"Oatmeal, sir!" Where does this expression come from?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Not everyone watched the domestic series about Sherlock Holmes. Therefore, some are perplexed by the phrase that they say about a he althy lifestyle: "Oatmeal, sir!". Where does this expression come from and why is a person called sir, regardless of gender? In the film, these words are spoken by an imperturbable butler, carefully observing the conservative traditions of Baskerville Hall. All attempts by Sir Henry to beg for a piece of meat are stopped.

When the protagonist finds himself in bed with a nervous breakdown from the dog that scared him, the butler's wife feeds him oatmeal like a baby. The expression on the poor fellow's face is so comical, he hates this porridge so much that the expression quickly became a catchphrase.

In Moscow on Taganka there is even a pub, which is called: “Oatmeal, sir!”. Where this name came from, you can guess right away. The menu includes cheese soup, traditional Irish pies and, of course, good beer. It is clear that the owners of the institution were inspired by Scottish traditions.

Do the British really respect porridge

With the light hand of the director of the film in our country, the opinion was established thatnot a day goes by in England without oatmeal for breakfast. Compatriots visiting Foggy Albion joke about this: "Oatmeal, sir!" "Where did this show come from?" - the British shrug their shoulders in response.

Moreover, the expression He did his porridge 20 years, which means "he served 20 years", literally translates as "he ate oatmeal for 20 years." The director came up with a very subtle parody of the aristocratic breakfast, which consisted of bacon, eggs, sausage, toast, pudding and tea or coffee with cream. According to his idea, Sir Henry falls from a free American life into a prison of English traditions. But Maslennikov's humor turned out to be so subtle that the Russian audience did not notice it, taking it at face value.

Children in England, of course, are fed oatmeal. And, I must say, this does not inspire them.

Oatmeal Cooking Competition

There is a funny interpretation of oats in the English dictionary: "Fodder for horses, which people eat in Scotland." Not so long ago, to revive national traditions in the Scottish town of Carbridge, they began to hold a championship for the best recipe for oatmeal. It is here that oats have been cooked since ancient times.

Oatmeal lovers from all over the world come to the competition. Some carry water with them, some fruits, some mushrooms. The finished result is evaluated by professionals - chefs of prestigious restaurants in England. They study the appearance, try the taste. Determine the homogeneity of porridge.

When asked where it came from -"Oatmeal, sir", you can answer exactly: from the famous movie. But it will be quite appropriate for Carbridge.

Oatmeal Festival

In America, too, they hold a holiday dedicated to oatmeal. The three-day festival in St. George, South Carolina includes many activities: porridge is boiled, eaten at speed and wallowed in it. Its purpose is to promote a he althy lifestyle. The event is called worldwide and now gathers about ten thousand participants.

Cooking is not looked upon as strictly as in England. All types of foods containing this cereal are allowed. Even potato salad. And all kinds of cereals, pancakes, pies and casseroles simply cannot be counted. Here's where else the phrase would be appropriate: "Oatmeal, sir!".

There is no need to explain where this phrase comes from. Our compatriots know her from the third part of the famous USSR television series "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Hound of the Baskervilles".

When do they say: "Oatmeal, sir!"

Where the expression came from is not so important anymore. It began to take on a life of its own. This is what a mother says to her child, putting a plate of porridge in front of him. This is how an athlete answers questions about he althy eating. This is how the dieting ulcer sighs.

The popularity of this phrase shows that director Maslennikov's humor still resonates with Russians. The phrase emphasizes that this is the food of aristocrats. But in Russia, oatmeal is served at the table in restaurants, student canteens, and in the homes of ordinary people.