Many have heard the expression "yeshkin cat" at least once in their lives. The phrase is not swearing, although the attitude towards it remains ambiguous. Meanwhile, the famous phrase has a rather interesting history and unusual meaning.
The phrase gained popularity after the release of the comedy "Love and Doves" in 1984. The main character of this film loved to repeat it. Phraseologism was adopted by the audience, who conveyed a vivid expression to the new generation. There are several versions of the appearance of a memorable statement.
Fabulous version
A combination that is neutral in meaning, which has received an emotional component with the help of intonation, is a good example of a euphemism. With its help, bewilderment, and anger, and joy, and surprise, and bewilderment, and disappointment are expressed. Among the meanings there are even abusive "ugliness" and "disgusting". Let them be attributed to words-parasites, but they also replace obscene language in most cases.
One of the main heroines of Russian fairy tales is Baba Yaga. Her constant companion is Kot-Bayun. Usually he is represented by a large predatory black beast, capable of hypnotizing a person with a magical voice.
The attitude to the cat Yagi is special, the same as to Likh, who is remembered by almost everyone. Subya according to the primary sources, Ezhkin among the people became Eshkin.
Mythical-historical interpretation
If, however, one does not remember the folklore origin, and does not go into the etymology, then the familiar phrase is, according to some versions, part of a conspiracy widespread among the ancient Slavs.
It was pronounced in order to protect everything that is most dear to a person from evil spirits. Then people did not know the origin of many things, therefore the events received mythical interpretations.
Ancestors read such slander to summon the forces of light. Since then, many interesting rituals have remained, and some have not been forgotten even now.
Monument
Since 2011, Yoshkar-Ola has been the place of registration for Eshkin's cat. Here a monument was erected to the famous hero in the very center. Quite satisfied with life and very well-fed creature, immortalized in bronze, freely settled down in the park near the Mari State University.
The students accepted such an inhabitant very quickly, making them their talisman: in order to pass all the exams successfully, the students by all means scratch the cat's nose.
The supposed girlfriend of the hero of folklore was not deprived of attention either. In Yoshkar-Ola, there is an amazing composition depicting Yoshkina's cat with a cat lying next to her, from which a mouse is running away. According to the version of the creators of the monument, the widespread expression and the humorous city name "Yoshka" were too consonant.
Emotions and humor
Often a well-known phrase takes on a humorous meaning, despite its origin from a very cunning and very dangerous assistant of a by no means a kind heroine of folklore.
The no less common "yadrena matryona" and "ekarny babay" differ in the same subtext. They also came from Russian folklore and became widespread in Russia.
Surely, the mentality of the inhabitants of other countries is completely not to the liking of the hero of the Russian expression, since outside the homeland the phrase with such a character did not take root.
But within the Russian Federation, Eshkin's cat is often remembered at moments of explosion of emotions.
