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Third Edition
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by photo-
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the copyright owner.
Shlyakhov, Vladimir.
Dictionary of Russian slang & colloquial expressions = Russkii sleng /
Vladimir Shlyakhov, Eve Adler. 3rd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7641-3033-5 (alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 0-7641-3033-1 (alk. paper)
1. Russian language Slang Dictionaries English. 2. Russian language
New words Dictionaries English. 3. Russian language Idioms Dictionaries
English. I. Title: Russian slang. II. Title: Dictionary of Russian slang. III. Title:
Russkii sleng. iV. Title: Dictionary of Russian slang and colloquial expressions. V.
Adler, Eve. VI. Title.
PG2752.S57 2006
491.73'21-dc22
2005052401
Library of Congress Control Number 2005052401
Printed in Canada
987654321
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page iii
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments iv
Preface v
Russian Slang and Russian Lexicography in Our Time v
Chief Sources of the Words and Expressions in this Dictionary vi
Role of this Dictionary in Linguistics and Sociolinguistics vii
Organization of the Dictionary viii
Preface to the Second Edtion xi
Preface to the Third Edition xi
Abbreviations xiii
Dictionary of Russian Slang and Colloquial Expressions 1
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page iv
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
iv
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PREFACE
A
The present dictionary is based on the recording and collecting of Vladimir Shlyakhov
in the years 1987 through 1994, mostly in Moscow. The author was guided by one chief
principle: all words and expressions, in whatever social stratum of the Russian-speaking
population they may originate, have a claim to appear in the pages of dictionaries. During
the long process of collecting the materials and composing the articles, he was sustained
by his sense of performing a duty, as an inheritor, lover, and scholar of the Russian lan-
guage, to preserve an endangered part of that language and bear witness to its use. The
negative attitude of Soviet scholarship toward slang resulted in significant losses for lexi-
cography; many words of low style have been lost forever. In this dictionary, the author
has striven to record Russian slang of the second half of the twentieth century in a manner
conforming to the standards of scholarly lexicography.
The RussianEnglish version of the dictionary was composed in close collaboration by
Vladimir Shlyakhov and Eve Adler. This work attempts to take account not only of the
realities of Russian slang and colloquial speech, but also of the special needs and interests
of English-speaking students and scholars. Its goal is to provide such readers with a reli-
able and convenient key to this previously inaccessible area of Russian life and language.
In adapting the dictionary for this RussianEnglish edition, special efforts have been made
to render the explanatory material and the usage examples as transparent as possible, par-
ticularly where words and expressions reflect those areas of Russian and Soviet experience
that are likely to be most foreign to English speakers.
vi
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page vii
4. Youth slang. Youth slang has become a vast and productive system influencing the
development of contemporary Russian speech. It manifests all the processes that attend the
emergence of new words and expressions. Youth slang interacts with other slangs; it
includes, for instance, a great number of criminals expressions. Many words and expres-
sions from youth slang have come into general use.
In the last ten to fifteen years, youth slang has adopted a great many words from the
west European languages, modifying them in accordance with the rules of Russian word
formation. Some foreign words have kept their meanings, such as fejs (face), baksy (dol-
lars), drinkath (to drink), fajnovyj (fine); others have taken on different shades of
meaning: mejkaths (to turn out all right); frendiths (to be friends with someone).
5. School and university, sports, and musical slang.
6. Obscenities and the expressions and wordplays derived from them.
vii
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page viii
Adjectives are listed in the masculine singular, followed by their feminine and neuter sin-
gular endings.
BESPREDLHNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Illegal, immoral (cf. bespredl). Ty cital
bespredelhnu stath o russkix faistax? O nix piut kak o gerox. Have you
read this outrageous article about the Russian Fascists, praising them as if they were
heroes?
viii
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ix
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page x
x
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xi
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xii
Front/Back Matter 3rd.ed 1/23/06 9:31 AM Page xiii
ABBREVIATIONS
xiii
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xiv
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 1
ABRTNIK 2
ABRTNIK, -a, m., crim., obs. A horse AGDM SUXJN, m., idiom, joc. A dry
thief. U nas v kamere dva abrotnika wine. From Agdam, the name of a wine,
sidt iz ygan. There are two gypsy and suxe, dry wine (by wordplay on
horse thieves doing time in our cell. Saddam Hussein). Pocm sejcas
AV-V, indecl., crim. Oral sex (lit., bow- Agdam Suxejn? How much does
wow, baby talk for the sound of a dogs Agdam Sukhein cost these days?
bark.) Zna, oni tam av-av zanima- !, idiom. A
ts. Theyre making bow-wow over name of any special service, e.g., Federal
there. Security Service (,
, -, f. Compulsory ). Lit., a mum's-
civil liability insurance for vehicle own- the-word agency. , ,
ers. ... .
. I dont see any use in Well, you know very well that he works
having compulsory liability insurance. for a hush-hush agency!
AVTOMT, -a, m., youth. A passing grade AGENTSSA, -y, f., gay, neg. An
earned in the nonfinal semester(s) of a informer (fem. form of agent, secret
two- or three-semester university course agent). Pri toj agentesse mol-
by a student who, because of good perfor- cok! Mums the word when this agent
mance in the course, is exempted from is around.
the end-of-semester passfail examina- AGRSSOR, -a, m., joc. Womanizer, Don
tion (from avtomaticeskij, auto- Juan (lit., an agressor). tot agressor
matic). Tebe xoroo, u teb odni radi bab gotov na vs. This skirt-chaser
avtomaty, a mne vs sessi ew sda- will do anything to get women into bed.
vath. Youve got it easy with all your AG-AG, adv., youth, joc. On sexually
exemptions, but Ive still got to take all intimate terms (lit., a baby-talk expres-
the finals. sion commonly used by adults cooing at
AVTOPILT: Na avtopilte, idiom, babies; cf. agukath, to talk baby talk).
joc. In a drunken stupor (lit., on automatic Vy s nej ue agu-agu ili ew net?
pilot). Domoj pril na avtopilo- Are you sleeping with her yet or not?
te, nicego ne pomn. I must have AGKA, -i, f., youth, neg. A girl, girl-
come home on automatic pilot; I cant friend; a disparaging word suggesting
remember a thing. that the girl is silly. Ty ew xodih s
AVTOPOLKA, -i, f. A (self-service) toj agukoj? Are you still going out
gas station (lit., an automatic watering with that lightweight?
device for cattle). Benzin na nule, gde ADIT, -a, m., neg., joc. (Distorted form
zdesh avtopoilka? The gas gauge is on of idiot, idiot). A silly person. Xva-
zero is there a service station around tit eptaths, adity spath
here? pora. Cut out the whispering, you
VTOR, -a, m., youth. A person in author- ninnies! Its time to go to sleep.
ity over young people (from avtoritet, ZER, -a, m. An Azerbaijani. U men
authority). Cego on komanduet, on u esth odin znakomyj azer, nicego mu-
vas cto, avtor? Why is he giving ik. Ive got an Azerbaijani friend
orders? Is he some sort of authority whos quite a fellow.
among you? AJ M VRTBAL, idiom, students,
, -, m. Diarrhea, the runs rude, pred. A distorted form of v rot
(from and , to ebal, (see under ebath), imitating the
throw down automatically). , sound of English words (I am), in the
sense of the hell with Aj m
? Do milk and apricots really vrotbal takie razgovory. The hell
make one sick? with that kind of talk.
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 3
3 ALKOFN
AJZ, -v, pl., youth, obs. (1970s). Eyes AKTIRVKA, -i, f., crim. Sick leave
(from Eng. eyes). Kakie u nego from prison labor, or early release from a
ajzy? Golubye. What color eyes prison term because of illness (cf. akt-
does he have? Blue. rovath). On po aktirovke ne rabo-
JSBERG, -a, joc. A Jew (lit., iceberg, taet ue mes. Hes been on sick
playing on the -berg ending of many leave for a month now.
Jewish surnames). U nix na rabote AKTULHNYJ, -a, oe, youth. Popular,
sinagoga: Ajsbergi, Vajsbergi, uker- fashionable. Na segodn on samyj
many. Theyve got a whole synagogue aktualhnyj dizajner. Hes the most
in their office Icebergs, Weisbergs, fashionable designer these days.
Zuckermans ALEKSNDROVSKIJ ZDIK, -ogo,
AKADMIK, -a, m., crim. An experi- -a, idiom, Petersburg, joc. A gay/lesbian
enced recidivist. Ty ew ne govoril s meeting place. From Aleksandrovskij
akademikom, moet byth, on posove- sad, the Alexander Gardens near the
tuet, kak byth. You havent talked Admiralty in St. Petersburg, by wordplay
with the academician yet; maybe hell on sad, garden, and zad, buttocks.
advise you what to do. LIK, -a, m. A drunkard. On alik
AKADMI, -i, f., crim. Prison (with zakoncennyj. Hes a confirmed
reference to its being a training ground drunk.
for robbers). Popadh v akademi ALK, -a, m., neg. A drunkard. On pre-
vyjdeh speom. If you go to prison vrawaets v nastowego alka. Hes
(the academy) youll come out a spe- turning into a real drunk.
cialist. ALKRIK, -a, m., joc. A drunkard. Vse
AKADMKA, -i, f., youth. Academic vy-alkariki. You guys are just a
leave (akademiceskij otpusk) taken by bunch of drunks.
a student because of illness or family cir- ALK, -, m., rude. A drunkard. Cto
cumstances. On ue mes v akadem- s nego vzth, on e alka! What can
ke. Hes been on academic leave for a you expect of him? Hes just a drunk.
month now. Brath/vzth akadmku, ALKMN, -a, m., youth, joc. A heavy
see under brath. drinker, drunkard (from alkogolh and
AKVRIUM, -a, m., joc. A place of com- Eng. man). Alkmny u magazina
pulsory overnight incarceration and ue s utra krutts. Those alc-
sobering up for drunks. On opth v men have been hanging around the
akvarium popal? You mean hes liquor store since the crack of dawn.
landed in the aquarium again? ALKONVT, -a, m., joc. A drunkard
AKVEDK, -a, m. Penis (lit., aqueduct). (alconaut, by wordplay from astro-
Akveduk rabotaet kak sumased- naut). Nu cto, alkonavty, pora v
ij, vtoroj raz bega v tualet. My polt. Well, alconauts, time for take-
aqueduct is working like crazy, thats the off (cf. v polte under polt).
second time Ive been to the toilet. ALKOT, -, f., collect., rude. Drunks, a
AKTV, -a, m., youth, neg. The active group of drunks. A nu, bystro iz
partner in homosexual relations; a homo- podqezda, alkota proklta, zdesh
sexual. On cto, aktiv, ko vsem mu- vam ne pivna! Get out of the lobby,
ikam pristat? What is he, an you damned drunks. This isnt a bar!
active or something, coming on to all ALKOFN, -a, m., youth, joc. A heavy
the guys like that? drinker, habitual drinker (from alkogolh
AKTROVATH, imperf. & perf., crim. To and Eng. fan). Sprosi u alkofanov,
give sick leave from prison labor. Men gde kupith portvejn. Ask the alco-
aktirovali na dve nedeli. Theyve fans where to get some cheap wine
given me two weeks sick leave. around here (referring to local experts
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 4
ALKNIK 4
7 AFGNKA
rhyming phrase for an Armenian (lit., An vsex avitaminoz. Youd better buy us
Armenian with a piece of wood up his some ascorbettes we all have a vita-
ass). min deficiency.
ARNLHD, -a, m., youth, joc. A brawny ASTRL, -a, m., youth. An eccentric, an
bodybuilder, a muscular but dumb fellow unsociable person who acts strangely
(from Arnold Schwarzenegger). U to- (from astralhnyj, astral). Ty sov-
go Arnolhda odin sport na ume. That sem ivh, kak astral, nikogo mes-
jock has nothing in his head but sports. ami ne vidih. Youve turned into a
, regular space cadet, going for months
idiom. A useless job (lit., the wasted without seeing anyone.
labor team). o ASFLHTOVA BOLZNH, idiom,
. Digging joc. Pavement sickness. Used of one
ditches in this sand is simply wasted with facial bruises from falling or fight-
labor. ing while drunk. U teb vs lio v
ARTILLRI, -i, f., crim., joc. Lice arapinax, to cto asfalhtova
(lit., artillery). U nas artilleri za- boleznh? Your face is all scratched up
velash, nado v ban sxodith. Weve whats wrong, a little pavement sick-
got lice; wed better go have a bath. ness?
ARN, -a, m. 1. joc. A tall, thin person. AT, interj., crim. So long, good-bye.
2. youth. A measure of marijuana. Nu, ata, uvidims cerez denh. So
ASK! interj., youth. Of course! It goes long. See you tomorrow.
without saying! (from Eng. ask). Ty ATAND! interj., crim. Watch out! A
pridh sluath popsu? Ask! Are warning of danger (from Fr. attendez).
you going to the pop concert? Of Atande! Kto-to idt! Watch out!
course! ith na ske, see under Someones coming!
ith. ATS, interj., youth. A warning of danger.
ASKTELH, -, m., youth, neg. Someone Atas! Milii! zakrical kto-
who is always asking to borrow things. to. Watch out! The police!, someone
tomu askatel xvatit davath cried.
vzajmy. Dont loan any more money to ATSNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, pos. Excel-
that moocher. lent, extraordinary. U nego atasna
SKATH/SKNUTH, youth. Cf. ask. maina. Hes got a fantastic car.
1. To ask for. Askni u nego poltin- TOMNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, pos. Lit.,
nik. Ask him to loan you fifty rubles. atomic. 1. Strong. to atomnye siga-
2. To ask. Pojdm asknem, gde mo- rety. Those are strong cigarettes. 2.
telh. Lets ask where the motel is. Excellent, extraordinary. Kogda ty
SKER, -a, m., youth. Someone who habit- kupil to atomnoe palhto? When
ually borrows money or things (cf. ask). did you buy that fabulous coat?
Ty u nas asker cto nado, dostanh UT, -a, m., crim. & youth. Death, end
nemnogo deneg. Youre the master (from Eng. out). Emu skoro aut
moocher here, so see if you can raise budet, on vsex zaloil. Hes in for it
some cash for us. now hes betrayed everyone. V
SKI, -ov, pl., youth. Problems, ques- ute, idiom. Out cold, unconscious. On
tions, objections (cf. ask). Kakie ue v aute, mnogo vypil. Hes out
mogut byth aski? Idm v gosti i vs. cold already from all that liquor.
What objections could there be? Were AFGNE, afgna, m. A veteran of the
going to the party and thats all there is to Afghanistan war. A razve ty ne znal,
it. cto on afgane? Didnt you know
ASKORBNKA, -i, f. A vitamin C tablet hes an Afganetz?
(lit., an ascorbic). Kupi askorbinki, u AFGNKA, -i, f., army. A type of army
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 8
AFA 8
B
BBA, -y, f., neg. A woman. Baby ego women got together yesterday they
lbt. Dames like him. Kak nad- started up with the gossip.
neh Adids, teb lb bba dast, BAGNIK, -a, m., joc. Rear end,
see under kak. behind (lit., trunk of a car). Uberi svoj
, -, f. A blow, stroke (from baganik, sesth negde. Move your
, the sound of an explosion). behind; theres no room to sit.
- BZA, -y, f., crim. 1. A (thieves) den.
. With Pojdm na bazu, tam vyphem. Lets
that dirty collar, youre in for a slap from go back to base-camp and have a drink.
the sergeant. 2. A powder for throwing into the eyes of
BABXNUTYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Crazy pursuers (typically made of ground
(from babax, the sound of an explosion). tobacco and pepper). Na vskij slu-
On slegka babaxnutyj, ne obiajs caj vozhmi s soboj bazu. Take some
na nego. Hes a little crazy dont be baza with you just in case.
offended by him. BAZR, -a, m., neg. Noise, commotion.
BABXNUTHS, perf. only, youth. To go Koncaj bazar, nicego ne slyno.
crazy. On sovsem babaxnuls. Hes Cut out the noise. I cant hear myself
completely taken leave of his senses. think.
BAB, bab, m., joc. A woman. Ona BAZR-VOKZL, -a, m., collect., joc. Lit.,
babe nicego. Shes not a bad-looking bazaar-station. 1. A mess, a dirty place.
woman. Na bab i zverh bet, see Davaj uberm tot bazar-vokzal.
under na. Lets clean up this pigsty.
BABNIK, -a, m., joc. A womens get- 2. Chatter, empty talk. Nadoel va
together, coffee-klatsch, girl-talk. Oni bazar-vokzal, pora spath. Enough of
ustraivat babenik v sredu. your yakkety-yak, its time to go to sleep.
Theyre having a girl-talk session on BAZRITH/POBAZRITH. Cf. bazr.
Wednesday. 1. To quarrel, argue. Oni ue bazart
BBKI, bbok, pl. Money. Na ti poldn. Theyve been arguing half the
babki nicego sejcas ne kupih. You day already. 2. To talk, converse. O
cant get anything for that money any cm bazarite? What are you guys talk-
more. Otbivth/otbth bbki, see ing about here?
under otbivth. BAZRNYJ, -a, -oe. Cf. bazr. 1.
, -, n. Money, cash (from , Noisy, disorderly. Na takie bazarnye
money). , sboriwa ne xodok. I dont like this
. Nowadays you can nei- sort of noisy gathering. 2. Quarrelsome,
ther die nor be born without money. hostile. Nu raz poli bazarnye raz-
BBOCKA: Nocn bbocka, see under govory, di draki. Once the angry
nocn. words start there are sure to be fistfights.
BABUN, -a, m., joc. A woman. (Playing BAZL, -a, m., youth. An argument, a loud
on bba and babuin, baboon. tot conversation. Za vaim bazlom nice-
babuin strana kak smerth. That go ne slyno. I cant hear a thing over
baboon is ugly as hell. your yelling.
BBUKA, -i, f., homosexual. An elderly BAZLNITH/ZABAZLNITH, neg. To
homosexual (lit., a grandmother). yell, bawl (cf. bazl). Xvatit bazla-
BAB, -, f., rude. A woman. A to nith, ne gluxoj! Stop yelling. Im not
cto za baba? Whos that woman? deaf!
BABH, -, n., collect., neg. Women. BAZLTH/ZABAZLTH, neg. See
Sobralosh vcera odno babh, naca- bazlnith.
lish srazu spletni. As soon as the , -, f. Nonsense, fantasy; ,
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 10
BAJKL 10
11 BNBER
BNDA 12
break-ins. Podaj banber, zamok ne you were really stewed. Derth bn-
mogu otkryth. Give me the crowbar ku, see derth ves under derth.
I cant open the lock. Razdavth bnku/bnocku, see raz-
BNDA, -y, f., youth. A rock band (play davth.
on Eng. band and Russian banda, BNKI, bnok, pl., youth. A womans
gang). Kto igraet v vaej bande? breasts (lit., jars, jugs). Posmotri,
Whos playing in your band? kakie u ne banki! Look at the boobs
BANDN, -a, m., youth. A neckerchief, on her!
bandana. BANKR, -a, m., homosexual. 1. A rich
BANDERLG, -a, m., joc. A monkey lover. 2. An active homosexual.
(from Kiplings Mowgli). Vy, bander- BNNA DVKA, -i, f., idiom, homo-
logi, xoro kricath. Stop carrying on sexual. A homosexual who looks for
like a bunch of monkeys! partners in public baths.
BANDERLH, -i, f., crim. A roll of bills, - , idiom,
bankroll (lit., a postal parcel) Ty cto, army. A bath day (lit., a bath and glass
razbogatel? zametil, u teb ban- day, used as a reference to the possibility
derolej tuki tri. What happened, of a drink after bathing).
you struck it rich? I noticed you were car- - , -
rying three rolls of bills. . Tomorrows a bath day,
BNDERA, -i, f., neg. The madam of a weve got to stock up on beer.
whorehouse or the female proprietor of a BN, -i, f., crim. Interrogation (lit., steam
place for gambling, drinking, and so on; bath). Zavtra u nego ban, podskai,
generally, a woman of dubious respect- cto emu govorith. Hes going in for a
ability. Ctob tu banderu v mom grilling tomorrow. What do you think he
dome ne videl! I dont want to see that should say?
madam in my house. BAOBB, -a, m., joc. A fool (lit., a baobab-
BANDTSKA PL DOSTLA, tree). Nicego ty tomu baobabu ne
idiom, joc. Lit., I was hit by a bandits vtolkueh, ne tot slucaj. Theres
bullet; used as a banteringly evasive no way that baobab will understand what
explanation of a wound. U teb golova youre trying to say.
zabintovana, cto s toboj? Ban- BARABN, -a, m., joc. A belly (lit., a
ditska pul dostala. How come drum). Nabili svoi barabany, mar
your head is bandaged like that? Oh, I spath! Okay, youve stuffed your
was hit by a bandits bullet. bellies, now off to bed!
BANDRA, -y, f. A big, heavy thing (from /. To
bandura, a Ukrainian musical instru- serve in the army (lit., to drum).
ment). Nu i bandura tot kaf, kak 10 ,
ty dumaeh zatawith ego v dom? . I served for
This chest is a back-breaker! How do ten years as a frontier guard, now Id like
you plan to get it into the house? to serve closer to home.
BNITH/POBNITH, crim. To interro- BARABNNA PLOCKA, idiom,
gate (lit., to give someone a steam bath). crim., neg. A woman who has a venereal
Nas banili cetyre casa, no my disease (lit., a drumstick). davno
molcok. They grilled us for four hours, podozreva, cto ona barabanna
but we held our tongues. palocka. Ive suspected for a long time
BNKA, -i, f. A bottle of liquor. Idm that shes got the clap.
ko mne, u men esth dve banki. Lets BARABNWIK, -a, m., youth. An
go to my place; Ive got two bottles. informer, betrayer. My vs ravno
Pod bnkoj, idiom. Drunk. Vcera uznaem, kto zdesh barabanwik. Were
ty silhno byl pod bankoj. Yesterday going to find out whos the informer
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 13
13
BARGA 14
Georgia (lit., Velvet Revolution, referring podrugoj. Im going to dance this one
to soft revolutions or revolutions with- with my girlfriend. 3. To make, prepare
out bloodshed). (food). My sejcas sbaaem cto-
BARGA, -i, m., neg. 1. A vendor, mer- nibudh zakusith. Lets make ourselves
chant. Kupi sigarety u togo barygi. something to eat.
Buy some cigarettes from that huckster BALLA, -y, f., youth. A cheap type of
over there. cigarette. Daj xoth odnu baillu, u
BASMC, -, m., neg. An inhabitant of men vse koncilish. Let me just have a
Central Asia (lit., a bandit). bacilla Im completely out of ciga-
BASTLI, -ii, f. The skyscraper of rettes. Balla s nppelem, idiom,
Moscow State University. youth, joc. A filter cigarette (from nip-
BAS, -v, pl., youth. A womans breasts pelh, a mechanical nipple.) U teb
(lit., bass notes, as on an accordion). U bailly s nippelem? Daj pokurith.
ne basy cto nado. Shes got quite a Do you have filter cigarettes? Lets have
pair of boobs. a smoke.
