A kisser is the strangest and most mysterious profession that has ever existed in Rus'. This name can mislead anyone. Moreover, not only people who are inexperienced in knowing the language get confused, but also various writers, critics, and some public figures. In fact, this is a profession that existed on the territory of Russia in the 15th-18th centuries. Throughout the history of its existence, it has undergone changes, so its definition has changed. This is even more misleading.

general information

Tselovalnik is a kind of administrative term that most often characterized a specific profession. This concept existed in Rus' from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

Those workers or public figures (akin to modern tax authorities or officials) who kissed the cross became kissers. Directly during this process, they began their duties, as they took an oath before the Lord. It was a kind of oath, and to break this word means to betray God. Therefore, people were afraid to act outside the rules.

This position was selective. There was no specific profession that characterized her. The kissers could perform the following procedures:

• Collect taxes. They took money from the peasants, after which they transferred it to the authorities. They kept part of it for themselves as an intermediary percentage.
• Search for and execute murderers. In the West in Texas there was a similar position when a specific price was assigned for the head of a criminal. This also happened in Russia, although it did not gain popularity.
• Work at customs. They charged a fee for the goods they transported through a specific location.

Thus, there were no specifics regarding this position.

First value

Who is a kisser? The meaning of the word is ambiguous. There are two explanations that differ radically from each other. The profession first appeared in the 15th century. Then she did not exist independently. The person who held the position bore great responsibility to the authorities and the people. At the moment, there are “descendants” of the profession - bailiffs, tax officials.

A tselovalnik is a person who was responsible for collecting taxes and was also directly involved in the judicial system. He searched for and executed criminals. Each worker was assigned to a specific territory. And when he went beyond its limits, he became an ordinary person without a position.

It is impossible not to note the choice of profession. The person was appointed by the people through ordinary voting. Therefore, we can say that already in the 15th century the beginnings of democracy appeared in Russia.

Until the time when Ivan the Terrible became the executive power of Russia, kissers were ordinary workers. They were elected to office by popular vote. At first they were ordinary employees who acted on their own. There was no leadership over them.

Second meaning

After the end of the Time of Troubles, the profession of a kisser changed. The meaning was now oriented toward bureaucratic activity. Roles and responsibilities have changed. Now the worker only had to collect taxes or deprive people of property if they did not repay their debts to the state on time.

Speaking about what the kisser did, one cannot fail to note one unique feature. Every month the worker had to collect a specific amount. Moreover, if he raises the bar, then next time it could not be lower. If such a situation was observed, then he had to pay the missing funds from his own pocket. Or the kisser was transferred into slavery, where he worked until he repaid his debt.

For obvious reasons, the position in question was not popular. People took risks because they could collect more taxes than required, ensuring a comfortable existence for themselves. But, on the other hand, there is a high probability of falling into slavery.

Towards the beginning of the 19th century, the profession gradually faded away. It is being replaced by the relevant departments - tax,

Why did such a profession appear?

A kisser is a profession that would definitely appear. The fact is that it was necessary to create a system that would collect taxes. But at the same time it was necessary to minimize bureaucracy. Then it was decided to choose tax collectors from among public figures. They entered into their rights without specific payment for labor.

Another advantage of the kissers was that an illiterate person could not go to collect taxes. All people already knew how to read, count and write. Therefore, the state authorities did not have to do anything in order for tax revenues to come into their hands independently. This is how a kind of cooperation was formed between public officials and the country's leaders.

"Lip Kisser"

In Rus' there was such a position as “lip kisser.” Despite the similarity to something romantic, it meant something completely different. The elders and kissers themselves performed various duties. These included collecting taxes and dealing with crime.

When a person did something bad, they had to find him and bring him to trial. According to the results, the criminal was either sent to hard labor or executed. And the word “labial” here has a common root with “to ruin.”

Where does the name “kisser” come from?

Tselovalniki in Rus' are people who performed a certain job. They took responsibility for their obligations on a voluntary basis. At that time there was no employment contract or any other document with legal force. Therefore, the performer could not be forced to strictly fulfill his obligations to the people and government agencies.

