Reveal the secret of "big name"
-Explain the origin of appellation in modern society.
Author: Sun Jianyi
Abstract: The predecessor of "Big Man" was originally called "Big Man" or "Big Man", and "Man" and "Wan" were originally synonymous with "surname" in Jianghu argots. Jianghu people say that the origin of general registration is "Wanbao (Man) or" Daowan (Man) ",and they call it" making a name for yourself ". "Man" is the original word, and the rest are borrowed words. "Vine" originally refers to the long stem of a vine, and as a synonym of surname in Jianghu, it is a figurative extension. "Daman" refers to the surname or Jianghu sect, which is extended to a powerful celebrity. Because the original motivation of "person" is obscure, and the word "person" is not commonly used and has different pronunciations, people borrow the popular word "Wan" to express it. After the celebrity meaning of "Dawan" was formed, its literal irrationality was particularly prominent, and then paradoxically it evolved into a "great man".
[Keywords:] Big shot; Ten thousand (vines); Report ten thousand (tendrils); make one's name
A "great man" should be "big man" or "big vine"
Since the reform and opening up, with the development of China's social economy and culture, the popularity index of the word "big shot" has soared, and it has already become a common word in Putonghua and an increasingly respected social title. This word was not included in the original edition of Modern Chinese Dictionary, but the word "big shot" was added in the revised edition of 1996, which was interpreted as "(~) refers to famous and powerful people (mostly in the literary and art circles)." The "~ er" in brackets means that "big shot" is actually pronounced as Hua Er. As pointed out in another bracket, "big shots" have been used exclusively as celebrities in literature and art circles. However, it only started in the new era, and then its uses gradually expanded, such as the film "Big Man" directed by Xiaogang Feng. , have contributed to the popularity of this word. In today's society, celebrities from all walks of life can almost be called "big names", such as "football big names", "Go big names" and "real estate big names". And "big shot" can also be used as a restrictive component, which means "famous" and "top-notch", such as "big shot director", "big shot reporter", "big shot writer" and even "big shot enterprise". In addition, "big man" can also be simply called "wrist". When you become famous and famous, you can say that you have become a wrist. This is the same reason that the theater sometimes just says that a "corner" is equal to a "famous corner".
But why are celebrities called "big names" or "wrists"? At first, there was a motivation to create words, but later this motivation was buried, and people followed some clues to trace and textual research, which became the etymological problem of linguistics. For the etymology of "great man", most people will follow the word "wrist" and think it comes from "wrist". Because of high technology, it is called "big shot", so powerful people can be called "big shot" This inference seems reasonable, but it is actually just a word interpretation. It doesn't matter that this word is the original word. If it is a foreign word, it means literally. Others pointed out another situation. Wang Xuetai (1998) thinks that "wrist" is not the original word, and "great man" should be written as "big wan 'er", saying that "wrist" of "great man" is very common, but it seems to be a typo. This is a Jianghu argot (also called "teasing children" or "spring sutra"), and "wrist" should probably be written as "Wan" … "Dawaner" refers to celebrities in some fields, usually in the field of romance. "Some people think that" big name "should be written as" big vine ". Chang (2004), a famous crosstalk performer, pointed out: "A great man's wrist is the jargon of phonograph industry, but the word wrist should be written as this vine", and called Ma his "teacher Oto" and Niu Niu his "apprentice Oto". Zhang Hao (2002) praised Luo Yusheng, an artist of Jingyun Drum, for "not putting on an' adult' shelf" and learning from young actors with an open mind. This provides us with the fact that the "wrist" of a "great man" used to be "Wan" and "Man".
"Man" and "Wan" are synonymous with "surname" in Jianghu argot.
