To consider crows"": value of a phraseological unit, origin, synonyms

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Phraseological units are the settled expressions and the phrases inherent in a certain language. The majority of such phrases and expressions came to the modern world from an extreme antiquity therefore there is nothing surprising that they lost the paramount meaning. What does expression "A raven mean to consider" and whether it reached us in original form?

Major importances and interpretation

At a phraseological unit "To consider crows" there are several various interpretation, however the most widespread of them is the following:

The absent-mindedness or to be scattered. About the person can tell that he "considers crows" in case she is not able to concentrate on any a certain occupation or work. For example, the teacher so boringly explains a lecture that students "the raven considers".
To idle. In such value "crows to consider the settled expression" use in those cases at which the person just spends time without advantage. For example, to the person instead of considering crows, it would be possible to tidy up in the apartment or just to read the book.

Direct sense and possible origin of a phraseological unit

The origin steady expression can be directly connected with quite natural desire of any person to watch animal and other brothers smaller. By the way, "crows to consider a phraseological unit" and similar to it, connected with animals, are called zoomorphisms.

If to speak in brief, then under a phraseological unit "to consider crows" any absence even of the minimum attention and focus on anything gets. Such behavior, especially pronounced and noticeable to people around, is also called as "a raven to consider".

The person at the same time can not listen to what he is told or to distract during dialogue. Also under it situations at which the person just loses thread of dialogue get and she is not able to penetrate into what is told by the interlocutor. And all these behavior models can be characterized one expression - "considers crows".

Why crows and why were afraid of them

There are two people and one of looks around and distracts. It is not excluded even that he at the same time considers some small birdies. But small birdies badly for this purpose approach as they constantly flicker. As for crows, here quite another matter — they more, and color at them more noticeable. It is easier to count such big birds, let on it too time is required.

However exist more difficult answer to the question "why it have to be crows", and this answer is connected with mysticism and sorcery. It is known that in Russia from time immemorial crows were considered as the most difficult, magical bird. Also people believed that crows accompanied sorcerers and magicians, lodged in settlements of shamans and were frequenters of fairy tale negative characters.

People in Russia were frightened by blue-black plumage, and attentive and as if everything the understanding and intense look of this bird of many not so much bewitched how many just threw into a serious shiver. And, as consequence of all that, ravens quite often were the main subject of legends, bylinas and legends.

And here such impression is made that people, taking into account fear of crows, should not have had any other feelings to these dangerous birds at all. However in this situation everything appeared not so simply. People began to understand over time what crows is not just birds, but also can be connected with the world of the dead.

This opinion first of all, was based on the menu of feathery beings. It is known that crows do not disdain to regale on carrion, and they definitely will never refuse to themselves this pleasure. First it caused fastidiousness in people, however a bit later absolutely wild, bad and disturbing thoughts began to succeed it. Who knows for what and why the raven flied exactly here? Perhaps, he is an envoy or the conductor to the Kingdom of the dead and now chooses the next victim. Or, maybe, the raven wants to warn the person.

The main signs connected with crows

The signs which came to the modern world from Ancient Russia allow to understand for what and why the raven flies, prisy these signs were so truthful that they were transferred to the son from the father and were punished to watch a bird and to watch her behavior. There are several signs connected with crows:

The most terrible sign is the situation at which the raven fell by the church bell tower, and it is one crows. People believed that if one crows sits down on the bell tower that means that shortly it will burn down. And most often it is about the fire not in one house, and in the whole village.
If the raven sat down on a house roof, it is necessary to watch it. If he just stands still or marks time something pecks, in it there is nothing terrible. If the raven constantly shouts, it can mean a fast funeral.
If on a roof not of one crows, but whole and pack, they need to be counted urgently. If birds even quantity, then it is possible to calm down as it speaks about unexpected profit. If birds odd quantity, then it speaks about possible losses.
Also crows can sit down at a fence, and here they need to be counted too. If on a fence the even quantity sits, it speaks about arrival of guests and if odd — to the fact that shortly the house will be left by the child. In most cases leaving was connected with the fact that the daughter married or the son went to army.

Of course, to trust in these signs or not — business of everyone, however all of them came to the modern world from ancient times, and at that time people believed that crows and their quantity are capable to tell something very important.

When from expression "to consider crows" removed a negative and fear

Here everything is rather simple and clear. (At that time) people explained more modern to other people that the black raven is only a bird at which do not exist any beyond the grave or mystical governors or tsars from the Kingdom of the dead.

If the raven sat down on a roof, it can say only that he was very tired and just decided to take rest a little. You should not attribute to crows any mystical or supernatural abilities which they do not have. Sometimes, of course, there is coincidence, but they so coincidence also remain.

Phraseological units in which there are crows

With a crow besides that they are considered, a lot more other popular expressions and phraseological units are connected. For example, there are such:

"Black sheep" — the person, which "not such, as all".
"Crow in feathers of a peacock" — the person trying to seem to those whom he actually is not.
"Neither peahen nor crow" — the dependent and not having the position person.
"To catch crows" — to miss important.
"To frighten crows" — to ridiculous to look ridiculous.
"Crows cawed" — there came the bad weather.
"Crow's nest" — a shaggy hairstyle.

Apparently, about crows in the history of life of people there were many various expressions whose values were both negative, and positive and even ridiculous.

Synonyms and antonyms expressions

At a phraseological unit "to consider crows" there is a steady sense, however he can be transferred by means of other set expressions. Here the main of them:

"To idle". Chips are wooden blanks for any future products. The beating of chips in Russia is the simplest occupation which only was.
"To shoot the breeze". The one who shoots the breeze, vapors and without advantage spends the time.
"To send idlers".
"To play the fool".
"To be idle".
"Not to strike with a finger in a finger".
"To lie on one side".
"To consider flies".
"To idle".

As for antonyms, they for expression "a raven to consider" the following: