So you were holding a candle. What does "hold the candle" mean? Where did this expression come from? French origin of the phrase
Very often, when people do not know the answer to a question, they say: “I don’t know! I didn't have a candle." This phrase about "holding a candle" in our everyday life is not uncommon. The expression "hold a candle" has a fairly simple explanation, and means to be an eyewitness to certain things, more often related to the personal life of the person in question. But why a candle? Why not another object, why don’t we just say: “How do I know?! I didn't witness these events, did I? Let's try to figure out what the phrase "held a candle" means and where did this phrase come from?
There are several options for the origin of the expression. And none of the options are bad.
Russian interpretation of the expression about holding a candle
Some people believe that the expression "hold a candle" was first used in Russia. They explain it this way. In those days, the primary task of the family was associated with the birth of children, the continuation of their kind. That is why the life of young spouses must be as truthful as possible, there should not have been any secrets from relatives of the young. In addition, relatives considered it their business to make sure that the newlyweds were engaged in this business. That is why one of the relatives guarded near the door to the bedroom and watched through the keyhole, holding a candle so that what was happening could be better seen. Convinced that the husband and wife were not hacking and everything was fine with them, the peeping person immediately hurried to notify other relatives that they should not worry, and heirs would soon be born.
French origin of the phrase
Another version of the origin of the expression "holding a candle" has French roots. The French have an interesting phrase that has the same translation “I didn’t hold a candle there!”. Used it as an answer to questions about someone's private life. Usually this was the answer to those who were very interested in this and had a habit of collecting various gossip.
In French, the phrase sounds like this: Que voulez-vous! Je n'y ai pas tenu la chandelle.
It can be assumed that the expression gained popularity because of the engraving of the artist from Italy - Agostino Caracci. The engraving depicts lovers having sex, and next to them is a girl who holds a candle over them in order to illuminate the room and the guy and the girl have enough light to see each other. The work became so popular in France that the French gave the engraving a new popular name.
And it sounded like this:
Tenir la chandelle, which means "to hold a candle" or "holding a candle" (of a woman in an engraving).
Anecdotal origin of the expression "hold a candle"
There is another version of the origin of the phrase about holding a candle. It has a connection with the well-known anecdote of the Middle Ages. It sounds like this.
There was a lord and he had a very insatiable wife. And in no way could the lord satisfy her. In bed affairs, everything was unsuccessful, no matter how hard the lord tried and no matter what he did. He even put a servant next to him to excite his wife more. But all was in vain. And then, one day, desperate and tired, he gave the order to his employee to go to bed instead of him, and began to hold the candle himself. Surprisingly, everything worked out for the servant, the wife was pleased, and the owner, in order not to fall completely in the eyes of his wife, found such a way out of the situation. He said: “Look, now do you see how to hold a candle?” There is another, interesting, simple explanation with a completely opposite meaning. It is explained by the fact that a person standing in pitch darkness and holding a burning candle in his hand will not be able to see anything but her. As a result, he could not witness everything that could be around.
Choose any version for yourself. All of them, in principle, have a place to be. Now you can also use the expression “holding a candle” and not be afraid of being asked to explain what this phraseologism means and where this expression came from.
And where did it come from? Let's figure it out. Most often it is understood as an opportunity to learn details from the intimate life of other people.
Allegedly he was holding a candle, he saw the sacrament, you know the secrets, which you can brag about.
The first wedding night in Russia
In Russia, the marriage bed was not an ordinary bed, but a whole ritual structure. Under it, there were objects that were supposed to serve as amulets from the evil eye, attract wealth, give health to offspring: a poker, a juniper twig, a log, a rye sheaf, a bag of flour. And above all this, more featherbeds were laid.
The newlyweds were escorted to the bedroom by guests from the wedding. The groom's friend beat the marriage bed with a whip, symbolically driving evil spirits out of it. The older male relatives of the groom stayed with the young in the same room all night and held candles in their hands.
Why were they peeking?
They considered it their duty to make sure that the spouses were suitable for procreation, which means they got married for good reason. And also to testify with your presence the entry of the newlyweds into intimate life, so that the marriage is considered valid.
If the groom failed to liberate the bride, the elder relative willingly helped him in this matter.
When Christianity came to Russia, Orthodox priests called this tradition an echo of paganism. In the same way, in Europe they began to condemn the feudal lords who use the right of the first night.
Barin and servant
There is another version of the origin of the phrase "hold a candle." In ancient times, the nobles made their servants follow them with a candle to light the way. And often stand by the bed with her.
Falling asleep with a lit candle was dangerous. It was more reliable to have a person who would light, and shine, and extinguish the candle. Of course, such a servant was aware of many details of the personal life of a master or lady.
