Different approaches to the classification of Pus

ü Etymological approach considers the source of PUs.

ü Semantic approach stresses the importance of idiomaticity.

ü Structural approach is based on the ability to perform the same syntactical functions as words.

ü Contextual approach focuses on stability of context combined with idiomaticity.

Etymological / thematic classification

The traditional and oldest principle for classifying phraseological units is based on their original content and might be called thematic or etymological. Idioms are classified according to their sources of origin. "Source" refersto the particular sphere of human activity, of life of nature, of natural phenomena, etc.:

· Cultural beliefs, traditions and customs, e.g. to keep one’s fingers crossed

· Historical events, e.g. to meet one’s Waterloo

· Mythology, e.g. Achiles’ hill

· Names of organizations and posts, e.g. the White House, the House of Lords

· Barbarisms and translation loans, e.g. persona non grata, alma mater

L. P. Smith gives in his classification groups of idioms used by sailors, fishermen, soldiers, hunters and associated with the realia, phenomena and conditions of their occupations.

In Smith's classification there are groups of idioms associated with domestic and wild animals and birds, agriculture and cooking, from sports, arts. He makes a special study of idioms borrowed from other languages, but that is only a small part of his classification system. Smith points out that word-groups associated with the sea and the life of seamen are especially numerous in English vocabulary but most of them have developed metaphorical meanings which have no longer any association with the sea or sailors.

E.g. to be all at sea ‒ to be unable to understand, be in a state of ignorance or bewilderment about smth;

to sink or swim ‒ to fail or succeed;

in deep water ‒ in trouble or danger; `

in low water, on the rocks ‒ in strained financial circumstances;

to be in the same boat with smb ‒ to be in a situation in which people share the same difficulties and dangers;

to show one's colors ‒ to betray one's real character or intentions;

to strike one's colors ‒ to surrender, give in, admit one is beaten;

to weather (to ride out) the storm ‒ to overcome difficulties.

The thematic principle of classifying phraseological units has real merit but it does not take into account the linguistic characteristic features of the phraseological units.