Road Hauling in Russia in the XIX – Beginning of XX Centuries: Workers, Rules, Lexicon

Abstract

Carrying was a widespread occupation in Russian cities and villages, bringing various, often very small, incomes to its participants, depending on the number of orders completed, weather conditions, the health and endurance of the moving force – the horse, many other situations and, of course, on the generosity of the passengers who could fully thank for the difficult but successful trip. The many conditions that the cab driver relied on made it possible to appear in the process of developing the cab type of craft, a large number of special terms, proverbs and sayings used by cab drivers who transported both goods and passengers. These words described with great accuracy and indicated what difficulties the cabman could encounter on the way, whether it was a difficult road, a breakdown on the way, a weakened or sick horse, robberies, and the high cost of roadside lodging houses. At the same time, the terminology, proverbs, and sayings make it possible to understand the mechanism of contractual relations between the customer and the team of cab drivers, which made it possible to minimize conflict situations during transportation. The artel cab singled out the most respected cab driver among his own, who was assigned the special role of mediation with the customer. In addition, apt words denoted the profit expected from the export trade and, at the same time, the desire to purchase small gifts for the household, plans for spending this profit. All this creates a unique bright, colorful image of traveling cabs of the 19th – early 20th centuries, carrying cargo and passengers along endless Russian roads in an endless stream.

Acknowledgements
The author expresses his deep gratitude to the Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor of Belgorod National Research University Vladimir Anatolyevich Shapovalov for the idea of the study.