In modern Russian, in some life situations, the phrase “splurge” may be appropriate. Phraseologism is of disputed origin. Some linguists consider it a purely Russian expression. Others - borrowed, who came to us from other languages.
Versions about the origin of phraseology
However, for both, the historical character of the emergence of this stable expression, which is characteristic of many languages, is beyond doubt. As well as the fact that the very meaning of phraseological units “throw dust in the eyes” was determined by a real military clash of opponents.
According to supporters of the foreign origin of this stable expression, the truth should be sought in the history of ancient Rome. Indeed, in the Latin language there even existed a phraseological unit-prototype "pulverem ab oculos aspergere / pulverem oculis offundere". It is known that even the gladiators practiced temporary disorientation of the enemy during the battle, suddenly throwing a handful of soil raised from the arena into his eyes. Then followed the maneuver and attack of a blinded enemy from an unexpected angle for him, which he could not fully fend off. Having temporarily lost the ability to see, the victim could not evaluate either the strength or direction of the attack.
However, other experts in the language believe that the meaning of phraseology “throwing dust in one's eyes” was determined on the basis of an analogy with a fierce duel that took place in Moscow on a specially designated place on Troitskaya Square near the Ilyinsky Gate. According to the order existing at that time, recorded in the Criminal Code of Ivan the Terrible, disputed cases were resolved in an original way. If the arguments of some witnesses were contrary to the statements of others, then the right side was determined by victory in fist combat. In one of these fights, opponents were Russian and Lithuanian. Moreover, the latter proved his "right", using the above gladiatorial know-how. It didn’t get to the murder; most likely, the case ended with a banal knockdown.
It is noteworthy that after this episode, a special royal decree of 1726 banned the practice of such tricks in wrestling fights. Thus, this case received a resonance, and could very well affect the independent creation of the mentioned phraseological unit in Russia.
Abstraction
The true meaning of phraseologism “throw dust in the eyes” is determined by abstracting from a physical duel to certain actions on the opponent’s mind. It can be expressed by a single word - “distract”. Quite often, politicians use it when it comes to purposeful manipulations with people's minds aimed at hiding the true motives and circumstances of mercenary activity.
In everyday speech, the meaning of phraseologism “splurge” boasts of boasting, exaggerating one’s social status, and lying about one's own far-fetched wealth and welfare. This practice also involves hiding flaws and exaggerating virtues.
The deceived opponent, against whom similar tactics were used, has the false impression of a question that interests the deceiver. As a result, a dishonest person gains an advantage to achieve his selfish goal.
Synopsis Phraseologisms
Quite often, people in everyday speech use, instead of the steady expression "splurge" synonym phraseological units. For example: "powder the brain", "fool your head."
By analyzing the two statements mentioned, we can better understand the essence of their prototype, which is the subject of this article. It is significant that both of these stable expressions are derived from the original “splurge”. At the same time, they got the opportunity of independent existence due to a more specific coverage of the mother phraseological unit that generated them.
So, for example, “powdering the brain” shifts the emphasis from the opponent’s eyes, which are mentioned purely figuratively, to his brains, i.e. to the consciousness against which a distracting maneuver is actually undertaken. And “fooling the head” is noteworthy in that, along with an indication of the object of influence (the head, that is, again, we are talking about consciousness), the word is derived from “hassle”.
