"Flea shoe": the meaning and origin of phraseology

Today, phraseology "a flea shoe" can be heard quite rarely. Fortunately, this original stable expression, introduced by the writer Leskov's light hand, was not completely forgotten at the end of the 19th century. In what cases do people remember the bright turn of the speech, what is the meaning of the traditional speech?

Phraseology "shoe a flea": the meaning

As is known, a flea is an insect-parasite with a microscopic size. Of course, when talking about this or that person that he can "shoe a shoe," people do not at all mean his ability to put a horseshoe on a parasite. In this stable expression, a completely different meaning is invested.

Such phraseology is traditionally pronounced when they want to note the unique talent that a person has, his ability to solve the most difficult and even impossible task.

Prehistory

The occurrence of speech turnover "flea shoe" is directly related to the situation that developed in Russia at the turn of the 19-20th centuries. Representatives of the highest nobility with disregard for everything that was produced by local craftsmen. Criticism was subjected to works of art, household goods. It was believed that only abroad are able to work qualitatively, and Russian masters are only able to imitate foreign colleagues, producing low-quality fakes.

Of course, the common people did not like this attitude of high society representatives to local goods. Constantly attempts were made to change the situation, to demonstrate the high quality of Russian products. This theme is touched upon in many of the stories and tales written at that time. These works describe the crushing victories of Russian masters who leave foreigners in the fools.

The story of Nikolai Leskov

Who is the author of the phraseology "shoe a flea", when the original stable expression appeared? It is known that this speech revolution was first used by writer Nikolai Leskov. In 1881, the readers' trial was presented to his story "Lefty", which quickly gained popularity.

The central character of the story is a folk master from Tula, whose fame for the skill of which walked throughout the Russian Empire. This master was so talented that he managed to create a horseshoe for an iron flea manufactured in the West, which has a microscopic size. Moreover, he decorated each horseshoe with the brand name, which he used in the production of his own products.

Leskov's readers liked the story invented by the author so much that the phrase "the flea shoe" was used everywhere. It was used not only by people from the people, but also by representatives of the highest nobility.

Myth or Reality

Of course, the master from Tula, who managed to solve a task that seems impossible, was invented by Nikolai Leskov. However, a miniature steel flea is not at all a product of author's fantasy. The writer in his story used an event that took place in real history.

The owner of a metal flea, which has a microscopic size, was once the Russian Emperor Alexander the First. This happened when the autocrat made a trip to England. One of the local craftsmen, the king acquired a steel counterfeit depicting a flea, which he liked very much.

Brave experiment

Above, the meaning of the speech turnover "to the flea shoe" is revealed, the meaning and origin of the phraseology are also revealed. But has someone managed to cope with this difficult task in real life? This person became Nikolai Aldunin, an experienced master of microminiatures, who lived in Tula.

The story, written by Nikolai Leskov, made a great impression on Aldunin. The master wanted not only to repeat the success of the craftsman invented by the writer from Tula, but to surpass him by putting a horseshoe on a living parasite. Working with metal, Nicholas knew brilliantly, gaining experience while working as a mechanic and turner.

Obviously, on the path of Master Aldunin, obstacles appeared that could seem insurmountable. The main problem is the hairs that cover the legs of a real insect. This obstacle, Nicholas managed to eliminate, removing some of the hairs and cutting the remaining ones. Also, the craftsman had to invent miniature tools that could be used in the work. The manufacture of such devices alone required two years of work. It is also known that, conjuring a flea, Aldunin used an ultra-strong microscope.

The victory of the master

The phraseological "shoe to the side" made such an impression on Aldunin that he managed to cope with this task. This man became the world's first artisan, who managed to put on a live parasite of the horseshoe. It happened only 150 years after Nikolai Leskov presented his work "Lefty" to the readers' court.

Of course, it is also interesting what metal was used by the talented craftsman in the manufacture of miniature horseshoes. Small horseshoes, as well as carnations to them were made of gold. It is interesting that the weight of each horseshoe does not exceed 0.00000004419 grams, in all Aldunin made them six pieces.

What does it mean to "shoe a flea"? As already mentioned, this phraseology is used when people want to express their admiration for the talent of one or another person. Nikolai Aldunin can be called an excellent example of a master who can "shoe a flea". By the way, this genius, who managed to put horseshoes on a miniature insect, was not limited to this outstanding achievement. To his heirs, Aldunin left a huge number of interesting microminiatures. For example, they created a traditional Tula samovar, the height of which barely exceeds a millimeter. He also made a portrait of the famous writer Pushkin on a rice grain.

This talented person passed away in September 2009.

Famous gift

As follows from all of the above, the expression can have a direct meaning. "Flea shoe" was able not only Nikolai Aldunin from Tula. The inhabitant of the Omsk region coped with this difficult task. Anatoly Konenko presented his product as a gift to Vladimir Putin, and an exact copy was made for the exhibitions.

By the way, a miniature flea with horseshoes is by no means the only achievement of this talented master. Anatoly is the creator of illustrated small books with a miniature format. Information about his work even hit the famous Guinness Book of Records. It is interesting that these books can not only be admired, with a microscope they are suitable for reading, contain works of various famous writers. Konenko and other outstanding works belonging to the genre of miniatures were created. Works of the master are currently represented in many museums.