Blue stocking the meaning of the phraseological unit is brief. "Blue stocking": the meaning of phraseology and origin (briefly), examples
"- has a dismissive and even offensive character. However, turning to the origins of its occurrence, one can understand that initially it had a completely different meaning. There are several main versions of the origin of this "colored" phraseological phrase.
Version one - English
According to this version, the history of the emergence of the phrase is usually attributed to the times of England in the eighteenth century, the heyday of creative circles. Socialites preferred to spend their free time with a certain lady Montagu, who managed to organize a society of philosophical and literary orientation within the walls of her house under the leadership of the learned husband Stellingfield, a well-known champion in those days with established fashion traditions.
Stellingfield expressed his screaming protest against fashion trends through extravagant outfits that necessarily included blue stockings instead of the usual and customary white stockings.
It is believed that this fact was the reason for the renaming of the literary society into the Blue Stockings Society and gave the name to Byron's famous poem.
Version two - Venetian
According to the so-called Venetian version, the expression "Bluestocking" was born in Venice thanks to an intellectual society of young aristocrats who devoted their lives to the study of the sciences and wore blue stockings as a distinctive attribute of their belonging to the world of knowledge.
Version three - French
The third version refers to France in the 17th century and draws attention to Molière's comedy The Learned Women, which is supposedly dedicated to ladies who are interested in intellectual issues and look ridiculous and ridiculous at the same time. At the same time, meetings of a society of this kind that really existed in France at that time really could not do without atypical stockings shocking the public.
One way or another, modern "blue stockings" study well, often build a brilliant career, but completely exclude fans and other encroachments towards building relationships from their lives.
Today, the problems of blue-stocking women who refuse their personal lives are usually associated with overly strict upbringing and character traits, possibly formed in childhood under the influence of peer ridicule.
blue stocking(neod.) - about a woman immersed in books, mental activities, devoid of femininity. (Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language (1992), N. Yu. Shvedova, "Stocking")
blue stocking(translated from English blue stocking) (contempt. obsolete) - a dry pedant deprived of femininity, completely absorbed in book, scientific interests. “There was no sign of a blue stocking in her: she did not interpret scientific subjects from above.” Nekrasov. "Don't marry... psychopaths or blue stockings." Chekhov. (Explanatory Dictionary (1935 - 1940), "Blue")
It is used in the same meaning in English - bluestocking and in French - bas bleu.
The expression was born in England in the 1760s in the salon of the writer Elizabeth Montagu (1718-1800). According to one version, the most active and prominent member of this circle was the botanist, writer and translator Benjamin Stillingfleet (eng. Benjamin Stillingfleet) (1702-1771), who always wore blue woolen stockings instead of the black silk ones prescribed by etiquette. When he missed a circle meeting, they said: “We cannot live without blue stockings, today the conversation is going badly - there are no blue stockings!” Thus, the nickname "Bluestocking" was first given to a man, and the circle itself began to be ironically called the "Bluestocking Society".
Later, "blue stockings" began to be called women who were interested in literature and science, neglecting home and family. There is a version that the name "blue stockings" was given to Lady Montagu's mug by Admiral Edward Boscowen (1711-1761), known as the "Dauntless old man" or "Wry-necked Dick". He was the husband of one of the more enthusiastic members of the circle, and spoke rudely of his wife's intellectual pursuits, mockingly referring to the meetings of the circle as meetings of the Blue Stockings Society.
The expression became a household word in England after the poet George Gordon Byron wrote a satire on Lady Montagu's salon and called it The Blues.
In France, in the 17th century, there were also salons in Paris, in which women played a prominent role. And for them there was their own term "learned women" (French femmes savantes) after the title of Moliere's comedy "Learned Women", ridiculing "secular pseudo-scientific pedants". A member of the English "Bluestocking Society" Anna Mor in the ironic poem "Bas-bleu, or conversation" claims that the French name (French bas-bleu) was born as a result of a literal translation by some foreigner of English bluestocking. The expression came to Russia from France.
Examples
"What good is it to be blue stocking? blue stocking... what the hell! Not a woman and not a man, but so, the middle half, neither this nor that ... I hate blue stockings! I would never marry a scientist..."
I once counseled a girl with extremely low self-esteem. She always considered herself ugly: dull appearance, excessive thinness, thin hair.
Plus, her boyfriend recently dumped her. She wrote that he was always shy of her. I never introduced you to friends and work colleagues, in social networks. networks, she was not announced as his girlfriend. Of course, she was outraged by all this.
