What does it mean "a candle held." Where did this expression come from?

"How do you know that? Have you been holding a candle? "Or" Well, how do I know, I did not hold a candle! ". Winged phrases, one way or another associated with the notorious "holding a candle" can be heard in everyday speech quite often. Their value is simple - to witness any events, especially those associated with someone's personal, intimate life.

But why the candle? Why do not we say "I did not peek"? And in general, what does it mean to "keep a candle" and where did this expression come from? On this account, there are three different versions - one more interesting than the other.

Version number 1. Russian

Supporters of this version suggest: the roots of what the expression "hold a candle" should be sought in ancient Russia. Then the main meaning of marriage, and in general, life, was considered the continuation of the family. Therefore, the married life of the newlyweds should be the most that neither is "real", with all the intimate details that follow from here.

The relatives of the bride and groom simply needed to be convinced of this. Therefore, one of them stayed behind the bedroom door and peeped into the crack, taking a candle with him for a better view. Having made sure that everything in young spouses is "in order", this curious immediately ran to tell the rest of the relatives that, they say, the heirs will appear - there is nothing to worry about.

Version number 2. French

Another version of what it means to "keep a candle" came to us from France. There there is a curious expression, which is translated "I did not keep a candle there!". They spoke it against the well-known French gossipers, who did not feed bread, just give details of someone's private life.

And the expression itself, which in French sounds like this: Que voulez-vous! Je n'y ai pas tenu la chandelle, most likely, became popular, thanks to the engraving of the Italian artist Agostino Caracci. It depicts a couple of lovers for an "interesting" occupation, and next to them is a woman holding a candle directly above them to provide them with enough light.

This engraving is so widely known among the French that they gave it, instead of the original, long and official title, another - short and concise. Namely, Tenir la chandelle, which means "hold a candle" or "holding a candle" (about a woman in engraving).

Version number 3. Aristocratic

An interesting version of what "holding a candle" means is connected with a popular anecdote in the Middle Ages.

One lord could not satisfy his loving spouse in any way. During these unsuccessful attempts, a servant was standing next to the bed and holding a candle so that the young could see better. Finally the tortured lord, desperate, ordered the servant to exchange places with him, and he himself began to hold a candle.

When the servant really succeeded in succeeding in a delicate matter, the lord did not want to completely smash his face. Therefore, he had no choice but to say: "Now you see, now you understand how to hold a candle?"

There is one more, rather uncomplicated, but logical version, with the exact opposite meaning. After all, if a person is in complete darkness and holds a lighted candle in his hands, then he himself will not see anything except this candle. That is, he can not be an eyewitness to any events happening around him.

So, what does the "candle hold" mean? Now you have several options for answering this question at once!