It's all about the WWII. The meaning of a phraseological unit is in the bag and its historical origin

They allow you to make your speech interesting and multifaceted. Many sayings have their roots in the distant past, and to understand where they came from, you need to dig deep into history. This is the case with the expression “it’s in the bag.” The meaning of the phraseological unit is as follows: everything is in order, there is no reason to panic, everything is going on as usual, and all participants in the event can relax and wait for a positive result. In other words, there is very little left until the successful completion of the case.

Different types of hats

As you know, the word “hat” means a very common headdress. Moreover, there are hats for both men and women. Since the 16th century, they have thoroughly entered into everyday use, although they existed in one form or another in ancient times. An image of a man wearing a straw hat was found on ancient Theban tombstones. The ancient Greeks also wore headdresses in the form of caps (pilos) and with brims (petastos). But mostly they were worn only when traveling.

Among the ancient Egyptians, the headdress was considered a symbol of power. Pharaohs wore large plates with crowns on top. The rest of the citizens wore pads made from plant fibers. The nobility had lush curls, ordinary people the wigs were skimpier. The slaves did not cover their heads with anything.

In the Middle Ages, capes and hoods were worn, headdresses served for decoration and were a luxury. Wide-brimmed hats in Europe became a symbol of wealth, nobility and dandy.

The appearance of hats in Russia

Russia was no exception. The headdress brought from abroad to Russia has found its niche in the wardrobe of both men and women. The name itself was borrowed from the Germans. Etymological origin- from the word slappen (to hang). In the old days, these were hats that had sagging brims.

The first hats were purchased for the royal court and officers back in the 17th century. But wide use they began to receive them under Peter I. He even issued a decree on the production of hats from beaver down and hare hair. This was in 1701. In Moscow, the production of hats was carried out by the Shlyapny Dvor.

The hat served its intended purpose quite successfully. But besides this, other functions began to be assigned to her. In particular, it was:

1. Spacious container for collecting alms.
2. Container for paper notes or marks during the draw.

It is possible that these non-standard approaches to the use of a traditional wardrobe item allowed the emergence of a stable turn of phrase.

Important reports were hidden in a hat

There is such a version of the origin of the expression. If we go back several centuries, we remember that in those days the postal service was organized as follows. Messengers on horseback delivered important packages and letters from one point to another. But fearing the robbers who wandered along the roads and highways, the messengers tried not to carry bags with them, so as not to attract the attention of the robbers. And it’s not difficult to snatch the bag from your hands. Therefore, especially important papers (otherwise they were called affairs), sewn into the lining of the hat.

It was probably then that such a definition arose. The meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” can be interpreted as follows: the absence of danger or risk.

Die is cast

The roots of another meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” go back to the years of the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Court cases, the outcome of which was to be decided by lot, were decided by removing rolled up pieces of paper with the verdict from the judge’s hat. They said, in a word, “it’s in the bag.” The meaning of a phraseological unit can have such an interpretation.

However, it was not only judges who used headgear to resolve issues. Ordinary citizens followed their example. If the issue could be resolved on the spot, without resorting to the help of representatives of justice, who had to pay a lot of money, the “case” was thrown into the hat, and only chance determined the result.

In the same way, in Rus' the fate of any transaction was determined, for example, the right to buy or sell goods (now this is called a tender). The headdress gave hope. This is where the word “to screw up” arose - that is, to hopelessly lose an opportunity.

Bribes and cheat sheets

One can also guess that the meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” is that once officials could take bribes, this was done by placing money under the hat. The credibility of this version will remain a mystery, shrouded in darkness.

As an option, a version with military personnel during exercises who put “cheat sheets” into the lining of their headgear has a right to exist. IN difficult cases the note was taken out and put into use. Thus, the owner of the hat solved his problem and could note that the matter was in the hat. Many elderly people can still put notes in their caps or hats, for example, with some address or telephone number.

The conclusion suggests itself: the expression in the bag, the definition of this phraseological unit, which arose several centuries ago, was dictated by the life traditions and observations of ordinary citizens. Be that as it may, it firmly entered into everyday life and became a stable idiom. Currently, there are many synonyms, the use of which is also not uncommon. You can often hear the following phrases: the matter burned out, everything is covered with ointment. This means that the process is ongoing and will soon be completed successfully.

This is what they say about the successful completion of something.

Probably the expression goes back to the ancient custom of resolving controversial cases by drawing lots. Pieces of paper were placed in the hat, one of which was marked with a win (lot). Whoever is lucky enough to draw lots wins.