BATL, -a, m., youth. A bottle (from Eng. BA, -a, m., youth. Profit, income. Tvoj
bottle). U nas kak raz na batl vina. ba limon. Your share of the profits
Weve got just enough money for a bot- is a million rubles.
tle of wine. BAK, -, f. A head. Cto-to u men
BTNIK, -a, m., youth. See bton. baka trewit. Ive got a splitting
BATN, -a, m., youth. 1. A father. Ba- headache. Sek(r) bak kom-l.,
ton doma? Is your dad home? idiom. (Someone) is in hot water, is in
2. A passerby, outsider, bystander. danger of severe punishment (lit., cut off
Otkuda tot baton k nam pri- someones head; a grammarless phrase
bils? Where did that guy come from? mimicking Tatar language). Mne za
Hes not one of us. Kroth batn, to sekir baka. Uh-oh its going
see under kroth. 3. A rubber police to be off-with-my-head for this.
truncheon (lit., a French bagette). BLI, -ej, pl. Money. Zacem tebe
, bali? What do you need money for?
. Youve never BALTH/ZABALTH, crim. To pay.
tasted the long loaf, thats why youre Skolhko ty zaball za kostm?
so brave. How much did you pay for that suit?
BTON(-DUN), -a, m., youth, obs. A BN, -i, f. 1. A tall building (lit., a
button-down shirt (from Eng. button- tower). On ivt v bane okolo
down). U teb neploxoj baton. rynka. He lives in that tower near the
Thats a nice button-down shirt youre market. 2. A tall person. On po
wearing. sravneni s toj banej prmo kar-
BTHKA, -i, m. Ukr. 1. A father. Tvoj lik. Hes a midget compared with that
bathka ne boleet? Is your dad sick? tower. 3. Head (lit., tower).
2. A boss, manager. Na bathka po- , . Watch
vysil nam zarplatu. Our boss gave us your head; the ceilings are low in here.
a raise. B , idiom (lit., to lose ones
BXATH/BXNUTH. To drink. Davaj tower, head).
za teb baxnem. Lets drink to your , .
health. About abnormal or crazy behavior.
BATH/SBATH. 1. To play (a musi- , , ,
cal instrument) (from ba, the sound of ? Whats with
striking). Sbaaj nam cto-nibudh him, has he lost his head, who goes to pick
vesloe. Play us something cheerful. mushrooms in the middle of the night?
2. To dance. tot tane sbaa s BAN, -a, m., crim. A syringe (lit.,
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 15
15 BZDNIK
BEZDNNYJ 16
prazdnik, holiday). U teb segodn ripped out for what youve done.
bzdnik? Is today your birthday? Krutth bjy, see krutth ja
BEZDNNYJ, -ogo, m., crim., neg. A under j.
tirelessly active, unrelenting homosexual BELNSKIJ, -ogo, m., youth & army.
(in prison life) (lit., bottomless). Sej- White bread (by wordplay on belyj,
cas tot bezdonnyj opth prista- white, and Belinskij, Belinsky).
vath nacnt. Heres that bottomless Segodn prazdnik, znacit, budet
pit making advances again. belinskij na obed. Todays a holiday
, -, n. Silliness, stupidity therell be white bread for dinner.
(lit., impassable roads). BLOE NESMLOE, KRSNOE
, NAPRSNOE, VDKA V SRD-
. But this is sheer idiocy! E PRM NAVDKA, idiom, joc.
Were digging trenches in a swamp! A rhyming phase used in praise of vodka
BEZLODNYJ, -a, -oe. 1. Poor, (lit., white wine is timid, red wine is in
without resources (lit., horseless). On vain, but vodka goes straight to the heart).
vs prodal, teperh bezloadnyj, ni BLOCKA, -i, f. and m. 1. A fussy person
daci, ni doma. Hes sold everything, (lit., a little squirrel). Segodn , kak
now hes a complete pauper: no house, no belocka, bega vesh denh, to v
dacha. 2. Without ones car. Segodn detskij sad, to za pokupkami, to na
bezloadnyj, vypith mono. Im rabotu. Im running around like a
not on wheels today, so I can have a few squirrel today taking the kids to
drinks. kindergarten, doing the shopping, and
going to work. Blocka bolhn,
BEZMAZNK, -, pred. use, youth, neg.
idiom, usu. in womens speech. Mad,
Something pointless, useless (cf. mza).
crazy (lit., a sick squirrel). A vs
Tuda exath bezmaznk! Theres no
rabota, stira, ubira, kak beloc-
sense in going there.
ka bolhna, ni minuty otdyxa. Here
BEZMZOVYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. I am madly working, cleaning, doing
1. Useless, pointless. to bezmazova laundry not a minutes rest. 2. Delir-
poezdka. This is a pointless trip. ium tremens, the shakes (from
2. Bad, unpleasant. Podruga u teb , a wordplay on , a
bezmazova. Your girlfriend is not a squirrel, and , white).
nice person. 3. Unlucky. U nas sovsem , , -
bezmazovyj denh. Weve had terrible . Hes got the DTshes been
luck today. yelling commands all night.
BEZNADGA, -i, f., youth. A hopeless sit- BLOCNIK -a, m., crim. A thief special-
uation. Nasct enithby u men izing in stealing linens off clotheslines
polna beznadga. I havent got a (from belh, linens). This specialty has
chance of marriage. been particularly lucrative at times of
BEZNL, -a, m. A non-cash transaction linen shortages, as in the early 1980s.
(by bank transfer, check, credit card, etc.) to rabota belocnika, unesli vs
(from beznalicnyj, not in cash [cf. belh so dvora. This is a professional
nalicmn]; in Russia it is usual for all job all the linens have been stolen
private transactions, even the purchase of from the yard.
a car or home, to be conducted in cash). BELGA, -i, f., crim. Silver. (Playing on
rasplacush beznalom. Ill pay you belyj, white, and beluga, beluga.
on account. Noi iz belugi? Are the knives
BJY, -v, m., youth, rude. Testicles silver?
(from Heb. beytzim, eggs; cf. ja). , idiom, army. A
Tebe nado bejy otorvath za tvoi female mercenary sharpshooter in Chech-
dela. You deserve to have your balls nya (lit., white pantyhose; from a rumor
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17 BESPREDL
that such mercenaries wore white panty- bers of such a squad (lit., a birch tree).
hose). Na uliax segodn berzy mnogo.
, . There are a lot of birches patrolling the
Whenever Russian soldiers catch a female streets today.
sharpshooter, they kill her on the spot. BERZKA, -i, f., obs. In Soviet times, a
, idiom. Poorly brewed, store selling goods for hard currency (lit.,
weak tea (lit., white nights, referring to a little birch tree). Berzki zakrylish
period of summertime in Northern Russia v 1988. The beryozkas were closed in
where it remains light outside almost all 1988.
night long). , , , -, m. Girls, chicks (from
, , . , birch tree).
Thats not tea; it doesnt have any color ? Will there be chicks at
to it, let alone taste. The best word for that the party?
is white nights. BERZOVYJ, -a, -oe, obs. Purchased
BLYJ MEDVDH, idiom. A mixture of for hard currency in a beryozka (cf.
vodka and champagne (lit., a white bear). berzka). to berzovyj vidik.
Prigotovh belyj medvedh, xocet- This video player is from a beryozka.
s ophneth. Make a white bear and / , idiom. To
lets get drunk. avoid trouble, to stay calm (lit., to watch
BLHMA, belhm, pl., rude. Eyes (lit., the electric phase).
white spots, cataracts). Belhma u ne , .
zlye. Shes got nasty eyes. Vykty- Dont fight with your wife every day,
vath/vkatith blhma, see under vy- its bad for your nerves.
ktyvath. Ubirth/ubrth blhma, BERMDY, -ov, pl., youth. A type of
see under ubirth. swimming trunks (from Eng. Bermuda
BEMS. 1. interj. Exclamation at something shorts). U teb bermudy cto nado!
unexpected. Stali igrath v karty, Thats a nice pair of Bermudas youre
bems, sto rublej kak ne byvalo. We wearing!
started a card game, and, poof! I lost a BRTA, -y, f., homosexual. The Belorussia
hundred rubles. 2. m., indecl. Tumult, Railroad Station in Moscow, as a meeting
alarm, ruckus. Vcera na tanax takoj place for gays (lit., Bertha).
bems ustroili, milii rastas- BES, -a, m., neg. A boss, director, manager
kivala. At the dance last night there was (lit., devil, demon). Cto to za bes
such a row that the police came. poexal na merse? Whos that
, indecl. 1. Noise, disorder. demon in the Mercedes?
, , - BSKA, -i, f., army. A sailors cap.
. Dont start car- Letom beski belye, zimoj crnye.
rying on! We may still find your papers. In summer they wear white caps, and in
2. Bad luck, trouble. , , winter black.
BESPLTNIK, -a, neg. A passenger on
. And then, shit! A couple of sol- public transportation who hasnt bought a
diers with automatics just ran out of our ticket. Sejcas vse v avtobusax
unit. besplatniki, dorogo platith. These
BERDNA, -y, f., crim. A package sent to days, tickets have become so expensive
a prisoner from relatives or friends. that everybody tries to freeload.
Cto u teb v berdane? Kolbasa BESPLTNO: Za bespltno teb i v
esth? Whats in your package? Is there li ne plnut, see under za.
any sausage? BESPREDL, -a, m., neg. Lawlessness,
BERZA, -y, f., collect. youth, neg., obs. A violence (lit., unlimitedness). U nix v
citizens auxiliary police squad; the mem- rote bespredel. In their unit com-
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BESPREDLOVO 18
19 BLATAT
I need to find me a dirty cop who will BTHS, imperf. only. To match to, to
take a little incentive and get me my car correspond. Ty govorih, cto ne
inspection certificate without me having trogal ego, no to ne bhts s ego
to stand in line. (In Russia, car inspec- sinkami. You say you didnt lay a
tion certificates are handled by the hand on him, but that doesnt square with
police). his bruises.
BIKER, adv., crim. Quickly (from BITG, -g, m., joc. A man of strong
Heb./Yiddish bekitzer).Davaj ots- build (lit., a type of draft horse). A ty,
da bikier, skoro zdesh budut menty. takoj bitg, xoth by pomog! Why
Lets get out of here quick; the police dont you give me a hand, a big strong
will be here any minute. fellow like you!
BKSA, -y, f., crim. A prostitute. Ty BIC, -c, m., neg. A vagrant (from Eng.
tu biksu znaeh? Skolhko bert? beachcomber). On davno bic, u nego
Do you know that prostitute? How much deneg net. Hes been bumming around
does she charge? for a long time; he has no money.
, -, m. A casual acquain- BICEVTH/ZABICEVTH, joc. Cf.
tance with a woman, a pick-up (see bic. 1. To be a vagabond, live as a tramp,
and ). bum around. Davno bicuete? Have
, , you been bumming around like this for a
. You do whatever you like, Im long time? 2. To be idle, live in idleness.
going to pick up some girls for the night. Ty, viu, bicueh, na rabotu ne
BNBER, -a, m., crim. A thieves crowbar xodih. I see youre a bum; you dont
for forcing doors and windows. Davaj go to work.
binber, okno ne otkryvaets. Let me BICVKA, -i, f., youth, neg. A female
have the crowbar; I cant open the win- vagabond (cf. bic, with play on bicvka,
dow. a hempen rope). Ty kto taka,
BIR, -a, m., youth. Beer (from Eng. beer). bicvka, cto li? What are you, some
BIRK, -, n., youth, joc. Beer (from Eng. kind of tramp?
beer). Birko ew ne zavozili? BICVSKIJ, -a, -oe. Vagabond (cf.
Didnt they ship in any more beer? bic). Nadoela mne bicevska iznh.
BIRLTH/POBIRLTH, youth, joc. To Im tired of this hobo life.
eat. Cto-to birlth xocets. Lets
BLAT, -a, m. 1. Secret thieves language,
have a bite to eat.
thieves cant, argot. A ty tot blat
BISSEKTRSA, -y, f. A bisexual (lit., znaeh? Do you understand this
a bisector, playing on biseksual, bi- argot? 2. Connections, influence, protec-
sexual). tion. U men esth blat v magazine:
, , collect. Long hair dostanu vs, cto nado. Ive got con-
(from the Beatles). , - nections at that store; I can get whatever I
, , need there. Po bltu, idiom. Illegally,
. by circumventing rules or laws through
Even we officers cant wear our hair that personal influence, bribes, and so on.
longyoull have to trim those tresses. Men ustrot po blatu na rabotu,
BTYJ, -a, -oe. Experienced, toughened ne volnush. Im not worried Ive
by experience. On tak prosto na to got connections at work. Blat v grode,
ne pojdt: on bityj. He wont agree idiom, crim. An official who takes bribes
to that so easily hes an old hand. (lit., a connection in town). U teb
BITH po mozgm, idiom, neg. To annoy blat v gorode esth? Mne nuen novyj
(lit., to beat in the brains). Vyklci pasport. Do you have a connection in
tu muzyku, tak i bht po mozgam. town? I need a new passport.
Turn off that music; its annoying me. BLATAT, -, f. collect., neg. Gangsters,
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BLATNJ 20
21 BLXA-MXA
BOB 22
23 BOLHJ XAPK
BMBA 24
25 BRATH/VZTH
BREVN 26
27 BUDH
BUZ 28
people will reach out to you. Budh spok! To hem and haw, mutter, mumble. Cego
idiom. Dont worry (abbr. from Budh ty tam buksueh, govori vs kak
spokoen, Be calm). Tvoi denhgi esth. What are you mumbling about?
nikuda ne denuts, budh spok! Dont Just tell it like it is. 2. To scold repeat-
worry, nothings going to happen to your edly or lecture, to harp on or rag on (lit.,
money! to skid or slip, referring to wheels spin-
BUZ, -, f., neg. Noise, commotion. ning without gaining traction).
Cto tam za buza, kuda ldi idut s ,
plakatami? Whats the commotion , . Chill
over there, where theyre carrying those out! Ragging on me isnt going to make
placards? me work any faster.
BUZTH/ZABUZTH. To make a com- BULD, -, f., youth. Homosexual activ-
motion, to riot, agitate. Rebta buzt, ity. Tam u nix bulda, k nim ne xou.
otkazyvats vyxodith na rabotu. Theres homosexual activity going on at
The fellows are making a disturbance their place; I wont go there. Bez
and refusing to go to work. buld, idiom. Just as it really is, without
BUZOTR, -a, m., neg. A troublemaker, fabrication. tebe govor bez buldy,
agitator. Zdesh na zavode buzotram tam ue nikogo net, vse razolish po
ne mesto, zdesh rabotath nuno. domam. Look, Im telling you straight
Theres no place for troublemakers here out: theres no one there, everyones gone
at this plant; weve got work to do. home.
BUK, -a, m. A store selling used and rare BLKI, blok, pl. Buttocks, backside.
books. Smotri, v buke nal Podstavlj bulki, ukol nado
pervyj nomer urnala Galkovskogo! sdelath. Youll have to present your
Look what I found in the used-book backside for this injection.
store the first issue of Galkovsky s BULH-BLH, interj. 1. To drown (from the
journal. sound of bubbles rising to the surface).
BUKKA, -i, m. and f., neg. Lit., a bug. On bulh-bulh i ko dnu! He drowned
1. A small, insignificant person. tot went down to the very bottom. 2. To
bukaka teb obiaet, ne smei pour (from the sound of a liquid being
men. That little insect offended you?! poured from a bottle). Cto vy tam vs
Come off it! 2. (Moscow) The B vrem bulh-bulh da bulh-bulh? Why
trolley running on the Garden Ring Road. are you pouring yourself one drink after
Na bukake tuda ne doedem. You another like that? Bulh-blh karsik,
cant get there on the Bukashka. idiom, joc. Gone, disappeared, left (lit.,
the carp went glug-glug, imitating the
BUKT, -a, m., crim. A set of multiple vio-
sound of drowning). A gde tvoj
lations of the criminal code for which
enix? Bulh-bulh karasik? Wheres
someone is convicted (lit., a bouquet).
your fianc? Gone bye-bye?
U nego buket: i ograblenie, i nasi-
lie, i vymogatelhstvo. Hes been /, neg. To
convicted of a bouquet: robbery, rape, speak (lit., to gurgle). -
and racketeering. Bukt Abxzii, , .
idiom, joc. A venereal disease (lit., Ab- Cut out the yakking over there, nobody
khazian Bouquet, a Georgian wine). U asked your advice.
togo parn buket Abxazii. That BLHKI: Razlivth po blhkam, see
boys got the clap. Bukt-dublt, under razlivth.
idiom, crim. Syphilis and gonorrhea at the BUMGA, -i, f., youth. Money (lit., paper).
same time (lit., a double-barreled bou- U teb bumaga na vodku esth? Have
quet). U ne buket-dublet. Shes got you got money for vodka?
the double-barreled bouquet. BUMKA/BAMKA, -i, f., joc.
BUKSOVTH/ZABUKSOVTH, joc. 1. Documents, papers, official authorization
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29 BXATHS/BXNUTHS
(lit., little paper). U teb bamaka experienced soldier. Tuda berm tolh-
esth na vyvoz tovara s bazy? Do you ko buryx, zelnyx perestrelt
have authorization papers for shipping srazu. This is strictly a mission for old
merchandise from the warehouse? Bez hands greenies would get shot at
bumki ty kakka, see under bez. once.
BUM-BM: Ni bum-bm, see under ni. BRYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. Insolent,
BNDES, -a, (pl. bundes), m., youth. A pushy, fresh. Ne budh slikom
citizen of Germany. Cto tam bundesa burym, ne takix videli. Dont be so
delat? Strot zavod? What are fresh. Im not impressed by it.
those Germans doing? Building a plant? BSATH/ZABSATH po-crnomu,
BUNDESVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Ger- idiom, youth. To drink alone. On v kom-
man. Smotri, kupila bundesovye panii ne pht, busaet po-crnomu.
sapogi. Look at the German boots I He doesnt drink socially, only when
bought. hes alone.
BNKER, -a, m., youth. A stomach (lit., a BU... SDE..., idiom, joc. An expression
bunker). V bunkere pusto, nado indicating readiness to carry out a request
poesth. The bunkers empty gotta (abbr. from budet sdelano, it shall be
eat. done). Ty pocemu ne sxodil za
BUR: Idt/pojt brom, see under idt. xlebom? Minutu, bu. . . sde. . . Why
havent you gone out to buy the bread?
BURK, -k, m., rude. A penis (from Ukr.
Just a minute, its as good as done.
for beet). Popravh plavki, burak
vidno. Pull up your shorts your dick BUTLKA: Lomth/polomth butl-
is showing. ku, see under lomth2.
BURDK, -a, m., neg. A paunch, a big BUFER, -v, pl., rude. A womans
belly. Nael sebe burdk, xodith breasts (lit., buffers). U ne, znaeh,
trudno. Youve grown such a paunch bufera nicego. Shes got quite a pair of
that you can hardly even walk any more. buffers.
BURTH/ZABURTH. To get drunk (from BUFERSTA, adj., f., rude. Chesty,
buryj, beet-red). Ty sovsem zabu- big-breasted. Ona baba buferista.
rel, pora domoj. Youre completely Shes really stacked.
drunk; youd better go home. BXALO, -a, n. Liquor. togo buxala
BURTH/PROBURTH, neg. To per- na vsex ne xvatit. This wont be
suade, talk into something (lit., to drill, enough liquor for everyone.
bore). Vy men ne proburite, nikuda BUXLOVKA, -i, f. A party, drinking
ne pojdu. Its no use trying to per- party. Segodn u nas buxalovka, ty
suade me. Im not going anywhere. pridh? Were having a party today.
BRKALY, -ov, pl., neg. Eyes (from Are you coming?
burkalith, an obsolete word for to BUXRIK, -a, m., neg. A drunkard. Ne
look). Otverni burkaly! Dont xodi s timi buxarikami, tolku ne
look! budet. Dont associate with those
//- drunks. Nothing good will come of it.
. To mumble, to babble. BUXRITH/ZABUXRITH. To get
, . What was drunk, be drunk. Oni buxarili vs
it he was babbling about? I couldnt noch. They were drinking all night
understand a thing. long.
BROSTH, -i, f., neg. Insolence, cheek, BUXTH/ZABUXTH, BUXNTH. To
pushiness. Tvo burosth xoth kogo drink. Oni zabuxali na vesh denh.
dostanet. Your pushy behavior would They drank all day.
get on anyones nerves. BXATHS/BXNUTHS. To fall, to
BRYJ, -ogo, m., army. A mature, throw oneself, to collapse. Vcera
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30
pril s raboty, srazu buxnuls v PECNHE, idiom, joc. Things are good,
postelh i spal 10 casov. When I got the situation is pleasing (a rhyming
home from work yesterday I fell into bed phrase). Nam vcera ikry iz Astraxa-
and slept for ten hours. ni prislali, byvat v izni ogorce-
, idiom, nh, vmesto xleba kuaeh pecenhe.
army. Alarm (lit., a Buchenwald alarm Yesterday we received some caviar from
bell). , Astrakhan. Well, life has its little sor-
. There rows; sometimes you have to eat cake
goes that alarm againthis is the second instead of bread.
night they wont let us sleep. BYDL, -, f., crim., neg. A large woman
BUXL, -, n. See bxalo. or girl. Ch ta bydla tam sidit?
Whose girl is that big dame sitting over
BUXJ, -, -e. Drunk. Ty ue buxoj,
there?
a nam ew v gosti idti nado. Here
you are drunk already, just when were BDLO, -a, n., neg, rude. Silently obedi-
supposed to be going to pay a visit. ent, worthless people (lit., cattle). Cto
u teb obwego s tim bydlom? What
BXTA, -y, f., crim. A dive, den, shabby
do you have in common with those
or illegal establishment (lit., a bay, har-
sheep?
bor). Kto derit tu buxtu?
Whos the proprietor of this joint? BYK, -, m., youth. 1. A strong fellow (lit.,
an ox). Ne svzyvajs s nim, on
BUXTTH/ZABUXTTH, neg. To scold, izvestnyj byk. Dont mess with him.
reprimand. Xvatit buxteth, ne Hes a real ox. 2. A killer or a body-
vinovat. Stop yelling at me! Im not guard in a criminal gang.
the one who did it. ,
BUXTLA, -y, f., neg. A grumbler, griper. . You cant get near
Ne obrawaj vnimani na togo bux- him, with that pair of bodyguards hang-
tilu, on vsegda tak. Dont pay atten- ing around.
tion to that grumbler. Hes always like BYKOVTH, imperf. To bull the market
that. (from byk, bull). ti rebta
/. To beat up (lit., to vsegda bykut, vidih, kak eny
kick a ball). , vzleteli! Those guys are always
, . Youll sur- bulling the market! See how prices have
vivethey just roughed you up a bit. skyrocketed?!
BYVET XE, NO RE, idiom, joc. BYKOVTH/ZABYKOVTH, youth,
Worse things happen, but more rarely. neg. To act rudely, throw ones weight
Used in reply to the dismissive comment around, act superior (cf. byk). Koncaj
Byvaet xue, Worse things happen. bykovath, to ne interesno. Stop
Mne syn naxamil. Byvaet xue. showing off; its not interesting.
Byvaet xue, no ree. My son BYL DA SPLYL, idiom, joc. Lit., He
insulted me. Well, worse things was here and he floated off. Direk-
happen. Worse things happen, but tor byl? Byl da splyl. Was the
more rarely. director here? He was, but he drifted
BYVT V ZNI ZLE off (i.e., I have no idea where he is now).
TKI, skazl petx, slez s BLO B ZA CTO, UBL BY, idiom,
tki, rhyming phrase, rude. Lit.. There joc. Used in ironic justification of unjust
are wicked tricks in this life, said the treatment. Lit., If there had been a
rooster, dismounting from the duck. justification, Id kill him/you. Za cto
Used in sardonic dismissal of other peo- ty ego rugaeh? Cto on takogo
ples complaints or troubles. sdelal? Bylo by za cto, ubil by.
