Помимо того что русский язык велик и могуч, он It is also rich in all sorts of obscene and slang expressions. One may argue about the admissibility of battle or the complete lack of culture of this phenomenon, but from a linguistic point of view, street argot is a great mirror of society. For example, almost completely you can hear the word "schmuck." What is schmuck, who is such a chmoshnik, and is this a word insult?
What dictionaries say
Explanatory dictionaries of different authors converge inthe main thing: "schmuck" is an insult. This word is called a sloppy, awkward, unlucky, stupid, fallen man. Perhaps someone believes that a statement of fact is not an insult, but it is difficult to find a person who will be glad to hear: “Hey you, schmuck!” What is this mysterious “schmuck” and where did it all come from? There are several opinions on this point.
Dahl’s Dictionary on the question of what “schmuck” means,refers us to the word "chmarit" ("chmyrit") - to languish in poverty, misery, languish. If this version is adopted, then “schmuck” is a derived slang noun derived from the verb “chmarit”. In parallel, in the street argo there is such a thing as “slamming” - “to harass, lower morally”, that is, to turn a person into a schmuck.
Army version
Adherents of the army version argue that"schmuck" is a nominal word derived from the abbreviation of the PMC - Part of the Material Security. This word is attributed to the times of the Great Patriotic War, when heroes who fought on the front lines expressed their legitimate contempt for so-called rear rats. Parts of material support were less frequently hit by shelling, they did not go to the attack - their function was, in fact, material support. Soldiers from the front believed that whoever was not with them was a rear rat, and the schmuck was turned into a schmuck. What is the surviving and not even wounded soldier of the supply? Of course, schmuck.
Frontier wits are credited with anotherinterpretation of the abbreviation of the ChMO - “they are beholding, murdering, deceiving” (an obscene word). This adds nothing new to the definition, but explains the degree of disturbance.
Jewish version
In fact, this is an international version.An unprintable definition in Yiddish, which sounds like “bummy”, migrated into American English and transformed into “schmo”. This American Yiddishism successfully migrated to the territory of the USSR, presumably - to Odessa. It was there that the transformation was completed, and in Odessa doorways a new capacious word sounded - “schmuck”. What is a good geographic hook for half a globe? Little things. And after that, a short three-letter word has grown to a more expressive "chmoshnik." In some ways this sounds even more offensive, such an ending seems to underline an additional portion of contempt.
Derivative Abbreviations
Because language is matter flexible and continuousevolving, the version of the origin of the word bred and multiplied. Growing into an abbreviation was inevitable. If in the army version the abbreviation mutated to the usual word, then the reverse process did not become something more complicated, but it became extremely interesting.
What will answer, if now ask the passersbythe street, what does "schmuck" mean? The overwhelming majority will say that it is "Man Morally Omitted." This definition is originally from the criminal world, and you should pay attention - not fallen (himself, of his own will and weakness), but lowered (by someone strong, having the right).
Then people begin to exercise in wit. Here are the options:
- Man of the Moscow Region;
- Champion of the Moscow Region;
- Man Materially Secured;
- Man Morally Burdened;
- Man Morally Improved;
- Officer Instantly Insolent;
- Man disturbing the Society and so on.
What is the place in the lexicon is the word "schmuck"
A legitimate question arises as to whetherIs the use of the word "schmuck" in communication? If we consider that this is a slang expression, and in cultural circles, slang is considered non grata by default, the conclusion is simple - you should not abuse the word “schmuck”. The meaning of this definition lies in a derogatory and contemptuous plane, therefore in some cases this is just as unacceptable as an obscene lexicon.
However, if in business and official communication is clearlyyou should not reward someone with a dubious title of a chmoshnik, in everyday speech this word is used very widely. “Schmuck” is so tightly included in the generally accepted lexicon that it is successfully considered a substitute for more severe oaths, and since it is almost impossible to prove its obscene color, the offensive meaning gradually dissolves into the daily flow of everyday rudeness.
In confidential communication, it is possible to callWhat a bad person or wrap everything up in jest. Of great importance here is the intonation, with which the word was thrown, as well as the accompanying facial expressions. Emotional coloring can, if not cardinally, then noticeably change the tonality. However, in virtual communication, when the intonation has to be guessed and interpreted to the best of capabilities, the value remains dismissive with a clear desire to offend the interlocutor.
