Nevesta bezmesta, zhenikhbez uma: on several meanings of one proverb

The article considers the meaning of the well-known proverb Nevesta bez mesta, zhenikh bez uma and in particular of the polysemantic word mesto used in it. Taking into account the matrimonial nature of the proverb, the author examines it in the context of the wedding rite and comes to the conclusion that the proverb is based on the non-distinction of several meanings of the lexeme mesto, which are as follows: 'seat place of honor at the wedding', 'marriage portion', 'nuptial bed', and 'vagina'. Depending on the actualized meaning of the word, the bride's unsuitability for the wedding can be explained both in the most innocent and scabrous sense: bride deprived of her proper place at the wedding table; bride without marriage portion; bride incapable of sexual life or dishonest. To confirm the hypothesis, the author analyzes the Russian dialect, colloquial and slang vocabulary, some lexical facts in other Slavic languages as well as folklore texts (proverbs, riddles, ditties, songs, love charms, tales) in which the word mesto is an euphemism and calls the female genital organs. The meanings of a number of "dark" words (maloye mesto) and proverbs (Dobivay shilo v cheren! Osazhivay obruchi do mesta!) are reconstructed.