English phraseological units as a mean of representing knowledge of a person’s physical characteristics

We center on the study of the phraseological units semantics from cognitive positions. In particular, attention is paid to information about person physical characteristics represented by phraseological units of the English language containing somatisms, as well as the names of food, clothing and furniture. As phraseological units representing information about physical characteristics we consider those units which represent information about the properties of the body and/or appearance of the human body. The aim of the study is to identify semantic features of these phraseological units, as well as to consider the cognitive mechanisms of their development. During the study of the given phraseological units semantics, the following semantic groups are distinguished: 1) the structure of the human body; 2) age; 3) appearance; 4) the physical/physiological characteristics of the person. In the course of studying the factual material, it is established that the main mechanisms for the development of the meaning of the studied phraseological units are cognitive metaphor, metonymy and metaphtonymy. It is concluded that when comprehending human physical properties, a reference is made both to the very conceptual field of HUMAN and to other conceptual fields involved in the processes of reinterpretation. These may include the conceptual fields FOOD, CLOTHING, FURNITURE, PLANT, ANIMAL.