Since the words "Wan" and "Man" are the early writing methods of the word "wrist", what is the significance of their connection with the word "great man"? Some specialized dictionaries provide us with some clues. Qu (1996) explained: "Man criminal gangs refer to surnames"; "Waner refers to the names of rivers and lakes in Beijing, Tianjin and other places since the late Qing Dynasty". Although the two words "Man" and "Wan'er" here have slightly different interpretations, they should essentially refer to the same thing, and the combination of "referring to a surname" and a name means "referring to a name". The word "Yin" in the note also reveals a little information: this usage is a Jianghu argot. The word "Sunday" and "Haoran" (1999) also points out: "The affix" Maner ",abbreviated as" Maner "and" Wà NR ",has been used in rivers and lakes since the late Qing Dynasty and has been passed down to this day. Some criminal gangs in contemporary underworld are still using it, such as calling Cui Shi "the horned horse" and Yang "the rhinoceros horn spirit". It can be seen that the predecessors "Man" and "Wan" of the great man "Wrist" are the names and surnames of Jianghu argots.
As we all know, all walks of life in Jianghu have the custom of using argot (also called jargon or slang). Some good things are unknown for fear that outsiders will understand them, so we have to make a detour to change an obscure statement. "Wan (Man)" is used to refer to surnames and first names. This is common in novels with old themes, such as:
(1) The man said, "I knew you were an insider. You wronged me. I'll give you a voice. " Ai Hu said, "No, I have one more sentence. You brought it to me first. What is your Lord? But just ask the last name. " (Qing? Anonymous "Little Five Righteousness" 58th time)
(2) More than 200 people said, "Hang the gourd ladle together and move to another lane. In the sea fair, there are countless monthly deficits, and people's teeth are drenched in the kiln ... The deficit is picking up the gourd and spreading. " Ladies and gentlemen, what is this? Jianghu heroes and outlaws are synonymous ... "Deficit" is an adult, and "Moon Martin Fengziwan" is two people's surnames. (Qing? Yan Nan's "Yongqing Shengping" is the twelfth time)
(3) The thieves over there saw it and Qi said, "No! I met a hero. " Asked what Mrs. Guang's last name was, Third Master said, "Bow Chief, Wang Dian." The thief over there knows his surname is Zhang and has been working for three days. (Qing? Yan Na's "Yongqing Shengping" Chapter 33)
(4) Peng Lianhu shouted: "What do you want the newcomer who left Wan'er and broke into the palace at night?" Ke Zhene said coldly, "My name is Ke, and we are seven brothers. People in the Jianghu call it the Seven Monsters of Jiangnan. " Peng Lianhu said, "Ah, I've heard a lot about the seven chivalrous men in the south of the Yangtze River." (Jin Yong's Legend of the Condor Heroes for the 11th time)
The young man surnamed Bai is very cunning. When he saw that the situation of "Zhu Sanxia" was not good, he immediately rushed out of the door and left. Then he raised his voice and said, "Your swordsmanship is brilliant, admire, admire! Please give me ten thousand children. " This is a Jianghu term. To leave a "Wan'er" is to give a name. If you ask the other person for a name, you are prepared to seek revenge later. (Liang Yusheng's "The Magnificence of the Sea" back to 36)
(6) Mingxia knocked on the hookah and said coldly, "If you are friends, just light a vine to get out of the way, so that you and I will not get in the way; If it is an enemy, go for it! " (Dan Tianfang's Biography of Tonglin DiYiLiuQi)
The three men were ready to sail, and KAI let the horse drag the shaft slowly. Over there, more than 20 horses are approaching. One of them, wearing a Turkish otter velvet hat, looks like a big brother or a four-poster figure. He leaned over on horseback and said, "What's the matter?" Shao Yue and KAI are not strangers and don't understand the slang of scorpions. I don't know what he said. They stared at each other. But the dark cloud understood, lay there trembling and said that he wanted us to sign up and asked us what to do. (I am the sun by Deng Yiguang)
The above examples fully show that "Wan (Man) er" refers to the true colors of surnames or names. Where "Wan (Man)" refers to the initial usage of surname and the whole name as a continuum.