Due to a difficult breakup, her self-esteem was below the baseboard, and the first place where she needed to direct all her strength was to increase confidence in herself, her appearance, intelligence, beauty and talents.
I asked her to send her best photos. But as it turned out - they are not! She does not have beautiful photos, because "Where will they come from if I'm ugly?! .."
Girls, don't get me wrong. There is no need to blame the guys for not telling their friends about you on social. networks. Remember - men love with their eyes, and it is important for them to be proud of the appearance of their girlfriend. And if you do not have the most beautiful photo, but there are a lot of ugly ones - why should your boyfriend tell about you? .. This activity will not bring him any pleasure.
Online, she looked like "Bluestocking". Nondescript photo, wrong name "Horse". Her Facebook page looked extremely unpresentable.
Why would a girl call herself "Horse"? Well, yes, she likes horses - but why call herself that!? This name suggests that you are not different in anything special, and diminutive petting further reduces your dignity.
Call yourself "Beautiful Stranger", "Lady in Red", "Dazzling Brunette" or "Photo Model", in a pinch. And do not even think that modesty suits a girl. Yes, it suits you if you want to wear a low-cut blouse, a pink miniskirt and black fishnet stockings. But if you need to present yourself, then present using common sense!
Of course, many girls do not even think that they look like "Blue Stocking". "Well, what kind of "Blue Stocking" am I!? I like to put on a short skirt, go to a club with my friends, drink three liters of beer and dance famously all night" - believe me, this is not an indicator that you are not a "Blue Stocking" for outsiders. If you do not consider yourself beautiful and capable of captivating, if you are far from an ace in the science of "Self-presentation" - you are the very "Blue Stocking".
The bluishness of our "Horse" was manifested in everything. Job - a teacher of physics. Hobbies - reading. And in the end, the photo taken by the students in the audience: a gray trouser suit, a minimum of makeup, the lack of properly applied blush, hair without styling - a nightmare!
Her task for the first month was to learn how to apply the correct makeup in several ways. As we know, there are daytime, evening, age, make-up for photo shoots and other types. Plus, more in the style of "Oriental", "Romantic", "Cat's eye", "Smoky eyes", "Nude", etc. Which one suits you best?
Every self-respecting woman will definitely try all the styles on herself, and find out in which one she looks perfect. Why? Because the pursuit of beauty perfection is endless. And the more you have done for yourself and your appearance, the higher your self-esteem. The higher your self-esteem, the better other people treat you. The better others treat you, the more opportunities you have in life (and the choice of men, friends, business partners, etc.).
Therefore, you need to improve your skills not only professionally, but also in terms of creating your own style and image. By the way, this knowledge is also beneficial in the profession, since a spectacular looking woman who knows how to present herself and values herself highly is more often promoted, offered creative types of work. That is why our cadets, after training on their image and the development of communication skills (this is the first three months of our course), change their direction in work, grow in their profession, and, as a bonus, start earning more.
The second task for our heroine was to make several photo shoots. Yes, it takes money, time and effort. Set aside a couple of days. Call all photo studios in the city. Look at the forums for which photographers are recommended. Get the right value for money. Get enough sleep, make a spectacular make-up, choose the right image. It is advisable to make two or three photo shoots, with different masters. Yes, someone will spend their entire monthly salary on this - but it's worth it!
And at the end of everything, you need to place this wonderful photo on your board of honor in your favorite social network. networks.
How much the self-esteem of our heroine rose after that - I will not describe. She feels this is much cooler than defending a doctoral dissertation. Then, for the first time in her life, she received many, many, many admiring letters about her transformation... When you do it yourself, you will understand what I am talking about.
Then we worked on the Internet presentation. As it turned out, our heroine could tell a lot of interesting things about herself. Fascinating work, love of painting, skating, belly dancing.
By the way, if there is nothing interesting in your life, why do you think that men will be interested in entering it?
Yes, you are interested in the best candidates for husbands. But these candidates have a rich and exciting life (gym, billiards, hunting and fishing, traveling). And with this busy life you will have to compete.
Would he prefer to spend time with you his favorite football?
What is so interesting you can tell him and show him?
If you are Madame "Bluestocking" - paint yourself and your life with bright colors. Go to a belly dance, do yoga, go to an English course, or some business training ... Fill your life with vivid impressions. And do not say that you are forty and belly dancing is no longer for you. He is just for you! Even if you retire, you are shown to take up dancing.
