Oddly enough, in modern Russian there are many concepts of this word. Crest is a forelock or tuft of wool, feathers on the head, and regardless of their location (back, front, side). In Ukrainian, this construction is called "sedentary." This is what a crest means in a general sense! Truly the accuracy and accuracy of the names sometimes amaze the imagination.
Meaning of the word "crest"
He also happens at the pigeon, chicken. By the way, the common name for chicken is Corydalis. In Nizhny Novgorod, until recently, a crest is a small ruff (such a fish). In Kostroma Khokhlushka (not to be confused with the wife of Khokhl) - in general, a cover from something, apparently due to a pen. In the Arkhangelsk province, a hohlak or a hohlush was called a week as a born seal for its funny crest on the dark side; there, Khokhlushka is a small loon. As you can see, all these names are directly related to the forelock, whipped hair or feathers on the head.
Another Khokhol is such a village in the Voronezh region. And the river bears the same name.
The joking name of the people
Another meaning of the word "crest" is the nickname of Ukrainians, previously derogatory or offensive, now more and more humorous. According to Ozhegov's dictionary, who are Ukrainians? These are the same Ukrainians. Dahl in his dictionary defines the meaning of the term "crest" as "Ukrainian, Little Russia." Here are a few examples from his explanatory dictionary: “A crest is dumber than a raven, but a devil is trickier”; "The crest will not lie, but will not tell the truth." On the one hand, such statements can be perceived as humiliating or insulting an entire nation. On the other hand, the modern Ukrainian is likely to just laugh, or even be proud of such allegories.
Different understanding
However, before and now, the attitude to the word "crest" is ambiguous. Western Ukrainians perceived and perceive this nickname as a terrible insult. In Eastern Ukraine, the "Ukrainians" are more likely with humor than with resentment. And those working abroad, particularly in Russia, citizens of the southeast of Ukraine, having designated themselves with this word, will also raise their heads with pride.
A bit of history
The reason for this attitude, such a reaction dates back to the 19th century, when Siberia was rapidly exploring and large flows of population from Little Russia (residents of the western regions, and then Galicia, i.e., Galicians did not take part in this historical event) migrated to new harsh, but free and vast lands. Of course, not only them. Nearby settled Russians, Belarusians, Chuvashs, Tatars, Mordovians, etc. The diversity of nationalities gave rise to the need for self-determination, so as not to lose their identity. And the word "crest" for Ukrainians in these conditions has become a self-name. Note that they so designated themselves and did not see anything shameful and even more offensive in this. By the way, as for the Russian settlers, no one was offended by the “katsapa” or “Moskal” either.
Origin
Where did the concept of "crest" come from? There are only a few versions. A popular and believable one is that by which Ukrainians began to be called Ukrainians because of a forelock, a “horse-man”, on a smoothly shaven head. There is such a legend. Like, once Tsar Peter invited the Cossacks to St. Petersburg. The latter, with their extravagant appearance, made a stunning impression on the locals, especially on the ladies. The Cossacks were given the nickname "crested people" (understandably because of what), which over time, due to simplification, turned into "Ukrainians."
Other versions
There are other, less popular, views on this issue. So, some ethnographers find a parallel with the Mongolian word “hal-go, ” which means “blue-yellow”. It was of these colors that the flag of the Galicia-Volyn principality stopped the Mongol tumens. However, Galicia, neither then nor later, had nothing to do with Little Russia. No, of course, there were common roots, but the villain-story divorced for a long time in different directions. There are other, even more ridiculous, versions. For example, translated from Turkic crest - "son of heaven", "heavenly".
Turkic version
There are also those who argue that the Mongols brought fashion to the "sedentary". To begin with, the fashion for a shaved head and forelock on it existed in ancient times among many peoples of the world - Varangians, Turks, Mongols, including Chinese, etc. And this was dictated exclusively by hygiene rules, so that during a long trip when there is no opportunity to care for hair, parasites did not start in them. Chubchik is stylish and practical: you can braid different ornaments into it, which is often done.
Now about the Mongolian influence. The ancestors of today's Ukrainians became acquainted with the “sedentary man” back in the 9th century, when Prince Oleg brought the Varangian squad with him to Kiev. The Mongol invasion, as we know, happened in the middle of the 13th century. Yes, before them there were Pechenegs, also shaved and with strands of hair at the tops. Nevertheless, everything happened much earlier. Among the Varangians, the “bogeyman” was considered a sign of a high estate, and honored warriors were such an estate. This principle was adopted by Kievan Rus. Only high-born or experienced, respected warriors had the right to shave their heads baldly, leaving a long strand of hair. Losing her in battle was considered a shame.