BYVT V ZNI OGORCNH, What are bawling him out for? What did
VMSTO XLBA KAEH he do so terrible? If he had done
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31
33 VAW
VAMP, -a, m., neg. A vampire. to nas- institut direktorom pridt varg.
towij vamp, emu nravits mucith Were having a varyag as the next
ldej. Hes a real vampire he likes director of our Institute.
to torment people. VASH-VSH: (Na) vash-vsh, idiom, joc.
VAMPIRLLA, -y, m. & f., joc. A greedy On friendly terms, on a first-name basis
person. Poka ne navoruet, ta vam- (from Vas, nickname for Vasily). On
pirella ne uspokoits. That vampire v ministerstve so vsemi vash-vash.
isnt happy unless she steals a big haul. Hes on first-name terms with everyone
VAN, -a, m., youth, obs. One ruble (from at the ministry.
Eng. one). Ew vana ne xvataet na VSHKA, -i, m., crim. A guard, lookout in
sigarety. I need another ruble for ciga- illegal games of cards or thimbles (cf.
rettes. naprstok). Esli smotreth, kak
VANTAST, -a, m., crim. A cardsharp. idt igra v naprstok, srazu mono
S nim ne sadish, on vantaist. obnaruith vasek, kotorye vysmat-
Dont play with him hes a card- rivat milii. If you watch care-
sharp. fully at a game of thimbles, youll see
VNHKA: Valth/svalth vnhku, see some vaskas on the lookout for the
under valth. police.
VARGNITH/SVARGNITH. To pre- VS, -i, m., neg. A stupid person (lit.,
pare or cook something very quickly. nickname for Vasily). x ty, Vas,
Svarganh cto-nibudh poesth. kto tak delaet? You dumbbell, what
Throw something together to eat. do you think youre doing! Glyj
VREKA, -i, f., rude. A mouth (lit., a Vs nocevl, see under glyj. Gulj,
mitten). Zakroj vareku! Shut up! Vs (uj oplki)! see under gulj.
Razevth/raznuth vreku, see VATRKA, -i, f., youth, neg. A woman
under razevth. of loose morals (lit., a cheese tart).
VARNKA, -i, f. Bleach-stained denim Vozhmi paru vatruek i podqezaj
(fashionable in the 1980s). U nego ko mne. Pick up a couple of tarts and
kurtka iz varnki. Hes got a bring them over to my place.
bleached-denim jacket. VUCER, -a, m., neg. Lit., a voucher a
VARNKI, varnok, pl. Jeans made very foreign-sounding word introduced
from bleach-stained denim. Klassnye with reference to the unsuccessful plan
u nego varnki. Hes got a classy pair of for privatization of state-owned property
bleached-denim jeans. in 1991. 1. A penis. Kak vaucer, ew
/ , idiom (lit., funkioniruet? Hows your
to boil soap, refers to how soap used to be voucher still working? 2. Mouth.
made). To perform, compose, or produce Zakroj svoj vaucer, neseh crt
a cheesy soap opera or a low-quality znaet cto! Shut your voucher, youre
drama. spouting rubbish!
VARTHS/POVARTHS. Lit., to VFL: Davth/dath vfl, see under
boil, to steam. To remain for a long time davth. Brath/vzth vfl, see under
in a certain group of people or at a certain brath.
job. varils v ix kompanii goda VAXLK, -k, m., neg. An idler, milksop,
tri, vs o nix zna. I hung out with do-nothing. Na vaxlak nicego v
them for three years, so I know every- izni ne dobhts. That milksop will
thing about them. never accomplish anything in life.
VARG, -a, m. A manager brought into an VAW, interj., youth. Distorted form of
organization from outside. (From the voobwe, altogether. 1. neg. Oh, come
Scandinavian warriors invited to rule on! Are you kidding?! Nu, ty vawe,
ancient Kievan Rus.) K nam v kak ty poveril? Oh, come on! How
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VDOLBTH 34
could you have believed such a thing?! VEK VLHVY NE VIDTH, idiom, joc.
2. pos. Wow! Amazing! Stolhko piva An oath attributed to New Russians
otxvatil? Nu ty dah, vawe! How (lit., May I never see a Volvo!, playing
did you manage to get so much beer! on the criminal oath Vek voli (svobody)
Wow! Good for you! ne vidath, May I never see freedom!).
VDOLBTH, perf., rude. To engage in a VEK SVOBDY NE VIDTH, idiom,
vigorous sex act (lit., to chisel). Kak crim. On my word of honor (lit., [may I]
ty dumaeh, on ue vdolbil ej? Do never see freedom [if Im lying]). My
you think hes screwed her yet? tebe ne verim, ne moet byth, cto
VDRABADN (VDREBADN, VDRE- vy vdvom vzli takie denhgi. Vek
BEDNH, VDRYZG). See vdrebeznu. svobody ne vidath, nam pofartilo.
We dont believe that the two of you
VDREBEZNU, adv., neg. Extremely
managed to steal that much money.
drunk (by wordplay from vdreznu and
Cross my heart we did we just got
vdrebezgi, to pieces, in smither-
lucky.
eens). On tam vdrebezinu phnyj
leit. Hes lying there dead drunk. VLIK, -a, m. A bicycle (from velo-
siped).
VDREZNU, adv., neg. Extremely, too
much (of degrees of drunkenness; from VELKIJ: Na velkij i mogcij,
drezina, [railway] trolley). On phn see under na.
vdrezinu. Hes drunk out of his mind. , -a, m. A bouquet or bunch of
VDRUG BYVET TLHKO PUK, flowers (lit., a broom).
rhyming phrase, rude. Lit., A fart is the . Put the flowers into water.
only thing that happens suddenly. A VNTILH, -, m., rude. A mouth (lit., a
rhyming phrase used in reply to a large tap). Zakroj ventilh, nadoel.
question beinning with Vdrug?, Shut your mouth. Youre boring me.
(what if?). A vdrug on prostu- VENK, -, m., youth. A vein. Ne zna,
dits i zaboleet? Vdrug byvaet kuda koloth, venka ne vidno. I dont
tolhko puk. But what if he suddenly know where to make an injection I
catches cold and develops pneumonia? cant find a vein.
A fart is the only thing that happens VERBANTYJ, -a, -oe, police, crim.
suddenly. Recruited (from zaverbovannyj). On
VDUVTH/VDUTH, youth. To smoke nar- davno verbanutyj? Was he recruited a
cotics by taking the lit end of a cigarette long time ago?
into ones mouth and breathing out the VERBLD: Ot verblda, idiom, joc. Its
smoke for someone else to inhale. none of your business (lit., from a camel,
Xoceh ew vdunu? Do you want used by rhyme play in answer to the ques-
another drag? tion Otkuda? From where?). Otku-
VDUPELNU, adv., neg. In a very drunk da u teb ti casy? Ot verblda.
condition. Moj s tvoim opth vdupe- Where did you get that watch? From a
linu prili s polucki. Its a payday camel. Doka, cto ty ne verbld,
again my husband and yours have see under doka.
come home drunk. VERBLDH, -i, f., rude. A prostitute (by
VDUTH, rude. To have sex with a woman wordplay on verbld, camel, and
(lit., to inflate). Ty sobiraehs ej bldh, whore). Otkuda vzlash
vduth? Are you going to sleep with ta verbldh? Where did that prosti-
her? tute come from?
VEDR, -, n. Head (lit., bucket). Stoj, , -, f. A wire, a cable (lit., a
ne kruti svoim vedrom. Daj priceu rope).
teb. Stop twisting your head around, . That cable wont con-
Im trying to comb your hair. nect to this scanner.
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35 VALKA
VATH/POVSITH 36
37 VKLCTHS
ne vidit. We used to be friends, but phrase used to describe bad liquor (lit.,
now he doesnt acknowledge my exis- whisky from pee-pee-sky).
tence. , -, m. A computer freeze-up.
VDIK, -a, m. See vidk. ,
VIDNIK, -a, m. See vidk. , ? My PC has frozen up
again, I wonder if it has caught a virus
VIZG: Do poroschego vzga, idiom.
from the Internet.
Too much (esp. of drinking) (lit., to a
piglets squeal). Vcera oni napilish VISK, pred. use, youth. 1. An uncertain
do poroschego vizga. Yesterday they situation (from viseth, to hang, to
got squealing drunk. hover; cf. zavisth). U men s rabo-
toj visk. Things are shaky with my
VLKA, -i, f., business. A profit margin job. S denhgami poka visk. The
(lit., fork). Kaka segodn vilka po money situation just now is precarious.
dollaram? Whats the margin on 2. m., crim. An unsolved case. Skolhko
dollars today? u nas viskov po ugonu main? How
, -, pl. Windows software. many unsolved cases do we have on
? stolen cars?
Do you have Windows on your PC? VITAMN V, idiom, business. A bribe
VINL, -a, m., youth, south. A (vinyl) (by wordplay on vitamin V and vztka,
record. bribe). A skolhko vitamina V
VINT, -, m., youth. A type of narcotic. emu dath? How much vitamin V should
polhzu tolhko vint. Vint is we give him?
the only kind of dope I use. BYTH NA VITRNA, -y, f. A womans breasts,
VINTX, idiom. To be tense, bosom (lit., window). U ne vitrina
nervous.Ty na vintax vs nedel, nicego. Shes got a nice bust.
tak nelhz. Youve been so wound up VKLYVATH, imperf. only, neg. To work
all week, you cant go on like this. Ot hard and long (lit., to inject). Nam
vint, joc. Stand aside! Get out of the prilosh vkalyvath s utra do noci.
way! Ot vinta! Ne trogajte We had to drudge from morning to
mainu! Stand aside! Dont touch that night.
car! Vdka s vintm, see under vdka. VKATTH PROM`E GLAZ, idiom. To
Idt/pojt vintm, see under idt. hit in the face (lit., to roll between the
Namtyvath/namotth na vint, see eyes). Bystro on tebe vkatil
under namtyvath. prome glaz, bez razgovorov. He
VINTLOVO, -a, n., youth. Police deten- punched you in the face without any
tion, arrest. Ne xodi tuda, tam sejcas preliminaries.
idt vintilovo. Dont go over there. VKLIVATH/VKLITH. To hit, beat
Theyre taking everyone into custody. up. Tebe vkleith ili sam ujdh?
VINTTH/POVINTTH, youth. 1. To Do I have to give you a licking, or will
arrest. Vcera naix mnogo povin- you leave on your own?
tili. Yesterday a bunch of our guys VKLJKA, -i, f. Punishment. Za vse
were arrested. 2. To run away, to go dela budet tebe vklejka ot materi!
away. . Youre really going to get it from your
Theyve already gone home. mother for the things youve done!
VISKRH, -r, m., youth. Whisky, a bot- VKLCTH/VKLCTH durak,
tle of whisky. Znaeh, skolhko idiom. To play the fool, play innocent.
viskarh sejcas po-crnomu stoit? Vklcaj duraka, delaj vid, cto
Do you know the current price of a bot- nicego ne znaeh. Play dumb make
tle of whisky on the black market? like you dont know a thing.
VSKI IZ PIPSKI, neg. A rhyming VKLCTHS, perf. only, youth. To
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VKUSNCIJ 38
VOKZLHNA D`EVKA 40
Take yourself a cookie from the pantry. lyj denh, tak i ne pocinil mainu.
VOKZLHNA D`EVKA, idiom, homo- He procrastinated all day and never got
sexual. A homosexual who looks for the car fixed.
partners in train stations. VOLHT, -a (pl. volht), m., neg., youth.
VOLGRH, -r, m. Owner of a Volga, a Abnormality, insanity (pl. only, lit.,
big car used by officials and rich people volts). U teb opth volhty?!
(lit., an inhabitant of the Volga region). Have you taken leave of your senses
Gde zdesh gara volgar, s borodkoj again? Volht priletli, idiom.
takoj? Wheres the parking space of Someone has gone crazy (lit., the volts
the Volga man you know, that guy have arrived, after the title of Savrasovs
with the beard? famous painting Graci prileteli,
VOLNKA, -i, f. A Volga automobile. The Rooks Have Arrived). Vy cto
Zdesh proezala goluba volan- vs vrem smetesh, volhty pri-
ka? Did a blue Volga pass by here? leteli? Why do you keep laughing
like that? Bats in the belfry? Prikdy-
VOLK: Vlki pozrnye, idiom, neg., vaths/priknuths volhtm, see
rude. Scum, riffraff (lit., vicious wolves). under prikdyvaths.
Opth vy, volki pozornye, obygra-
li phnogo v karty. You scum, again VOLHTANTHS, perf. only, neg. To go
youve beaten a drunk man at cards. crazy (lit., to be electrocuted). Ty
Sklhko vlka ni korm, a u slon sovsem volhtanuls, govorih takie
vs ravn (ja) blhe, see under vewi rebnku? Have you completely
sklhko. Tambvskij volk teb tov- flipped out, saying such things to a
riw, see under tambvskij. child?
VOLN: Gnath voln, see under gnath1. VOLHTOVTH/ZAVOLHTOVTH,
youth. To shirk, avoid, circumvent work.
VOLOSTIK, -a, m., neg., obs. Someone U nas ne zavolhtueh! Therell be
with long hair (usually referring to a hip- no malingering here in this outfit.
pie). V tom kafe odni volosatiki
VONH PODREJTZNA, idiom, rude.
sobirats. The only people who go
A bad person, scoundrel (usually of a
to that caf are hippies.
woman). (From rejtuzy, womens long
VOLOSNKA, -i, f., rude. Female geni- underwear; lit., stench under the panties).
tals (lit., hairy one). Ona volosnku A tvoej, vonh podrejtuzna, ctob
lbomu podstavlet. Shell put out nogi dae ne bylo! Never set foot in
for just anyone. this house again, you piece of filth!
VOLCH, imperf. only, youth. To under- VONCKA, -i, f., neg. A nasty,
stand, grasp (lit., to drag). Ty v ma- disgusting person (lit., stinker). ta
ine, viu, sovsem ne voloch. Its voncka opth rugalash. That skunk
obvious you dont understand a thing yelled at us again.
about cars.
VOOBRALA, XVOST PODLA,
/. To rhyming phrase, neg. Said to people with
beat. , too high an opinion of themselves, their
. Why are they beat- looks, their clothes (mainly in childrens
ing him so hard? heyll maim him like speech). Lit., Stuck-up fellow, youve got
that. your tail between your legs. Vy cto ne
VOLNA, -y, f., crim. A pistol, gun (lit., vidite? U men plathe novoe! Voob-
bagpipe). On bez volyny ne xodit. raala, xvost podala. Look at my
He never goes anywhere without his new dress! Dont be so stuck-up!
gun. VOR V ZAKNE, idiom, crim. A thief
VOLNITH/PROVOLNITH. To pro- who observes the thieves code of honor,
crastinate, postpone, delay (from volyn- the main articles of which are (1) dont
ka, bagpipes). On provolynil e- work in prison, (2) dont report to or oth-
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41 VPERTHS
erwise cooperate with prison authorities, mazh dostath, volki zavelish. Ive
and (3) obey orders of criminal authori- got to get some ointment, Ive got crabs.
ties. On vor v zakone, on rabotath ne VOH: Skakth, kak voh na gre-
budet. Hes a law-abiding thief; his bek, see under skakth. drna
code forbids him to work. voh, see under drna.
VORK, -a, m., youth, obs. Work (from Eng. , idiom. Contrary to ones
work). Segodn neoxota idti na wishes, involves negative feelings. See
vork. I dont feel like going to work .
today.
VPRIVATH/VPARTH, neg. To palm
VORKOVTH/ZAVORKOVTH. To off (defective goods). Smotri, tam
work (from Eng. work). Kto segod- mogut vparith falhivye dollary.
n vorkuet na kuxne, moet posudu? Watch out that they dont palm off any
Whos on dish-washing duty today in counterfeit dollars on you.
the kitchen.
VPATH, perf. To beat, to punish (from
VRON(K), -a, (-nk), m. A dark blue path, to solder). Vidno, silhno
police cr (lit., a crow). tebe vpali, ele xodih. It looks like
VOR`ONA, -y, f. An absent-minded person. they really beat you up, you can hardly
Opth ty ne to kupil, vorona. walk. Vpath po cajniku, idiom. To hit
Again youve bought the wrong thing, in the head or in the face. Tak i
you featherbrain. xocets vpath tebe po cajniku kak
VOROTTH/OTVOROTTH rlo, sleduet. Oh, how Id like to smack you
idiom, neg. To turn up ones nose at in the face!
something, reject. Eh, ne voroti VPATHS, perf. only, neg. To crash
ryla, bolhe net nicego. Youd bet- (from path, to weld, solder). Sej-
ter not turn up your nose at the food cas tuman, zaprosto mono vpaths
its all there is. vo vstrecnu. In this fog you could
VOROTNK: Poprvh vorotnk, easily crash into an oncoming vehicle.
vrath meet, see under poprvh. / ,
VOSHMIDERST, -a, m., neg. A neg. To reprimand, to call on the carpet
member of the generation of the 1980s, (lit., to fuck). See .
alluding to the New Russians (by -
wordplay on vosemhdest, 80, and . He likes to bawl people
pederast, pederast). Sredi vishmi- out for no special reasonjust in case.
derastov malo pordocnyx ldej. VPERD, DRUZH, A ZA VMI.
There arent many honest people of the GRDH POSTO ZA VIMI
80s generation. SPINMI, rhyming phrase, joc. Used
, idiom, in response to an exhortation to do some-
army. To turn ones head from side to thing difficult or demanding, mimicking
side (lit., to turn ones skull). the exhorter. Lit., Forward, friends, Im
, behind you! Ill lay down my life for you
!. Whos that rub- behind the cover of your backs! Nu
bernecking over there? Youve been cto, vperd, ew nemnogo, i my zakon-
called to attention! cim tot remont. Vperd, druzh,
VKATHS/PROVKATHS, a za vami. grudh posto za vai-
neg. To waste time, take a long time, mi spinami. Come on, fellows, were
dawdle (lit., to pick nits). Koncaj vo- almost done with this job. Forward,
kaths, opazdyvaem. Stop dawdling, friends, Im behind you! Ill lay down my
or well be late. life for you behind your backs.
VOLK, -v, pl., crim. Crabs, pubic VPERTHS, perf. only, neg. To enter
lice (from voh, louse). Nado by unexpectedly, to burst in without permis-
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VPLIVATHS/VPILITH/VPILTHS 42
43 VSTAVLTH/VSTVITH
[bald spot, jug]). Vcera emu vsadili Pojdm v ban, polucim vse trid-
po tykve, popal v bolhniu. Yester- ath tri udovolhstvi: i poparims
day he got such a bash in the head that he i pivka pophm. Lets go to the steam
landed in the hospital. bath. Well have a great time there,
VSSYVATH/VSOSTH, army. To steaming ourselves and having some
understand (lit., to suck in). Cto-to beer.
ne vsosu, cto ty xoceh. I dont VSEM DAVTH, TAK SLOMETS
understand exactly what you want. KROVTH, rhyming phrase, joc. Used
VS NE SLVA BGU, idiom. Things in refusing a request, with allusion to sex-
arent right, somethings wrong (lit., not ual refusal; lit., if I give to everyone, the
everything is to the glory of God). bed will collapse. Daj nemnogo
Opth u teb vs ne slava Bogu: to pecenh. Vsem davath, tak slo-
ty denhgi poterla, teperh zabole- maets krovath. Let me have some
la. Again somethings the matter with cookies. If I give some to everyone,
you first you lost the money, now the bed will collapse.
youre sick. VSEX PEREEBTH NELHZ, NO K
VS PONE PSA, idiom, neg. It TOMU STREMTHS NDO,
doesnt matter, its all the same (lit., its idiom, rude. Lit., You cant fuck them all,
all below the belt; euph. for p xuj). but you ought to try.
Vai problemy men ne volnut, VSOSTH, perf. To drink (lit., to suck in).
mne vs to ponie posa. I dont Ty ue svoj stakan vsosal, ostavh
care about your problems; to me its all drugim. Youve already had your drink,
the same. leave some for the others!
, idiom. Everything is O.K., VSPRSKIVATH/VSPRSNUTH.
all is going as it should, all is well (lit., To drink in celebration of a holiday or a
everythings on the right path). new purchase (lit., to besprinkle). Ty,
? . Well slyal, mainu kupil? to delo
how are your studies going? All is nado vsprysnuth! I hear you just
well. bought a new car thats something we
VS RAVN VOJN, idiom. Theres have to drink to!
nothing to lose, you might as well (lit., VSTAVJ, VSTAVJ, DRUK, S
therell be war anyhow). Davaj pos- POSTLI NA GORK! rhyming
lednie, kupim vodku, vs ravno vojna. phrase, joc. Lit., Get up, get up, buddy,
Come on, lets buy some vodka with the from bed to the potty! A rhyming phrase
rest of the money we might as well. that means Time to get up! (Derived
VS SXVCENO (u kog-l.), idiom. from pioneer camp life.)
(Someone has) good (Mafia) connec- VSTAVTH/VSTATH sranh, idiom,
tions, reliable protection. U nix v tom rude. To get up early (by wordplay on
magazine vs sxvaceno. The people in sranh and rano, early). Nado zavt-
that store have reliable connections. ra vstath sranh i srazu na rybalku.
VS TECT, VS IZ MEN, idiom, Ive got to get up shit-early to go fishing
joc. Lit., Everything is flowing from me. tomorrow.
By wordplay from the phrase Vs tect, VSTAVLTH/VSTVITH. 1. To have
vs izmenets, Everything is in flux, sex. Kaets, ty vstavil vsem,
everything changes. 1. A deflating komu mono. You seem to have been to
response to the phrase Vs tect, vs bed with everybody. 2. To hit, to beat.
izmenets. 2. I need to take a piss. Kak by nam ne vstavili za nai
VSE TRDATH TRI UDOVLH- utki. Im afraid, were going to get it
STVI, idiom. A good time, a lot of for our jokes. Vstavlth/vstvith
fun (lit., all thirty-three enjoyments). pistn, idiom. To scold, to punish. (Cf.
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 44
VSTREVTH/VSTRTH 44
under pistn). Tebe vstavili pis- pogrejs. Theres some old tea there,
ton, esli malo, mono povtorith. If have some and warm yourself up.
thats not enough punishment for you, we VTRSKIVATHS/VTRSKATHS,
can do it again. Vstavlth/Vstvith joc. To fall in love (lit., to crack). On v
fitlh, idiom. To scold, bawl out (lit., ne srazu vtreskals. He suddenly
to replace the wick of a lamp; with sexual fell head over heels in love with her.
connotation). Tebe za to takoj VTYK, -a, m., neg. A reprimand, punish-
fitilh vstavt, ne obraduehs. ment. Davno vtyk ne polucal?
Youre going to get such a tongue-lash- Youre really asking for it!
ing for this, you wont enjoy it!
VTYKTH/VOTKNTH. To scold, rep-
VSTREVTH/VSTRTH, neg. To inter- rimand. Mne vcera votknuli za opoz-
fere, to interrupt. Ne vstrevaj v razgo- danie. Yesterday they bawled me out
vor. Dont butt in on our conversation. for being late.
VSTRNUTHS, perf. only, joc. To meet, VTYKTHS/VOTKNTHS, rude.
get together. Vstrenulish oni daveca To interfere in someone elses business,
i nalakalish. Recently they got meddle. Ne tvo delo, sidi i ne
together and had a lot to drink. vtykajs! Its none of your business
, -, f. Oncoming traffic. dont butt in.