"Some are thinking of producing it in the form of a translated word with French, although, according to many signs, this expression can be considered indigenous or, if borrowed, then in very distant times. Draw lots to determine queue - reception, known to biblical Jews, was also practiced in Rus'. A hat made of sheep wool has also been a Russian folk headdress since ancient times, and we see a Belarusian cap-magerka on Scythian sculptures. All sorts of lots in the form of conventional signs are thrown into these hats throughout the diverse stretch of Russian land - whether they be stone coins, or bitten and chipped coins, or pieces of lead with a mark for good luck - during disputes and hires. “The draw of lots is God’s judgment” (says the proverb); “To cast lots, don’t blame yourself in advance.” Whose mark is taken out will be the end of all disputes; his right to receive an order before his rivals for buying and selling, for supplying horses for dispersal, etc. is undeniable, and the thing in the hat was only waiting for a turn: put it on your head - now your business will not jump out of it.”

Examples

"and in the end my job would be in the bag."

“The other day Kondrashkin-daddy himself met me and said that your it's already in the bag, that as soon as you move from the dacha to the city, then right away there’s a wedding..."

"Love Rejected" (1883):

“His song will ignite the unapproachable heart, the window will yield to the pressure of a small hand, obedient to the heart, and - in the bag with wide brims!

(1826 - 1889)

“Modern Idyll” (1877) - “And the thing is quite simple,” Rededya continued, “establish an international corporation of traveling commanders - and it’s done.”

Count and reporter. Count: “It always seemed to me that our fatherland needs not so much abundance as efficient police officers. In most cases - I am firmly convinced of this - one well-executed shout is enough, and in the bag."

(1818 - 1883)

" " (1861), ch. 10: “Before, young people had to study; they didn’t want to be branded as ignoramuses, so they worked involuntarily. But now they should say: everything in the world is nonsense! - and in the bag. The young people were delighted. And in fact, before they were just idiots, but now they suddenly became nihilists."

(1809 - 1852)

" " (1842), vol. 1, ch. 11: ""Before you knew, at least, what to do: you brought red to the ruler of affairs, and in the bag; and now it’s a little white, and you’ll have to fiddle with it for another week before you figure it out; Damn selflessness and bureaucratic nobility!”

(1839) - “Then, however, the wife came, crying that her husband was drunk and that’s why he took it cheap; but sometimes you’d add one kopeck, and in the bag."

(1769 - 1844)

Gardener and Philosopher: “The gardener has everything sprouted and ripened: He is profitable, and in it's in the bag."

In the bag

In the bag- an idiomatic expression meaning: everything will be fine, the job is almost done, the job is successful, the event can be done in our favor.

The expression uses the word “hat”, which has nothing to do with office work, being a headdress. This word came into the Russian language no earlier than during the reign of Boris Godunov ( end XVI century) and was applied only to foreign headdresses. According to its purpose, the hat, in addition to the headdress, also has other functions; in particular, it was used when collecting alms and during the drawing of lots.

Etymology

There are several versions of the origin of the expression.

• The officials who handled the cases took bribes into their hats. Bribery is the oldest and well-proven method of resolving issues in authorities: since an official took a bribe, it means that the case will be resolved in favor of the bribe giver. An example of this version is the poem by A. K. Tolstoy “People were gathering at the order gates...” (1857):

The plaintiff came to the clerk and said: “You are the father
Poor;
If only you could help me - you see a bag of money
Copper, -
I would pour ten rubles into your hat, by the way,
Joke!"
“A rash now,” said the clerk, holding up his cap. -
Come on!”

Notes

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Synonyms:

See what “It’s in the bag” in other dictionaries:

See the end... Dictionary of Russian synonyms and similar expressions. under. ed. N. Abramova, M.: Russian Dictionaries, 1999. It’s in the bag, it’s over, ready, end Dictionary of Russian synonyms ... Synonym dictionary

HAT, s. Dictionary Ozhegova. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

- (from the drawing of lots, the signs of which in the old days, as now, were placed in a hat). See START END... IN AND. Dahl. Proverbs of the Russian people

- (foreign language) end of the matter Chopped off and in the hat. Wed. It has always seemed to me that our fatherland needs not so much abundance as efficient police officers. In most cases, I am firmly convinced of this with just one well-executed shout, and... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

In the bag- Razg. Express All in in perfect order; everything ended very well. Everyone was convinced that new system farming is mere nonsense: it’s worth buying cars, hiring Germans, etc., and it’s in the bag (S. Terpigorev. Impoverishment) ... Phrasebook Russian literary language

in the bag- simple. , often joking. over, decided, settled, everything is in order, everything ended successfully. 1. The turnover goes back to the ancient custom of resolving all sorts of controversial matters by drawing lots: coins, pieces of lead or other small objects were thrown into a hat, from which... ... Phraseology Guide

The trick is in the bag (in other words) the end of the matter. He chopped it off and into his hat. Wed. It has always seemed to me that our fatherland needs not so much abundance as efficient police officers. In most cases, I am firmly convinced of this, just one thing is good... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

Razg. Who has L. everything's okay, huh? ended successfully; what l. about settled, agreed upon. DP, 497; FSRY, 132; BTS, 1501; Yanin 2003, 95; SHZF 2001, 63; BMS 1998, 148 ... Big dictionary Russian sayings

in the bag- colloquial About the successful completion of something... Dictionary of many expressions

BUSINESS, affairs, plural. deeds, deeds (delov wrong), deeds, cf. 1. Work, occupation, what someone is doing. This is an impossible task. It takes just a minute to explore this town. State affairs. Sitting idle. “Who serves the cause, not individuals.” Griboyedov... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Books

• It's in the bag, Natalya Petrovna Konchalovskaya. In this unusual book, Natalya Konchalovskaya and Boris Diodorov are not only the authors, but also the main characters. They are conducting a real historical investigation - how hats appeared, how they...