The further extension of "Wan (Man) er" refers to the names of Jianghu sects and their related reputations:
This plan is great. My brother and I made this great contribution, and Waner of Jiujiang White Sect became famous in the Jianghu. (Jin Yong's the legendary swordsman 25)
(9) Changle Gang is a big gang rising in the Jianghu in recent years. 1989 made a fortune. (Jin Yong's "Chivalrous Man" Chapter 13)
(10) Twenty-five years ago, Xin Dounan shocked the underworld in Henan with a spear gun with eight snakes and eighteen Yanling arrows, and set up the Central Plains Escort Agency, which was really famous and huge. (The first chapter of Zhou Xian's "The Divine Bow of Hou Yi")
Three Jianghu argots say that the origin of registration is "Bao (Dao) Wan (Man) Er"
"Wan (Man) er" refers to the surname and first name. The so-called "giving a million children" or "showing a man" in the previous examples is to let the other party reveal (announce) his name. This also involves the custom of signing up in Jianghu argot. When Jianghu or Wulin people meet and don't know each other's identity, they should ask each other "Wan Zi", that is, they should tell each other their name and origin, sometimes including their sect origin. However, "Giwan (Mane)" and "Liangwan (Mane)" are just special expressions of notification names. The former has a polite tone, while the latter has a tough tone. The popular neutral theory is "(Man) er" or "Dao Wan (Man) er", and sometimes the quantifier "ge" is added. For example:
(1 1) Ren Dao: "If you want to find the commander-in-chief, please report to me first, and I will inform you at the next place." Gong Sunkun said impatiently, "Boy, why bother?" Ren said, "This is the rule. If you don't report it, how can you report it? " (Dong Fangyu's "Crescent Moon Knife" Chapter 13)
(12) Qiu Zichun stepped aside. Well, at present, one has a green face and the other has a yellow face. "'Green Temple Ghost' Ai Shaochang." "'Huang Miao Ghost' Ai Shaofu." It turns out that these two guys are the famous "Jin family ghosts", and their son is really loud and smart, but Jun Weiming is familiar with this title of Kun Zhong. ("Liu's heartbroken flower" Chapter 33)
(13) Yun Zhonghe's eyes were shining and he stared at Yin Jianping unblinkingly: "Please forgive my forgetfulness, friend, please sign up!" "My name is Yin," Gun Yoon said in the cold tunnel. "Yun Zhonghe, please report to me!" (Nineteen Sisters of Gan, 36 years old)
(14) Wen ran and shouted, "This is the leader of Liuhe School. Do you have the courage to accept it, girl? " (Liang Yusheng's "Summer Heart" No.31back)
(15) Ok, which school are you three from? Please report to me. If it's true, it's none of your business. "(Dong Fangyu's" Golden Suit "Chapter 24)
(16) Qing Er quickly said, "Don't get me wrong, we are all members of our own family!" "Family?" The yellow-faced ghost blinked, looked at the master and servant carefully and said, "Then say a word! Which valve are you on? " (Dan Tianfang's Biography of Tonglin 17 1 back)
The four Jianghu argots call the voice of fame or fame "making a name for yourself".