However, fear of the law was not enough then. People feared and feared God more. Therefore, before assuming a certain position, they kissed the crucifix. That is, the person swore before God that he would take a responsible approach to fulfilling his duties to the people.

At the same time, it was impossible to indicate the presence of a specific position. People were just doing their job. Only then, after some time, did they receive official employment. First they needed to show themselves and prove themselves.

Conclusion

Thus, kissers in Rus' are people who performed certain duties that were part of the concept of the profession they chose. The position is selective, there were never any specifics. After the 18th century, it lost its significance, but left many modern historians perplexed. After all, the name of an administrative term is often compared with something lyrical and loving. But in reality he has nothing to do with it.

In the section on the question What did the kisser do? given by the author Dushechka X the best answer is position in Russia at the end of the 15th-18th centuries. Upon taking office, Ts. swore an oath (kissed the cross, hence the name “Ts.”). Along with the floor guards and elders, the Ts., being their assistants, were responsible to the central and local administration for the regular receipt of cash income and participated in judicial and police supervision of the population. It was first mentioned in the Code of Laws of 1497. After the liquidation of internal customs (1754), only tavern wine shops were preserved. According to tradition, sellers in state-owned wine shops in the 2nd half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. continued to call Ts.
Source: Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Answer from 2 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What did the kisser do?

Answer from Dswf sdfsdfkjghg[newbie]
kissing and sex

Answer from Mashenka.[guru]
Tselovalniks were persons of non-noble origin who were engaged in collecting various duties.

Answer from Evil Lelik[guru]
In pre-Petrine Rus', any financially responsible civil servant was called a kisser. The word comes from the fact that the person hired swore to be honest and on this KISSED THE CROSS.

Answer from Jamara[guru]
How divided opinions are!..

Answer from Victor Zelenkin[guru]
He maintained a drinking establishment, having the appropriate license from His Imperial Majesty. Try to find the etymology (origin) of the term itself at the link

Answer from Larisa Mirzayan[guru]
Kisser,
position in Russia at the end of the 15th-18th centuries. Taking office, Kisser. took an oath (kissed the cross, hence the name “Kisser.”). Along with the polovs and elders, Tselovalnik, being their assistants, were responsible to the central and local administration for the regular flow of cash income and participated in judicial and police supervision of the population. It was first mentioned in the Code of Laws of 1497. After the liquidation of internal customs (1754), only the tavern Tselovalniki remained. According to tradition, sellers in state-owned wine shops in the 2nd half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. continued to be called Kissers.

Answer from 20090114 [guru]
Collection of taxes. Later - this was the name of the tavern owner

Answer from Olenka[guru]
Tselovalnik - in the Russian state of the XV-XVIII centuries. an official elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties; also participated in police surveillance of the population. Upon taking office, Ts. swore an oath (he kissed the cross, hence the name). ;

Kisser

Kissers- officials of Muscovite Rus', elected by the zemshchina in counties and towns to perform judicial, financial and police duties. The chosen person swore to honestly fulfill his duties and, in confirmation of the oath, kissed the cross, which is where the name comes from.

In the history of the development of this institution, two periods can be distinguished: before the 17th century, when kissers performed their functions independently, and after the 17th century, when they acted under the command of a governor or clerks in general. Tselovalniki were first mentioned in the Code of Laws of 1497, and then in the statutory Novgorod charters of Vasily III. In 1508, the chronicler reports that in order to avoid falsehoods at the trial, the Grand Duke ordered the tiuns to be tried with kissers, 4 for each month. In the first half of the 16th century, before Grozny came of age, cities and districts almost everywhere received the right to choose their favorite people, including kissers, for provincial affairs, and from 1555 zemstvo self-government was introduced in many places; The activity of the kissers is expanding, and they receive help from their voters for carrying out their duties, for example, in the estate of Vladimir Andreevich, in the Vyshkovsky camp, half a ruble per plow. At this time, tselovalniks act independently or help zemstvo, gubny and other elders in court, in the capture of thieves, robbers, in collecting taxes, trade and customs duties, hand over these fees from the nadda to farming, etc.

