Mavi Boncuk |
Idioms that indicate a language's richnss,
historical and cultural heritage, are frequently used in Turkish, which has a
deep-rooted oral tradition. Istanbul, one of the cities where Turkish is spoken
most eloquently from past to present, has spawned many idioms unique to the
city as a reflection of this richness. "100 Idioms of Istanbul"
explores Istanbul-themed idioms, each rooted in historical events or popular
events, and the stories they tell. The book, which also includes idioms that
are now almost forgotten, is an important resource for the city's cultural
history.
1. ÜSKÜDAR’DA SABAH OLDU | MORNING HAS COME IN
ÜSKÜDAR
The muezzins of the Valide Sultan and Mihrimah Sultan mosques on the seashore in Üsküdar would always recite the morning call to prayer before the muezzins of the Beşiktaş mosque, hoping to make their voices heard by the sultan living on the other side, receive a favor from him, and perhaps even achieve the position of palace muezzin.
So much so that one morning, the German emperor, a guest of Sultan Abdülhamid II, could not believe that the voice he heard was a human voice.
The expression "morning has come in Üsküdar," used even today to mean "to be late for something" stems from the morning call to prayer being recited before the Beşiktaş mosque, even though they were on the same route.
2. MARMARA ÇIRASI GİBİ TUTUŞMAK | IGNITING LIKE MARMARA KINDLING
In the past, tinder was used to light fires in stoves,
ovens, or barbecues, and these tinder were sold in bundles in the bazaars. This
term, used for those who suddenly flare up or become enraged, originated from
the tinder collected from Marmara Island, famous for its gum-like pine trees,
which, due to their abundant resin, burned easily.
3. KABAK BAŞINDA PATLAMAK | EXPLODING OVER A GOURD
In the years when gourds were hollowed out and used as
bottles, rows of gourds filled with wine were lined up in display cases in
Galata taverns. A tough guy would grab whichever gourd's string could cut and
wouldn't leave until he finished it. During raids on taverns, municipal police
and guards would overturn the vats and barrels, and the rows of hanging gourds
would explode over the heads of the tavernkeepers and intervening customers.
4. DİNGONUN AHIRI | DINGO'S STABLE
During the years when horse-drawn trams were used for
transportation in Istanbul, extra horses were harnessed to the two-horse-drawn
trams to enable them to climb the steep Şişhane hill. The additional horses
added to the tram at Azapkapı were rested at a stable in Taksim run by a Greek
citizen named Dingo, before being driven back to Azapkapı. Because of the
stable's constant influx of horses throughout the day, this term was coined for
places where it was unclear who was entering or exiting, or where anyone could
enter or exit.
5. GOYGOYCULUK YAPMAK | PLAYING THE GOYGOYCU)
In the past, during the month of Muharram, beggars belonging
to the Sufi order who would go door-to-door begging while reciting hymns were
called goygoycu (people who are called "goygoycu"). Two days before
Muharram, these individuals would go to their lodges in Üsküdar and gather with
their sheikhs. From there, they would disperse to the neighborhoods in groups
of four or five. From the first to the tenth day of Muharram, the goygoy
players would wander the streets reciting hymns, performing a ritual prayer,
and praying in front of the door they stood in. Today, this expression is used
to mean chattering or indiscretion.
6. ÇAPULCU | FILIPITOR
Once upon a time, the name "filibuster" was given
to unemployed, unemployed men who infiltrated firefighting teams. Although
these men were eventually accepted into the team after undergoing various tests
and trials, some, due to their moral turpitude, would still attempt to steal
from a fire at the first opportunity. If discovered, they would be handed over
to the police and never set foot in that neighborhood again. Cemil Topuzlu, who
served as Istanbul's mayor in the 1910s, referred to "filibuster" in
his memoirs when describing the deficiencies within the fire department.
7. BULGURLU’YA GELİN GİTMEK | GOING TO BULGURLU AS A
BRIDE
The story behind this phrase, used by those who rush too
much into a job, is as follows: Bulgurlu Village is a beautiful village due to
its water and air. The young men of this village, which has produced wrestlers
since ancient times, were renowned for their beauty. Young girls from
surrounding villages would eagerly await the hand of these young men.
Bulgurlu's weddings, held over nine days in a festive atmosphere, were also
quite famous. If a suitor from Bulgurlu came and took a liking to the girl, the
girl, fearing the engagement would be broken off, would urge her parents day
and night to complete her dowry, consummate the marriage, and then return to
Bulgurlu as a bride.
8. PÜSKÜLLÜ BELA | THE TAZELLED TROUBLE
During the reign of Mahmud II, the fez was adopted as the
official headgear, first for soldiers and then for civil servants, and soon
began to be worn by the public. As the fez became more widespread, models
emerged in various colors and shapes, with and without tassels. Wearing a fez,
which was often damaged by rain and snow, and whose tassels were constantly
tangled in the wind, was a laborious and costly endeavor. The phrase
"Flaşüllü Bela" (Taşüllü Bela) was inspired by this situation.
9. BALIK KAVAĞA ÇIKINCA | WHEN FISH GOES TO KAVAK
Rumeli and Anadolu Kavağı, located on opposite sides of the
border, are very windy and have strong currents. This makes fishing nearly
impossible. In Istanbul, when fish are plentiful and prices fall, it is common
for fish caught in the city to be taken to Kavaklar and sold. At other times,
fishermen often respond to customers who want to buy fish at a low price with,
"That price you're talking about will be paid when the fish reaches
Kavaklar."
10. İKİ DİRHEM BİR ÇEKİRDEK | TWO DIRHAM AND A SEED
This expression, used to describe Istanbul ladies and gentlemen who are notable for their attire, also conveys the connotation of being unpretentious and choosing to dress appropriately. The terms "dirhem" and "kernel" in the expression are weights used in jewelry for precise weighing. Ottoman gold, the most valuable currency in the market at the time, weighed two dirhams and a seed. It became a term that was often used alongside the highest-value, most precisely measured gold coin in the market by those who were meticulous about their attire.
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