The fact that I have lived for more than 30 years outside of Greece has obviously influenced the way I see the Greek language, whose evolution I try to understand, to know as much as possible its changes, which I confess are more than I imagined, and to adapt - sometimes with difficulty - to its novelties. Either in spoken or written language, I notice a strong use of foreign words - of course it always existed and I obviously didn't pay much attention - which bothers me and is the subject of petty arguments with friends and a classic subject of comment with Evie who very often uses English words or expressions in the texts of... Acceptable when there are no real corresponding Greek words, but most of the time there are, they are very beautiful and effective, which is why I consider the frequent recourse to English terms pointless and unnecessary.
Of course, the answer most of the time is that the borrowed foreign words and expressions help us to abbreviate and clarify so we become more understandable. The topic is really very interesting, especially in terms of understanding the text.
And while the linguistic considerations of loans and anti-loans remain firmly open in my thinking and in discussions, recently a text-statement of a political person came to my attention, which, to my great surprise, did not use foreign terminology, but was full of expressions and words that when I read a section of it to a group of friends I noticed that not every member of the group understood exactly the same thing.
I am quoting the disputed passage from the text entitled "Signs of the Times"...
After a flurry of statements, in... an endless witch hunt, Mr. (so-and-so) accompanied by his mentor replied, "We are in favor of dialogue, not in favor of "with the stick" tactics. Our words are harsh. They do not exist as Quisling hinted, but old carbines in our space... The places and monsters referred to concern others and not us. The die is cast!".
What exactly do some expressions mean and since when are they used? What is their origin and original meaning? Since when has their use been established?
While in general we all understand such a text, at the same time misinterpretations can be significant.
Here are some fun facts about the use of expressions in the above text:
SOME WORDS
Those that are measured grain by grain (of the wheat) and by extension those that are said rudely, out of the teeth. The "hard words" are the clean, the no spins, the empty talk.
KYKEONAS
Cykeona, in ancient times, was a type of drink. It was a mixture of various materials that was drunk as a refreshment or as a medicine. It was an invigorating drink made from coarsely ground flour, water and phliscouni (a herb with aromatic and tonic properties).
It is said that kykeon was a pleasant drink for the one who drank it, but a bad smell for those around him. Later, it began to be accompanied by solid food called "akratisma" which consisted of bread soaked in undiluted wine accompanied by olives and figs.
The mixture of many different materials that was mixed to prepare this drink, gave the word the metaphorical meaning of mixing disparate and incompatible things, so that with the word "kykeonas" we still mean complete confusion, confusion.
WITCH HUNT
During the years of the Middle Ages and also during the Renaissance, the Catholic Church, holding for itself and its believers the title of the true representatives of God and taking advantage of the superstitions, superstitions and prejudices of ordinary people, launched a real manhunt against of all those he considered threatening the system.
Special importance was then given to witches, a special mythology was even created for them. They were considered to be a diabolical association and to meet on a certain Saturday of the year called Witches' Saturday to renew their magic potions.
The fictions were numerous and so intense that they resulted in the persecution and death at the stake of many innocents, especially women who were accused of witchcraft and connivance with the devil.
Today we characterize the search for those responsible who threaten the system and the established order as a "witch hunt".
HE IS MY MENTOR
Mentor was a Homeric hero from Ithaca to whom Odysseus' friend, leaving for Troy, entrusted the care of his house and the education of Telemachus. For these services and his dedication, his name became synonymous with every wise and faithful friend, every important teacher, every person who advises and guides someone to make the right professional choices.
BY ROPALO
At the end of the 19th century, the police were taken over by the municipalities, which is why each mayor appointed his own people and henchmen as police officers. At first, these law enforcement officers wore no uniform and enforced order with a 75cm long stick. It bore the inscription "The Force of Law," but as the people received the peacekeepers with wild dispositions they, in order to be able to enforce themselves more effectually, replaced the staff with a stout club which had an iron ball at the end. They did not hesitate to use it, which is why many heads of citizens were opened for 30 years.
This is where the phrase "by the stick" comes from, which means coercion.
QUISLING
V. Quisling (1887-1945) Norwegian politician, he was a major in the Norwegian army and because of his cooperation with the Germans during the Second World War, his name became synonymous with the collaborator of the Nazis. He surrendered to the Norwegian Patriotic Front on May 9, 1945 and was executed on October 24 of the same year. Since then, "Quislig" has been characterized as a political person who cooperates with the conquerors of his country.
IT'S AN OLD RIFLE
It is known that knights were keen swordsmen. Their cowardly opponents who did not have the courage to face them face to face, stood guard at the corners of deserted streets in the dark nights and killed them from safety, shooting them with their carbines. (This is also the reason why those who are not bold in the game are called "carbines" in gambling, but only hit when they have a strong gender that ensures them victory).
At the beginning of their use, however, many carbines did not turn out well. It took a long time for the carabinieri to make sure, after repeated use, if his carbine was durable, straight, etc., so the old and tested carbines were held in high esteem. Because of this, it prevailed as an old carbine to characterize the experienced and intelligent person.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Common expression by which omens, predictions, people's moods, circumstances, facts and generally all indicative signs that can influence the outcome of a case are implied.
The root of the expression should be considered the ancient diosimia (=sign of Zeus).
Various natural phenomena such as storms, lightning, thunder, earthquakes, eclipses of the sun and moon, etc., were regarded as omens. from the interpretation of which futures were predicted and the actions of those concerned were regulated. Thus, a few drops of rain while the town church was meeting was enough to be considered a bad omen, so the assembled would force the rectors to break the meeting. Such signs were also called monsters by the ancients. Omens are also a related expression. An omen for the ancients was a carnivorous vulture (vulture) whose flight direction (right or left) or its colors were signs of predicting the future.
THE DIE IS CAST
Julius Caesar waited in vain on the bank of the river Rubicon for a point of retreat on the proposals of his adversaries in Rome. So, according to Suetonius, he decided, overcoming his hesitations and saying the famous phrase
"Alea jacta est" (the die, "the die" was cast) to mobilize.
On the night of January 10, 49 BC. he crossed the small river with his troops, which formed the border of his province from Italy at the time, even though he knew that such an action signaled the beginning of a civil war, since a specific law required every general entering the country from the north to dissolve his army, before crossing this river. We still say "the die was cast" today for a critical decision that was made after many hesitations.