It's in the bag literally

One of famous expressions There is an interesting expression in society: “it’s in the bag.” But how did this one come about? stable phraseological unit, and what events were associated with hats rather than hats or caps? And what versions of the origin of this expression can be considered plausible?

Versions of the origin of the phraseological unit “it’s all in the bag”

The most common and plausible version today is the version about messengers. The meaning of this version is that earlier messengers - postmen sewed important and valuable letters and denunciations or other important papers under the lining of their headdress (hat, cap).

The second version is that since ancient times all controversial cases were resolved through drawing lots. And for this they used a hat, in which pieces of something were placed, definitely indicating each subject of dispute. That's why they said that the whole matter would be decided through a hat.

Third version of origin expressions it's in the bag is that some officials they took bribes, which in turn were placed under a hat or other headdress. But this version looks implausible.

Nowadays, you can also clearly see why people pronounce this expression in the literal sense. The fact is that, for example, during exercises or classes, the military stuffed “cheat sheets” into the lining of their caps. If these cheat sheets had difficult-to-remember content (for example, call signs or radio frequency). And when did it arise difficult situation, then the serviceman took it out and peeked (the case was resolved). But this is not the only thing that can be seen in military personnel. Most older people still put notes in their hats.

The meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” is not limited to clothing, although, at first glance, it is directly related to it. IN in this case people remember a headdress when everything is going wrong for a person, and until success

Story

There is no consensus on where the saying came from, but there are three main theories.

First version. Allegedly in Rus', messengers sewed up important documents in a hat to protect yourself from bandits. In this case, the “case” refers to documents. True, it is unclear how exactly the documents are related to successful completion any enterprise.

Second version. Not only today, but also in ancient times, in order to achieve results from an official, he was “buttered,” of course, with coins. And they put bribes in a hat. This is how it happened:

What's the matter?

In the bag.

A hint that it would be nice to give to the kids for milk.

Third version. Controversial cases in court used to be decided by lot. And the latter, of course, was placed in the headdress. Therefore, the meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” is this.

True, all theories do not explain why the role of headdress is favorable, and not vice versa. The versions are very vague.

In other words, the origin of the expression is shrouded in darkness or a thick layer of fog. Perhaps the true source does not involve officials, messengers, or even a court at all. Perhaps this is borrowed from foreign language, but from which one is a mystery.

Modern life expressions

Whatever it was in hoary antiquity, but among modern Russian-speaking people, phraseological units are clearly painted in positive colors. When they say: “It’s in the bag!”, the most rosy meaning is put into this expression.

Exams and hat

Let’s imagine that two applicants meet, and one says to the other:

Hello, Vovka! How are your entrance exams?

Excellent, Lenka, “Social studies” and “Russian language” passed with “5”. Remained " English language" I can hand it over with ease.

Well done, I see, “it’s in the bag!”

The meaning of a phraseological unit is difficult to convey in one word, but if you shorten the meaning as much as possible, it turns out that the phrase is a replacement, a synonym for the words “wonderful”, “wonderful”, “wonderful”.

Or two cool businessmen meet, and one asks the other:

Did you sell that batch of used Soviet TVs to the Japanese?

You won’t believe it, but there’s no way to say anything except to draw on the meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag.” The contract is almost in my pocket.

Amazingly, I thought that only we have nostalgia for the Soviet era.

Yes, the Japanese - amazing people. For some reason they needed our decommissioned technologies. But I think it’s not just about nostalgia, they probably have some kind of idea.

Tonality of expression

It is a rare case that an expression does not contain any morality. Therefore, let's talk about the tonality of the phrase. Naturally, the meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag” does not imply its use at official meetings and events. It is appropriate among friends, at meetings, as they say, without a tie.

"Slap"

One last thing interesting fact. It is known that to “slip” is to miss something. There are different hypotheses about the origin of the concept. For example, there is an opinion that one class in Russia called another “hats” (the proletarians called the intelligentsia that way. The former wore caps, the latter wore hats). Another theory is linguistic: the meaning came to us from Yiddish, in which “hat” is called a sleepyhead, a sluggish person.

By studying the history of just one expression, you can look into the soul of not only a person, but also an entire nation. Moreover, words with the same root and even the same ones in different contexts sometimes have opposite meanings.

Today we explored the meaning of the phraseological unit “it’s in the bag.” It is noteworthy that the phrase has only a historical relation directly to the headdress.