see also

• Corral books

Sources

• Lappo-Danilevsky, "Organization of direct taxation"
• Miliukov, “Controversial issues in the financial history of the Moscow State”
• Chicherin, "Regional institutions in the 17th century"
• Gradovsky, "History of local government in Russia"
• Sergeevich, “Russian legal antiquities”
• GARF, f. 1911, op.1, d.391, l.79

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Synonyms:

See what “kisser” is in other dictionaries:

KISSER, official in the 15th - 18th centuries. He was responsible for the regular receipt of cash income, participated in judicial and police supervision of the population. Elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants, upon taking office, the kisser gave... ...Russian history

Seller, innkeeper Dictionary of Russian synonyms. kisser noun, number of synonyms: 3 innkeeper (4) ... Synonym dictionary

In the Russian state of the 15th-18th centuries. an official elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties; also participated in police surveillance of the population. Taking office... Legal Dictionary

Official in the Russian state 15-18 centuries. Elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties. He swore to fulfill them honestly (kissed the cross). Later they were called kissers... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

KISSER, kisser, husband. (source). 1. Seller of wine in drinking houses and taverns. “Father will receive his salary first at the tavern, congratulate the kisser on the upcoming first day.” Saltykov Shchedrin. “There was a sheepskin coat, but let’s be honest? planned the evening... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

KISSER, huh, husband. 1. In Russia 1518 centuries: an official involved in the collection of taxes and certain judicial and police matters. 2. Seller in a drinking establishment, tavern (obsolete). | adj. kisser, ya, ye. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I.... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Official in the Russian state 15-18 centuries. Elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties. Upon taking office, he swore an oath (he kissed the cross, hence the name). Along with… … Political science. Dictionary.

Kisser- in Russia at the end of the 15th - 18th century. elective position. Ts. was first mentioned in the Code of Laws of 1497 as a person who participated in the court of governors and volosts. The name comes from the ceremony of taking the oath and kissing the cross. Zemsky and... Encyclopedia of Law

- (foreign) wine seller; own juror, collector (juror who kissed the cross) Wed. The neighboring tavern was doing great business. The kisser received the poor guests with feeling. I.F. Gorbunov. From Moscow outback. 2. Wed. We stood there in the morning, tired, tea, yes... ... Michelson's Large Explanatory and Phraseological Dictionary

A; m. 1. In Russia 15-18 centuries: an elected official who collected taxes and performed a number of judicial and police duties (when taking office, he took an oath by kissing the cross). 2. East. Wine seller in a drinking establishment, tavern... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• Good life, Nikolai Vasilievich Uspensky. “A kisser with a trimmed beard, dressed in a blue cloth jacket, with his left hand resting on his knee, was sitting at the table opposite his friend, a short tradesman, who... eBook

Tselovalnik is one of the most mysterious ancient professions in Rus'. Indeed, for an ordinary person who has not delved into the history of the country and word formations in the Russian language of past centuries, the term “tselovalnik” is associated with something lyrical and amorous. Although this is not true...

In Rus', the profession called “tselovnik” had two meanings, almost diametrically opposed to each other.

Forerunner of the Bailiff

The profession of a kisser first appeared in the 15th century as a rather serious, harsh and even formidable field of activity. And the fact that she has become “forgotten” is also not entirely true. She simply transformed. It was from the first, ancient meaning of the position of kisser that such “childish” modern crafts emerged, such as, say, a bailiff or a tax inspector, and in the West, a tax policeman.

So, from the 15th century until the beginning of the 19th century, the tselovalnik was a civil servant who was responsible for collecting financial taxes and implementing court decisions. The kissers also carried out general police supervision over the areas or settlements entrusted to them.

