Why are Russian sailors shouting “Half!”
Among the Russian sailors, the cry “Polundra!” Has long been popular, but not everyone understands its meaning. Let's try to figure out where it came from, what it means and when it is applied.
What language did the “half-inch” come from
According to one version, the most common one, the word came to the Russian language from the Netherlands, like many marine terms.
During the time of Peter the Great, Russia created a merchant and navy. At the same time, shipbuilders and sailors took an example from the leading maritime powers of Europe. The Dutch most helped the Russians in the development of maritime affairs. Naturally, many terms from the Dutch language came to the Russian language.
The word "half-moon" could have been a distorted Dutch expression "van onderen" meaning "from below." During the sailing fleet, the Dutch sailors warned their comrades in case of danger with such an outcry. It could be a heavy object or a load that was dropped from above. Another danger was rigging fragments that could fall on the heads if an enemy cannonball hit it during a naval battle.
According to another version, taken from Ushakov’s dictionary, this is a distorted English “fall under”, meaning “fall down”. Although this is unlikely, as the expression most likely means "fall under the action of something."
When the “half-hound” sounded
The word stuck in the Russian fleet, and its meaning was broader than a warning about the falling on the head of heavy and dangerous objects. With this exclamation they warned of any danger. This could be, for example, a fire, an attack by enemies on a ship, a threat of flooding, and much more. After such a cry, the crew jumped out of the cabins and gathered on the deck.
In the same way they warned of other dangers. For example, with the word "half-moon" a sailor warned a friend that a port prostitute could infect him with a sexually transmitted disease.
In addition, the "half" became the battle cry of the Russian sailors. Under him, they were boarding an enemy ship. When the battle was on land, the “half-a-half” became a signal for an attack, encouraged its participants and intimidated enemies. In other words, the sailor shouted, “Half-moon!” in cases in which a Russian soldier shouts “Hurray!”.
Perhaps this has some element of "showing off" to the soldiers, a way to stand out among the "gray mass".
In a word, the “half-moon” is both a warning, a call and a battle cry. It sounds in any danger, and is also a way to attract attention, convene a team for emergency work or warn about the approach of the authorities.
What language did the “half-inch” come from
According to one version, the most common one, the word came to the Russian language from the Netherlands, like many marine terms.
During the time of Peter the Great, Russia created a merchant and navy. At the same time, shipbuilders and sailors took an example from the leading maritime powers of Europe. The Dutch most helped the Russians in the development of maritime affairs. Naturally, many terms from the Dutch language came to the Russian language.
The word "half-moon" could have been a distorted Dutch expression "van onderen" meaning "from below." During the sailing fleet, the Dutch sailors warned their comrades in case of danger with such an outcry. It could be a heavy object or a load that was dropped from above. Another danger was rigging fragments that could fall on the heads if an enemy cannonball hit it during a naval battle.
According to another version, taken from Ushakov’s dictionary, this is a distorted English “fall under”, meaning “fall down”. Although this is unlikely, as the expression most likely means "fall under the action of something."
When the “half-hound” sounded
The word stuck in the Russian fleet, and its meaning was broader than a warning about the falling on the head of heavy and dangerous objects. With this exclamation they warned of any danger. This could be, for example, a fire, an attack by enemies on a ship, a threat of flooding, and much more. After such a cry, the crew jumped out of the cabins and gathered on the deck.
In the same way they warned of other dangers. For example, with the word "half-moon" a sailor warned a friend that a port prostitute could infect him with a sexually transmitted disease.
In addition, the "half" became the battle cry of the Russian sailors. Under him, they were boarding an enemy ship. When the battle was on land, the “half-a-half” became a signal for an attack, encouraged its participants and intimidated enemies. In other words, the sailor shouted, “Half-moon!” in cases in which a Russian soldier shouts “Hurray!”.
Perhaps this has some element of "showing off" to the soldiers, a way to stand out among the "gray mass".
In a word, the “half-moon” is both a warning, a call and a battle cry. It sounds in any danger, and is also a way to attract attention, convene a team for emergency work or warn about the approach of the authorities.
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