It seems as though "thick" was slang for "close" or "intimate" a couple hundred years ago, and thieves had a special language they developed so they could... you know, go about thieving. I think that's the TL;DR.
I learned something today. Greetings from Bulgaria, where I'm on a getaway trip with a few friends who are also fathers of two. I've been with my family through thick and thin, but now it's dad's alone time!
Do the former Soviet nations have a lot in common, like a similar theme? This is probably a bigger conversation for another day, but you've got me curious.
I would not have been well equipped to answer that question until today, but after walking through Sofia, I frequently found myself telling others that it feels a lot like Ukraine to me in terms of the architecture, street layouts, and the general vibe. In some areas, if you'd told me we were in a part of Kharkiv (where I'm from) that I haven't been to, I'd have believed you.
Thanks! I was really curious. Have you been to other former Soviet countries besides Ukraine and Hungary? I think we've spoken about Prague a bit, but I'm guessing that place is special and unlike many of the other spots due to being such a dominant cultural hub for so long.
I was now in Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Latvia, in addition to the Czech Republic where my wife is from. Czech Republic is a bit unique because it was never formally in the USSR but a satellite state, so I think they managed to keep more of their own cultural identity and heritage. Latvia also didn't feel as close to Ukraine as Bulgaria now does. It's only day one, so let's see if my view evolves over the next few days.
We are in this together. But where does thick as thieves come from?
It seems as though "thick" was slang for "close" or "intimate" a couple hundred years ago, and thieves had a special language they developed so they could... you know, go about thieving. I think that's the TL;DR.
Love the ending of this piece. I think you could make a whole series on the origin of common phrases.
Hey, thanks! I really do enjoy etymology, maybe a little too much. Tell me if this is too many of these:
https://goatfury.substack.com/t/etymology
I learned something today. Greetings from Bulgaria, where I'm on a getaway trip with a few friends who are also fathers of two. I've been with my family through thick and thin, but now it's dad's alone time!
What will you do in Bulgaria?
Just sightseeing in Sofia, eating, and drinking. An excuse to get away and visit someplace none of us have been to. Back on Sunday.
Do the former Soviet nations have a lot in common, like a similar theme? This is probably a bigger conversation for another day, but you've got me curious.
I would not have been well equipped to answer that question until today, but after walking through Sofia, I frequently found myself telling others that it feels a lot like Ukraine to me in terms of the architecture, street layouts, and the general vibe. In some areas, if you'd told me we were in a part of Kharkiv (where I'm from) that I haven't been to, I'd have believed you.
Thanks! I was really curious. Have you been to other former Soviet countries besides Ukraine and Hungary? I think we've spoken about Prague a bit, but I'm guessing that place is special and unlike many of the other spots due to being such a dominant cultural hub for so long.
I was now in Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Latvia, in addition to the Czech Republic where my wife is from. Czech Republic is a bit unique because it was never formally in the USSR but a satellite state, so I think they managed to keep more of their own cultural identity and heritage. Latvia also didn't feel as close to Ukraine as Bulgaria now does. It's only day one, so let's see if my view evolves over the next few days.