French version
In the Louvre there is a painting by the sixteenth-century Italian artist Agostino Carracci "Messalina in Litsiska's closet". It depicts a scene from the life of ancient Rome. While a man and a woman indulge in carnal pleasures, the mistress of the house stands next to them with a candle.
The French people gave the picture their own, additional name - "Holding a candle."
When electricity appeared, pagan customs became a thing of the past, people were no longer used as free servants, the habit of holding a candle disappeared. But the phrase remained in colloquial and literary speech, becoming an aphorism.
Maybe you know another version of its origin? Write in the comments.
What does the phrase "hold a candle" mean? Explain... and got a better answer
Answer from NORD[guru]
A person who "holds a candle" in a dark room cannot but be an eyewitness of some event. "I didn't hold a candle" = "I didn't see it myself." In some years, there was a joke about a lord who could not satisfy a lady for a long time. So that they would not be in the dark, the servant held a candle.
Tormented and angry with male failure, the lord, in response to the requests of his wife, ordered the servant to replace himself in the matrimonial bed.
At the same time, he undertook to hold the candle himself.
After a phenomenal success, he, maintaining his dignity, declared to the servant: "Understood how to hold a candle?!"
Firstly, the indecency of the joke is in doubt, and secondly, here is a quote:
The famous singer hosted the best St. Petersburg society. Only very few prominent people did not visit her at home. Some of the old French emigrants did not visit Madame Chevalier. She herself was considered as if an emigrant, but she was not considered quite firmly. The French secretly talked about her, that during the time of terror she was somewhere the goddess of reason [In the performance "The Feast of Reason", held in Paris on November 10, 1793, the role of the Goddess of Reason was played by the artist Teresa-Angelique Aubry (1772-1829).], and then, at the time of the Directory, she became the mistress of Barras. But when the speakers were asked incredulously whether this was really so, they spread their hands with a grin and said, as is customary in such cases: "Que voulez-vous! Je n" y ai pas tenu la chandelle. "["What do you want! I didn't keep a candle there" (French)]
Mark Aldanov "Conspiracy", 1926
The expression (by him) did not hold a candle_ means: "I did not witness what happened." The exact origin of this expression is not indicated in the available sources. At old Russian weddings, the newlyweds were sent to retire to the upper room for you know what. At the same time, a specially authorized person (I find it difficult to remember who exactly, like a matchmaker) was peeping at the newlyweds through the ajar door, holding a lit candle in his hand so that he could see better. This was done in order to control the situation: did everything go well, did the young people cope with their task. This is how the demographic situation was controlled in Russia. Since then, the expression “I didn’t hold a candle for them” has been used, as a rule, when it comes to the details of someone’s personal life. _
Source:
Answer from Ílvira[guru]
Something like watching, standing by
Answer from Sunset man[guru]
Tips to give, so turn around or in another way ... Interfere with the process in a simple way.
Answer from yana streltsova[guru]
like being around... watching
Answer from Ku[guru]
To see everything, not ... you are our guide!
Answer from Okul Polina[newbie]
third wheel
Answer from Evgenyevich[guru]
peep
Answer from Michael Cactus[guru]
That is, to be present at the place of some event and see everything with your own eyes.
Answer from Elenka[guru]
no longer rolls, they only stand with a flashlight
Answer from Konstantin (CAT)[guru]
The stable expression "Hold a candle" is most often used in two directly opposite contexts. If a person wants to declare that he knows nothing about the details of the intimate life of certain individuals, he says: “Did I hold a candle?” On the contrary, a person who is extremely knowledgeable in this matter confirms the fact of his extensive knowledge by the statement: “Exactly, I held the candle myself!” Let's see: where did this expression come from and where does the first wedding night in the era of Ancient Russia?
The first wedding night in Russia
Let's start with the fact that in different countries there are very bizarre traditions associated with the first wedding night. For example, in some African tribes, the groom, in a fit of passion, knocks out the bride's two front teeth. And in Mexico, newlyweds, on the contrary, abstain from sex for several days after marriage. Our ancestors also attached great importance to the emergence of intimate relationships between newlyweds. In ancient Russia, a wedding was a strictly regulated ritual action from beginning to end. Of course, the first wedding night is no exception.
In Russia, a special marriage bed was prepared for the young, laying various ritual objects and amulets under it, which were supposed to protect the new family from the evil eye and damage, as well as ensure prosperity and healthy offspring. These items included: a poker, a juniper twig, a log, a rye sheaf, a bag of flour. The marriage bed was high, the more featherbeds, the better.