. VTRIVATHS/VTRITHS, joc.
Dont cross the line into oncoming traf- To fall in love. Kogda on uspel v ne
ficthere will be a big fine. vtriths? When did he manage to
VS DORGU. See under dorga. fall in love with her?
VSKOMU VOWU SVOJ FRUKT, VLHVA, -y, f., rude. A womans thick
idiom, joc. Everything in good time (lit., pubic hair. U ne vulhva zapu-
Every vegetable has its fruit, playing on taths mono. She has such thick
Vskomu ovowu svo vrem, Every pubic hair you can get stuck in it.
vegetable has its season). Nakone- VMNYJ, KAK VTKA, idiom, neg.
to on reil eniths. Vskomu (Lit., Clever as a duck). Regional variant
ovowu svoj frukt. So he finally of mnyj, kak tka Foolish, dumb.
decided to get married. Well, every Nu, ty vumnyj, kak vutka, zacem
vegetable has its fruit. phh kofe na noch? You fool, why
VTIRTH/VTERTH v ku, idiom, do you drink coffee at night?
neg. To insist repetitively (lit., to rub into VSMERTH, adv. Extremely, very much
someones skin). Xvatit vtirath v (lit., to death). Vcera vse ustali vu-
kou o enax, ne xocu bolhe o nix smerth. Yesterday everyone got dead
slyath. Stop harping on the cost of tired. Vsmerth katths, idiom,
living; I dont want to hear any more crim. To drink ones fill, drink to ones
about it. satisfaction. V subbotu vusmerth
VTIRTHS/VTERTHS, youth. To katalish, spirta bylo, skolhko xo-
inject a drug. Ty xoceh ew ceh. On Saturday they drank their fill
vtereths, na segodn xvatit. You there was all the alcohol you could ask
want another shot, but youve had enough for.
for today. VXUCIVATH/VXUCITH, rude.
VTORJ STAKN ROSSI, idiom, 1. To have sex with a woman. Pora ej
joc. Yeltsins right-hand man (lit., The vxucith. Its time to get her into bed.
second glass of Russia). A kto sejcas 2. To hit. Emu vxucili kamnem v
u nas vtoroj stakan Rossii? Whos spinu. They hit him in the back with a
Yeltsins second these days? brick.
VTORK, -a, m. Old tea, tea made from (NO) VCER, I PO PTH, idiom, joc.
used tea-leaves. Tam vtork ostals, An ironic reply to regrets about inflation
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45 VYGLIVATH/VGULTH
(lit., But that was yesterday, and it only something to say. Nu skai, cto ty
cost five rubles). Zr my ne kupili dumaeh ob tom? Vy pesnej
letom stiralku. Da, to bylo xotite, ix esth u men. Tell us what
vcera i po pth. We should have you think. You want to know? Ill
bought the washing machine last tell you! 2. I can provide what you want.
summer. Yes, it would have been Ty prins bilety v Bolhoj?
cheaper, but thats already history. Vy pesnej xotite, ix esth u men.
VVNIK, -a, m., army. Longjohns, Have you brought tickets for the
underwear for extra warmth, often a jog- Bolshoi? You want? I have.
ging outfit. Bez vivnika na postu VBLDOK, vbldka, m., rude. Cf.
xolodno. Its cold on sentry duty with- bldh. 1. An illegitimate child, bastard.
out a pair of longjohns. Ona svoego vybldka v detdom
VIVOT, -, f., coll., neg. Insignificant otdala. She put her bastard in an
people (lit., lice). Zacem tebe ta orphanage. 2. Idiot, scum. s tim
vivota, ne druzh oni tebe. What vybldkom znaths ne budu, on men
are you doing with those nonentities? ue sto raz podvl. I wont have any-
Theyre not suitable friends for you. thing to do with that bastard, hes let me
VVYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Bad, dirty, down a thousand times already.
cheap. Konert kakoj-to vivyj, VBLDY, -a, m. See vbldok.
sovsem ne ponravils. That was a VYBRSYVATH/VBROSITH (v
lousy concert, I didnt like it at all. produ), idiom, obs. To put deficit
VQEBTH, imperf. only, rude. Cf. b-. goods on sale, to make available for sale
1. To have sex with a woman. Ty e previously unavailable merchandise (lit.,
kogda-nibudh vqebh? Arent you to throw out). Idi skoree, tam vy-
ever going to fuck her? 2. To hit. brosili letnie tufli. Youd better
Otojdi, a to vqebu. Get out of here hurry theyve just started selling a
or Ill hit you. Vqebth po smye shipment of summer shoes.
ja, idiom, rude. To have sex with a VBROS, -a, m., joc. The political party
woman (lit., to fuck her up to ones balls). Vybor Rossii (Russias Choice) (lit.,
Taku nado vqebath po samye ja emission).
i zabyth. With that sort of woman you
should just fuck her and forget about VVERNUTH rabtu, idiom, crim. To
her. rob an apartment. Davno vidno ne by-
lo, cto delal? Da nedavno vyver-
VQEZTH/VQXATH, To understand
nuli rabotu, peresiivali. I havent
(lit., to drive in). ne vqexal, pov-
seen you for a long time. Whatve you
tori. Would you repeat that? I didnt
been up to? We robbed an apartment
get it.
recently and then went underground for a
VY NE LBLI, VAM NE PONTH, while.
idiom, joc. You cant understand what
you havent experienced (lit., You VYGIBNISTYJ, -a, -oe, youth,
havent loved, so you cant understand). neg. Vain or conceited, having too high
Xoroo by sejcas zimoj otdoxnuth an opinion of oneself. Budeh takim
v Italii. Pravda, vy ne lbili, vam vygibonistym, za seb ne otveca.
ne ponth. How nice it would be to Dont act so stuck-up or Ill be tempted
spend the winter vacation in Italy. Of to smack you.
course you wouldnt understand, youve VYGORTH/VGORETH. To be
never been there. successful, to turn out well. U nego s
VY PSNEJ XOTTE, IX ESTH U lotereej nicego ne vygorelo. Hes
MEN, idiom, joc., imitating illiterate had no luck with the lottery.
speech. Lit., You want songs? Ive got VYGLIVATH/VGULTH, joc. To
some. 1. I have my opinion, I have butter up (lit., to walk [a dog]).
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VYDAVTH/VDATH 46
svoego efa davno vyguliva, xocu doroge odni vyebony. This road is full
vzth bolhoj otpusk. Ive been of fucking potholes.
buttering up my boss for a long time VYBYVATHS/VEBNUTHS,
because I want to apply for a long leave. rude. To be willful, abusive (cf. b-).
VYDAVTH/VDATH. 1. To perform. Ne vybyvajs, nam pora exath.
Kogda on vyphet, on vydat bal- Dont be obstreperous, its time for us to
dnye anekdoty. When he drinks he go. On privyk nad vsemi vyby-
tells very funny stories. 2. To speak out, vaths. Hes in the habit of abusing
declare straight out. A nu, vydaj emu everybody. N xuj vybyvaths,
vs, cto ty o nm dumaeh. Well, tell idiom, rude. Dont be naughty, dont play
him straight out exactly what you think of pranks (cf. xuj). Ne xuj vybyvath-
him. s, ri, cto dat. Dont carry on like
VYDVIGTHS/VDVINUTHS. that. Just eat what youre given.
To leave, pull out, move out. Nam pora VYIVATHS, imperf. only, neg.
vydvigaths, a to opozdaem na rabo- 1. To be capricious, uncooperative. Ne
tu. Well, weve got to move along now vyivajs, terpeth kaprizy ne
or well be late for work. budu. Dont mess around. I wont put up
VDOXNUTH, perf. To feel relief, to be with any nonsense. 2. To be offensive,
relieved. Vydoxni, vs ue kon- disrespectful. On vs vrem vyiva-
cilosh. Its over, you can relax now. ets, a ena vs emu prowaet. Hes
constantly acting obnoxious, but his wife
VYDRCIVATHS/VDRCITH- keeps forgiving him.
S, neg. 1. To be capricious, contrary,
VYEZDNJ, -go, obs., Soviet. A Soviet
uncooperative. Ne vydrcivaths,
citizen having the right to travel abroad
odevajs i poli v gosti. Dont be
(hence, officially certified as loyal and
obstreperous. Get dressed and lets go
reliable). Kogda to on stal vyezd-
out. 2. To annoy, torment, offend. On
nym, ranhe on za graniu ne ezdil.
lbit vydrcivaths nad slabymi.
When was he declared travel-certified?
He likes to torment weak people. 3. To
He never used to travel abroad.
be boastful, to act conceited. On stal
artistom i nacal vydrcivaths VYIRTH/VRATH (butlku,
pered druzhmi. He became an actor polltra), idiom, rude. To drink a bottle
and started putting on airs with his of liquor. Ty ue s utra vyral bu-
friends. tylku ostanovish. Youve already
gulped down a bottle since this morning
VEBATH I VBROSITH, idiom, its time to stop.
rude. Worthless, useless (of things or
people) (lit., fit to be fucked and thrown VYKTYVATH/VKATITH blhma,
out; cf. b-). Zacem mne ta kurtka, idiom, rude. To stare, look hard at some-
vyebath i vybrosith. What do I need thing (lit., to roll ones whites). Ty cego
that coat for? Its just a piece of junk. belhma vykatila: muikov, cto lh,
ne videla? What are you staring at?
VYBISTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Stuck-up, Havent you ever seen a man before?
capricious, willful (cf. b-). S nim
VYKDYVATH/VKINUTH: Vyk-
nelegko razgovarivath, slikom
dyvath/vkinuth trk, idiom, neg.
vybistyj. Its hard to talk to him,
To behave strangely, pull a stunt. Vot
hes so stuck-up.
kakoj on vykinul trk: brosil enu,
VYEBN, -a, m., rude, neg. A prank, trick detej i uexal na sever. He pulled quite
(cf. b-). Mne tvoi vyebony nado- a stunt suddenly left his wife and chil-
eli. Im sick and tired of your tricks. dren and went north. Vykdyvath/
VEBONA, -y, f., rude, joc. A pothole vkinuth frtelh, idiom, neg. To
(from vyboina, pothole, by wordplay behave unpredictably, to pull a stunt.
on vebath, to fuck; cf. b-). Na On moet vykinuth lboj for-
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47 VYPNDRIVATHS/VPENDRITHS
VYPIVN 48
49 VZTH/POVZTH
ing money. Nado by ego vystavith VXLOP, -a, m. Breath reeking with
na poddacu. Lets try to get him to pick liquor (lit., exhaust from an automobile).
up the tab for the drinks. Na vxlope, idiom. Exhausted, worn
/. out. dela to ue na vyxlope,
To spend money in order to throw a party nado otdoxnuth. Im already running
(from , to prepare a on empty, I need to take a rest.
table with dishes, food, and drinks). VXOD, -a, m. Connections, influential
, acquaintances. U teb esth vyxod na
. I shelled out 2 Gs host- gorsovet? Do you have connections on
ing a celebration party when I was the city council?
awarded my medal. VYXODTH/VJTI v tir, idiom.
VYSTUPLA, -y, m. and f., neg. 1. A To retire, leave the scene, become obso-
troublemaker, hooligan. tot vystu- lete or superfluous. Ew god porabo-
pala ne uspokoits, poka ne podert- taet, a potom vyjdet v tira.
s s kem-libo. That hooligan always Hell work for another year, and then
has to be fighting with someone. hell be pensioned off.
2. Someone who likes to make speeches VYCISLTH/VCISLITH. To
before an audience. tot vystupala deduce logically, figure out, calculate.
budet teperh govorith casami. That vycislil mesto, gde oni vstre-
long-winded speechifier is going to be calish. I figured out where they must
talking for hours. have been meeting.
VYSTUPTH/VSTUPITH, neg. To VYK, -k, m., crim. A death sentence.
pick quarrels, be provocative. Ne vys- Za ubijstvo emu dali vyak. They
tupaj, a to polucih. Dont provoke gave him the death sentence for murder.
me or youll get it. Vystupth/vs- , rhyming phrase. The
tupith (ne) po dlu, idiom. To make a best, supreme (lit., higher than the roof).
just (unjust) claim to something, to be
right (wrong) in an argument. Ty vys- . We had a real feast for
tupil po delu, oni ustupili. You New Years Eveit was tops!
were in the right; they had to give in.
VYIBN, -a, m., youth, joc. The last
Izvini, starik, v tot raz ty vys-
dance at a restaurant or club, after which
tupil ne po delu, vs bylo ne tak.
the establishment closes (from vy-
Sorry, old boy, this time youre simply
ibath, to kick out; vyibala,
wrong it wasnt like that at all.
bouncer). Davaj stanuem vyi-
/. To be bon i po domam. Lets dance the last
tired out, to be fed up (lit., to dry out, number and go home.
from , to dry). VKA, -i, f., crim. See vyk.
. I am fed up
with your whining! VHET, -a, m. A Vietnamese.
VSIJ PILOT! idiom. Excel- VHGA, -a, f., homosexual. A passive
lent, first-class. On delaet alyki homosexual (lit., snowstorm; cf.
vysij pilota! He can make vhiths).
first-class shishkebab. VHITHS/ZAVHITHS, m.,
, -. m. A restful sleep (lit., homosexual. To flirt, to get acquainted.
rest in a dream, from , to VNTTH/POVNTTH, VNTA-
sleep soundly). NTH, youth, obs. To go, leave, slip out,
, get out (from Eng. went). Kogda vy
. I can only dream of a vntanuli s raboty? When did you
peaceful nights sleep, Im not going to get out of work?
be able to finish writing this book on VZTH/POVZTH. Lit., to tie up.
time. 1. To apprehend, arrest. Ix vcera vsex
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VKALKA 50
GVKA, -i, f., joc. Mouth. Cf. gvkaths. komnata, a gadnik. Your room is a
GVKATHS/POGVKATHS, neg. pigsty. 2. A beer bar, a cheap bar. V
To quarrel (from gavkath, to bark). gadnike mnogo naroda, tuda ne
s nim ne razgovariva, my vcera pojdm. Its too crowded in that beer
pogavkalish. Im not talking with him; bar; lets not go in.
we quarreled yesterday. GAZ, -a, m. Liquor, alcoholic drink. U
GVRIK, -a, m. 1. neg. A petty criminal, nas gaz na vecer esth? Do we have any
sneak thief (from a mans nickname). liquor for the party?
Zna tix gavrikov, oglnuths GAZIRVKA, -i, f., neg. Champagne,
ne uspeeh, cto-nibudh natvort. I sparkling wine (lit., gassy stuff). tu
know those crooks before you can gazirovku ne ph, mne vodki nalejte.
look about you theyre up to some mis- I dont drink that fizzy stuff. Pour me
chief. 2. pl., joc. Buddies, guys. Nu, some vodka.
gavriki, poli v kino. Come on, guys, GAZOVTH/ZAGAZOVTH. To drink,
lets go to the movies. get drunk. On gazuet ue elu nede-
GAD, -a, m., neg. Lit., a reptile, snake. 1. A l. Hes been on a drunk for a week
repellent, disgusting person. Opth already.
tot gad nas podvl! That snake let us GANIK, -a, m. A traffic officer (from
down again! 2. crim. A police officer. GAI, abbr. of Gosavtoinspeki, Gov-
Smotri, skolhko gadov nagnali, ernment Traffic Surveillance). Smot-
beim otsda! Look at all the cops on ri, tam gainik stoit. Sbavh sko-
duty. Lets get out of here! Gad polz- rosth. Look, theres a traffic cop. Slow
cij, idiom, rude. A bastard, scoundrel down.
(lit., creeping snake). A on, gad polzu- , , pl. A hallucination.
cij, obewal mne pomoch i ne pomog. See . ,
That snake promised to help me and ,
never came through. . Take a hit of
GADNY, -a, m., neg. A bad. nasty thisitll give you such dreams youll
person (lit., a young snake). Cf. gad. forget about this hole were living in.
GADLHNIK, -a, m., crim., neg. A police GMA, -y, f. Chewing gum (from Eng.
station (lit., a snake den). Gde u nix gum). Daj gamu, vo rtu protivno.
zdesh gadilhnik? Nado znath na Give me some gum Ive got a bad
vskij slucaj. Wheres the police sta- taste in my mouth.
tion around here? Wed better find out GAMK, -, m., crim., neg. A homosexual
just in case. (lit., a hammock). Cego k tebe gamak
GDITH/POGDITH. To defecate. vets? Why does that homo keep
davno xocu pogadith. I really need to hanging around you?
take a shit. GAMBL, -a, m., south. A strong, heavily
GDSKIJ, -a, -oe, rude. Bad, disgust- built man (cf. ambl). tot gambal
ing, repellent. Kogda koncits ta moet podnth ne tolhko cemodany,
gadska pogoda? When is this crappy a i teb vmeste s nimi. That ox can
weather going to end? carry you and your suitcases too.
, , pl. Heavy navy boots (lit., GAMBLITH/POGAMBLITH, south.
snakes). To work long and hard. Mne nadoelo
. These clodhoppers wont gambalith na ego dace, on dae mne
wear out in three years. frukty ne dat za to. Im sick of
GADNIK, -a, m., neg. Lit., a snake slaving away for him in his garden; he
nest. 1. A dirty, messy place. Zdesh ne never even gives me any of the produce.
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GAMRA 52
GAMRA, -y, f. Strong wine. Nalej started beating people unconscious left
ew gamiry. Pour me some more of and right.
that wine. GASTHS/ZAGASTHS, army. To
GANDLIK, -a, m. An underground (cel- shirk, dodge, give the slip, make oneself
lar) wine tavern. Zajdm v gandelik, scarce (lit., turn oneself off). Ty opth
propustim po stakanu. Lets just stop gasihs, a rabotath kto budet?
in at the wine tavern and have a glass. There you go sneaking off again who
GANS, -a, m. A German (lit., a Hans). O do you think is going to do the work?
cm tam tot Gans lopocet? Whats , -, m. An illegal
that Kraut babbling about over there? immigrant (from the German Gastar-
GARANTJKA, -i, f. A shop where appli- beiter, guest worker). -
ances are repaired under warranty. Tele-
vizor slomals, nado otnesti ego v , . Without
garantijku. The TV isnt working. illegal immigrants Moscow can neither
Well have to take it to the warranty shop. build nor clean the streets.
, perf. To put someone in his GASTRT, -a, m., joc. A meat-filled pas-
place, to humble someone (from , try (lit., gastritis, in reference to the likeli-
to beat). , hood of poor quality). Davaj xoth
. Well soon gastrit kupim, esth xocu. Im so
take him down a pegweve had enough hungry, lets at least buy a gastritis.
of his practical jokes. GASTROLRA, -i, f., homosexual. A
/. To move fast, to homosexual visiting from a different city
jump (lit., to prance). - (from gastrolr, performer on tour).
to ne na celovek, navernoe,
? Have you ever had to gastrolra. Hes not one of our set.
high-tail it over the mountains with a 60- He must be touring.
pound pack? , -. Drunk (lit., extin-
GAS SVET, BROSJ GRANTU, guished, put out). -
idiom. Theres nothing to lose, it doesnt , . Where
matter, come what may (lit., Turn off the is there for you to swallow more booze,
light and throw the grenade). Pith you are already done, youre completely
tak pith, gasi svet, brosaj granatu. drunk.
If were going to drink we might as well /. To fire
really drink; what have we got to lose?! (lit., to nail). c
GASLOVO, -a, n., youth, obs. A beating, , .
a fight. My ne uspeli zatanevath, Our troops are going to fire on that vil-
srazu nacalosh gasilovo. We had lage where the guerrillas went.
hardly even started dancing when a fight GVOZDODR, -a, m., neg. Cheap strong
broke out. wine or tobacco (lit., a crowbar). tot
, -, m. A killer, a trigger gvozdodr dua ne prinimaet. I cant
man (from , to extinguish). stomach that rotgut.
- GVOZDH, -, m., pos. A good, reliable per-
, . He can son, a capable, resourceful fellow (lit., a
always call on a couple of trigger men if nail). On ne propadt, on parenh
theres someone he needs to quiet down. gvozdh. Hell make out all right; hes a
GASTH/POGASTH. To knock out, resourceful fellow. Gvozdh bermen-
beat into unconsciousness (lit., to put out, nyj, idiom, joc. Lit., a pregnant nail.
turn off). Oni razgovarivath ne sta- 1. A useless, incompetent person. Da
li, nacali vsex gasith podrd i vs. cto on moet, gvozdh beremennyj?
Before anyone could say a word they That pregnant nail cant do anything
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53 /
right. 2. A weak man who tries to give nth ti cemodany. Ladno, Gerakl
others an impression of physical strength. zasuennyj, ne xvastaj. Its childs
Tebe s nim ne spraviths, gvozdh play for me to lift these suitcases. Oh,
beremennyj. Youll never be able to come off it, you dried-up Hercules.
beat him, you weakling. GERL, -, f., youth. Girl (from Eng.
GDE RAZGILHDJ, TAM I NE- girl). A to cto za gerla, ne zna
SCSTHE, idiom. Thats what I taku. Whos that girl? I dont know
expected from such a bungler! (lit., her. Za gerojskie dela / Dast nam
Where theres a bungler, theres bound to kada gerla. For our heroic deeds /
be trouble). Cf. razgilhdj. Every girl will put out for us (popular
GEBNIK, -a, m., neg., obs. A KGB- song of the 1970s).
agent (from initials of Komitet Gosu- GERLA, -y, f., youth. Girl, woman,
darstvennoj Bezopasnosti, Commit- girlfriend (from Eng. girl). Ch ta
tee on State Security). Ne znaeh, gde gerlia? Whose girlfriend is that?
on rabotaet? Da on gebenik. Do (This word occurs in the popular rhyme
you know where he works? Yes, hes Kaby byla kingia, spicet
KGB. perva gerlia, If I were queen, said
GEBST, -a, m., obs. See gebnik. the first girl, a takeoff on Pushkins lines
GEGEMN, -a, m., joc. The working class; Kaby byla aria, govorit odna
a worker (from klass-gegemon, lit. the devia.) See xxxxxx
leading class, by sarcastic reference to GERLVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Female,
communist theory). Sejcas v metro girls, womens (from Eng. girl).
gegemon edet na rabotu. Davaj poedem to gerlovyj tualet. This is the
cerez cas, budet narodu pomenhe. womens bathroom.
