Maybe it's ... The meaning and origin of the word

What is a chance? This mysterious word is not translated into any language of the world. But the Russian people do not cease to believe in it throughout the history of their existence. Perhaps, perhaps - some ancient pagan deity, promising success in business and success in any endeavors? It is not without reason that FM Dostoyevsky, through the mouth of the hero of one of his novels, asserted that our luck is a great thing.

The historical roots of the Russian "avosya"

Linguists do not cease to argue, which part of the speechis this word. VI Dahl believed that maybe - this is an adverb formed from a combination of the first letters of the phrase "and now." Today, linguists are referred to as "maybe" to the amplifying particle, the opening word, and in some settled expressions, the ubiquitous word takes the form of a noun. For example, in the proverbs "Avos to the good does not finish" and "Maybe the deposit does not give."

In the opinion of a connoisseur of Russian literature ValeryMokienko, originally the word "avose" was indicative: "but now something will happen." With the passage of time, the vowel sound in the ending was lost, and the meaning of the word "maybe" acquired the meaning "if", "suddenly". By the XVII century in colloquial speech it began to be used as "maybe", "probably", "God will give." This trend is clearly traced in such terms: "maybe we'll see each other again" or "maybe things will get better". That is, the speaker suggests that some event will happen by itself, without any special effort. Thus, the phrase "to hope for a chance" takes on the meaning "to rely on fate, to trust the case."

The mysterious word in history and literature

For sure, many know the rock opera "Juno andPerhaps, created by composer Alexei Rybnikov on the libretto of Andrei Voznesensky. The work tells about the love of the Russian Count Rezanov and a young Spanish girl named Conchita. This fact did take place in history. Distracted from the romantic side of the plot, we turn to the practical background, that is, we try to understand what Juno and Avos are.

This happened in 1806. Chamberlain of the imperial court, Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov, for the purpose of delivering provisions to Russian settlers of the American continent, equipped two naval vessels, one of which was called "Juno" by the name of the ancient Roman goddess. It would be logical to assume that the second frigate was named after some deity.

However, in this respect there is a more prosaicversion. The matter is that the Count bought the "Juno" from an American industrialist, and the ship already had a name. The second ship was built urgently, and at the time of its launching, someone from onlookers on the shore, doubting the strength of the new sailboat, expressed doubt: "Will not it fall apart?" To which the master who supervised the construction replied: "Nothing, maybe will swim. " So the one-masted tender got its name. It turns out that here, too, "maybe" - this is not a deity, but a hope for a successful outcome of events.

Faith in a happy moment and trust in God's providence

Proverbs and sayings that mention thisword, are often ironic or objectionable, "relied on maybe - and then slipped" or "Perhaps I suppose yes - brothers, both sleepers."

Therefore, one can not say that the notorious wordis a part of the wide Russian soul. So good or bad hope for a chance? Proceeding from the meaning of the above proverbs, folk wisdom does not really encourage such behavior, considers it a sign of laziness, sloppiness, short-sightedness.

Although sometimes this word serves as an incentive toaction, call not to be afraid of difficulties, to believe that everything will end safely: "Maybe break through, do not drift, do not disappear!" Here the synonym for "maybe" might sound like "God will help," "luck will be on our side" . Although another well-known proverb suppresses this impulse: "Trust in God, but not yourself."

Why a bag called a bag

Another product of "avosya" - woven from strongthreads of a knapsack, which in Soviet times was almost in every house and was used to carry products and other goods bought in the store. Experts say that this compact thing, in a folded form easily fit in a pocket, could withstand a weight of up to 70 kilograms.

More often it was called simply a grid, but thanks toreprise the famous satirist Arkady Raikin, she received a second name. "And this, comrades, is an escort! And I'll bring something in it! "- the great master of the artistic word cheered the audience, pacing the stage with an empty bag. It was a funny name, came out to the people and became a household name for useful things in everyday life.