After the Jianghu people have names (Man Er and Wan Er), if they are famous, their jargon is "Wan Er" or "Wan Er Zhao". As mentioned in the previous example, "their children are really loud and smart." Therefore, people walk in rivers and lakes, first to make a living, and then to get ahead and become famous-there is also a special term called "making a name for yourself" in rivers and lakes. For example:
(17) Although you have been expelled from this sect, you are still very famous in the Jianghu, and you are still using this sect's swordsmanship. (Jin Yong's "the legendary swordsman" XXVII)
(18) I think the twelve techniques of Huaquan, as long as you are proficient in each technique, are enough to make a name for yourself. (Jin Yong's Legend of Flying Fox, Chapter 15)
(19) If Zhang Jizhong doesn't make The Condor Heroes, what will they be famous for? (People's Daily 20065438+0 August 13)
(20) The fame, fame, struggle and grievances in the calligraphy circle are too small and insignificant compared with the magnificent calligraphy art in China for thousands of years, so that we have no time to care about them and let them disturb our hearts. (China Calligraphers Forum, 2002, 65438+February, 18)
"Make a name for yourself" can also be described as "make a name for yourself" and "make a name for yourself";
(2 1) Bei said, "Master Wang came to rely on Master Situ on his orders and asked him to help him make a name for himself." (Jin Yong's "Chivalry" XV)
A tall and thin middle-aged scholar stood up. Qingyin said: "The subordinates of the Chivalrous Island Master are United and won the Central Plains, which is enough to make a name for themselves." (Jin Yong's "Chivalry" XIX)
(23) With his whip, Yao Qingyu followed him. All of them were famous heroes in the Wulin, and they also rushed up, drinking and cursing, while the other horses traveling with this man turned their heads at the moment. (Chapter 34 of Gu Long's Xiang Jian Yu)
But the Rockets should take a long-term view, because Yao Ming still has a lot to learn in terms of experience, strength and technology. Obviously, it will take time for Yao Ming to become famous in the NBA. (Market News 2002 65438+1October 26th)
Later, because "Wan" and "Man" were mostly written as "wrist", there was a writing method of "making a name for yourself". Sometimes they just say "Yang Wan" or "Yang Wan". For example:
(25) Kung Fu is set in Guangdong, China in the 1940s, where good and evil are mixed. Stephen Chow plays a street punk who wants to join in for fame. (Wuzhou Daily, July 8, 2003)
(26) The seven eccentrics in the south of the Yangtze River are all Zheng. Jiao Mu said, "Even if you want to come to Jiangnan to promote Wan Li Wei, why should you ruin my reputation ... You ... you ... go around Jiaxing House and ask, how can I, a monk Jiao Mu, do such a bad thing?" (Biography of Jin Yong's condor heroes, the second time)
(27) A turning point in the cast of the Spring Festival Evening has played a role of "lifting the wrist"-as long as you show up during the review, you will be invited by the local TV station to record the program immediately. (Qilu Evening News 20065438+0 February 4th)
(28) When I passed Beijing in Harbin, I told Aunt Hou about it. Aunt Hou said, "Your uncle Hou (Hou) did it on purpose. He is strengthening your wrist, raising your wrist and expanding your popularity. " I really want to thank him. (Heilongjiang Daily, 2002, 65438+February 2)
Since "man" to "wrist" represent fame or prestige, the name "great man" is easy to understand.
These five "great names" are all derived from the word "rattan" in Yang Zhong.
Since "great man" can be written as "big man" and "big vine", which of the three words "wrist", "ten thousand" and "vine" is the original word? In fact, the word "rattan" is the original word, and "wan" and "wrist" are all borrowed words. These three words can be homophones or homophones. The pronunciation of the word "Man" is wàn (usually pronounced as a vowel), just like "wrist" and "Wan", which can be borrowed from each other.
What puzzles people is how the word "wrist", as a "big shot", can become synonymous with Jianghu argot surnames. How to become a "big shot" in the sense of celebrity today?
As we all know, "vine" refers to the long stems of vines (such as melon vines and vines) that cannot stand upright. This word is found in Shuowen, and Xu Shen explained: "rattan, kudzu vine." Wang Yun's sentence is written like this: "Most books are generic names of Fujimori." Guang Yun? Wish rhyme: "vine, melon vine." It can be seen that this meaning has a long history. The vine or vine of this plant has a remarkable feature that it is slender and endless, so it is often used as a metaphor for long and coherent things in real life. For example, the Daur people in China sleep on the kang in the south, north and east (west), which is called "Man Zi Kang"; Quyi circles call a long and coherent work "Man Zi Fire", and all kinds of drums and storytelling have this kind of "Man Zi Fire" (short stories are called "Duanzi Fire"). And our surnames are like a long vine, and many surnames have a history of thousands of years. Similarly, Wulin disciples in Jianghu or Wulin are handed down from generation to generation, and also have the characteristics of a long vine. Therefore, the appellation of Jianghu argot with "ren" as the surname is just a kind of analogy. At first, it was only a temporary rhetorical device, but for a long time, "person" had the extended meaning of this metaphor. Continue to push forward, the vines of plants are marked by their thickness, and the thick vines are of course "big vines"; Surname clans in society are also different in size and strength, and the powerful ones are "Dateng" (as are sects). Surnames or sects are composed of people. The major clansmen and Jianghu sects are called "Big Man" because of celebrities. It is ok to report the surname in Manchu Times, but in general, there are too many people with the same surname, and the surname is often not enough to determine the specific identity. It is necessary to attach the first name, as well as the origin, sect teacher and so on. But as long as a truly famous person says his first name, or only his last name, or even his nickname, the other person will immediately know his identity: Oh, big vine!