Right now the subway is full of the lead- GERON, -a, m., joc. A father of many
ing class on its way to work. Lets wait an children (from math-geroin, the official
hour until theres less of a crowd. honorific title of a woman with more than
GEEVTYJ, -a. Homosexual (by five children.) Ty u nas odin geroin
wordplay on Eng. gay and Gajevata, na vesh institut. Youre our only
Hiawatha). On u vas geevatyj ili father-hero at this institute.
kak? Is that guy a Hiawatha, or what? GIBBN, -a, neg. A strong, hairy man
GEJ, -, m. A homosexual (from Eng. (lit., a gibbon ape). takix gibbonov
gay). ne lbl. I dont like that sort of hairy
GENERL, -a, m., crim. Syphilis. On ape.
gde-to umudrils podepith genera- GIBCESTH, -i, f., neg. Submissiveness,
la, sejcas lecits. He managed to compliance (lit., flexible honor, by word-
pick up a case of syphilis somewhere; play on gibkij, pliant, and ebcij).
hes under treatment for it now. Ne nravits on mne za svo gibu-
GNIJ SRED UDOBRNIJ, rhyming cesth. I dont like him because hes too
phrase, joc. A phrase used to puncture much of a yes-man.
someones pretensions to cleverness (lit., a GIBCIJ, -a, -oe, rude. 1. Highly
genius in a dung heap). Smotri, to sexed, having a lot of sexual stamina.
e genialhnoe reenie! Da, ty Ona, znaeh, kaka gibuca! Wow,
genij sredi udobrenij. Look what a shes really dynamite in bed! 2. Compli-
brilliant solution I came up with! Yeah, ant, spineless (cf. gibcesth). Sli-
youre a genius in a dung heap. kom ty gibucij, skai, cto ty
GERKL ZASENNYJ, idiom, joc. dumaeh? Dont be so ingratiating; say
Someone who has an inflated opinion of what you actually think.
his physical powers (lit., a dried-up Her- , -, m. Gigabyte.
cules). Mne nicego ne stoit pod- /. To be
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55 GLXO
slip off). Kto glissonul mo ruba- idiom, neg. Dumb as a Tula cookie (a
ku? Who slipped off with my shirt? type of gingerbread, a specialty of the city
GLIST, -, f., neg. A skinny, weak per- of Tula). On nicego reith ne
son (lit., a tapeworm). Gde ty nala moet, on e glup, kak tulhskij pr-
tu glistu? Whered you pick up that nik. He cant figure anything out; hes
90-pound weakling? Glist v as dumb as a Tula cookie.
skafndre, idiom, neg. Same as glist GLUPNT, -a, m., youth, neg. A fool, idiot
(lit., a tapeworm in scuba gear). (from glupyj, stupid). Esli ty glu-
GLBUS, -a, m., army. A new recruit, a pant, to to nadolgo. Youre a fool
soldier in his first year of service (lit., and youve always been one.
globe, referring to the short haircut). GLPIZDI, -ej, pl., joc. Nonsense, fool-
GLTKA, -i, f., neg. A loud voice. Nu i ishness (playing on gluposth, silliness,
glotka u teb, ne krici tak. Your and pizd). Vs to bolhie glu-
voice is too loud dont shout like that. pizdi. Thats all a lot of nonsense.
Brath/vzth na gltku, see under GLUPSTIKA, -i, f., neg. Useless stuff,
brath. Drath gltku, see under drath. pointless studies (playing on the ending
GLTNICATH, imperf. only, neg. To -istika, science or study). Vs,
shout. Ne nado glotnicath, pogovo- cto my sejcas ucim na pervom kurse,
rim spokojno. Theres no need to glupistika. Everything were study-
shout; lets talk calmly. ing in that introductory course is inane.
GLXNUTH/ZAGLXNUTH, neg. To GLPYJ: Glupe parovza, idiom, joc.
keep silent, shut up. Kogda vy tam Very stupid, doltish (lit., more stupid than
zagloxnete, spath xocets! Hey, shut a steam engine). Ne scitaj men glu-
up. Youre keeping me awake. pee parovoza, ponima vs ne xue
GLUBNIK, -a, m., neg., obs. A KGB teb. Dont take me for an idiot! I
agent. (From glubokij, deep, and understand it all as well as you do.
kagebenik or gebnik, a KGB-agent, , -. m. An unsolved crime (lit.,
by a jocular interpretation of the abbrevi- wood-grouse, from , deaf). See
ation KGB, Komitet gosudarstvennoj .
bezopasnosti, Committee on State ? .
Security, as standing for Kontora glu- How many unsolved crimes do we have
bokogo bureni, Office of Deep in a year? Our rate of solving crimes has
Drilling a place where people are never been worse.
occupied in digging, or conducting deep GLUX TETR, idiom, rude. Some-
investigations.) A kak veli seb glu- one who is hard of hearing (lit., a deaf
beniki vo vrem putca? So how did grouse). tebe zvon, zvon v
the KGB-agents behave during the dverh, a ty, gluxa teter, nicego ne
putsch? slyih. Ive been ringing your door-
GLUMRH, -r, m., youth, neg. One who bell for ages! You must be stone-deaf.
scoffs, jeers, taunts at others tender or GLXO, pred. use. Unpromising, hopeless,
serious feelings (from glumiths, to desperate. S reformami sejcas gluxo.
scoff). Opth tot glumarh k nam Theres no hope for the success of the
idt, dobra ne di. Is that scoffer present reforms. Glxo kak v tnke,
coming to see us again? Nothing good idiom. Utterly hopeless, past cure. U
can come of it. nas na rabote gluxo kak v tanke. The
GLUM, -e, m., neg. Scoffing, taunt- situation at work is completely hopeless.
ing, derision. terpeth tot glu- Glxo dlo, idiom. A hopeless situation,
m ne sobirash. Im not going to a bad business. Gluxo delo, nicego my
put up with that taunting. ne zarabotaem v tom mese. Its a
GLUP, KAK TLHSKIJ PRNIK, poor outlook; were not going to earn a
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GLURH 56
57 GOVN
ing heat wave going to end? scoundrel. Plnoe govn, idiom, rude.
GNUS, -a, m., neg. A boring or annoying Someone or something terrible (lit., com-
person (lit., gnat). to takoj gnus, plete shit). Govn na plocke, idiom,
pristanet, vs ne otstanet. This rude. A conceited, stuck-up person (lit.,
guy is such a pain in the ass, once he gets shit on a stick). Podumaeh, govno na
hold of you, hell never let go. palocke, slova emu ne skai. Look at
that guy! Shit on a stick you cant say
GNTYJ, -ogo, m., rude. Lit., bent,
a word to him. Govn na pstnom
crooked. 1. A scoundrel, bastard. A ty,
msle, idiom, rude. Nonsense, trash (lit.,
gnutyj, vali otsda! Get out of here,
shit in vegetable oil). tot filhm
you bastard! 2. A venal person; a yes-
govno na postnom masle. That film is a
man. togo gnutogo vse nacalhniki
crock. Svo govn ne pxnet, idiom,
lbt. All the bosses love that boot-
rude. Ones own shit doesnt smell.
licker.
Ona ot nego bez uma, a on takoe
GNUTH/ZAGNTH mtom, idiom. To govno. Pravda, svo govno ne paxnet.
abuse, to swear at someone (lit., to bend Shes crazy about him, and hes just a
with abuse). On srazu zagnul matom i piece of shit. Of course, ones own shit
vesh razgovor. He started swearing, and doesnt smell. Boltths/proboltth-
that was the end of the discussion. s, kak govn v prrubi, idiom, rude.
, idiom. To make threat- To idle about, to cool ones heels (lit., to
ening gestures with ones hands (lit., to bob about like a turd in an ice-fishing
bend ones fingers). See . hole). zdesh boltash, kak govno v
GNTHS pod nry, idiom, crim. To prorubi, nikto moim delom ne zani-
hide in order to avoid blows; lit., to cringe maets. Ive been hanging around here
under a plank bed (as in prison). Ne like a turd in a fishing hole, and no one at
gnish pod nary, ot nas ne ujdh. all has has taken care of me. GOVN
Theres no use hiding, you wont get (acc.): Okunths v govn, idiom, rude.
away from us. To feel bad (lit., to take a dip in shit). S
nim poobwaehs, kak v govno
GOVNNYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Bad (lit.,
okunhs. When you hear the way he
filthy; cf. govn). Prepodavatelh on
talks with people, it makes you feel
govnnyj, da i celovek ne ocenh. Hes
soiled. Popl v govn, tak ne ciri-
a crappy teacher and not much of a
kj, idiom, rude. Dont try to justify
human being either.
yourself if youre guilty (lit., Youve
GOVNSTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Bad, hav- landed in the shit, so dont chirp). Ne
ing a bad character (cf. govn). K to- xocu nicego slyath, provorovals,
mu prepodavatel ne xodi sdavath, popal v govno, tak ne cirikaj.
on samyj govnistyj. Dont take your Youve been embezzling funds and I
exams with that teacher hes the very dont want to hear any of your excuses
worst. youre in the shit, so dont chirp.
GOVN, -, n., rude. 1. Feces, excrement. GOVN (gen.): Dl drga i govn ne
Ne xodi tuda, tam kuca govna. lko, idiom, rude, joc. Used as a jocu-
Watch your step! Theres a pile of shit larly modest deflection of gratitude for a
over there. 2. A worthless or bad person, small favor: its nothing, dont mention it
thing, or event. I ne poduma izvi- (lit., For a friend I wouldnt grudge even
niths pered tim govnom! I would- [my] shit). Spasibo za knigu. Dl
nt dream of apologizing to that turd. druga i govna ne alko. Thanks for the
GOVN (nom.): Govn sobche, book. Oh, for a friend I wouldnt
idiom, rude. A bastard, scoundrel (lit., grudge even shit. Kto sprit, tot
dog shit). On okazals govnom so- govn ne stit, idiom, rude. Betting is a
bachim, a my emu verili. We trusted pointless thing; used in response to a sug-
him, and then he turned out to be a gestion to bet on something (lit., He who
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GOVNOVZ 58
bets isnt worth shit). Sporim, naa ples affairs. Na govn zaman,
komanda vyigraet! Kto sporit, idiom, rude. Fundamentally defective,
tot govna ne stoit. Ill bet you that having a poor character (lit., with shit
our team will win! Someone who bets kneaded in as a basic ingredient). S
isnt worth shit. Kak govn nals, nim odni problemy, vidno, na govne
idiom, rude. Soiled, degraded (lit., as if zamean. With him its just one prob-
one had eaten shit). s nim pogovoril lem after another I guess he just came
pth minut i vesh denh cuvstvoval from the mold that way. Tawths kak
seb, kak govna naels, on obo vsm lom v govn, idiom, rude. To go slowly,
narasskazyval stolhko gadostej. I drag along (lit., to drag like a scrap in
only spoke to him for five minutes and shit). Pribavh agu, ne tawish kak
for the rest of the day I felt as if I had lom v govne. Shake a leg! Youre as
eaten shit he said such disgusting slow as molasses.
things about everyone. Lka govn v GOVNOVZ, -a, m., rude. A cart or truck
bcke mda, idiom, rude. An unpleasant for removing excrement, waste (lit., a shit
or unexpected difficulty (lit., a spoonful transporter; cf. govn). On rabotaet
of shit in a barrel of honey). to tre- na govnovoze. He works in waste
bovanie loka govna v bocke mda. removal.
Everythings been fine, but this new
GOVNODVINA, -y, f., rude, joc. The
demand is a fly in the ointment.
market in Luzhniki, a Moscow district
Dlath/sdlath iz govn konftku,
(from govn, shit, and davith, to
idiom, rude. To improve something (lit.,
crush). Na govnodavinu narod
to make a piece of candy out of shit).
ezdit, kak sumasedij. People are
Sejcas sdela iz govna konfetku,
going to Luzhniki in droves.
davaj sda stath. Give me the draft
of your article and Ill make a silk purse GOVNODVY, -ov, pl., rude. Awkward-
from that sows ear. GOVNM (instr.): looking rough boots (lit., shit-crushers;
Mek s govnm (derhmm), idiom, cf. govn). ti govnodavy nosith
rude. A person with a nasty character (lit., ne budu. Im not going to wear those
a sack of shit). to nado e byth clodhoppers.
takim mekom s govnom, vsex oskor- GOVNOD, -a, m., rude. A bastard,
blet. Hes so incredibly nasty, he scoundrel (lit., shit-eater; cf. govn).
offends everyone. GOVN (prep.): Po Cto tomu govnoedu nado? What
grlo v govn, idiom, rude. Over- does that bastard want?
whelmed with troubles (lit., up to ones GOVNOPROTVNYJ, -a, -oe, rude.
neck in shit). Posle proverki maga- Disgusting, loathsome (cf. govn).
zina zaveduwa po gorlo v govne. tot sup govnoprotivnyj esth ne
Since her store was audited, the man- budu. Im not going to eat that disgusting
agers been up to her neck in shit. soup.
Sidth p ui v govn, idiom, rude. To
GOVNOCST, -a, m., rude. A latrine
experience strong negative feelings (lit.,
cleaner (cf. govn). On rabotaet gov-
to be sitting in shit up to ones ears).
nocistom. He works cleaning latrines.
Posle ego vystupleni vse sidt po
ui v govne, vsex opozoril. Hes dis- GOVNK, -, m., rude. A bad or worthless
graced everyone by his behavior; theyre person (lit., a turd; cf. govn). Na
all up to their ears in shit. Kovyrths/ togo govnka nadeths ne stoit.
pokovyrths v cum govn, idiom, You cant rely on that turd.
rude. To meddle, stick ones nose in GOVNDINA, -y, f., rude. Spoiled meat
someone elses business (lit., to pick (by wordplay on govdina, beef, and
around in someone elses shit). Ne govn). Zacem ty kupila tu gov-
lbl v cuom govne kovyrths. ndinu? What did you buy that shitty
I dont like to mess around in other peo- meat for?
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59 GOLOVKA
61 GATH/ZAGATH
GRBKI 62
upstairs. What are they having, a wed- , -, m. A parcel with food and
ding? clothes (lit., warmth).
GRBKI, grbok, pl. Hands (from , ? You got a
grbli). Uberi grabki, ne tvo, ne parcel? Whats in it?
trogaj! Hands off. Its not yours, dont GREMTH/ZAGREMTH kostmi,
touch it! idiom. To make a lot of noise (lit., to rat-
GRBLI, -ej, pl. Hands (lit., rake). tle ones bones). Ne gremi kostmi,
GRADNKA, -i, 1. Civilian life. Cto rebnok spit. Dont make a racket, the
ty sobiraehs delath na gra- babys sleeping.
danke? What are you planning to do GRIN, -, m., youth. A dollar (from Eng.
when you get out of the army? 2. The greenback). U teb skolhko grinov
Russian Civil War (19181920). On ostalosh? How many dollars do you
ucastnik gradanki. He fought in the have left?
Civil War. GRPPER, -a, m., joc. The flu, a headcold
GRANTA: Gas svet, brosj grantu. (by wordplay on gripp, influenza and
See under gas. trpper, gonorrhea). Kal,
, idiom, vot, gde-to gripper podxvatil. Ive
army. Said of a fence around a military got a cough. I mustve caught a cold
unit (lit., the name of a movie, Its Never somewhere.
Quiet on the Frontier). - GROB: Vdeth kog-cto-l. v grob (v
, blyx tpockax). See under vdeth.
. There they go over the GROBANTH/UGRBITH, perf. To kill
fence again for vodka, really its never (from grob, coffin). Skolhko rebt
quiet on the frontier. zr ugrobili v Cecne. How many boys
GRANT, -a, m., crim. A robbery, armed theyve killed in Chechnya, and all for
robbery. Ne kadyj pojdt na nothing!
takoj grant. Not everyone could pull GROM GREMT, ZEML TRSTS,
off a holdup like this. POP NA KRIE NESTS, joc. A
GRANH: Na grni fla, idiom. Barely childrens rhyming phrase (lit., Thunder
acceptable, at the outer limits of law or is rumbling, the earth is quaking, a priest
right (lit., on the verge of an error). Ty is riding a chicken). Used in reaction to
ezdih na grani fola. Youre asking thunder or any loud noise.
for a speeding ticket the way youre dri- GROMKOGOVORTELH, -, m., joc. A
ving. mouth (lit., loudspeaker). Ty by
GRAFH, -, n., neg. See grafh. luce ne otkryval svoj gromkogovo-
GRAFH, -v, pl., joc., neg. VIPs, direc- ritelh! Keep your mouth shut!
tors, chiefs, bosses, the management (lit., GRXNUTH, perf. 1. To kill. Segodn v
princes, though the regular plural of the Cecne troix soldat groxnuli. Today
prerevolutionary variety is grafy). three soldiers were killed in Chechnya.
Grafh idut, sejcas nacnuts 2. To hit. Groxni ego cem-nibudh,
reci. Here come the big guns; now slikom umnyj. Hit him with some-
theyll start up with the speeches. thing, hes a smart-aleck.
GRBENH, grbn, m., crim., neg. A 200, idiom, army. Corpses trans-
homosexual man (lit., a big cockscomb). ported by air (lit., load-200).
Cto tomu grebn nado? What does ?
that homo want? When are we going to fly the load-200
GREB OTSDA! idiom. Get out of home?
here! Scram! (lit., row away). Grebi GRUZLO, -a, n., army, neg. A sailor
otsda, ty linij! Get out of here! serving on a submarine (lit., a sinker, lead
Youre in the way! weight used in fishing). S gruzilami
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63 GLHKI
draths sebe doroe. Its more (lit., dirt, filth). Nu i druzh u teb,
than your life is worth to get into a fight grzh kaka-to! Your friends are
with submarine sailors. scum. 2. Worthless stuff, triviality.
GRUZTH, imperf., youth. To teach (lit., to Denhgi dl nego, cto grzh. Money
load). Ne nado men gruzith, bez vas is nothing to him. Ceg-l. kak grzi,
ucnyj. You neednt lecture me, I know idiom. Something is plentiful, cheap.
it without your help. Tam tix magnitofonov kak grzi.
GRZCIK, -a, m., crim. Someone who Those tape recorders are sold cheap as
takes the blame or punishment for dirt there. Phnyj kak grzh, see
anothers crime (lit., a porter). Oni under phnyj.
nali gruzcika, sami legko otdela- GUB, -, f., army. A guardhouse, place of
ts. Theyve found a fall guy. They military punishment. Opth on na
themselves will get off easy. gube sidit. Hes in the guardhouse
GRPPENSEKS, -a, m., youth. Group again.
sex; an orgy. Mne gruppenseks ni k GUBRH, -r, m., army. A soldier serving
cemu. I have no interest in group sex. a sentence in the guardhouse. Gde sej-
GRUPPNIK, -a, m., youth. See grp- cas gubarh? Kak gde, na gube.
penseks. Wheres the prisoner now? What do
GRUPPOVXA, -i, f., youth. See grp- you mean, where? In the guardhouse, of
penseks. course.
GRUPPOVWNA, -y, f., neg. Gang rape. GUD, gude, m. A drinking party,
Im dali 10 let za gruppovwinu. drinking bout (cf. gudth). Mne nadoel
They were sentenced to 10 years for beskonecnyj gud. Im sick of this
gang rape. endless drinking bout.
GRA, BLOKO, LIMN VOT GUDTH/ZAGUDTH, neg. 1. To com-
TEB I MILLIN. A childrens plain, whine. Ne gudi, vs ravno ne
rhyming phrase used in counting. Lit., A mogu pojti s toboj. Theres no use
pear, an apple, a lemon and theres a whining. I just cant go with you. 2. To
million. Cf. limn. drink, get drunk. Oni gudt so vce-
ranego dn. Theyve been on a drunk
GRI OKOLCIVATH, idiom. To
since yesterday.
hang around, to do nothing (lit., to knock
pears off a tree). Vs leto GUEVTHS/POGUEVTHS,
okolacivali grui, pora i delami youth, obs. (1960s). To party, have a
zanths. Youve been hanging around good time. My guevalish do utra.
idly all summer; now its time to get We partied all night.
down to work. GUVKA, -i, f., youth, obs. A party, get-
GRYZL, -, n., youth. 1. Ground poppy- together. U nas guvka namecaets,
heads for chewing as a narcotic. Ne pridh? Were having a party. Will
skucaj, vot vozhmi gryzla. If youre you come?
bored, chew some poppyheads. 2. A GULHB, -, f. A drinking party. Gulh-
mouth (from gryzth, to gnaw). ba tam u nix idt ue tri dn s utra
, -, m. 1. A child (lit., a rodent). do vecera. Theyve been carrying on a
o , . drinking bout over there for three whole
heyve got three kids and no money. days already.
2. A louse. GULHBRIJ, -, m., youth, joc. A party.
GRMZA, -y, f., neg. An ugly, unkempt, Kogda u vas gulhbarij po povodu dn
sloppily dressed woman. to cto za rodeni? When are you having your
grymza tam sidit? Whos that dog birthday party?
over there? GLHKI, glek, pl., joc. Fun, entertain-
GRZH, -i, neg. 1. Scum, dregs of society ment. U teb odni gulhki na ume.
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, 64
All you can think of is having a good Someone who speaks indistinctly or unin-
time. telligibly. togo gundosa ne pojmh.
, , idiom. Johnny Walker You cant understand a word that mum-
whisky (lit., Have fun, Vasya). bler says.
, , GUNDSITH/ZAGUNDSITH, rude.
. Heres some Johnny Walker To speak indistinctly or unintelligibly.
for youafter all, its your birthday. Ne slyu, cto ty tam gundosih.
I cant hear what youre mumbling over
GULJ, VS (, uj oplki)! No mat-
there.
ter how bad things are, well have a good
time (lit., Enjoy yourself, Vasya GUNVITH/ZAGUNVITH, youth, neg.
chew sawdust!). Vyphem, cto li? 1. To gossip about, badmouth. E gun-
A to net! Gulj, Vas, uj opilki! vith ne nado, ne takoj ona ploxoj
What do you say we have a drink? celovek. You shouldnt spread that sort
Sure, why not! Enjoy yourself, Vasya, of gossip about her; shes a fine person.
chew some sawdust! 2. To say indistinctly, mutter (cf.
gundsith). Ty ponimaeh, cto ona
GUMANITRKA, -i, f. Humanitarian aid gundosit? Can you understand what
from the West, especially food. V to shes muttering?
leto my vyili na gumanitarke.
GUTALN, -a, m., joc. A black person
We made it through the summer on
(lit., black shoe polish). Zdesh ivt
humanitarian aid.
moj znakomyj gutalin. This is where
GUMZNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Disgusting, that black guy I know lives.
repulsive. Cto za gumozna kolbasa! G, n., indecl. Shit (from the initial letter of
What disgusting sausage this is! govn). Nu i g ta kolbasa! This
GUNDS(KA), -a (-i), m. (f.), rude. sausage is crap.
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DAVXA 66
a blow job from her. Davth/dath na bribes. Vsem davth, tak slomets
lpu, idiom, neg. To give a bribe. Sej- krovth, see under vsem. Esli kdo-
cas, ctoby zeml polucith, vsem mu davth, ne uspeh i vstavth, see
nado na lapu davath. In order to get under sli. Lgce dath, cem obqs-
land these days, youve got to grease nth, see under lgce. Ni dath ni
everybodys palm. Davth/dath po vzth, see under ni. Dli, dognli i
mozgm, idiom, neg. To punish (lit., to ew raz dli, see under dli. Dah na
give it in the brains). Emu dali po moz- dah, see under dah. Tak dam, vs
gam za afry. They really gave it to iznh na aptku bdeh rabtath,
him for his scams. Davth/dath po see under tak dam. Tak dam, ni odn
rogm, idiom, rude. To hit, punch (lit., dktor ne pocnit, see under tak dam.
give it on the horns). Daj emu po Tak dam, ni odn bolhna ne pr-
rogam, ctob ne pristaval. Let him met, see under tak dam. Nu ty dah!
have it, or hell keep getting on your see under nu. Vo dat! see under vo.
case. Davth/dath po tkve, idiom. DAVXA, -i, f. See davlka.
To hit in the head. Sejcas dam po
tykve, togda budeh znath, kak os- DAVLOVKA, -i, f. A crowd, throng.
korblth math! Ill give you such a v tu davilovku ne polezu, davaj podo-
punch in the head, youll never insult dm drugoj avtobus. Im not getting
your mother again! Davth/dath po into that can of sardines lets wait for
pke, idiom, neg. To hit, beat (lit., give the next bus.
it on the cap). Emu pora dath po ap- DAVTH/ZADAVTH (NA-, PO-,
ke za vs vranh, cto on piet v gaze- PRO-): Davth/nadavth na psxiku,
tax. He should get a pummeling for all idiom, joc. To irritate, get on someones
the lies hes published in the papers. nerves (lit., to press on someones psy-
Davth/dath po arm, idiom, rude. 1. che). Ne davi na psixiku, ne noj!
