The Portuguese language is a very rich language, which has a very diversified lexicon.
Many of the Portuguese words and expressions are directly related to the country's history and culture.
Below is a selection with the origin of 10 expressions that the All Matter set it apart especially for you.
1. from the old arch
Meaning
Currently used to indicate that something is very old or very old, the expression “of the velvet bow” originally indicated something amazing; Fantastic.
Origin
The origin of the expression is biblical and explains that, after a great flood, God suggested to Noah that a covenant be made between men and him. This alliance was represented by a rainbow that then appeared in the sky. Hence the sense of fantastic.
The rainbow came to represent the arch of the old covenant (between God and men).
The expression has a variation, old chest, which consists of a type of chest where elderly women kept their belongings, some of them relics. Hence the sense of old; old one.
2. turn a deaf ear
Meaning
The expression "turning a deaf ear" means not listening by choosing to ignore what someone else is saying.
Origin
The most popular version of the origin of the expression states that the merchant, a person who moved between different places to sell goods, he screamed so much to advertise and advertise his products that he ended up being totally indifferent to whoever he talked to, because he couldn't get them to hear.
A second version indicates that the correct word would be highlighter and not merchant. The marker was the master who, at the time of slavery, branded black slaves with a hot iron, as is customary with cattle.
Despite the screams of pain uttered by the slaves, the Marker could not be sensitized. He pretended not to hear anything and went on with his work.
3. half bowl
Meaning
When we say that something is "half a bowl" we are referring to something without quality and/or insignificant.
Origin
The origin of the expression is based on the time of the Portuguese monarchy. During this period, royal officials were fed in such a way that the amount of food received was proportionate to the function performed.
These quantities were predefined in an official book called “Livro da Cozinha del Rei”.
Thus, while employees in the highest ranks ate a whole bowl, those in the lower ranks ate only half a bowl.
4. Go take a shower!
Meaning
Currently, when we say "Go take a shower!" to someone, we show that person that we are probably angry that they are upsetting us.
Origin
The origin of the expression is related to the period of the Portuguese monarchy in Brazil. Back then, bathing was not a common habit. Some members of the court spent days and days in the same clothes, which were also not washed.
The indigenous inhabitants, annoyed by the bad smell and already fed up with receiving orders from the Portuguese, used to tell them to take a bath.
Taking a bath was synonymous not only with hygiene, but also with purification. It was believed that a bath would also cleanse dishonesty and impurities from the soul, and improve character.
Thus, it was also common to tell someone to go take a bath when that person was considered to be impure.
5. put hot cloths
Meaning
"Putting up hot cloths" is an expression of figurative use, used to refer to an attempt to alleviate a situation. The main objective is to appease a problem, thus preventing a mess from being created.
Origin
The origin of the expression is based on a palliative therapeutic treatment, in which hot cloths are applied on a certain part of the body to relieve pain and/or symptoms such as, for example, fever.
Applying heat to combat pain helps to relax the muscles and thereby prevent spasms. The heat from the hot cloths also tends to cause perspiration which results in a decrease in body temperature. This can lead to the end of the fever.
While not curing the cause of the problem, hot cloths provide a feeling of relief that helps to temporarily control the problem.
A similar process takes place with the use of expression. By "putting hot cloths" in a given situation, the problem is not solved, but a temporary solution is found.
6. Time is money
Meaning
The expression “time is money” is used to indicate that, in a work context, the time used to do something ends up being sold time. After all, the person who works receives a certain value for the time spent working.
The phrase is also often interpreted in a second way: the time a person has free can also be "turned" into cash if used to carry out an activity that earns money (for example, selling something, work, etc.)
Origin
The expression originated from a sentence by the Greek philosopher Theophrastes, who stated in one of his books that “time costs a lot”.
Theophrastes it took him an average of 2 months to write each of his books and the time he spent writing ended up coming back to him in the form of money.
After knowing this and reading the philosopher's works, the American physicist Benjamin Franklin concluded that, after all, “time is money”.
7. poke your nose
Meaning
“Bumping your nose” means meddling in a matter that doesn't concern yourself.
Origin
nose it has two main meanings. The word designates the small lock positioned horizontally between the jambs of a door or window, of to allow it to be closed or opened, and also a small, insignificant trump card in a game of cards.
It is said that this second meaning would be more related to the origin of the expression.
When a person "butts his nose" at something, he usually gives an intrusive, insignificant, unimportant opinion.
The same happens in the card game. A used nose is practically a forced card; it doesn't make much of a difference in the game and is therefore irrelevant.
8. give a hand to the paddle
Meaning
“Give your hand to the paddle” means “to confess or admit an error”; “to recognize that you are not right”.
Origin
A paddle is an ancient wooden object formed by a handle where one end is wider and generally rounded. In the past, it was used by teachers to hit the palm of students' hands as a way of disciplining them.
When the students were wrong, they would extend one of their arms with the palm facing upwards so that the teacher could hit it using the paddle.
The origin of the expression alludes to the old methodology used by teachers, where students, when admitting an error, literally gave their hand to the paddle.
9. A given horse doesn't look its teeth
Meaning
The expression means that when something is received, there should be no demands, no demands or questions about what is received.
Origin
The origin of the expression is related to the commercialization of horses. In the past, buyers had the habit of observing the animal's dental arches before closing a deal.
Through the state of the horse's teeth, it was possible to know, for example, if the animal was young or not. So, even if the seller tried to lie about the age of the horse that was to be sold, the lie could easily be discovered.
As far as expression is concerned, the idea is an analogy: just as it would be impolite for a person who won a horse to check his teeth of the animal to find out if it is young, adult, etc., it would also be impolite for a gifted person to ask questions about the gift received.
10. say snakes and lizards
Meaning
The expression "saying snakes and lizards" is used in two different ways to indicate verbal aggressiveness.
The difference between the meanings is defined by the use of the prepositions “from” and “to”.
A person who says snakes and lizards for another, utters offenses and insults against her. Already a person who says snakes and lizards in another speaks very badly of her.
Origin
The use of the expression has a popular origin and is based on the relationship of antipathy existing between the snake and the lizard, animals as antagonistic as, for example, the cat and the mouse.
folklore quiz
Don't stop here! O All Matter selected a series of very rich texts to help you broaden your knowledge.
- Friday the 13th: understand the origin of this myth here
- Cordel Literature: what it is, origin, characteristics and poems
- Legends of Brazilian Folklore
- Legends of the North Region that you need to know
- Unmissable Legends of the South Region
- Northeast Region Legends You'll Love
- Legends of the Southeast that you can't miss
- Fantastic Legends of the Midwest Region
- Awesome Indian Legends
- Amazing African Legends
- The exciting story of the açaí legend
- What is it, what is it: riddles with answers
- super hard tongue twister
- Círio de Nazaré: the biggest religious festival in Brazil