In this way, it is true and reasonable to write this "vine" because of the argot of surname in Jianghu and the celebrity meaning it implies. But why did it become a "million" and "wrist"? First, although we should try our best to embody the motivation of writing with Chinese characters, that is, try our best to use our own characters, the motivation of using "tendrils" to represent surnames is unknown to most people. Otherwise, how can it be a code word? This opens the door for homophone borrowing. Secondly, "Man" and "Wan" are originally homophonic. In Guang Yun, both of them belong to the same rhyme, that is, the sound and rhyme are the same, and the sound is "not cut", which provides a phonetic basis for their mutual borrowing. Thirdly, the word "Man" was later divided into two sounds: wàn and màn, which caused the word "Man" to be pronounced differently once it was out of the spoken environment, and writing "Wan" could avoid this misunderstanding, which provided objective inevitability for the word "Man" to be used as "Wan" under the pretext. Fourthly, as far as the frequency of use is concerned, in the case of spelling wàn, "Wan" is a common word and "Man" is a rare word, which provides an objective inevitability for "Man" to be used as "Wan" under the guise of "Wan". Based on these factors, the word "Wan" has the upper hand when writing the code word "Wan", which means the surname on the Jianghu. In novels of the Qing Dynasty, it is often written as "Wan", and it is often used in modern works. As for why it eventually became the "wrist" of the wrist, I am afraid that the motive factor has the upper hand. Because "Da wànr" has evolved into a celebrity, it is further away from the original motivation. Whether written as "ten thousand" or "full", people feel that it has nothing to do with the existing meaning. The figure represented by "Da wànr" is a powerful figure with some great skills or abilities. This meaning makes people feel that the wànr sound is like a wrist, and the pronunciation of the word "wrist" is only a child's form, so the word "Da wànr" was finally shaped into a "big shot". Therefore, in the final analysis, the word "wrist" is also a foreign word, and its specious so-called "motivation" is just the assimilation of foreign words later.
However, the original motivation of a word is different from its practical writing norms. We don't have to go back to the ancients in words when we discuss the source of sound and meaning and the motivation of word-making. For example, if we discuss the original form of "Big Man", we don't need to restore its original popular form "Dawan", let alone its original form "Big Vine". The standardization of writing should not only pay attention to motivation, but also follow the conventional principles. The form of the word "big shot" is a conventional form in today's society. In addition, we don't have to turn a blind eye to the vocabulary in the Jianghu, even associate it with the underworld as soon as we say it, or want to clear our doors and exclude "big shots" from the vocabulary of Putonghua, which would be very annoying. Because the source of Putonghua vocabulary is extremely complicated, that is, "Jianghu" in the past is a big concept. Anyone who has a certain ability to go out to make a living is called wandering the rivers and lakes. Nowadays, there are certainly many people whose vocabulary comes from Jianghu terms. Jianghu artists in the past are today's literary and art workers, so it is not surprising that "big names" were first used in the literary and art circles. The sea can become great even if it doesn't choose a trickle, and the vocabulary of our nation has great capacity and potential to absorb and transform all kinds of vocabulary at all times and in all countries.