Everyone, relatives and friends, escorted the newlyweds to the bedroom. Tipsy guests at the same time had to behave as cheerfully as possible. They sang indecent ditties, joked, gave the newlyweds obscene advice. The purpose of this whole action was noble: people wanted to help the bride and groom, often inexperienced in this matter, to liberate themselves, tune in to the right wave, and overcome natural embarrassment.
The friend of the groom had to hit the marriage bed several times with a whip in order to drive out all evil spirits from there. Then the young entered into an intimate relationship. However, they were not left alone. The elder relatives of the groom - father or brother - literally peeped at the intercourse, holding candles in their hands, since there was simply no other lighting in those days.
Why were they peeking?
There were several reasons for this seemingly strange behavior of relatives. The lack of intimacy between spouses meant the impossibility of procreation, and it was for this purpose that family unions were concluded in Ancient Russia. And the fact of intercourse had to be witnessed in order for the marriage to be considered valid.
The relatives also feared that the bride would be replaced in the dark. Sometimes, if a girl did not want to become the wife of a particular guy, she could quietly escape from the marital bed, and some girl took her place. This was done in order to put everyone before the fact in the morning: this guy is now the husband of a completely different person.
And if the groom could not cope with his task, his brother or father could replace him on the marriage bed. So our ancestors guaranteed that the child would belong to their family if the bride became pregnant immediately upon deprivation of innocence.
After the adoption of Christianity, this tradition has undergone some changes. The church insisted that spouses should be each other's only sexual partners. Orthodox clergy sharply condemned the landlords, who used the feudal right of the first night. Therefore, the idea has taken root among the people that it is her fiancé who should deprive a girl of innocence. And instead of older relatives with a candle at the door of the bedroom of the newlyweds, the matchmaker began to "on duty". However, sometimes tipsy guests joined her, who joked and laughed, frankly spying on the young, did not let them fall asleep, calling on the groom to take action.
After the act took place, the marriage was considered confirmed, and this was loudly announced to all other guests and relatives.
Barin and servant
Interestingly, the expression "Hold a candle" is associated not only with the traditions of the wedding night in Russia. Since people simply had no other lighting for many centuries, many nobles forced their servants and lackeys to stand near their beds with candles. The reason is clear: and you try to unlace the corset in the dark.
Not wanting to go to bed by touch, the master and his wife ordered the yard man or woman to shine for them at the bedside. Some, not shy nobles could have sex at the same time. In fact, they did not consider a serf servant to be a person. After the hosts were safely asleep, the lackey could leave his post. You ask: why was a man necessary? Can't the candle just be placed at the head of the bed? The answer is simple: it is dangerous to fall asleep with a lit candle, if you do not blow it out before going to bed, a fire may occur. Fearing to slip into a dream with an open source of fire at the pillow, many nobles entrusted the right to stand with a candle by their bed only to trusted servants. Such a lackey, of course, was well aware of all the details of the personal life of the owners.
A similar practice existed in the countries of Western Europe. At one time, a joke about an English lord who could not satisfy his wife was popular. Then he allowed the servant who kept the candle by the bed to replace him on the marriage bed. And he got up with a candle. After the servant coped with the task, the lord edifyingly said to him: “Well, now you understand how to hold a candle?”
French version
In France, there is a fixed expression: Que voulez-vous! Je n "y ai pas tenu la chandelle. It also means: "What do you need? I did not hold a candle." The origin of this expression is associated with the famous engraving "Messalina in Litsiska's closet" by the Italian artist Agostino Carracci (1557-1602) .
The painter depicted a genre scene that took place in one of the many brothels of Ancient Rome. In the engraving, a man and a woman indulge in carnal pleasures. Meanwhile, the hostess of the den stands over them with a candle. This woman, of course, can call herself a person who is aware of the details of someone else's intimate relationship.
The engraving by Agostino Carracci became popular in France, where this painting is called "Holding a Candle". Perhaps the set expression we are talking about has several sources of origin at once. But all of them, one way or another, are connected with the problem of housing lighting, which people faced before the advent of the era of electricity.
The stable expression "Hold a candle" is most often used in two directly opposite contexts. If a person wants to declare that he knows nothing about the details of the intimate life of certain individuals, he says: “Did I hold a candle?”
On the contrary, a person who is extremely knowledgeable in this matter confirms the fact of his extensive knowledge by the statement: “Exactly, I held the candle myself!” Let's see: where did this expression come from and where does the first wedding night in the era of Ancient Russia?
