heard the expression about seven pyadyah forehead, everyone knows that it is a very intelligent man.And, of course, it has no one comes to mind to the question of what is based on the axiom that says that intelligence depends on the size of the top of the head.
By the way, it's time to decide, and with this: seven genius - it proverbs or idiomatic expression?But first you need to find out its origin and significance.
Phrenology or hyperbole?
Some linguists do not rule out the likelihood that sustainable phrase "seven genius," the origin of their leads from phrenology.This pseudo-science was created by the Austrian doctor F. Gallo, it is based on the communication of mental features of the person with the structure of the skull.In the first decades of the XIX century phrenology it was quite popular in Russia, which, according to other linguists, theorists Gall in support of his views took advantage of ready-made folk sayings, the origin of which goes back centuries.
most plausible is this understanding of genius, the value of which is considered as the most common hyperbole (exaggeration).Of the three important words of this expression is obscure second.Meanwhile, it was the name of one of the measures of length in Russia.They exist two: smaller and larger span.One determines the distance between stretched thumb and index finger, and the other - between the thumb and middle.It turns out that the average length of the measure equal to about 18 centimeters, and a man with seven genius, had to have an incredible head size (greater than 1.2 meters in height).
conjunction with oral folk art is unquestionable
If we consider the expression "seven genius" as a result of folk art (to which we refer all Russian proverbs and sayings), based on hyperbole, then quite understandably becomes, why is used here numeral"Seven."After all, it is concluded generalized symbolic meaning of the utterance.It is worth recalling some of the age-old Russian idioms, for example, seven on the benches, seven winds, the seven deadly sins, the moon, the seven seals and locks, seven-league steps.
As you can see, almost all of them, except the same numerical designations present and receive an exaggeration.Agree: it is easier to imagine the forehead more than a meter in height than the pitch man is seven miles (over 11 kilometers).By the way, the word "span" is derived from the Slavic verb, meaning "to stretch".So, it is possible to have so many human mind that, when the physical materialization (stretching) will make a huge head, enormous.
"genius": contemporary reading
constant change in the Russian language has added value to this expression, then he has appeared variation.
- Have a high forehead in an individual initially involves an outstanding intellect.In this case it is assumed and the presence of large brain (as is known, from its volume and weight depend on the memory, the scale of thought and genius).Antonym (opposite) of such understanding is an adjective with a negative evaluation - "narrow-minded".
- This man lives only reason that is always sober.
- Each gyrus of the brain has at least seven turnovers.
- the expression "seven genius" was the closest in the semantics of the word "wise".
- a brave man who is not afraid to try new things, not yet proven.
- Acute, extraordinary intelligence (the ability to think outside the box).
will take another hundred or two years, and this expression can appear even more fresh values, extending the concept of, filling it with various shades.But the first major, born folk flair, will remain unchanged.
proverbs or idiom - "genius"?
before to choose names for this turn of speech, should consider each of the proposals.So the saying goes.It was in this popular genre reflects a deeper meaning, expressing the wisdom and experience of life.As a rule, every proverb has synthesis instructive sense, so treat it differently virtually impossible - all the conclusions have been made popular mind.
The adage is only called, is determined for a frequent phenomenon, but the conclusions and no morals.The main thing here - a form of expression, but not the content.Sayings can be called the first half of the proverb, it does not directly address the phenomenon, but merely hints, but very clearly and unambiguously.
Perhaps the expression "seven genius" most logical to be attributed to the genre, since it is determined only by the size of the forehead and no more, but everyone knows that this is a positive feature: the presence of a great mind.
Regarding the phraseology, their boundaries are blurred between combinations spliced, expressions and winged phrases.But there are also a common symptom - the indivisibility and the attraction to the metaphorical imagery.If these positions and consider our expression, then it may well be attributed to the phraseology.
new version, the unusual: an inch on the forehead written
Now there is an interesting version about the private genius.Phraseologism value is a direct measure of human development.In this case, although a span length is a measure, but does not indicate the height of the forehead, and the number of wrinkles on it.Here an analogy between the originality of lines on the hand and the same color of their individuality.It turns out that the development of the mind and the soul is already registered on the forehead at birth: how smooth and length of the strip, so people developed at this point in time.In order to determine the momentary stage, you just need to go to the mirror and wrinkle the forehead.
These lines throughout life may vary upwards, which means, of course, the spiritual development of the individual.So seven parallel spans on the forehead may well appear without any exaggeration and allegory.
span as the desire for harmony
Despite the fact that the individual was an inch size (each person different distance between fingers), for the sale of goods is measured by the length of this particular unit, there was a definite reference sample (0,177 meters).
Yet span often considered to be the value of not measuring, and proportionate.And following this allowed to create Slavs proportional structure.Imagine a cottage built on individual human standards: six feet, elbows, inch, yard, inch.Here it is - the embodiment of harmony: the ideal dimensions of the dwelling, proportionate only to the owner.