To hit, strike (in the head). Idi Stop nagging; youre getting on my
otsda, a to kak dam po aram! Get nerves! Davth/podavth lver,
out of here, or Ill let you have it between idiom, crim. To be an observer, stay on
the eyes! 2. To intoxicate. Krepka the sidelines, be a non-participant (lit., to
vodka, srazu po aram dala. Thats press ones liver). Vy delajte, budu
strong vodka it went to my head liver davith, ne ver , cto u vas
immediately. Davth/dath prom cto-nibudh tolkovoe vyjdet. You
glaz, idiom. To punch in the face (lit., do the job and Ill stay on the sidelines. I
give between the eyes). Dath by tebe dont think anything worthwhile will
za ti slova prome glaz! Im going come of this job anyhow. Davth/
to give it to you between the eyes for say- podavth klop, idiom, joc. To sleep
ing that! Davth/dath svrxu, idiom. (lit., to crush the bedbugs). Xvatit
To pay a premium, pay above the usual or davith klopa, pora zavtrakath.
fixed price. Sverxu ne dam ni kopejki. Enough of your sleeping. Its time for
I wont pay a penny extra. Davth/ breakfast. Davth/prodavth tok,
dath prosrths, idiom, rude. To idiom, youth. To speak in a foreign lan-
defeat. Nai vcera v futbol dali guage, to try to pass oneself off as a for-
Spartaku prosraths. Our team eigner, especially in order to gain admit-
beat the Spartak team yesterday. Dath tance to foreigners-only establishments
dba, idiom. To die. Ot takoj rabo- (lit., to squeeze ones talk; cf. tok).
ty mono dath duba. You could drop Kogda budem v gostx, prodavi tok.
dead from work like that. Dath po Talk like a foreigner when we go out.
rukm, idiom, neg. To punish, to catch Davth na mssu, idiom, youth, joc. To
red-handed, to slap someones wrists. sleep. Lbih ty davith na massu,
Naemu mru dali po rukam za vzt- pora vstavath. You shouldnt sleep so
ki. Our mayor got punished for taking much! Its time to get up. Davth
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67 DVGA
sack, neg. To be idle, play truant. Ne DTYJ, -a, -oe. Drunk. On pril
davi sacka, idi v kolu. Ty i tak silhno datyj. He arrived completely
mnogo progull. Enough goofing off drunk.
go to school. Youve missed enough DUN, -a, m., youth. (From Eng. down).
classes as it is. Vsex ej glym 1. Depression, low spirits. On sejcas v
zdom zadavth, idiom, rude, joc. An daune, ot nego devuka ula. Hes in
expression used to deflate someone who a bad mood right now because his girl-
is overly self-confident (lit., to crush all friend left him. 2. A surprise, shock, jolt.
the hedgehogs with ones bare behind). v daune ot tvoix slov. What you
ego ne bosh, vs skau, cto o said really gave me a jolt. 3. An idiot.
nm duma. Ty u nas vsex eej go- On cto, daun, prostyx vewej ne
lym zadom zadavil. Im not afraid of ponimaet? What is he, some kind of
him; Im going to tell him exactly what I idiot? He doesnt understand the simplest
think of him. Sure, we know. Youve things.
crushed all the hedgehogs with your bare
DKA-PROMOKKA. A childrens
ass.
rhyming phrase, used for girls named
DAVTHS, imperf. only. To be crowded, Dasha (lit., Dahka blotting-paper).
to throng (lit., to be pressed). Oni tam
davts u banka, xott polucith DAH NA DAH, idiom, neg. For mutual
dividendy. Theyre jam-packed at the advantage, exchange of benefits, quid pro
bank waiting to collect their dividends. quo. U nix ne druba, a vs stroit-
s na dah na dah. Theyre not
DLI, DOGNLI I EW RAZ friends; their relationship is strictly on a
DLI, idiom, joc. A punning answer to quid pro quo basis.
the question Did they give you (what
you wanted)? Lit., They gave it to me DVA NA DVA LECH, idiom, youth. To die
(i.e., they beat me), they caught me, and (lit., to lie 2 x 2 [meters], alluding to the
they gave it to me again. Tebe dali size of a grave. Mne ew rano dva na
trinadatu zarplatu? Kak e, dva lech. My time hasnt come yet.
dali, dognali, i ew raz dali. Did DVDATH PRVYJ PLE, idiom,
they give you your end-of-the-year bonus joc. A penis (lit., twenty-first digit).
salary? Yeah, they gave it to me, they tany uzkie, dvadath pervyj
grabbed me, and they gave it to me pale mut. These pants are too tight;
again. theyre squeezing my twenty-first digit.
DALHNOBJWIK, -a, m., drivers. A DVDY EVRJ SOVTSKOGO
long-distance trucker (lit., member of a SOZA, idiom, obs., joc. A Jew who
long-range artillery unit). On perel had returned to the Soviet Union after
iz taksistov v dalhnobojwiki. He emigrating (lit., twice a Jew of the Soviet
used to be a taxi driver but now hes a Union, playing on the expression twice a
long-distance trucker. hero of the Soviet Union). On u nas
DALHNOBJWIA, -y, f., drivers. A dvady evrej Sovetskogo Soza:
prostitute who specializes in a clientele of uexal, priexal, znacit, ne ponravi-
truckers (cf. dalhnobjwik). U nego losh. Hes twice a Jew of the Soviet
kabina zanta, on s dalhnobojwiej Union he left and came back, so appar-
razvlekaets. Hes in his cab enter- ently he didnt like it over there.
taining a long-distance prostitute. DVE KSTI SLENY (, mdu n-
DALHNK, -, m., crim. A faraway prison mi pizd vlena), idiom, rude. A
camp. Kaets, nas vezut v dalh- skinny woman (lit., two bones [with a
nk. Looks like theyre shipping us off cunt between them]). Cto ty v nej
to never-never land. nal, dve kosti sloeny. What do
DMKA: Raz-rz i v dmki, see under you see in that walking skeleton?
raz-rz. DVGA, -i, f., youth. A dose of narcotics,
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DVIGANTYJ 68
69 DMBELH
dum-dm, idiom, joc. To think something hard to figure out, obscure, or ambiguous
over (from dumath). Ne toropi men, (lit., its clear that the matter is murky).
nado sdelath dum-dum, a potom sogla- Delo snoe, cto delo tmnoe, podi
aths. Dont rush me. I have to think razberish, kto prav, kto vinovat.
it over before I decide. Dlath/sdlath Its clear as mud just you try to figure
kotltu (alk, otbivn), idiom. out whos right and whos wrong! Dlo
To beat up (lit., to make into hamburger). v lpe, idiom. Things are under way;
Da on iz teb kotletu sdelaet, everythings fine. Delo v lpe,
esli uznaet! Hell grind you into polucil otpusk. I got my leave, so
mincemeat if he finds out about this! things are fine now. Dlo pxnet
kerosnom, idiom, joc. The business
Dlath/sdlath ngi, idiom. To leave
smells of kerosene, used of a situation
(lit., to make feet). My ix ne pojmali,
that seems unpleasant or dangerous.
oni davno sdelali nogi. We couldnt
Oni zametili, kak my sda probra-
catch them; they left long ago.
lish, delo paxnet kerosinom. They
Dlath/sdlath slnecnoe zatmnie,
saw us sneak in; its a bad lookout for
idiom, youth, joc. To knock out, strike so
us. Dla (vse) v ppkax, idiom. Every-
as to make someone lose consciousness
things fine, all is in order (lit., the whole
(lit., to cause a solar eclipse). Vy
business is in the files). Used in response
doigraetesh, vam sdelat solnecnoe
to the question How are things? Kak
zatmenie za ti dela. Youre playing
dela? Dela v papkax. How are
with fire there; youll get knocked out
things? Everythings fine. Del
cold for what youre doing. Dlath
idt, kontra pet (rublh dadt, a
pogdu (ne dlath pogdy), idiom.
dva zaput), rhyming phrase. Used in
(Not) to be decisive, (not) to make an
response to the question How are
important difference (lit., [not] to make
things? (lit., Things are normal; the
the weather). Odin million pogody
office is working; they give you one ruble
ne delaet, esli ty xoceh kupith
and charge you two). Vystupth/ vs-
kvartiru. A million rubles cuts no ice
tupith (ne) po dlu, see under vys-
if youre thinking of buying an apart-
tupth. Durkoe dlo ne xtroe, see
ment. Dlath telodvini, idiom,
under durkoe. Mkroe dlo, see
neg. To show some activity, take some
under mkroe. ith dlo, see under
initiative (lit., to make body movements).
ith. Sdlal dlo, slezj s tla, see
Ne budu delath nikakix telo- under sdlal.
dvienij, sam ustraivajs. Im not
going to put any effort into it. Take care DELOVR, -a, m., neg. An excessively
of it yourself. Sdlath niu, materialistic, profit-minded person. Za
idiom, rude. To hit or kick in the balls tak tot delovar nicego ne sdelaet.
(lit., to make scrambled eggs; cf. ja). That wheeler-dealer isnt going to do
emu sdelal iniu, budet pom- anything for you just as a favor.
nith! I gave it to him in the balls so that DELOVJ, -, -e, neg. Overefficient,
he wont forget it! Sdlath, perf. only, excessively businesslike, smart-alecky.
youth, neg. To punish someone, get ones Nu ty, delovoj, men ne obmaneh.
own back against someone. togo ne Dont try to put one over on me, you
zabudu, teb ew sdela. I wont smart-aleck.
forget this, and Ill get you for it. DELGA, -i, f., neg. A hustler, go-getter.
DLO: Dlo tabk, idiom, neg. A bad or tot delga svoego ne upustit.
dangerous situation. Kaets, delo That hustler is always looking out for
tabak, sejcas strelth nacnut. number one.
Things look bad theyre going to start DEL, -, m., neg. See delovj.
shooting. Dlo snoe, cto dlo tm- DMBELH, -, m., army. 1. sg. only. De-
noe, idiom, joc. Said of a situation that is mobilization, discharge from the armed
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71 DTI
shake your hand. I havent seen you for drags. 2. To drink. Drnem po sta-
ages. (Ne) derth svcku/svec, kanu i po domam. Lets have a glass
idiom. (Not) to know for sure whether a before we go home.
couple are having sexual relations (lit., DERHM, -, m., rude. 1. Excrement, filth.
[not] to hold up a candle, [not] to investi- Ostorono, tam derhmo. Watch out
gate what is hidden). Otkuda ty theres a pile over there. 2. A worth-
znaeh, cto ona ego lbovnia? Ty less or bad person. On takoe derhmo,
cto, svecku deral? How do you xue ne byvaet. Hes such a shit
know that shes sleeping with him? Did hes really awful. (P ui) v derhm,
you hold up a candle, or what? Der- idiom, rude. To be in an extremely
th ki toprikom, joc. To be alert, unpleasant situation (lit., to be [up to
attentive (lit., to hold ones ears like a ones ears] in shit). Posle toj isto-
hatchet). On derit uki topori- rii vse po ui v derhme. Ever since
kom, kogda rech zaxodit o denhgax. that business, theyve all been up to their
He pricks up his ears whenever theres ears in shit. Poneslsh derhm po
any talk about money. Derth fasn, trbam, see under poneslsh.
idiom, joc. To keep up appearances. DERHMVYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Nasty,
Nam nado derath fason, pusth bad, repulsive (cf. derhm). On derh-
nikto ne dogadyvaets, cto u nas movyj celovek. Hes a nasty fellow.
nepritnosti. Weve got to keep up DERHMOKRT, -a, m., rude. A pun on
appearances so no one will guess that demokrat, democrat, and derhm;
were in trouble. Derth fgu v kar- used in disparagement of so-called
mne, idiom, joc. To have secret reserva- democrats. The word first appeared in
tions, to disagree inwardly (lit., to make a 1991, when the Democratic Russia Party
fig in ones pocket; cf. fga). zna, conducted a currency revaluation that
xot on i soglasils s nami, no figu wiped out peoples unprotected savings.
derit v karmane. Even though he Derhmokraty prokltye, ograbili
went along with us, I know he really narod. Those damned shitocrats have
objects. Der(te) men! idiom. An robbed the nation. Kcestvo (vorov-
exclamation of amazement or incredulity stv) derhmokrtov ne znet gran,
(lit., Hold me up!). Ty znaeh, cto idiom, rude. Lit., The quality of the shi-
Kolhka enils? Oj, derite tocrats(robbery) knows no limits. By
men! Did you hear that Kolka got mar- wordplay on the text of a widely publi-
ried? Are you kidding?! Im going to cized advertisement for foreign goods:
faint! Der karmn re, idiom. Kacestvo ne znaet grani, Quality
Dont believe it, its impossible (lit., recognizes no borders.
Open your pocket a little wider!) Mne
DERGA, -i, m. & f., neg. A director,
skoro kupt vidak. Deri karman
manager (lit., burlap, rough canvas; by
ire, kak e, kupt. Theyre going to
sound play on direktor). Tixo,
buy me a TV soon. Dont be so
derga idt! Sh-h-h the boss is
gullible! Theyre not going to buy you
coming!
anything.
DERBNUTH, perf. only, joc. To drink
DERSH ZA VZDUX, idiom, joc. A quickly in order to warm up. Xoroo
jokey piece of advice to someone who is by derbnuth po sto gramm. A hun-
falling down. Ty na katke v pervyj dred-gram warm-up would be good right
raz, budeh padath derish za voz- now. Ct-to stli nki zbnuth,
dux. If you start falling when you try to ne por li nam derbnuth, see under
ice-skate, just hold on to the air! cto-to.
DRNUTH, perf. only. Lit., to pull. 1. To DESN, -a, m. 1. A ten-kopeck coin. 2.
take a drag of a cigarette. Daj drnuth Ten rubles.
paru raz. Let me have a couple of DTI: Dti vet zni na mogle
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DEFEKTV 72
rodtelej, idiom, joc. Used in sardonic brought the dope thats good.
response to complaints about childrens , -, f. Ordered and incorrect
bad behavior; lit., Children are the flow- TV and newspaper material, prepaid pro-
ers of life on their parents graves. paganda (from jeans, referring to mater-
Syn vyros i sovsem perestal math ial that is cheap and manufactured).
sluath. Ne zr govort: Deti
vety izni na mogile roditelej. . I will not write false propa-
Her son has grown up and wont listen ganda, not for any sum of money.
to her anymore. Its not for nothing that DIN, -v, pl., youth. Jeans (the stan-
they say children are the flowers of life dard word is dinsy). Otxvatil
on their parents graves. Dti vet vcera novye diny? Were you able to
zni, no puskj on rastt na cu- buy new jeans yesterday?
m podoknnike, idiom, joc. Although DIP IRKIJ, idiom. Jeep
its true that there is great joy in having Cherokee (from Dnepr irokij, a
children, its so difficult to raise them that popular song). Kakie problemy? Kak,
it would be better not to have them at all. i Dip irokij moet slomaths?
Tebe xoroo: u teb detej net. Ty Whats the problem? How could a Jeep
ne znaeh naix problem. Nu, ko- Cherokee have a breakdown?
necno, deti vety izni, no pusth
oni luce rastut na cuom podokon- DOR, -a, m., youth, joc. A Georgian
nike. You have it easy without children; (from Eng. Georgian). Ty znakom s
you dont know how hard it is for us. tem dorem? Do you know that
Sure, children are the flowers of life, but Georgian?
let them grow on someone elses win- DZELH, -, m., army. Disciplinary unit,
dowsill. military unit for soldiers convicted of
DEFEKTV, -a, m., joc. A detective crimes. Mne ne privykath sluith
story, mystery story (by wordplay on v dizele. Im used to serving time in the
detektiv and defektivnyj, defec- brig.
tive; with the idea that such literature is DKAN, -a, m., army, obs. Ten rubles, a
trashy, defective). U teb esth ten-ruble note. Daj dikan do zavtra.
kakoj-nibudh defektiv pocitath? Loan me a ten until tomorrow.
Have you got some defective story to DINAMSTKA, -i, f., neg. A woman
read? who flirts with men but wont have sex
DEFEKTVNYJ, -a, -oe, joc. See with them (from the idea of revving up an
defektv. engine, dinamo, without using it for any-
DEVYJ PTROX, idiom, rude. A thing). Nicego u men s nej ne polu-
traitor (lit., cheap giblets). A ty cilosh, ona cista dinamistka. I
devyj potrox, za vs to got nowhere with her, shes just a cock-
polucih. Youre going to get it, you teaser.
stooge. DINAMTCIK, -a, m., business. A
DAPN, -, m., youth. A Japanese per- broker selling unreliable securities (from
son (from Eng. Japan). Mne segodn dinamit, dynamite). Vse dinamit-
nuno vstretiths s dapanami. I ciki sejcas v panike, komu nuny ix
have to meet with the Japanese guys bumaki? All the dynamiters are in a
today. panic. No one wants their stuff now.
DAPNSKIJ, -a, -oe, youth. Japan- DINMITH/PRODINMITH, neg.
ese (cf. dapn). tot dapanskij Cf. dinamstka. 1. To flirt with or
vidik prosto klass. This Japanese encourage a man sexually while refusing
VCR is first-class. sex. Ona men prodinamila vs
noch. She led me on all night. 2. To
DEF, -a, m., youth. Narcotics, drugs. make someone wait for a long time. Ty
On prins def, to xoroo. Hes
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73 DOBYVATHS/DOEBTHS
74
75 DOXODTH/DOJT
DOXODGA 76
as) if he were a giraffe; from a joke coward, get lost for all we care.
about a giraffe who takes a week to start DRINK, -a, m., youth. An alcoholic bever-
sneezing after catching a cold. Used of age (from Eng. drink). V dome drink
someone dim-witted, slow to get the esth? Is there anything to drink in the
point. Do teb vs doxodit kak do house?
irafa. What are you, a giraffe? It DRNKATH/DRINKANTH, youth. To
takes you so long to get the point! drink (cf. drink). Mne cto-to drin-
DOXODGA, -i, m., crim. Someone weak- kanuth xocets. Id like something to
ened in a prison or labor camp (cf. dox- drink.
odth). On ego spas, tot byl dox- DRISTTH/PODRISTTH, rude. To
odga. He was a goner, but this fellow have diarrhea. On sqel nesveee m-
saved him. so, teperh elyj denh driwet. He
DRAJV, -a, m., youth, pos. From Eng. ate some meat that wasnt fresh, and now
drive. 1. Energy, drive. Esli on za- hes had the runs all day.
xocet, vsego dobhts, znaeh, kakoj DRI: Prodavth dri, see
u nego drajv. Hell achieve whatever he under prodavth.
wants, hes got such drive. 2. High vol- , -, m. Humiliation, torture (from
ume or energy of music. U toj grup- ). See .
py drajv cto nado. That group has a
DROCTH/PODROCTH, rude. 1. To
really exciting sound.
masturbate. V armii vse drocat.
DRJVER, -a, m., youth. A driver (from They all masturbate in the army. 2. To
Eng. driver). Gde na drajver? irritate, annoy. Ty ego ne droci, on i
Wheres our driver? tak serdityj. Dont irritate him. Hes
, -, m., army. Disorderly retreat mad enough as it is.
(from , see ). DRUGN, -a, m., youth. A friend, pal. A
, tvoj drugan tebe budet pomogath?
. Theyre running out of ammo Will your friend help you out?
soon well see them running. DRUGJ KOLENKR, idiom. Some-
DRPATH/DRAPANTH. To run away thing completely different, a different sit-
(from danger). Nikogo net, kuda vse uation (lit., a different calico). to
drapanuli? Whered everyone disap- sovsem drugoj kolenkor. Thats a horse
pear to? of a different color altogether.
DRATH1 gltku, idiom, neg. To shout, DRUTH s aptkoj, idiom, youth. To
quarrel. Cego vy derte glotku, o cm take drugs (lit., to be friends with the
spor? What are you shouting your lungs pharmacy). I davno on druit s
out about? aptekoj? Has he been doing drugs for
DRATH2/OTODRTH, rude. To have sex a long time?
with a woman (lit., to slap). Ty cto, ne DRYN, -a, m. A stick, post, club. A on
vidih, e e drath nado! Look, srazu za dryn i davaj ego lupith. He
what she needs is a good fuck! Drath/ grabbed a stick and started to beat him.
otodrth v dva smyck, idiom, rude. DRXATH/ZADRXATH. To sleep
For two men to have sex with the same deeply. Vy srazu kak prili,
woman (lit., to take with two [violin] zadryxli. As soon as you got here, you
bows). Vy e cto, derte v dva smy- fell sound asleep.
cka? Whats going on here, are both of DRCITH/ZADRCITH, rude. 1. To
you sleeping with her? have sex with a woman. On e drcit
, -, n. A coward (from - ue god. Hes been sleeping with her for
, to be frightened). a year. 2. To torment, bother, wear out.
, , On men drcit kadyj denh
. You turned out to be a svoimi problemami. He bothers me
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77 DURKA
takoj xolod? You idiot, its much too DUR, -, f., neg. A peculiarity of char-
cold to go to the dacha! acter, personal eccentricity. to u nego
DURKOE DLO NE XTROE, dura taka kricath na vsex.
idiom, neg. Said in disparagement of irre- Thats just a quirk of his, yelling at
sponsible actions (lit., foolish business everyone.
isnt clever). Vcera my vypili vs DURIN, -i, f., youth, joc. A foolish
vodku. Durakoe delo ne xitroe. woman (punning on Dulhine, the
We drank up all the vodka yesterday. heroine of Cervantes Don Quixote).
Thats nothing to crow about. Cto toj durinee nuno? What
DURDM, -a, m., youth, neg. An insane does that Dulcinea-fool want?
asylum. to ne institut, a durdom DURH, -i, f., youth. Narcotics, drugs. On
kakoj-to. This is no college its a ue bez duri ith ne moet. He
madhouse. simply cant live without dope any
DRIKOM, adv. 1. Without payment, for more.
free. Tuda durikom ne popadh. DRH MTHS, idiom, neg. To
You cant get in there without paying. waste time doing silly things. Xvatit
2. By chance, by luck. On vsex duri- durh maths, delaj uroki. Stop
kom obygral. He won against everyone wasting time and do your homework.
by fools luck. DSECKA, -i, f. Dear, darling. Tebe,
DRKA, -i, f., youth, neg. A simple game, dusecka, otdoxnuth nado. You need a
childs play, a game for fools. V tu rest, dear.
durku ne igra. I dont play that silly DUX, -a, m., army, joc. A young soldier
game. (lit., a spirit, ghost; in allusion to the
DRNIK, -a, m. Nausea, a hangover, a unformed condition of the young). j
headache. U men takoj durnik pos- ty, dux, prinesi vody. Hey, spook,
le konhka, ith ne xocets. That bring some water over here. Ettskij
cognac gave me such a hangover, I just dux, see under ettskij.
want to lie down and die. , -, f., army. The first period
DURNE DNHGI, idiom. Easily, of army service. See .
quickly acquired money. to denhgi , , -
durnye, kak prili, tak i ujdut. A . Your tortures are over, youre
windfall like that is easy come, easy go. not a young soldier any more.
DURNK: NA DURNK(), idiom. For DUXRIK, -a, m., youth. A bold or reck-
free, gratis (cf. xalva). less fellow. tot duxarik ix ne pobo-
its. That daredevil wont be scared of
DUROLM, -a, m., neg. A boor. tot them.
durolom vs budet delath po-svoemu.
