(Chen Linsen)

Due to the wide spread of martial arts novels, a new idiom has quietly become popular, and it has stepped out of the circle of martial arts novels and been widely used by people. In Baidu search, you can get 398000 query results; In Google search, you can get 438000 query results. Its usage exceeds some other synonyms, such as "famous all over the world", "sound travels thousands of miles" and "fame rises". However, its literal understanding is confusing. "Make a name for yourself" is easier said than done. What is "making millions"? Where does this idiom come from? Is there any basis in ancient books? This idiom was included in the clumsy dictionary of new idioms (China Literature and History Publishing House) published in February 2006. The full text of the notes is as follows:

Fame comes from the new martial arts novels and TV dramas adapted from them. According to experts' speculation, the suspicion of "establishing a million" is the mistake of "standing at attention", which is spread because the common word "Shen" and cursive script () are easily mistaken for "ten thousand" and practice fails (see Chewing Words 2004/2). It refers to spreading fame in a certain field (such as Wulin) and establishing your own image (such as personality, behavior, talent, etc.). "The Book of Filial Piety": "Stand on the road and leave a name for future generations to show parents and filial piety." This is based on it. This understanding accords with China's traditional morality. "Learning technology and asking for advice are all nonsense. Very superficial. Your actual purpose is to discredit Sheng Jiawei, but your intention in your bones is to make a name for yourself and lay a foundation for your future Jianghu "(Liu Aodao, Taibai Literature and Art Publishing House 1997)" Look at our neighbor South Korea, and maybe you can understand what happened to China Go. The collective maturity of Korean players has made them famous in the world. " (Dahe Daily 200112/28) "For example, the basic language on which Gates became famous and eventually became rich-the basic language was created by two professors at Dartmouth College in the 1960s. Microsoft's wings DOS was purchased from Seattle Computer Company. " (China Business Times, 2003/4/15) "After the 1970s, the trio really became decisive actors in Hollywood and became famous in one fell swoop." (Southern Metropolis Daily, 2004/518)

Regarding the origin of this idiom, I am based on an article in the second issue of Chewing Words in 2004, and my understanding of it is in line with China's traditional morality. However, due to insufficient evidence, it is not convincing. Even from the words quoted in the book of filial piety, "establishing a career" and "making a name" do not belong to the same level and should not be placed after "making a name".

Recently, I read an article on the Internet (Netease Culture Channel, 2006,65438+127 October, by Wang Mingsan), which gave me great inspiration. According to Mr. Wang, "Wan" is the fault of "wrist", which comes from "vine". In short, the origin of "Wan" has such an evolutionary chain: rattan → wrist → Wan. According to Mr. Wang's analysis and other relevant information, its evolution process is as follows:

Only the "corner" in the pear garden has a box office appeal, so every play is centered on the "corner" and other actors rely on it. This phenomenon is called "side angle". Here, "Pang" is not derogatory. When colleagues in Liyuan ask each other, they often say, "Who are you with now?" The other person naturally tells him, "I used to be next to Ma Li Anliang, but now I am next to Mei Lanfang", and he will say enviously, "You did a good job, you are right." In the past, performers were a humble industry, and most of them were born in poverty and had low education. For example, the late old artist Zhao can't read. Therefore, at first, they had to rely on "vines" to climb to the shelf, which is called "rattan". If he (she) can stand on his own feet in the future, it is to "stand up". On this basis, the idiom "Make a name for yourself" came into being. Because of simplification, "make a name for yourself" is also written as "make a name for yourself". Being famous means being famous in the society, while being famous itself means being prestigious in the industry. In today's words, it means "successful career", so the successful "celebrity" is also called "Wan", but "Wan" here is a child. After a period of evolution, a "Qie"-"Wan Er", which means "Ming" and "posthumous title", has formed in the Jianghu.

From this point of view, the "making a name for yourself" used in martial arts novels was handed down by the Liyuan community. This is probably because the rules of the game in Wulin and Liyuan are the same or similar. I found the materials that can confirm Mr. Wang's analysis in a martial arts novel:

Han glanced at him as if he had discovered a miracle. She smiled and asked, "What is Wan'er?" This sentence is hard to beat, so I immediately replied, "Wan'er is a person's reputation. People in Wulin pay the most attention to fame and prestige. Ordinary Waner also refers to someone's nickname, like Wei Juzhu. People call him' Golden Eagle Iron Wing' ... "(Shangguan Ding: golden couple, Volume III, Chapter 10, Heroes are pregnant and harm people, Inner Mongolians.

We also see that a part of Wan, who is now famous, writes wrist (this number is not small), which further proves that Mr. Wang's statement is more accurate than chewing words. For example:

Feng Gensheng adjusted its industrial structure and developed "Shuang Bao Su", which later became the three treasures of the second factory, namely Ginseng Bee Queen Mixture, "Youth Treasure" and "Bao Er Jian". It became famous in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, and its products were exported to foreign countries, enjoying a world-renowned reputation (China Enterprise 2005/122).

There are numerous photo competitions, large and small, and authoritative competitions are famous for winning prizes. Rich game prizes of tens of thousands; The competition in this area won prizes and fame; The competition of scenic spots and tourism creation are correct. (People's Network 2005/512)

Blue-collar elite: It is technological innovation that makes me famous (Workers' Daily, 2006, 65438+1October 28th).

The above statement makes sense. I take the liberty to add that there is a phrase in the Lonely Biography of the Later Han Dynasty, which is similar to the meaning of "making a name for yourself", and this idiom seems to be traceable.