Moreover, this position was elective. People from the zemstvo or black-growing peasants were elected to it. At the appointment ceremony for this important post, they swore an oath to “serve faithfully and honestly” and at the same time kissed the cross to confirm their words. This is where the name “kisser” comes from.

Chronicles report that the first mention of this name is found in the judicial charter, Code of Laws of 1497. Then - in the Novgorod charters of Vasily III. A record dated 1508 states that to ensure a fair trial, kissers were required to participate in the trial. That is, in essence, they combined the functions of lay judges, jurors and bailiffs responsible for the accurate execution of court decisions and sentences.

By the way, what would a modern person think if he heard such a job title - lip kisser? This position appeared in the 16th century and meant only that the kisser helped the governor to catch thieves and robbers. Such trials in those days usually ended in hard labor or the chopping block. Hence the term “labial”, which comes from the word “to ruin”.

Before the accession of Ivan the Terrible, kissers were free hunters. They were elected “by the whole world,” and performed their functions independently, subordinate to no one and not counting on anyone’s help.

Drinking business

Kissers became government officials after the Time of Troubles, that is, around the middle of the 17th century. Their functions also changed - the activities of the kissers were mainly focused on collecting taxes, taxes and arrears. As officials, they were subordinate to zemstvo bosses, but they were responsible for the quality of their work independently. The authorities demanded from kissers that the amounts collected from taxes, customs duties and arrears in each subsequent period be at least no less than in the previous one. If the tselovalnik did not fulfill this requirement and supplied the state with less money than the last time, then he would receive justice - that is, the tselovalnik would bear the amount of the arrears as a personal debt. And he himself had to return the missing money - in any way. To force the kisser to do this, they beat him with batogs. If this did not help, the kisser was given into slavery, where he worked for free until he worked off the debt that arose.

Therefore, at that time the position of kisser was not very popular. On the one hand, it was possible to make money in this position by collecting more taxes than required. The legal part was given to the authorities, the kisser officially took the rest for himself and could live comfortably. On the other hand, it was possible to end up in slavery.

The profession of a kisser in the first, ancient Russian, harsh understanding of the word disappeared by the beginning of the 19th century, when professional authorities for collecting taxes, customs duties and executing court decisions were formed in the Russian state. All these functions were transferred to the relevant departments.

But the term has been preserved. From this time on, the owners of taverns and taverns began to be called kissers. The fact is that in Russia in the 19th century there was a state monopoly on the production and trade of alcohol that was strictly controlled. This means that a person who decided to open a tavern had to obtain, as they now say, a license from the state. At the same time, he swore not to dilute the vodka in his establishment and to confirm his words... he also kissed the cross.

By the way, the term survived until Soviet times. The last mention of kissers is found in the list of occupational diseases approved by the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions in 1924.

I repeat: the term itself has disappeared, but many government agencies in Russia - bailiffs, customs and tax authorities - originate from tselovalniks. Although I can assume that they themselves do not know about it.

The section is very easy to use. Just enter the desired word in the field provided, and we will give you a list of its meanings. I would like to note that our site provides data from various sources - encyclopedic, explanatory, word-formation dictionaries. Here you can also see examples of the use of the word you entered.

The meaning of the word kisser

kisser in the crossword dictionary

kisser

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov

kisser

kisser, m. (historical).

Seller of wine in drinking houses and taverns. Father will receive his salary - first of all, go to the tavern, congratulate the kisser on the upcoming first day. Saltykov-Shchedrin. There was a sheepskin coat, but let’s be honest? arranged the evening at the kisser's. Pushkin.

In Muscovite Rus' - the name of officials who performed the work of collecting taxes, as well as judicial, police and other functions.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I.Ozhegov, N.Yu.Shvedova.

kisser

In Russia 15-18 centuries: an official involved in collecting taxes and certain judicial matters.

Seller in a drinking establishment, tavern (obsolete).

adj. whole-hearted, -ya, -ye-

New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.

kisser

An official (in Rus' at the end of the 15th century - beginning of the 18th century) who performs the work of collecting taxes, as well as judicial, police and other functions.

