog is buried" will sound, and it does not depend on education, social status, or age of the speaker - so organic is its use.