DUXARTHS/RAZDUXARTHS,
That boor! He doesnt follow any of the
neg. To quarrel, be heated or violent. V
social conventions.
cm delo? Cto vy tak razduxarilish?
DROCKA: Na drocku, idiom, neg. Whats the matter? What are you so
Without paying, by devious means. worked up about?
Tam na durocku i vyphem. Well
DUXARNJ, -, -e, neg. Impulsive,
manage to get a free drink there. A ty,
hotheaded. On parenh duxarnoj, sra-
drocka, bolash, idiom, joc. Used of
zu v draku lezet. Hes a hothead; he
false fears or exaggerated dangers, in
gets into fights at the drop of a hat.
allusion to sex (lit., And you were
scared, you foolish thing!). Vidih, DUXJ, -, -e. Drunk. On ue ne
plavath sovsem ne strano, a ty, razgovarivaet duxoj sovsem. He
durocka, bolash. Well, you see, cant even talk, hes so drunk.
swimming isnt so dangerous after all, DU: Tvo du tak, see under tvo.
and you were afraid, you little fool! DURA, -y, m., neg., army. A recruit,
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79 DXN
81 BL
crep, idiom, rude. Damn it! (lit., Fuck drown when you go fishing. Oh, dont
my bald head!) Ebath moj lysyj worry, weve survived before and well
cerep, kuda e vse gosti delish? survive again. b tvo math, idiom,
Damn it all, where have all the guests rude. Fuck you (lit., I fucked/would fuck
gone off to? Ebth-kopth, idiom, your mother). b tvo divzi math
rude. Damn it. Ebath-kopath, sovsem (tvo du v grba dski math),
vremeni net. Damn it! Theres just no idiom, rude. Damn it! b tvo
time left. Cto-l. kog-l. ne ebt, idiom, divizi math, kogda to koncits!
rude. Something doesnt matter to some- Fuck it! When will this be over! Ty
one. to men ne ebt, kakie sluxi zaebh kog xceh, idiom, rude. To
xodt obo mne. I dont care what kind annoy, wear out. Ty zaebh kogo
of gossip theyre spreading about me. xoceh svoimi proshbami. You could
Kogd ebt, famli ne spri- drive anyone up the wall with your
vat, idiom, rude. Lit., When they fuck demands.
you, they dont ask your name; used in EBTHS/POEBTHS (ZA-, PERE-,
sardonic response to complaints of ill NEDO-, PRO-, etc.), rude. To have sex.
treatment. Direktor materil vsex za xocu ebaths. I want to get laid.
ploxu rabotu i men toe. Kogda Ebths/poebths vstok, idiom,
ebut, famili ne spraivat. I did rude. To have sex while in a standing
good work, but the director bawled me position. Ebaths vstoka ne pri-
out along with the slackers. What do vyk. Im not used to making love stand-
you expect? When they screw you, they ing up. Ebths kak kka, idiom,
dont ask your name. Teb ne ebt, ty rude. To be promiscuous (of a woman)
ne podmxivaj, idiom, rude. Its none of (lit., to have sex like a cat). to ona na
your business, dont stick your nose in vid skromna, a ebts kak koka.
(lit., youre not the one being fucked, so She looks nice enough, but shes as
dont make the motions). Kolcestvo i promiscuous as a cat in heat. Ebths-
kcestvo zaebl (zatrxalo) nas n- usrths, idiom, rude. Ill be damned!
cisto, rhyming phrase, joc., Soviet. Ebaths-usraths, kto k nam pri-
With quantity and quality theyve l. Well, Ill be damned! Look whos
fucked us over royally. A sardonic here! Vdrug otkda ne vozhmsh, po-
expression of disbelief in the ability of vls v rot ebsh, idiom, rude. All of
Soviet industry to produce adequate a sudden, out of the blue. Vdrug otku-
amounts of acceptable goods. It refers to da ne vozhmish, povils v rot ebish.
the slogan of the Khrushchev years, When did you get here, out of the blue
Onwards and upwards with quantity and like that?
quality! (Povyajte kolicestvo i EBNA MATH (voh, krenh, Mat-
kacestvo!) and the five-year plans of rna), idiom, rude. Damn it! (lit.,
quantity and quality. My ebli fucked mother [flea, root, Matryona];
parovz, idiom, rude. Used as a sarcastic cf. b-). Ebna-matrna, koncaj tre-
rejoinder to boastful words (lit., we paths po telefonu! Damn it! Thats
fucked a locomotive). Mne dom za enough of your yakking on the tele-
leto nicego ne stoit postroith. phone!
My ebali parovoz. I can easily build a
house in one summer. Oh, sure. My EBN-TATH, idiom, rude. Damn it! (cf.
ebli, ne propli, my ebm, ne b-). A zdesh pri cm, ebn-tath?
propadm, rhyming phrase, rude. Noth- What did I do wrong, damn it?
ing bad will happen; weve done it safely EBIMTITH/SQEBIMTITH, rude.
before, we know how to take care of our- 1. To chatter. 2. To drink.
selves. Smotrite, ne utonite na BL, -i, f., rude. Cf. b-. 1. Sexual inter-
rybalke. My ebali, ne propali, my course. ustal, a ty xoceh opth
ebm, ne propadm. Be careful not to ebl ustroith u men na kvartire.
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BNUTHS 82
Im tired, and you want to use my apart- EBCIJ, -a, -ee, rude. Sexually potent
ment to sleep with women. 2. Nonsense, and promiscuous (cf. b-). On v obwe-
fuss. Mne ta ebl s dokumentami itii samyj ebucij. Hes the stud of
nadoela, kogda, nakone, vs budet this dormitory. Ebcij kozl, idiom,
gotovo? Im tired of all this fuss with rude. Idiot (lit., fucking goat). Cto ew
the documents. When will the business be tot ebucij kozl natvoril? What
done? bl s plskoj, idiom, rude. mischief has that idiot been up to now?
Fuss, ruckus, trouble. Mne nadoela EBKA, -i, f., rude. A loose, sexually
ta ebl s plskoj. Kadyj denh za- promiscuous woman (cf. b-). Von
vodim mainu elyj cas. Im sick of Zinka, ebuka, idt, davaj e na tan-
this song and dance with the car it y vozhmm. Theres Zinka. Lets take
takes an hour to get it started every day. her to the dance hall shes available.
BNUTHS, perf. only, rude. (Cf. b-). EVRE, evrja, m., joc. A Jew (formed
1. To fall down. Vcera silhno from evrej with the nationality-forma-
bnuls na lestnie. Yesterday I took tive -e, as in evropee, indee). Mu
a nasty fall on the stairs. 2. To go crazy. u naej Ninki evree, cto li? Do
Ot novyx en bnuths mono. you think Ninas husband may be a Jew-
The new prices can drive you out of man?
your mind.
EVREN, -a, m., joc. A Jew (formed from
EBN, -, f., rude. See bl. evrej with the family-name-formative
EBN, -a, m., rude. A nickname for Eltsin -in). Zacem ty vzl ew odnogo
(from the abbreviation his initials: evreina na rabotu, u nas i tak ix
Elhin Boris Nikolaevic; see eb-). polno. How come you hired another
EBOT, -, f., rude. A disturbance, trou- Jewman? Weve already got enough of
ble, a ruckus (cf. b-). Nadoela mne that tribe at our office.
ebota so staroj mainoj, nado poku- EVRJ: Dvdy evrj Sovtskogo
path novu. Im sick of all the trouble Soza, see under dvdy.
with the old car. Its time to buy a new GNUTHS, perf. only. To go crazy, go
one. out of ones mind (from joga, yoga,
EBOTNH, ebotn, f., rude. Nonsense, with reference to an obsession with that
trash (from tenh and b-). Kaku doctrine or practice). On u nas sovsem
ebotenh ty nesh. What nonsense gnuls. Hes completely yogad out.
youre talking! -, f., army. Barbed wire (lit., a
EBOTKA, -i, f., rude. Cf. b-. 1. A fidget). ,
girl or woman, viewed as a sexual part- . Youve got to get
ner. Kogda e tvo ebotika around the barbed wire from the right
pridt? When is your girl coming? theres a passage there.
2. Sexual intercourse. Nam pora EGR, -a, m., crim. A thief who informs on
ustroith ebotiku. Its time we had or cheats his fellow thieves (from a proper
a little roll in the hay. name). Nado za nim posmotreth, u
EBOTRXNUTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Crazy ne egor li on. Wed better keep an eye
(cf. b-). On stanovits sovsem ebo- on him in case hes an informer.
traxnutyj, kogda vyphet. He gets
, , m., army. A board studded with
completely crazed when hes drunk.
nails for puncturing tires (lit., hedgehog).
EBSTSTVENNO, adv., rude, joc. Natu- -
rally, of course (by wordplay on ,
estestvenno, naturally, and ebth). . Put down some nail-boards
Ebstestvenno, pridu vovrem. Of just in case anyone tries to break through
course Ill fucking come on time. by car. tvo dvdath! idiom,
EBN, -a. See barh. rude, euph. Damn it! Damn you! (lit.,
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83 XATH/POXATH
// 84
BA, -y, f., neg. An ugly, repulsive per- V PKE, idiom. An expression used
son (lit., a type of large frog). Nu ty, to reject an appeal for pity (by wordplay
aba, prekrati drazniths. Stop on alko, pity, and alo, sting. Lit.,
teasing, you creep. A bee has pity/a sting in its ass.
BA ZADAVLA, idiom, south, joc. LO, -a, n., neg. A mouth (lit., sting).
Lit., to be run over by a toad. Epithet Uberi alo, ne boltaj. Shut your
thrown at someone overcome by greed, mouth! Dont talk nonsense. Zamo-
miserliness. Cto, aba zadavila, cth lo, see under mocth.
dae detm rubl ne dah na zavt- , indecl., pl. Eyes (lit., jalousie,
rak. Did a toad run you over that you blinds). ,
wont even give the children a ruble for "", . Open your
their lunch. eyes, dont you see the do not enter
/. To eat (lit., to sign? (Note: the sign "Do not enter"
toad). , looks like a red brick, ).
, REVO, -a, n. Sexual intercourse. Cf.
. You dont have to rith.
rush them when theyve got something to RITH/PORITH, rude. To have
eattheyll lick their plates clean in an sex with a woman (lit., to fry). Ty e ne
instant. trogaj, e arit von tot parenh.
BRY, -ov, pl., joc. Lungs (lit., gills). Dont touch her, that fellow over there is
Cto-to u men abry bolt. Ive her lover.
got a pain in my lungs. Brath/vzth / , idiom.
za bry, see under brath. To stall, to be slow (lit., to fry a bug). See
, idiom. Someone is . ,
unable, lacks the power (lit., someones , , .
gills are too short). Stop stallinglike it or not, its time to
. We dont go on duty.
have the strength to go after him. BANDLH, -, m., youth. A bottle (from
VORONOK, voronka, m. Some- ban, a large ceramic jug). Dostavaj
one who goes to sleep early and gets up bandelh, pora nacinath. Get us a
early (lit., lark). bottle. Its high time we had a drink.
DINA GOVDINA, idiom, BNITH/ZABNITH. To drink a
childrens speech, neg. A rhyming phrase lot (from ban; cf. bandlh). Nu i
used to reproach someone for miserliness cto tam delath v derevne? A ba-
(lit., miser beef). Daj bloko. nith budem s utra do vecera. What is
Samomu malo. Ax ty adina-gov- there to do out there in the country?
dina. Give me an apple. I dont Oh, well swig it down from morning to
have enough for myself. You night.
miser! VXATH/VXNUTH. To have a
DNOSTH FRERA POGBIT, quick drink, to drink quickly. vaxnem
idiom. Lit., Greed will be a mans undo- po kruke piva, a? Lets have a quick
ing; used as a warning against or beer, okay?
reproach for greedy actions. vyig- VCKA, -i, f., youth, neg. Lit., cud.
ral, pora ostanoviths. ad- 1. Chewing gum. 2. A woman who
nosth fraera pogubit. Im going to prefers oral sex, a loose woman, a prosti-
quit playing while Im ahead. Dont be tute. Ona vacka, vse znat, ot ne
so greedy! podalhe derish. Forget about her!
LKO U PCLKI, ZNEH GDE, Everyone knows shes a whore.
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87 IDVSKIJ SUKOMLE
going out with her for a couple of years ivotnoe, nikogda ne poaleeh.
already, but theres still no wedding in You monster! You never feel any pity.
sight. IGLH, -l, m. 1. A type of beer (from
NWINA ZA RULM CTO igulvskoe pivo). igulh v ma-
OBEZHNA S GRANTOJ, idiom, gazine esth? Do they have any beer at
rude. A woman behind the wheel is like a the store? 2. pl. A type of car. On
monkey with a grenade. ezdit na igulx. He drives a
NWINA RAZVDIT NOGMI, A Zhiguli.
MUCNA RUKMI, idiom, joc. A ID, -, m., (f. idvka, -i), neg. From
saying describing an occurrence of sexual Yiddish Yid, originally a neutral word
impotence (lit., the woman spreads her but now used only negatively. 1. A Jew.
legs and the man spreads [i.e., throws up idy ocenh lbt zoloto. The
in despair] his hands). U nas tot e kikes are crazy about gold. 2. A greedy
slucaj: enwina razvodit nogami, a person. Ne budh idom, daj xoth
mucina rukami. Well, you can see nemnogo kolbasy. Dont be such a Jew!
whats happened to me its a case of Let me have a piece of the sausage.
she spread her legs and he his hands. id parxtyj, see under parxtyj.
NHENH, -, f., joc. A woman, girl- Za kompni i id povsils, see
friend (by wordplay on enwina, under za.
woman, and enhenh, ginseng). ID PO VERVOCKE BET,
U nego enhenh esth? Does he rhyming phrase, neg. A phrase used by
have a girlfriend? children for taunting Jewish boys (lit.,
EREB, ereb, m., neg. An over- Theres a kike running along a
sexed man (lit., a stallion). tot tightrope).
erebe ni odnoj bki ne propustit. IDTHS/POIDTHS, neg.To
That stallion cant let a single skirt go by be greedy or miserly (lit., to be Jew-like).
without trying. Ne idish, dostavaj iz xolodilh-
RTVA ABRTA, idiom, neg., rude. A nika vs, cto u teb esth. Dont be a
stupid or awkward person (lit., a victim of Jew! Whatever youve got in the fridge,
abortion, i.e., an aborted fetus). Ty, bring it out!
ertva aborta, dae caj ne moeh IDVI, -i, f., rude. Israel. Cto
zavarith kak sleduet. You aborted tam sejcas proisxodit v idovii,
fetus! You cant even make a pot of tea opth oni vot s arabami? Whats
properly! going on in Jewland? Are they having
IV NE XOC! Lit., Live! I another war with the Arabs?
dont want to! Used to express exaspera- IDOVN, -i, f., collect., neg. The Jews,
tion at peoples failing to appreciate their Jewry. idovn otkryvaet sina-
advantages in life. U nego vs esth gogu za sinagogoj v Moskve. The Jews
dom, maina. ivi ne xocu. Cto are opening one synagogue after another
ew emu nado? Hes got everything in Moscow.
a house, a car. Its a case of Live! I IDVSKA MRDA, idiom, neg. A
dont want to! What more could he Jew (lit., a Jewish face). Cto tam go-
possibly need?! vorit ta idovska morda po tele-
IVODR, -a, m., neg. A surgeon (lit., vizoru? Whats that Jew-face on TV
one who skins animals alive). Kto saying?
segodn reet? Esli Ivanov, on IDVSKIJ SUKOMLE, idiom,
nastowij ivodr. Whos operating rude. A twisted name of the popular
today? If its Ivanov, hes a real butcher. newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets
IVTNOE, -ogo, n., neg. An unfeeling, (by wordplay on Moskovskij and
cruel person (lit., animal). x ty, idovskij, komsomole and suka).
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IDOMASN 88
IDOMASN, -a, m., neg. A Jew (lit., a grain, against ones will (lit., not in a
Jew Mason, with special reference to the vein, from drug addict slang, refers to
idea of a conspiracy of Jews to take over injected drugs).
the world). idomasony spaivat , - -
russkij narod. The Jew Masons are . Its against my will to
getting the Russian people addicted to meet with her again, shell be asking for
alcohol. something as usual.
IDOPRODVE, idoprodva, m., ILTKA, -i, f., crim. A ring set with a
neg. A Jew (lit., a Jew traitor, formed on stone and equipped for cutting open
the model of Xristoprodave, a betrayer pockets (lit., a small vest, with reference
of Christ). idoprodavy uezat v to the absence of sleeves, as if they had
Izrailh packami. The Jew traitors are been cut off). Pokai svo iletku.
leaving for Israel in droves. Let me see your razor-ring.
IDORV, -, f., neg. See idovn. -, idiom. 1. Said about cow-
IDOFL, -a, m., neg., rude. Someone ardly behavior (from , to
who likes Jews. squeeze, to grab, also refers to the reac-
tion of squeezing ones ass when scared).
IDOFLI, -ii, f., neg., rude. Love
,
for Jews or Jewish culture. U nego vse
- . As soon as I saw
steny zakleeny zvezdami Davida,
those gang bangers, I got scared shitless.
demonstriruet svo idofili.
2. Also said about greediness.
All his walls are covered with Stars of
-, . Enough
David hes showing his Yidophilia.
with the greediness, hand the money
IDUL, -j, pl., obs., neg. A Zhiguli over.
automobile, alluding to its being typically
IRF: Do kog-l. doxdit kak do
owned by rich people, that is, Jews (by
irfa, see under doxodth.
wordplay on iguli and id). Chi
to iduli? Whose Yidoolee is RIK, -a, m., neg. A nickname for V.
that? Zhirinovsky (by wordplay on ir, fat,
grease).
ID PRDALI ROSS, idiom,
neg. Lit., The Jews have betrayed Rus- IRNK, -k, m., neg. A fat person, fatty
sia, originally a slogan of the Black (from ir, fat). Nu ty i irnk,
Hundreds; today it often expresses the skolhko vesih? What a fatso you are!
idea that Jews are supporters of American How much do you weigh, anyhow?
policies. idy prodali Rossi ame- IRTRST, -a, m., joc. A fat person
rikanam! Posmotri, kto v pravi- (from ir, fat, and trest, trust [com-
telhstve odni idy! The Jews pany]). Ty, irtrest, idi sda!
have betrayed Russia to the Americans. Get over here, fat farm!
Look whos in our government its all ISTNKA, -i, f., neg., joc. Life (by
a bunch of Jews! wordplay on estnka, tin can, and
IDRA, -y, m. See id. iznh, life). Nu, kak istnka?
IZNH: iznh trepanla (potre- Hows life?
pla) kog-l., idiom. Life has worn ITXA, -i, f., joc. Life (from iznh).
someone out. Vidno, trepanula Cto za ituxa, ith ne na cto.
iznh muika, vesh sedoj, a vedh ew What kind of a life is it when youve got
ne star. Life has taken its toll on him nothing to live on?
hes gray before his time. Kucer- ITH: ith v tnuse, idiom, pos. To
va iznh, see under kucerva. live well, be well off, be doing all right.
Davth/dath zni, see under davth. U men vs v pordke, ivu v tonuse.
: , idiom. Said of some- Things are okay with me. Im living
thing someone doesnt like, against the quite well. ith na ske, idiom, youth.
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89 PA
PA 90
91 OPU
deceptive (lit., to twist ones backside). You cant get any sound advice from
Cto ty opoj zavertel, govori vs him hes got the same thing in his head
pravdu. Dont beat around the bush! Just as hes got in his ass. Rvath na pe
tell the truth. Xoth poj eh, idiom, vlosy, idiom, rude. To regret, be sorry
rude. Very much, a lot (lit., [so much (lit., to tear out the hair on ones behind).
that] you could eat it with your behind [in On sejcas na ope volosy rvt, cto
addition to your mouth]). Sejcas v ne kupil do podoroani mainu, a
magazinax kolbasy xoth opoj sejcas deneg ne xvataet. Now hes
eh, a eny kusats, ne kupih. kicking himself for not having bought
Right now theres a real glut of sausage that car before the prices went up; he
in the stores; only its so expensive that cant afford it any more. U kog-l. odn
you cant afford to buy it. Cth/po- izvlina i ta na pe, idiom, rude.
cth poj, idiom, rude. To sense Someone is an idiot (lit., Someones got
beforehand, sense instinctively (lit., to only one convolution, and its not even in
smell with ones behind). opoj cu his brain, but on his ass!).
opasnosth. I smell danger. PE OPSTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Having
(prep.): V glubkoj pe, idiom, rude. large buttocks (cf. pa). Nado e
In danger, in an unpleasant position. byth takim opastym, ctoby tak
Znaeh, my v glubokoj ope s fi- na babu poxodith. He looks like a
nansami. Were in deep shit finan- woman with that big behind of his.
cially. Ni v golov, ni v pe, idiom,
OPNDI, -i, f., rude. Large buttocks
rude. Theres no point, theres no result
(cf. pa). Na tu opendi nika-
(lit., neither in the head nor in the ass).
kie dinsy ne lezut. Youll never
Ot tix razgovorov ni v golove, ni v
find any jeans large enough to fit over
ope. Theres no point to these conver-
that big behind.
sations. Nen kak v pe zub, idiom,
rude. Worthless, undesirable (lit., needed OPNH, -i, f., rude. Large buttocks (cf.
like a tooth in ones ass). Mne ta pa). Nu i openh u ne! What a
poezdka nuna kak v ope zub. I need big ass shes got!
this trip like a hole in the head. Rki v PNIK, -a, m., rude. A homosexual
pe, idiom, rude. Lazy (lit., with ones man (cf. pa). Von opniki na ska-
hands in ones ass). U teb cto, ruki mejke sidt. Those guys over on the
v ope, sam ne moeh pozavtra- bench are queers.
kath? Whats wrong with you, too lazy OPOLZ, -a, m., rude, neg. An apple-
to get yourself breakfast? Temn kak u polisher, ass-licker (from lizath, to
ngra v pe/eldke, idiom, joc. Very lick; cf. pa). On izvestnyj opo-
dark (lit., as dark as in a Negros ass/ liz, tak i vertits pered nacalh-
belly). Zdesh temno kak u negra v stvom. Hes a notorious ass-licker,
ope, davajte vklcim svet. Lets always making up to the bosses.
find a light its as dark as a Negros ass
OPORE, opora, m., rude. A
in here. U kog-l. (v ple vter), v
Zaporozhetz automobile (by wordplay on
pe dym, idiom, rude. Someone is
pa). Tvoj oporoe ew
flighty, giddy, birdbrained (lit., someone
ezdit? Is your Zhoporozhetz still
has [wind in the field and] smoke in the
working?
ass). Kak ty emu verih, ne pojmu. U
nego v pole veter, v ope dym. How POCNIK, -a, m., rude. A homosexual
could you believe that guy? Hes such an man (cf. pa). V tom bare sobira-
airhead! Cto v golov, cto v pe, ts opocniki. This bar is a hang-
idiom, rude. Said of a stupid or ignorant out for buggers.
person (lit., whats in his head is also in OPU: V opu, youth, joc. Very,
his ass). Cto on moet posoveto- extremely, to the last degree (from
vath? U nego cto v golove, cto v ope. Papua, Papua [New Guinea] and
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OR 92
ZABODTH 94
raet, umenhi dozu. The vodkas U teb skolhko zavalov? How many
going to your head already youd bet- exams did you fail? 2. A lot of work. U
ter not keep drinking so much. 2. imper- nas raboty zaval. Weve got heaps
sonal. To be worked up, upset. Smot- of work to do.
ri, kak e zabiraet, ona ne govorit, a /. To kill
kricit. Look how worked up she is (lit., to knock down).
shes shouting, not talking. . He could kill a
ZABODTH, perf. only, neg. To irritate, guy with his bare hands.
annoy (lit., to butt). Ona men sovsem ZAVERBOVTH, perf. only, youth, joc. To
zabodala razgovorami o trpkax. She meet a girl, pick up a girl, go to bed with
drove me to distraction with all her talk a girl (lit., to recruit, as a spy). On e
about her clothes. ue davno zaverboval, ona k nemu s
ZABJNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Good, ter- mes xodit. He picked her up a long
rific (of music) (from zaboj, the end of a time ago; shes been going with him for a
mine shaft, where the noisy work is month.
done). U nego mnogo zabojnoj muzy- ZAVRNUTYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Compli-
ki. Hes got a lot of terrific music. cated, hard to understand (lit., wrapped
ZABRISTYJ, -a, -oe. Strong (of up). V toj phese nicego ne ponl,
liquor; cf. zabirth). A vodka zabo- slikom zavrnuta. I didnt under-
rista, ue phna. This is strong stand that play at all; its too compli-
vodka! Im drunk already. cated.