Seller of wine in drinking establishments of the Russian state until 1917.

Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998

kisser

official in the Russian state 15-18 centuries. Elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties. He swore to fulfill them honestly (kissed the cross). Later, sellers in state-owned wine shops were called kissers.

Large legal dictionary

kisser

in the Russian state of the XV-XVIII centuries. an official elected from the townspeople or black-growing peasants to perform various financial or judicial duties; also participated in police surveillance of the population. Upon taking office, Ts. swore an oath (he kissed the cross, hence the name).

Kisser

position in Russia at the end of the 15th–18th centuries. Upon taking office, Ts. took an oath (kissed the cross, hence the name “Ts.”). Along with the polovs and headmen, the Ts., being their assistants, were responsible to the central and local administration for the regular flow of cash income and participated in judicial and police supervision of the population. First mentioned in Code of Laws 1497. After the liquidation of internal customs (1754), only tavern wine shops were preserved. According to tradition, sellers in state-owned wine shops in the 2nd half of the 19th - early 20th centuries. continued to call Ts.

Wikipedia

Kisser

Kissers- officials in the Russian state, elected by the zemshchina in counties and towns to perform judicial, financial and police duties. The chosen person swore to honestly fulfill his duties and, in confirmation of the oath, kissed the cross, hence the name.

Tselovalnik (disambiguation)

Kisser:

• Tselovalnik - officials in the Russian state, elected to perform judicial, financial and police duties.
• Lip kisser is a position in the Moscow state.
• Tselovalnik, Sergey Anatolyevich (born 1952) - Soviet and Ukrainian architect.

Examples of the use of the word tselovalnik in literature.

One day, shortly after the dog siege, while sitting in a tavern kisser Bashkirtsev and being in a cheerful mood, Fedot argued with one experienced bone carver.

Scoop bird, altyn head, ohalnik - tavern to people kisser!

Tea, you know that everyone forgives kisser at the order of the Great Treasury they give batogs in the back!

If the governor or the volost, or the tiun sends their list of judgment for the report, and the seeker or the defendant from the report deceives the list, then send the truth to the courtier, the headman and kissers who were in court for that case.

If one of those volosts happens to seek or answer before the governor or before the volost, or before their tiuns, then the elders will be in court and kissers the volost from which someone is searching or responding.

Ryabov clicked kisser, no one responded: both Toshchak and his big-lipped fellow rolled out onto the porch with a big fight - they knocked out the roosters.

But our queen is kind, merciful, she even has mercy on cattle and pity on birds,” he said angrily kisser, straining mugs of intoxicating drink.

I was in Astrakhan, I knew that all the hounds were from the Shah from Moscow, from the Shah to Moscow: they were merchants of the Shah with goods, from us kissers, clerks for goods.

Petrovich, of course, will cling to his Apollos and Venuses with cupids, and we, between them, are our ancestral kissers, the crook-makers, we robbed them and put them in the crooked courts.

Sinbirenin Stepan Fedosev was chopped up and thrown into the water, and two people kissers the Sinbirsk people, who were sent with the sovereign's Saratov bread that was not transportable, were beaten and tortured, and Stenka Razin took the banner of the patriarch's plow, and he beat the old patriarch of the planted fish, cut off his hand and drowned him.

Kisser, glancing sideways at the Cossack's saber, at his bloody hands, he handed over an uncorked braid and put down a kalach thickly coated with flour.

The owners returned to fulfilling their pre-revolutionary duties, and the entire lower stone floor of our half-stone house was dedicated to the sale of wine, and the wine was sold by the same kisser, as in tsarist times.

Tamga and all customs duties were collected by guests and merchants from Moscow and Novgorod on faith, in which year they will put someone in their heads and kissers Novgorod governors and clerks will choose.

Emelyanovs: conditions are to blame for soldering thousands of Emelyanovs when the momentary benefit of state kissers is placed above public health.

Those were tens, kissers and traders, merchants, clerks and trade clerks, clerks and clerks.