Few people know that the word "laureate", whichmeans a person who has received a merit award, translated from Latin as “crowned with laurels”. Branches of a noble tree are often mentioned in stable combinations of words. For example, there is an expression like “reap laurels”. In this article we will look at this phraseological unit, find out its meaning, history of origin. Also note the scope of this sustainable phrase.
“Reap laurels”: meaning
Для определения выражения обратимся к надежным sources - explanatory and phraseological dictionaries. Sergey Ivanovich Ozhegov gives the following interpretation: “to enjoy the fruits of success”. He notes that the expression is used in a figurative sense, often ironically.
The following information is given in the Stepanova MI dictionary: “reap laurels” - a phraseological unit, which means “to enjoy the fruits of success”.
Thus, we conclude that the stable expression we are considering is interpreted by the two linguists identically. It means getting benefits, results from successful work.
But where are the laurels - the branches of a tree? Why are they reaping it? We will learn this secret by examining the etymology of the phraseologism associated with the myth.
History of origin
There is a Greek myth. Nymph Daphne did not want to become the wife of the god Apollo. She ran away from him and turned into a laurel tree.
It became owned by Apollo - the god of poetry andarts The branches of the laurel, wreaths of it were awarded to the winners of music, poetry competitions. Later they were crowned with athletes, military and other heroes. In connection with this, various expressions have appeared associated with the mention of this tree. For example, “reap laurels”.
As we see, the idiom appeared due to the fact that the branches of an evergreen plant were awarded to the winners. And the choice on the laurels fell due to the Greek myth.
The use of expression
Fiction, print media is difficultpresent without stable combinations of words. Masters of the word actively use phraseology in their works. With them they emphasize the characters, traits, actions of certain individuals, attract the attention of readers with headlines containing catchwords.
For example, due to the fact that Angela Merkel was called the man of the year, journalists began to publish articles with similar headlines: "The German Chancellor continues to reap laurels."
However, not only in political materialsThis expression appears. It is actively used to celebrate the success of people of various professions. For example, Andrei Zvyagintsev's film “Leviathan” was a success with critics and jury at various film festivals, in connection with which journalists wrote articles with titles such as “Leviathan” continues to reap laurels ”. This, of course, meant getting new prizes and awards.
When the winners are knownvarious contests, competitions, the expression we are considering is also actively used. It remains relevant today and is often used in the media.
