Flash is what? What does it mean and how is it translated?

Many words that came to us from other languages have become so firmly established and assimilated that now only a linguist can establish their foreign origin. These are the words "trunk", "doctor", "machine" and even "abracadabra", which, as it turned out, has Greek roots. But the "flash" - this is clearly not the original Russian word. It is too short, hissing and generally unusual. In addition, it is distinguished by its many meanings, which is typical for English words. Today we will analyze its main values, we learn how the word "flash" is translated and what word-formation potential it has.

How it all began

The vigorous, swift sounding of the English word flash very well approaches its values "flash, instant." Like many words in the language of Shakespeare, it easily and without any changes goes into the verb "flush, rush". All that moves quickly, in one movement, can characterize the word "flash". In principle, this connotation passed into the Russian language, as we shall see later.

Spelling difficulties

The wide open sound [æ] in the English word looks most like the Russian [e], slightly mixed with [a]. However, the question "how do you spell the word" flash "?" The spelling dictionary of the Russian language answers unequivocally: with the letter "e". This option is adopted by analogy with other borrowed words like "brandy", "diet", "energy."

The use of the letter "e" in Russian does not differ in frequency and is considered an exception to the rule. Although the sound of [e] is heard most often when you say these words aloud. In the end, all of us from school times have got used to the fact that in the great and mighty not everything is heard and it is written. "Flash" is one of those cases.

High tech

Processing information is always a lightning process. Therefore, the use of the term "flash technology" in the IT field is more than justified. Any more or less confident PC user often encounters the word "flash". The meaning of the word here also manages to bifurcate.

Let's stop on the computer graphics Here flash is a popular technology for creating animations for Internet sites. Beautiful flashing buttons, flying butterflies and snowflakes are all examples of Flash animation in action. The object approach allows to save much time and effort when creating such pictures, because you can draw only a few frames and set the desired trajectory for them or an algorithm for changing one frame to another. The work will be really lightning fast. Also, to Flash-animation you can add sound and video clips. Flash technology has become a powerful, uncomplicated and therefore popular tool for creating your own videos, games and applications.

If we talk about the technology of information storage, the concept of "flash drive" is applied to the media with electrically reprogrammable memory. Lightning speed processing of information is worthy of applying to it a short and capacious word "flash". The electric charge (well, not the lightning?) Is constantly changing and recorded in a special pocket of the semiconductor located on the "flash drive".

Maps on the table

Inscrutable are the paths of the borrowed word in the language. Flush, a popular term in poker, went into Russian speech, without demand taking a flash form from a close relative. Strictly speaking, flush means a sudden rush of water or embarrassment, as well as abundance. In poker, this word also describes in some way an abundance - five cards of the same suit, going in any order. By its strength, the flush is second only to a full house and square.

An extremely pleasant flush variation is a straight flush, in which all the cards go one by one strictly according to seniority, for example, seven, eight, nine, ten and a jack of hearts. The youngest straight flush starts with an ace and ends with a five. And the eldest received the proud title of "royal flush" - it starts a dozen, and closes the ace. If the player is on the way to a flush, this combination is called a flush draw.

Poker is difficult to call a lightning game, because it requires the utmost concentration and discretion. Nevertheless, the term "flash" firmly established itself in the Russian-speaking environment of players and became a visiting card of poker.

Jump to the past

A short "flash" is the ideal basis for word formation. Adding it to any other word, you can give it speed, brevity and momentary. Let's analyze this with the example of the term "flashback".

English preposition back, indicating the move back, merging with the already familiar flash, gives an excellent capacious name of the reception in art. The character of the film, game or performance in a flash of time carries thoughts to its past, where it gives up nostalgia, tries to answer an important question, or simply says goodbye to life. This "time travel", as a rule, does not last long. Soon the storyline resumes, and the character returns at the present time. In literature, this technique is called a retrospective and can last a long time.

There is also a reverse reception - flashforward. As you might guess, here the viewer or the player is dealing with a leap forward. Often flashforward is used at the very beginning of a feature film or series to warm up the intrigue and allow viewers to express their own guesses on the plot.

In the right place and at the right time

A huge crowd of people of different ages, occupations and looks. They do not know each other. But nevertheless here and now they are near, presenting a general idea. Flash mob literally translates as "instant crowd", and this is a very accurate description of the popular phenomenon today.

A large group of people gather in a predetermined place to perform some actions, which are also called the flashmob scenario. After the completion of the scenario, the participants diverge. As a rule, such mass actions do not last long. Participants learn about flash mobs from the media, mostly different social networks.

Subject flashmobs can be any: simple fun dances, the performance of any action (tying shoelaces, combing hair, looking at the sky). Flashmob can have a political or social overtones, it can be aimed at advertising a product or services. The variety of forms and scenarios leaves behind a flash mob one common feature - lightning speed. This distinguishes such actions from demonstrations and rallies.

Fast as lightning

It would be strange if such an expressive word did not leak out from the nominal into the proper names. Yes, not simple, but for the most that neither is superheroes. Such a character became Flash, which appeared from the pen of artists and writers of DC Comics in 1940 in the first edition of Flash Comics. Of course, the main ability of the flash is beyond the speed, exceeding the speed of light. The speed of the Flash reaction, its speed of thought also amazes comic fans from year to year. Later versions of Flash can bring internal vibrations of their body to such a speed that they gain the ability to pass through solid objects. Internal vibrations help Flash to destroy buildings and arrange earthquakes with one touch.

Extremely popular superhero, Flash has repeatedly become the main character of many films and serials. In 2014, the television series of the same name appeared on the screens, and in October 2016 it is expected to release its third season.

Common features

And yet, what does the word "flash" mean? In all these values there is one common element - a flash of lightning. Instant, bright and memorable. It is possible that in the future mankind will invent many things, in the names of which this word will be appropriate.