The first wedding night in Russia
Let's start with the fact that in different countries there are very bizarre traditions associated with the first wedding night. For example, in some African tribes, the groom, in a fit of passion, knocks out the bride's two front teeth. And in Mexico, newlyweds, on the contrary, abstain from sex for several days after marriage. Our ancestors also attached great importance to the emergence of intimate relationships between newlyweds. In ancient Russia, a wedding was a strictly regulated ritual action from beginning to end. Of course, the first wedding night is no exception.
In Russia, a special marriage bed was prepared for the young, laying various ritual objects and amulets under it, which were supposed to protect the new family from the evil eye and damage, as well as ensure prosperity and healthy offspring. These items included: a poker, a juniper twig, a log, a rye sheaf, a bag of flour. The marriage bed was high, the more beds the better.
Everyone, relatives and friends, escorted the newlyweds to the bedroom. Tipsy guests at the same time had to behave as cheerfully as possible. They sang indecent ditties, joked, gave the newlyweds obscene advice. The purpose of this whole action was noble: people wanted to help the bride and groom, often inexperienced in this matter, to liberate themselves, tune in to the right wave, and overcome natural embarrassment.
The friend of the groom had to hit the marriage bed several times with a whip in order to drive out all evil spirits from there. Then the young entered into an intimate relationship. However, they were not left alone. The elder relatives of the groom - father or brother - literally peeped at the intercourse, holding candles in their hands, since there was simply no other lighting in those days.
Why were they peeking?
There were several reasons for this seemingly strange behavior of relatives. The lack of intimacy between spouses meant the impossibility of procreation, and it was for this purpose that family unions were concluded in Ancient Russia. And the fact of intercourse had to be witnessed in order for the marriage to be considered valid.
The relatives also feared that the bride would be replaced in the dark. Sometimes, if a girl did not want to become the wife of a particular guy, she could quietly escape from the marital bed, and some girl took her place. This was done in order to put everyone before the fact in the morning: this guy is now the husband of a completely different person.
And if the groom could not cope with his task, his brother or father could replace him on the marriage bed. So our ancestors guaranteed that the child would belong to their family if the bride became pregnant immediately upon deprivation of innocence.
After the adoption of Christianity, this tradition has undergone some changes. The church insisted that spouses should be each other's only sexual partners. Orthodox clergy sharply condemned the landlords, who used the feudal right of the first night. Therefore, the idea has taken root among the people that it is her fiancé who should deprive a girl of innocence. And instead of older relatives with a candle at the door of the bedroom of the newlyweds, the matchmaker began to "on duty". However, sometimes tipsy guests joined her, who joked and laughed, frankly spying on the young, did not let them fall asleep, calling on the groom to take action.
After the act took place, the marriage was considered confirmed, and this was loudly announced to all other guests and relatives.
Barin and servant
Interestingly, the expression "Hold a candle" is associated not only with the traditions of the wedding night in Russia. Since people simply had no other lighting for many centuries, many nobles forced their servants and lackeys to stand near their beds with candles. The reason is clear: and you try to unlace the corset in the dark.
Not wanting to go to bed by touch, the master and his wife ordered the yard man or woman to shine for them at the bedside. Some, not shy nobles could have sex at the same time. In fact, they did not consider a serf servant to be a person. After the hosts were safely asleep, the lackey could leave his post.
You ask: why was a man necessary? Can't the candle just be placed at the head of the bed? The answer is simple: it is dangerous to fall asleep with a lit candle, if you do not blow it out before going to bed, a fire may occur. Fearing to slip into a dream with an open source of fire at the pillow, many nobles entrusted the right to stand with a candle by their bed only to trusted servants. Such a lackey, of course, was well aware of all the details of the personal life of the owners.
A similar practice existed in the countries of Western Europe. At one time, a joke about an English lord who could not satisfy his wife was popular. Then he allowed the servant who kept the candle by the bed to replace him on the marriage bed. And he got up with a candle. After the servant coped with the task, the lord edifyingly said to him: “Well, now you understand how to hold a candle?”
French version
In France, there is a fixed expression: Que voulez-vous! Je n "y ai pas tenu la chandelle. It also means: "What do you need? I did not hold a candle." The origin of this expression is associated with the famous engraving "Messalina in Litsiska's closet" by the Italian artist Agostino Carracci (1557-1602) .
The painter depicted a genre scene that took place in one of the many brothels of Ancient Rome. In the engraving, a man and a woman indulge in carnal pleasures. Meanwhile, the hostess of the den stands over them with a candle. This woman, of course, can call herself a person who is aware of the details of someone else's intimate relationship.
The engraving by Agostino Carracci became popular in France, where this painting is called "Holding a Candle".
Perhaps the set expression we are talking about has several sources of origin at once. But all of them, one way or another, are connected with the problem of housing lighting, which people faced before the advent of the era of electricity.