By the way, the most successful photo of our cadet was taken in a dance costume. Making graceful "pas" in front of the photographer - the photo session was beyond praise. Many old acquaintances could not believe that in the photo in a suit with a bare stomach it was really her!
After several successful photos, she finally believed that she was beautiful.
Well, getting to know her online, the men began to ask if she was a fashion model. And men can be understood, because almost every one of them dreams of dating a model, even if he is a university professor...
A couple of months later, she met a Russian top manager from London. She improved her English and, having accepted the marriage proposal, went to live with him.
Yes, if you have never considered yourself a beauty, if a guy left you, this is not a reason to be offended by life, and lick your spiritual wounds for another five years.
Why waste your precious time?
If you consider yourself a "defective product" in the brides market - believe me, your RESPONDENCE speaks for you. Resentment at oneself, at a former boyfriend, at one's fate ... And resentment never tells the truth. She always exaggerates, denigrates and puts in the wrong light.
You need to pull yourself together and actively work on your self-esteem, self-presentation, get the first positive results - and continue active education! And the results will be where they go!
Oksana Dupliakina
In our time nicknamed "blue stocking" most often awarded to old maids who have sacrificed their personal lives for the sake of a career or science, although such an interpretation of this phrase has nothing to do with the original meaning. Phraseologism appeared in England in the 18th century, and those who were called "blue stockings" not only were not upset about this, but had every reason to be proud of their title. In addition, men were the first to receive such nicknames.
The expression "blue stocking" (bluestocking) was first recorded in 1756 in England, in the correspondence of Elizabeth Montagu and Elizabeth Vesey - members of a circle of intellectuals who met to talk about art and science. The soul of the society that gathered in the 1750-1760s. in the salon of Elizabeth Montagu, there was the scientist Benjamin Stillingfleet, who neglected fashion: etiquette prescribed to wear silk white or black stockings, and he wore blue woolen ones. And in their correspondence, women so called the male intellectuals with whom they communicated in this circle. They also used the phrases "bluestocking doctrine", "bluestocking philosophy" to denote their special philosophy "as a remedy against the rough world of politics".
D. Boswell explains the appearance of the expression “blue stocking” in this way: “Stillingfleet was such an excellent conversationalist that his absence was perceived as a great loss, and we used to say: “We cannot do without blue stockings,” and so little by little this name took root ". And later, “bluestockings” began to be called the rest of the circle members and all those men and women who preferred intellectual discussions and philosophical conversations to ordinary entertainment like playing cards.
For England of that era, such salons were an absolute innovation - before the discussion of serious issues was the prerogative of men in clubs, coffee houses and pastry shops. In the salons with the ladies, no one conducted such dialogues - it was considered indecent. However, over time, there were more and more women in society who were interested in art and engaged in literary creativity and translations.
Over time, the title of "blue stocking" began to be perceived as a very honorary one, and its presence testified to belonging to the intellectual elite. Gradually, a new ideal of an English lady is being formed in society - intellectually developed and spiritually independent. The traditional role of the resigned and obedient wife was ridiculed and condemned. So, Lady Montagu ironically wrote about the main rule of such marriages: “Kiss me and be silent!”.
One of the members of the "blue stockings" circle was Hannah More, whose fate was not at all typical for women of that era. At 22, she met a wealthy gentleman 20 years her senior. He proposed to her, but for some reason the marriage never took place. But the man appointed Hannah the content, thanks to which she could live comfortably in her own pleasure. Then she went to London, where she became a member of a circle of intellectuals called Bluestocking. Hanna More opened several schools for the poor and devoted her life to teaching children and writing. She never got married.
However, by 1800, the Bluestocking circle disintegrated, and the attitude towards educated women changed in society. Byron in 1820 uses this expression in a disparaging sense in relation to Lady Montagu's salon. Following him, men begin to ridicule women who prefer intellectual pursuits to family life. In the 19th century many anecdotes and caricatures appeared that condemned women who were passionate about creativity, science or social activities. One of the common jokes was: "Many women become blue stockings, because no one is interested in the color of their garters."
Surprisingly, where this phraseologism originated, it has not been used for a long time, but in our country the expression "blue stocking" is very common and well known to everyone. In one of his stories, A. Chekhov wrote: “What good is it to be a blue stocking. Blue stocking... God knows what! Not a woman and not a man, and so the middle half, neither this nor that.
