Phraseology as a science

Biblical phrases

The Bible is considered as one of the most important sources of phraseological expressions. The scientist Smith says that the Bible was widely read book and often cited in England for more than one hundred years. Not only separated words were adopted from the pages of the Bible, but also intact idiomatic expressions were adopted. The amount of bible phrases which were gone down into the English language is too much, that it is impossible to count them.

Bible phrases are considered as full assimilated adoptions. We give some examples of the most widely-spread bible phrases, which are also used in the Russian language:

at the eleventh hour – в последнюю минуту, в самый последний момент; can the leopard change his spots? – горбатого могила исправит; cast pearls before swine – метать бисер перед свиньями; filthy lucre – презренный металл, деньги; in the twinkling of an eye – в мгновение ока; new wine in old bottles –новое вино в старых мехах, новое содержание в старой форме; the olive branch – оливковая ветвь; the root of all evil – корень зла; a wolf in sheep's clothing – волк в овечьей шкуре etc.

Bible phrases have some changes with their bible prototype. We have mentioned only the main types of such changes.

1. 
   Bible prototype is used in literal meaning. And phraseological units are created after its rethinking. Take for instance the set phrase kill the fatted calf which were used in parable about prodigal son in literal meaning «заклать упитанного тельца». Later this set phrase gained new meaning угостить лучшим, что есть дома.
   

A millstone about somebody's neck – тяжелая ответственность, камень на шее. In the Bible the phrase was used in literal meaning. Nowadays this phraseological expression could be used with the verbs hang and have. We could substitute the word about with the words round or around.

2. 
   When the variant of prototype becomes separate phraseological unit. For example the set phrase live on the fat of the land – жить в роскоши, жить припеваючи (кататься как сыр в масле) supplanted the prototype eat the fat of the land, which did not become widely used.
   
3. 
   Changing the form of bible phrases. Take for instance the phraseological expression a drop in the bucket – капля в море is considered as changed bible phrase Behold the nations as a drop of a bucket.
   

Or for example in the phraseological unit gall and wormwood – нечто ненавистное, постылое word order was changed and all articles were felt. The wormwood and the gall.

4. 
   Phraseological components which were used in the Bible in literal meaning, but do not create variable combination. The phraseological expression loaves and fishes – земные блага. In the Bible the word loaves and the word fishes were used, but not the word combination loaves and fishes.
   
5. 
   Creation of phraseological units with word-play. Take for instance
   

the land of Nod - царство сна appeared with the word game. The word nod – дремота and Nod – the place. This expression was created by Swift: go into the land of Nod – отправиться спать.

For example: for better or for worse – на радость и горе, в счастье и несчастье; from the bottom of one's heart – от всего сердца, от всей души were created with the word-play.

Bible phrases are not set citations without any changes. In Modern English language they could also change their meaning, could have some additions or fallings. We would like to give some examples: cast in (or throw in) one's lot with somebody – связать свою судьбу с кем-либо; proclaim (cry or shout) from (or upon) the housetops – объявить во всеуслышание, разгласить на всех перекрестках; a drop in the bucket (or ocean) – капля в море etc.

As it was started above bible phrases as any other phraseological expressions could lose their meaning, emotional nuance. But we need to mention that almost all of these bible phrases are used in written form and in rare instances they could be used in spoken language, but not often.

+In every day speech we use such word combinations, which we cannot name bible phrases. They are more connected with popular belief. Take for instance such expressions: My God! (or Good gracious! or My goodness!) – Боже мой!; Good grief! (or Good heavens! or Holy cow!) – Боже праведный!; Thank God! (or Thank goodness!) – Слава Богу!; For God’s sake! (or For heaven’s sake! or For goodness’ sake!) – Ради Бога!; And so help me God! – И да поможет мне Бог!; God bless you! – хранит вас Бог!; God willing, I’ll be back soon! – Бог даст, я скоро вернусь!; God forbid! – Не дай Бог! Боже упаси!; A God-given right (talent etc.) – Богом данное право (талант и т.д.); Godforsaken place – Богом забытое место (захолустье).