The origin of the word "glove" and interesting facts

Today the world of gloves is full of amazing models. They are made of lace, leather, fabric, rubber and other materials. And what they were in the ancient era? Why were they worn before?

The origin of the word "glove"

Do you think the words of a glove, a finger, a thimble and a ring are related? All these words are united by one ancient common root - the finger. The Slavs used to call the finger a finger. Therefore the etymological origin of the word "glove" goes back to the finger. All of the above words denote an object that was worn on a finger (a thimble, a ring), and in the case of gloves - on the fingers. Words of foreign origin have nothing to do with it.

The etymology of the word glove has several versions:

1. Everyone knows a glove-like thing - mittens. From them and the master sewing business began to simulate those very gloves - "gloves gloves".
2. The origin of the word "glove" is also associated with the word "pereshchka", from the Pudozh dialect (modern Karelia), transformed into "perch".
3. In the Pskov Chronicle of 1722, a "pirstatist" was recorded, which also later became "perch".

Thus, to date, linguists do not have a common opinion explaining the origin of the word "glove". These three versions were described by the German linguist, lexicographer and Slavicist, born in the Russian Empire of the 19th century, Max Fasmer. In addition, the scientist was a foreign correspondent member of the USSR Academy of Sciences. He became famous as a compiler of the Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language. The main works of Fasmer are devoted to the study of the Slavic languages. The origin of the word "glove" is most fully described in the etymological dictionary of Max Fasmer.

Who was the first to wear gloves?

Historically, gloves have played a different role for their fashionable life of several millennia. It was a means to protect the hands from cold and dirt. In another epoch this thing was an accessory, an ornament on the elegant female handle. And also with the help of a glove it was possible to call on the duel of the enemy!

The first to wear gloves people of ancient Egypt. These were bags that they put on their hands and tied on their wrists. Later on they appeared a department for the thumb. This thing began to resemble modern mittens. In parallel with the gloves appear and gloves. They were discovered during the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun. They had a compartment for each finger. These gloves were not distinguished by their elegance, but they did not allow their hands to freeze or get dirty.

The Greeks, unlike the Egyptians, wore gloves when they were about to do physical work. And the latter attributed them to accessories of worthy persons! The Romans, with the help of gloves, protected their hands from cold, hot food and dirt.

Middle Ages

Gloves were especially popular in the Middle Ages. They were made of metal for knights, animal skin for hunters. True, they were more like mittens by their form. This is due to the fact that the little finger and ring finger "lived" in the glove together. The other three fingers were assigned the second fingertip. Special consideration was the monarch's gloves, since they had five branches. Masters decorated them with precious stones and gold. To keep up with the ruling power, the ordinary people decorated them with embroidery and bugles.

The Middle Ages endowed the glove with a symbol of monarchy power. It is from this period that the glove is worn not as a necessity, but as an accessory and addition to the side. With a glove in his hand, the knight swore allegiance to the master. Bishop, entering the dignity, received his cherished couple. Get a glove commoner from the king meant his blessing for any activity. For example, sewing clothes, coining coins, collecting taxes. If the beautiful lady gave her glove to the sir in the armor, it was indicative of the favor to his person. So in the XII century the glove became a sign of luxury.

Interesting Facts

In the history of gloves there are many entertaining facts. In the Middle Ages, the glove donated to the knight was not hiding from them, but was proudly worn on the sher's hat. And why did the famous Catherine de 'Medici need a pair of waterproof gloves? In order to poison unwanted individuals!

The glamorous admirers of gloves are Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. The French emperor in his wardrobe had about 300 pairs of these accessories. There is an opinion that Josephine wore elongated models in order to hide the lack of beauty of her hands.

In the XIX century, the mortality rate of the male half of the population increased sharply. And what do you think, with what it was connected? Yes Yes! It was with a glove. The challenge to a duel was considered to be accepted if the opponent picked up this thing.

Conclusion

Words of foreign origin had no effect on the name of the gloves. This thing belongs to the category of primordially Russian words in a great and mighty language.

Learn the etymology of the Russian language, and you will learn more interesting and exciting facts!