The original meaning of phraseologism has changed under the influence of society's reaction to the emancipe movement. Therefore, the expression "blue stocking" acquired an ironic, and then offensive sound. In the twentieth century The situation has not changed:
In society, you can often hear such an unflattering nickname for a girl as a blue stocking. Everyone probably knows what it means. It describes a girl who, since school, has delved into science or the study of something, and so much so that she completely forgot that she should take care of herself and at least use cosmetics. Plus to all this, she does not communicate with anyone and does not make close acquaintances.
The most interesting thing here is that this term has a very long history and is still used until today.
Nickname history
Unfortunately, there are no exact records of who and when began to call women blue stockings, but there are two more or less plausible versions. The first says that for the first time this nickname began to be used in the 1760s among fans of the literary circle of a certain Elizabeth Montagu. According to these data, her circle of acquaintances, who often gathered together, included a certain scientist who was fond of botany. He was remembered for the fact that instead of the black stockings prescribed by etiquette, he wore blue ones that stood out noticeably. As a result, in those days when he was not at the next meeting, many began to say that they were bored without the “blue stockings”. That is, it turns out that initially this description was applied to men, and not to women.
According to another version, in the circle of Elizabeth Montagu there was a certain lady who was too fond of everything that was discussed there (poetry, literature). And her husband got so mad at her for this that he started calling her, collectively, the members of the community "bluestockings."
Be that as it may, but over the years, this definition has ceased to concern men and smoothly migrated to women. And so, since then, the one who was assigned to this category was known as an ugly, gloomy person who did not look like an ordinary woman, but also fell short of a man (according to some writers).
How is this complex formed?
There can be no doubt that we are now talking about a psychological complex. After all, according to the observations of modern psychologists, those who at least once fall under this definition will not be able to get rid of it so easily. And the point here is not in the features of appearance, but in how the girl feels in society.
Perhaps we should agree with the opinion that all our troubles begin in childhood. So here, the girl who grew up in a family with a strict upbringing, most likely, becomes a blue stocking, especially if her mother or grandmother (or both at once) are teachers with conservative views on the world.
From a young age, they begin to hammer into the child's head that the desire to conform to the requirements of fashion, to wear makeup, to wear too revealing outfits and thereby attract the attention of the opposite sex, is a waste of precious time that could be used to study another subject or to writing a scientific work.
So little by little, she has to comply with their ideas, be an excellent student in the class and constantly participate in the Olympiads. At the same time, she, of course, will not go to discos or gather with classmates after school. And this behavior can only be explained by the fact that she is very afraid of offending her parents, because any teenager at the age of 14-16 wants to walk and have fun, regardless of upbringing.
Exactly the same picture will be observed in adulthood. The woman who is nicknamed the blue stocking will definitely be the most efficient employee who does all the necessary and even overtime tasks, sacrificing her free time and even weekends. Very often, she can become a successful business woman who simply does not have time for her personal life (or at least she will try to seem so busy, and she will be bored alone in the evenings).
What lies behind this complex
The problem with the blue stocking is that she absolutely does not know how to communicate with people. It means on a personal level. As a result, an old maid (and she most often becomes one) can very easily be deceived by any unscrupulous man who dares to compliment her as a woman and make her feel desired.
Lack of practice in love affairs can lead to a very sad outcome. From which she will then have to withdraw even more into herself and never again remember that she can be completely different.
In addition, it is worth noting that not every man dares to speak with a blue stocking, because she looks like such an impregnable fortress that even from a distance it is clear that you should not even approach her just like that. As a result, such a woman expects loneliness and a half-lived life (since it cannot be called full-fledged even without a family).
How to get rid of a nickname
Stopping being a bluestocking is very simple and difficult at the same time. When the understanding comes that in no case should you go to extremes and change your image in one day. This again will look somewhat ridiculous and will again cause ridicule from others.
Here it is worth doing everything deliberately and gradually. The first step is to go to a party with colleagues. The second is to make one or two girlfriends, learn how to communicate. And, most importantly, stop perceiving the opposite sex as an enemy camp and let at least one fan approach you.
So slowly the ability to communicate in companies will come. And with regular communication with men, you can get the hang of understanding them and flirting with them.
And never think that it's already too late. Perhaps the worst thing you can do for yourself is to turn into a person who is constantly dissatisfied with life, who swears at everyone and everything. Do not do this, but rather take care of yourself and be sure to find a hobby for yourself.
So don't be afraid to change. Instead, imagine what an attractive person you will turn into, since from now on you will combine two of the rarest qualities - intelligence and beauty. Good luck!
