1. Любопытной Варваре на базаре нос оторвали (lyubopytnoi Varvare na bazare nos otorvali). Literally: the nos[e] of curious Barbara was torn off at the market. English equivalent: curiosity killed the cat.
![Apollinary Vasnetsov - [Russian] Bazaar. 17th century. (1903). Apollinary Vasnetsov - [Russian] Bazaar. 17th century. (1903).](https://russianuniverse.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/apollinary-vasnetsov-bazaar-17th-century.jpg?w=584&h=664)
2. Зарубить на носу (zarubit’ na nosu). Literally: to make a nick on a nos[e], i.e. to firmly remember. Note: this saying is often used in the imperative mood (zarubi na nosu – make a nick on your nos[e]) and it is an impolite expression.

3. Остаться с носом (ostatsya s nosom). Literally: to be left with a nos[e], i.e. to be fooled or to fail something.

Probable origins of these proverbs.
The word ‘нос’ (nos) has another meaning in Russian besides ‘nose’. It’s a wooden stick 50 cm long and 4cm in diameter used in Rus’ (i.e. Ancient Russia) for trading. Nicks were made on a nos as memory marks [proverb №2.]. For example, if money for the goods on credit was not paid, the creditor was left with ‘nos’ only but with no money and no goods [proverb №3.]. Thus, too curious person could be left without ‘nos’ or part of the ‘nos’ could be cut off so s/he would have problems with debt [proverb №1.].
The word ‘nos’ is a derivate from a verbal noun ‘podnoshenie’ (meanings: offering, gift, potlatch and even bribe). Thus, proverb №3. could also mean that an offering/bribe to an official(s) was not accepted and negotiating parties did not come to an agreement.
A similar version states that ‘nos’ means a gift given by a groom to bride’s parents according to an ancient tradition. If it was not accepted, a marriage would not happen.
Pingback: How (Not) to Read (the Bible) - Darn Sermons
Pingback: Russian Saying about Death… & Life. | Russian Universe
So do I say nos or nose? Think I’ll be good for a whole week in Russia after this. Entertaining and informative, thank you.
LikeLike
Actually, it depends on what meaning of the word ‘нос’ (transliterated as ‘nos’) you want to emphasize. Because in modern Russian ‘nos’ as a wooden stick is an archaism (and I thought that curious Barbara got her nose torn off before I did my little research on this proverb), I guess it’s OK if you say ‘nose’.
P.S. I hope you’ll enjoy your time in Russia!
Best wishes,
Sergey.
LikeLike
Pingback: Russian Saying: There Is No Truth in Legs. | Russian Universe