The expression «rags under arm» has probably been heard or used by every Belarusian. But not everyone knows what these mysterious rags are and in what situations they are taken under arm.
Anatol Voitsekhouski, taking his rags under his arm, returns to Belarus to star in the propaganda film «Escape Home». Video screenshot
The word «ла́хі» (lakhi) in the Belarusian language refers to old, worn-out clothing, rags, cast-offs. It is often used in a collective sense — as a designation for all meager belongings, possessions, sometimes with a clear nuance of contempt or irony.
«Oh, Leyba Yakhnich!.. You haven't worn a new sheepskin coat in your life. And your children wear old rags. Your cast-offs», — thus wrote Belarusian writer Arkadz Charnyshevich in his novel «Dawn».
This word is plural-only and has no singular form (at least in the literary norm), just like "scissors" or "pants", although in dialects, the Belarusian language demonstrates an enviable variety of words formed from the same root.
Thus, in the Kruhlianski district of Mogilev region, one can hear the word lakhadýr'ye, formed from «lakhi» and «dirka» (hole), which contemptuously refers to old, torn clothing. In the Hluski district, the word lakhtýr is used.
In Polesia, in the Naraulianski district, rags and tatters are called lakhalátka (compare with Ukrainian lakholata), formed by combining with the word latka (patch). And a shortened variant, lykhátka, is used there to refer to a washcloth.
In some variants, the root 'а' changed to 'э': lekhi and lekhi in Grodno region and even lekhtar, which is how worn-out, torn clothing is called in the vicinity of Lahoysk.
Origin of the word «lakhi»
The roots of the word «lakhi» go deep into centuries and connect us with the common European linguistic heritage. Polish Slavist Franciszek Sławski indicates that the word comes from North Proto-Slavic *lachъ, which meant 'rag, tatter'.
It, in turn, is related to the Ancient Greek *lakís*, formed from the verb *lakízo* 'I tear', and the Latin *lacer* — 'torn, ripped to pieces'.
Thus, the original meaning of the word is associated with something torn, damaged, old. This word is well known to our neighbors as well: in Ukrainian there is *lakh, lakhy*, in Polish — *łach*, in Czech — *lach*, in Lithuanian — *lãkatas* 'rag, scrap'.
By the way, explaining the word *lakhi* through the word *lakhmany* (tatters/rags) has certain complexities, as the latter comes from the same North Proto-Slavic *lachъ*: *lachmanъ* was formed with the suffix *-manъ*. In the same way, from the word *ryzzio* (rags) the word *ryzman* was formed, from *sukno* (cloth) — *sukman*, and, apparently, from the word *durny* (foolish) — *durman*.
Interestingly, the word *lakhmany* and its numerous forms are present in many Russian dialects, but predominantly those bordering the areas of Belarusian and Ukrainian dialects — in Tver, Smolensk, Voronezh, Pskov dialects, as well as Ryazan dialects. However, *lakhav* is not found anywhere in the Russian language.
The name of the unfinished painting *La Scapigliata*, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, could also be translated into Belarusian as *Lakhudra* (slut/sloppy woman). Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Another well-known word with the same root is **lakhúdra**. This is what an unkempt, slovenly, or poorly dressed person, an uncombed woman, is called. It was formed by compounding with *derti* 'to tear off'. However, the similar-sounding word **lakhandá**, which refers to a frivolous woman who talks a lot and quickly, scientists derive from a completely different Proto-Slavic word *laxati*.
Why the expression sounds like this
The idiom «(to take/take) rags under arm» has several nuances, but all are related to rapid and decisive movement, often forced.
Firstly, it means to gather meager belongings and leave. It is often used when a person is forced to leave their place of residence or work, sometimes against their will or in search of a better life.
«Do not delude yourself, boy, with vain hopes, but rather quietly take your rags under your arm and leave», — wrote Yakub Kolas in his trilogy «At the Crossroads».
«Tomorrow evening, as soon as everyone settles down, — I will already be waiting for you in the garden under the window. You open the window, take your rags under your arm, and jump out of the house into the garden, like a rooster!» — wrote Yanka Kupala in «Paulinka».
Secondly, the expression can mean a rapid escape, when one needs to «take one's heels». Siarhei Hrakhouski in the novella «Rudabel Republic» described such a situation:
«I myself saw how in Babruysk, on Kaznacheyskaya Street, some lad punched a policeman in the face, and the latter only wiped the blood, took his rags under his arm, and fled».
Siarhei Biaspalau and Stsiapan Putsila flee from a policeman in the music video «Cat» by the band «Dai Darohu!»
Why «under arm»? Because if a person has few things, those very rags, they can simply grab them in a bundle, under their arm, and go, without burdening themselves with heavy chests or, today, suitcases with belongings. This is the image of a poor wanderer or refugee, ready to leave at any moment — an image that is very understandable to many Belarusians today.
So, if life forces you to change something, don't be afraid to «take your rags under your arm» — it's an old and proven way to start over, the main thing is to do it before you are «led away by the arm».
«Nasha Niva» — the bastion of Belarus
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P.S. A łachudra tam pryhožaja, na malunku. I čamu jana łachudra ?
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