In modern society a quarter-liter bottle called a bottle of vodka (less wine), the volume of which is 0.25 ml. the Word came into use and became used in this sense, the Soviet people. Earlier, before the revolution, bottle ¼ liter was called a "crook".

Chekushku how to measure volume in Russia


One of the variants of the origin of the word "chekushku" connects this concept with a measure of the volume in Russia – catuskoti. Chamusca accommodates two cups. A couple of glasses is called a couple. This word formed the basis of the concept of "katushka" which is deformed, forming a chekushku.


In some principalities in Rus in the XIV–XV centuries chetu was considered the fourth part of the Qadi, weighing the contents of which were different. In the early seventeenth century, the quarter was marked four pounds of rye grain, and already in the XIX century chekushku became known as the fourth of the buckets, weighing over two liters.

In autobiographical essays of famous Soviet zoologist Zverev M. D. you can find stories about how the Russian peasants bought in the pubs, bottle of vodka, put them in the boot and slung over his shoulder, back home. The author calls these miniatures bottles.

As fishermen chekushku invented


The modern word "chekushku" has foreign roots with Turkic origin. The Turkish word "C akic" translates as "hammer". It has its explanation. In Russia, to subdue a freshly caught fish, used a special tool in the form of batons or beater. The technique of applying such a beater resembled a blow with a hammer.

In Russ said, labeling this process "security fish." Here the place to recall that initially, before the nineteenth century, alcohol for sale was packaged in a large bucket bottles. Form of such containers for vodka, probably reminded people the device, which sekusile fish, and they began to call these bottles miniatures. But then this tradition has been replaced by a new one, and began to pour the vodka into smaller bottles, but the habit of calling them miniatures preserved.

Chekushku in the Soviet Union


Noteworthy is the fact that the term most likely became popular in the Soviet Union during the period of the so-called prohibition. It is likely that the notion of shells is the designation of a bottle of vodka or other liquor. Because public mention of alcohol could face a censure others, while the use of the term "chekushku" helped freely to discuss plans for the evening.