The word "chekushka" has become so entrenched in some narrow circles of Russian society that today it can rightfully be considered literary. But what is the meaning of this concept, and what is the history of its origin, is not known to everyone.
In modern society, a bottle of vodka (less often wine) is called a bottle of vodka, the volume of which is 0.25 ml. The word came into use and began to be used in this sense by Soviet people. Earlier, even before the revolution, a ¼ liter bottle was called a “swindler”.
Chekushka as a measure of volume in Russia
One of the variants of the origin of the word "chekushka" connects this concept with a measure of volume in Russia - a chetushka. Chetushka held two cups. A couple of glasses were also called a couple. It was this word that formed the basis of the concept of "chetushka", which was deformed, forming a chekushka.
In some principalities in Russia in the XIV-XV centuries, the fourth part of the kadi was considered a chet, the weight content of which was different. At the beginning of the 17th century, a quarter meant four pounds of rye grain, and already in the 19th century, the fourth part of a bucket, weighing more than two liters, was called a chekushka.
In the autobiographical sketches of the famous Soviet zoologist Zverev M. D. You can find stories about how Russian men bought bottles of vodka in taverns, put them in their boots and, throwing them over their shoulders, returned home. The author calls such bottles a check.
How fishermen came up with a check
The modern word "chekushka" has foreign roots with a Turkic origin. The Turkish word "c'akic" is translated as "hammer". This has its own explanation. In Russia, in order to stun a newly caught fish, they used a special weapon in the form of a club or a mallet. The technique of using such a beater was reminiscent of hammer blows.
In Russia, they also said, designating this process, "chekush the fish." Here it is appropriate to remember that initially, before the 19th century, alcohol for sale was packaged in large bucket bottles. The shape of such containers for vodka probably reminded people of the device used to chew fish, and they began to call these bottles chekushki. But then this tradition was replaced by a new one, and they began to pour vodka into smaller bottles, but the habit of calling them chekushki remained.
Chekushka in the Soviet Union
It is noteworthy that the term most likely gained popularity in the Soviet Union during the period of the so-called Prohibition. It is likely that the notion of check has become a safe designation for a bottle of vodka or other alcoholic beverage. Indeed, for a public mention of alcohol one could face the censure of others, while the use of the term "check" helped to freely discuss plans for the evening.
