Lecture the word and its meaning

LECTURE 2.


PHRASEOLOGY

1. 
   Set expressions, their features and origin.
   
2. 
   Classification of phraseological units.
   

1. 
   Set expressions, their features and origin.
   

Set expressions are stable ready-made units with fixed integrate structure. They are contrasted to free phrases and semi-fixed combinations. A free phrase permits substitution of any of its elements without any semantic change in the other element, e.g. to go early: to work, get up, move, etc. early: to go late, quickly, down, etc.

In semi-fixed combinations there are some boundaries for the substitution, e.g. go to school (market, college, court, etc.) is used only with nouns of places where definite actions are performed.
Features that make set expressions stable:

1. 
   euphonic;
   
2. 
   imaginative;
   
3. 
   connotative.
   

Euphonic: rhythm, rhyme, alliteration,e.g. safe and sound, stuff and nonsense, by hook or by crook.
Semantic stylistic features: simile, contrast, metaphor, synonymy, antonymy, e.g. as like as two peas, as old as hills, more or less, from beginning to end, a lame duck, arms race, to swallow a pill, proud and hauty.
A bit of expressions are connected with different spheres of people’s life, nature, etc.

1. 
   nature, e.g. out of the blue, as welcome as snow in May, to rain cats and dogs, etc.
   
2. 
   agriculture, e.g. plough the sand, reap a rich harvest, sow wild oats, etc.
   
3. 
   sports, e.g. fair play, to kick a goal, etc.
   
4. 
   mythology, e.g. the apple of discord, Achilles’ heel, etc.
   
5. 
   the Bible, e.g. Solomon’s judgement, forbidden fruit, etc.
   
6. 
   folklore, e.g. peeping Tom, Calamity Jane, etc.
   
7. 
   literature, e.g. to fight the windmills, a green-eyed monster, etc.
   

2.