ZABRIVTH/ZABRTH. To induct into ZAVERNTHS na cm-l., perf. only,
the army (lit., to shave). Teb zabri- youth, neg. To be crazy about, wrapped
vat osenh? Are you being inducted up in. On sovsem zavernuls na roke.
this autumn? He went completely wild for rock
ZABUGRNYJ, -a, -oe. Foreign, from music.
abroad, imported (cf. za bugrm under ZAVESTSH (vzths) ot srosti,
bugr). Nikakoj zabugornyj dd idiom, joc. Lit., to result from dampness;
nas ne spast, my sami dolny re- an evasive answer to the question of
ath svoi problemy. No uncle from where something came from. Ot kogo
abroad is going to save us; we have to u ne rebnok? Ot syrosti zavl-
solve our own problems. s. Whos the father of her child? Oh,
, perf. To become tough and its just a child of dampness.
nasty. , - ZVIDKI BERT kog-l. To feel envy
. Hes turned into such an (zavisth) (lit., feelings of envy grip
aggressive bastard, well have to put a someone). Ego zavidki berut, cto u
stop to it. nas vs esth: i maina, i daca. He
ZABRIVATHS/ZABURTHS, envies us because we have everything: a
youth. 1. To go on the spur of the car, a dacha.
moment, drop in (cf. burith, to drill). ZAVS, -a, m., youth. A drinking bout (lit.,
Ne zaburiths nam v kakoj-nibudh hanging, a suspended state in which one
restoran? Lets stop in at some restau- cant stop drinking). On v zavise ue
rant. 2. To hide (lit., to drill oneself in). nedel. Hes been on a drunk for a
, week already.
. Weve got to ZAVISTH/ZAVSNUTH, youth. 1. To
find a place to hide until taps, or theyll be attracted by something, involved in
make us shovel the snow. something (lit., to hover over something).
ZAVL, -a, m., students. Lit., an obstruc- Oni sejcas zavisat na markax.
tion, heap. 1. Failure on an examination. Theyre very much interested in
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95
stamps. 2. To wait a long time. My glad to do. 2. In ones daily life, regu-
silhno zavisli, ego ue net dva casa. larly. Kak ono zavsegda? Hows
Weve been cooling our heels for two life?
hours already and hes still not here. ZAVZANO! idiom. Agreed! Okay! Its a
3. To hesitate, waver, be uncertain. On deal! (lit., tied up). Prixodi ko mne
zavis, ne znaet, eniths emu ili zavtra. Zavzano! Come over to my
net. Hes up in the air about whether to place tomorrow. Its a deal!
get married or not. 4. To go on a drink- ZAVZKA: Byth v zavzke, see zav-
ing bout (cf. zavs). Oni vstreti- zyvath.
lish i, kak vsegda, zavisli. When they ZAVZYVATH/ZAVZTH. To stop,
met they went off on one of their usual quit. s kurevom zavzal mes
sprees. 5. To freeze up. Used when talk- nazad. I quit smoking a month ago.
ing about a computer program (lit., to be
suspended). ZAGAZVANNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, joc.
, ? Drunk (cf. gaz, gazovth). Loish
My computer freezes up every five min- spath, ty sovsem zagazovannyj.
utes, maybe Ive got a virus. Youd better lie down; youre com-
pletely drunk.
, -, -. Lazy (lit., hang- ZAGS: V zagse, idiom, army. Shirking
ing, from , see ). work, hiding so as not to work. On gde-
, to v zagase, posmotri v klube. Hes
, . If theres work making himself scarce somewhere
to be done, take someone else; hes the around here. Look in the clubhouse.
laziest of the whole lot.
ZAGASTH/ZAGSNUTH, army. To
ZAVODTHS/ZAVESTSH. 1. To get arrange easy work for oneself. Ty
angry (lit., to get cranked up, as of an davno zagas na kuxne? When did you
engine). On zavls, kogda emu skaza- get yourself that cushy kitchen job?
li, cto emu net podarkov. He got all ZAGIBTH/ZAGNTH. To lie, fib (lit., to
worked up when they told him there were bend). Ne zagibaj, to ue cerescur.
no presents for him. 2. To cheer up, to Stop lying! Youve gone too far
get into a lively mood (lit., to be wound). already. Zagibth/zagnth krki,
Cto-to oni ne zavodts, sidt idiom, youth. To talk entertainingly, tell
xmurye, ne razgovarivat. For some good stories (lit., to bend a crust of
reason they just wont cheer up; theyre bread). Nu ty korki zagibaeh,
sitting there glumly, not even talking to rassmeil. What a raconteur you are!
each other. You really made me laugh.
ZAVODNJ, -, -e. (From zavodith, , idiom.
to wind up, to crank up). 1. Lively, To die (lit., to bend ones paws up).
cheerful, active. S nimi vsegda veselo,
oni takie zavodnye. Its always fun . Nobodys going to turn
with them, theyre such live wires. up his toes here.
2. Hotheaded, quarrelsome, violent. A , -, f. A riddle, an
tvoj drug zavodnoj, srazu v draku enigma, a problem, an unexpected cir-
polez. Your friend there seems to be cumstance (from the old Russian word
quite a hothead he got into a fistfight that referred to a sudden
right away. curve or bend in the road, something not
ZAVSEGD, adv. 1. Always willing, in its proper form). ,
always ready. Poedeh za gribami? ,
to zavsegda. Are you going - . Who
mushroom-hunting? That Im always could have known that such an unex-
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ZAGOLUBTH 96
pected disaster would happen with our injection. Oni ue davno zadviga-
banks, the default came out of nowhere. ts. Theyve been mainlining dope
ZAGOLUBTH, perf. only, youth. To for a long time.
become a homosexual (cf. golubj). ZADVNUTYJ, -a, -oe, youth. 1.
Na devuek ne smotrih, zagolubel, Beside oneself, out of ones mind.
cto li? Youre not even looking at the Tolhko zadvinutyj mog to sde-
girls. Whats the matter have you lath. Only a lunatic could have done
turned into a homosexual? that. 2. Unintelligible, complicated.
ZAGONTH/ZAGNTH durak (er- to dl men zadvinuta kniga. I
vogo) pod ku, idiom, rude. To have couldnt make heads or tails of that
sex with a woman (lit., to stick the fool book.
[the horny one] under someones skin). ZADLATH, perf. only. 1. crim. To kill.
Ty ue uspel zagnath eravogo Nai vcera dvoix zadelali v pere-
pod kou? Have you managed to get strelke. Yesterday our boys did in two
her into bed yet? guys in the crossfire. 2. rude. To have
ZAGRNKA, -i, f., youth. Something sex with someone. Tebe pora e zade-
unacceptable or outrageous, behavior lath. Its really high time for you to do
beyond the limits of acceptability (from her.
za graniej). vs terpel, no to ZDNIA, -y, f. Buttocks (cf. zad).
ue zagranka, ty men udaril. Ive Uberi svo zadniu. Move your ass
put up with a lot from you, but this is (i.e., get out of the way). Id v
really going too far! You hit me! zdniu, idiom, rude. Go to hell, the hell
, perf. To be sent fast (lit., to with you. Idi ty v zadniu so svoim
thunder, crash). nythm. Go to hell you and your
. They were drafted whining. Crez zdniu, idiom, rude.
straight out of high school. Badly, awkwardly, incompetently. Ty
vs delaeh cerez zadniu. You do
ZAD: Vertth/zavertth zdom, see
everything ass-backwards. Rvath zd-
under vertth.
niu, see under rvath.
ZADAVTH/ZADTH tgu, idiom, joc.
/. 1.To
To flee, escape (lit., to make a draft).
bore (lit., to peck, to chisel).
Von koty zadali tgu, vidno, soba-
. Were
ka rdom. Look how those cats ran off.
all bored by your little jokes. 2. To tor-
There must be a dog around.
ment by nagging, to pick at. ,
ZADARM, adv. Gratis, for free. ta
vewh mne dostalash prakticeski , ,
zadarma. I managed to get this for . You thought you wore
almost nothing. me out with your nagging in sergeant
ZADVIGTH1, imperf. only, youth, neg. school, but Ill get even with you at the
To lie, speak untruthfully (lit., push battlefront.
something in). Xvatit zadvigath, ZADRTH, perf. only, youth, neg. To bore,
tak tebe i poveril, cto on ue za irritate. Ne nudi, zadral alobami na
bugrom. Cut the crap. Im not such a fool iznh. Stop whining! Im sick and tired
as to believe that hes already gone of your complaints about life.
abroad. ZADRPANNYJ, -a, -oe, neg.
ZADVIGTH2/ZADVNUTH, youth. To 1. Good-for-nothing, incompetent, use-
quit, cease, leave off. davno zadvi- less (from zadripath, to soil, to wear
nul pith. I gave up drinking a long out). On inener zadripannyj.
time ago. Hes an incompetent engineer. 2. Dirty,
ZADVIGTHS/ZADVNUTHS, untidy. On xodit v zadripannyx
youth. To inject narcotics, give oneself an brkax, opustils sovsem. Hes com-
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97 ZABYVATHS/ZAEBTHS
pletely let himself go walks around in ZAEBTELHSKIJ, -a, -oe, rude. Cf.
dirty slacks. b-. Excellent, terrific. Daca u teb
ZADRTY, -a, m., youth, rude. A zaebatelhska. Your country house is
weakling, a worthless person (cf. dro- fantastic.
cth). Tvoi muiki vse kak odin ZABISTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Cf. b-.
zadrotyi. Your friends are a bunch 1. Nasty, making trouble (of persons).
of nobodies. On vsegda takoj zabistyj? Is he
ZADRCENNYJ, -a, -oe, rude. 1. always such a troublemaker? 2. Compli-
Depressed. On xodit sovsem zadro- cated. to zabista zadaca. This
cennym. U nego nepritnosti na is one hell of a complicated problem.
rabote? Why is he going around so ZABYVATH/ZAEBTH, rude. Cf. b-.
depressed? Is something wrong at work? 1. To fuck into stupefaction. V tu
2. Tired. Ty sovsem zadrocennyj, noch ty men sovsem zaebala.
prilg otdoxnuth. Youre completely Youve fucked me into complete stupe-
exhausted! Lie down and take a rest. faction tonight. 2. To tire someone out.
ZADRGA, -i, f., neg. A persistent person Ty men zaebal svoimi voprosami.
(from drygath [nogami], to kick). Youve worn me out with all your ques-
Ona taka zadryga, poka svoego ne tions. Zabyvath/zaebth v dsku,
dobhts, ne otstanet. Shes such a idiom, rude. To bore or exhaust someone
pest, shell never leave you alone until to the state of a dumb plank (lit., to fuck
she gets what she wants. into a board). viu, ty zaebal ego v
ZADUBTH, perf., youth, neg. To get cold, dosku svoimi anekdotami. I see
to get chilled. Nado pogreth, youve bored him silly with your jokes.
sovsem zadubel. Im frozen, I need to Ne zaebh, tak zamcih, idiom,
warm up. rude. I give in; okay, youve twisted my
arm. Nu xoroo, pojdm gulth, ty
ZADUVTH/ZADTH, rude. To have sex ne zaebh, tak zamucih. All right,
with a woman (lit., to blow). Devka, well go for a walk youve forced me
vidno, xocet, nado ej zaduth kak sle- into it. Zaeb nog nog, rabtath
duet. That girls dying for it give her ne mog, idiom, rude. Used to express
the real thing. resistance to going to work (lit., Let one
ZADMCIVYJ, -a, -oe, youth, joc. foot fuck the other, but I cant work).
Expensive, hard to afford (lit., thought-
ZABYVATHS/ZAEBTHS, rude.
ful). Da, ta kurtka zadumciva.
Cf. b-. 1. To become tired. Spath
Thats a very thoughtful coat (i.e., one
oxota, cto-to zaebals. I feel
had better think carefully before spending
sleepy; for some reason Im exhausted.
so much money on it).
2. Not to have enough time for some-
/. thing. Zabyvash so stathej, nado
To go bad, to spoil (lit., to fall into think- zavtra sdath v redaki. I dont
ing). , have time to finish the article by the dead-
, . The sausage line tomorrow. Zaebths v dsku,
spoiled out in the sun, it already stinks, it idiom, rude. To become completely
cant be eaten. exhausted. My nosim ti wiki tri
ZABANYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Cf. b-. casa, zaebalish v dosku. Weve been
1. Frightened. On vsex boits, xodit hauling these cartons around for three
sovsem zabanyj. Hes afraid of every- hours; were completely wiped out. Za-
one; he goes around completely cowed. ebsh! idiom, rude. Great! Wonderful!
2. Tired. Posle matca vse vygldt Nu, kak moroenoe? Zaebish!
slikom zabanymi. Now that the Hows the ice cream? Fantastic!
game is over, they all look utterly Zaebsh v rot konm! idiom, rude. Go
exhausted. to hell; up yours (lit., be fucked in the
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ZAEDTHS/ZASTHS 98
99 /
make big money (lit., to hammer money). side).Ty mne nadoel, zakroj dverh s
Vse oni zakolacivat neploxo na toj storony. Im sick and tired of you
nefti. Theyre all raking it in from get out and never darken my door
their oil dealings. again. Zakryvth/zakrth fontn,
ZAKOLEBTH, perf. only. To irritate, idiom, rude. To keep silent, to shut ones
annoy, wear out (cf. kolebth, ebth). mouth. Zakroj fontan i sluaj,
Ty men zakolebal svoimi rasska- cto tebe govort. Shut up and listen
zami o babax. Youve worn my to whats being said to you.
patience thin with your stories about your ZAKUSN, -a, m., joc. Appetizers (to
girlfriends. accompany drinks) (from zakuska). Za-
ZAKNNYJ, -a, -oe, obs. Good, fine kuson prigotovili? Did you prepare
(lit., legal). Pojdi posmotri, ne some appetizers?
poaleeh, zakonnyj filhm. Go see ZKUSH, -i, f., joc. See zakusn.
it! Youll be glad you did its a fine ZALEPTH, perf. only. To say something
film. strange, shocking, or unexpected. Kak
ZAKONSERVROVATHS, perf. only. ty mog takoe zalepith, otkuda ty
To look young, be well preserved. vzl, cto ona lezbianka? How could
Smotri, na nacalhnik zakonser- you say such a thing? Where did you get
virovals, bolhe estidesti emu the idea that shes a lesbian?
ne dah, a emu ue za semhdest. ZALT, -a, m. Trouble, difficulty (cf.
Look how well-preserved our boss is zaletth). U nego zalt, on popal po
you wouldnt think hes more than sixty, phnke v milii. Hes in trouble
but hes really on the wrong side of sev- hes been picked up by the police for
enty. drunkenness.
ZAKS, -a, m., youth. An act or instance ZALETTH/ZALETTH. 1. To get into
of shirking work, slacking on the job. trouble, get caught (lit., to fly by mistake
Vai zakosy prekratite, nado pod- to the wrong place). Na direktor
naath i zakoncith rabotu cerez zaletel na vztkax. Our director got
nedel. Enough of your shirking; into trouble for taking bribes. 2. To get
weve got to make a big push and finish pregnant unintentionally. Ty cto,
this job within a week. opth zaletela? Dont tell me you got
ZAKRJ ROT, KIK PROST- knocked up again?! S kem pove-
DIH, idiom, rude. Shut up! (lit., shut dhs, ot tog i zaleth, see under
your mouth, your guts will catch cold). s.
Zakroj rot, kiki prostudih, ZALTNA ALVA, idiom, crim. A
xvatit orath, nikto teb ne slu- traveling female thief, not one of the
aet. Shut up! No one wants to hear locals (lit., a whore flying off course).
your speeches. e cto-to ne zna, zaltna alava,
ZAKROM RDINY, idiom, joc. Store- navernoe. Ive never seen her before;
houses for produce, where everything sits she must be an off-course whore.
and rots (lit., granaries of the mother- ZALTCIK, -a, m., neg. Someone who
land). Vesh uroaj opth sdali v keeps getting into difficulties. U togo
zakroma rodiny, znacit, golodath zaltcika odni nescasth! Its just
budem. Again theyve dumped the whole one woe after the next with that poor
harvest into the granaries of the mother- schlemiel!
land; were in for starvation now. ZALIVTH, imperf. only, neg. To lie, be
ZAKRYVTH/ZAKRTH: Zakryvth/ untruthful (lit., to pour it on). Ne zali-
zakrth dverh s toj storon, idiom, vaj, cto ty byl v institute. Dont
neg. To leave a household, to be expelled lie! You werent at the institute.
(lit., to close the door from the other / -
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100
101 ZAPADL
/ 102
103 ZASTRELTHS
ra, sejcas projdm na disko. I tipped They drove him to such a pitch of dis-
the doorman, so we can go into the disco traction that he decided to emigrate.
now. ZASR, -i, m. and f., rude. A slob, dirty
ZASDNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Good, person (lit., shitter). Privedi v por-
interesting (from zasadith, to strike). dok komnatu, zaser! Clean up the
Medu procim, posmotri telek, room, you pig!
idt zasadna peredaca. By the way, ZASS, -a, m. The mark of a kiss on the
theres an interesting program on TV. skin (lit., a sucker). Kto to tebe
ZASIVATH/ZASADTH plxu takoj zasos ostavil? Who gave you
(gol), idiom, sports. To score a goal. that hickey?
Ty videl po teleku, kakoj gol zasa- ZASRNE, zasrna, m., rude. See
dili nai na poslednej minute? Did zasr.
you see on TV how our team scored a
goal at the last minute? ZASRNSK, -a, m., neg., rude. Any
small, provincial, remote town (by
ZASANDLIVATH/ZASANDLITH, wordplay on Saransk, the town of
joc. 1. To hit, thrash (from sandal, san- Saransk, and zasrne). On ivt
dal). I kuda ty emu zasandalil, v gde-to v Zasranske, tot gorod i na
glaz? Where did you hit him in the karte ne viu. He lives in some
eye? 2. To do something intensely, vehe- godforsaken hamlet somewhere, I cant
mently. Oni zasandalili ne zna even find it on the map.
skolhko vina. They knocked down
heaven only knows how much wine. ZASSNE, zassna, m., rude. A bas-
tard, good-for-nothing, idiot (from ssath,
ZASVCIVATHS/ZASVETTHS. to piss). tot zassane tak i ne
To expose oneself, give oneself away. prins, cto obewal. That bastard
Smotri, ne zasvetish, kogda budeh didnt bring what he promised.
s nim govorith. Make sure you dont
give yourself away when you speak with ZASSKA, -i, m. & f., rude. See zas-
him. sxa.
ZASEDTH/ZASSTH (v tualte), ZASSXA, -i, m. & f., rude. 1. Someone
idiom, joc. To sit on the toilet for a long who urinates frequently. U toj zas-
time (lit., to preside over the toilet, a syxi nederanie moci. This pisser
Sovietism). Xvatit zasedath, vyxo- just cant hold it in. 2. neg. A young
di! Youve been presiding long enough woman. Ih ty, sovsem ew zas-
come on out now! syxa, a lezeh so svoimi sovetami.
Oh, go on, youre just a squirt, but you
/. To be
keep after me with your advice. 3. Femi-
caught red-handed (lit., to be located).
nine form of zassne.
, ,
/. To tor-
. Play it safe and dont get ment with formation drills (lit., to build,
caught when you bring the booze through form). -
the checkpoint. , .
Theyll drive us up the wall with drills
ZASERTH/ZASRTH, rude. To shit on,
until Veterans Day, and then things will
to mess up. Kogda vy tak uspeli zas-
ease off.
rath kovry v dome? When did you
manage to mess up the carpets like that? ZASTRELSH! idiom. Terrific! Wonder-
Zaserth/zasrth mozg, rude. To ful! (lit., shoot yourself). Filhm vcera
confuse, drive to distraction (lit., to shit smotrela zastrelish! The film I
on someones brains). Oni emu sovsem saw yesterday was fantastic!
mozgi zasrali, reil migrirovath. ZASTRELTHS: Zastrelths m-
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104
105 ZAIFRVYVATHS/ZAIFROVTHS
Where did you come from? Youre zacistki v derevne ne ostalosh ni
cosntantly irritating me. odnoj ivoj dui. After the cleanup
ZFIGOM, adv. What for? Why? (cf. operation not a single living soul was left
fig). Zafigom on tuda pol? in the village.
What did he go there for? , -, -. Overtired,
, perf. To hit (lit., to fuse). exhausted. See .
, ,
. Hit him with a brickhe , .
doesnt understand words. You look dog-tired. Take a two-day
ZAXPYVATH/ZAXPATH, neg. To break before you go back on recon
appropriate, take for oneself (lit., to grab). again.
Ty vse denhgi sebe zaxapal, a kak e ZACXANNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Unkempt,
my? Youve taken all the money for shabbily dressed (lit., scratched up).
yourself. What about us? Syn xodit u ne vsegda zacuxannyj.
ZAXZYVATH/ZAXZATH vs mal- Her son always goes around looking like
nu, idiom, crim., neg. To spoil a deal, ruin a slob.
a project (lit., to shit on the whole rasp- ZAIBTH/ZAIBTH. To earn a lot
berry patch; cf. malna). Ty nam vs of money (lit., to strike). Na priiskax
malinu zaxezal, proboltals o naix ew zaibat denhgi, u nas davno
planax. Youve ruined the whole deal net. Theyre striking it rich out in the
by chattering about our plans. gold mines, but theres no money in our
ZAXERCIVATH/ZAXERCITH, line of work.
rude. To hit, strike (cf. xer). U teb ZAIB, pred. use, youth. Something
krovh, v teb kamnem zaxeracili? excellent. Segodn pogoda zai-
Youve got blood on you did they hit be! The weather today is terrific!
you with a stone? ZAIBSH! youth. See zaib.
ZAXURIVATH/ZAXURITH, rude. ZAIVTH/ZATH torpdu, idiom.
Cf. xuj. 1. To hit, beat. Zaxurh ego To cure of alcoholism (lit., to sew in a tor-
palkoj, moet, uspokoits. Beat him pedo; cf. torpda). Tebe nado zaith
with a stick maybe thatll quiet him torpedu, a to ty staneh alkogo-
down. 2. To drink a lot or too much. likom. Youd better go on Antabuse
Nu, my vcera i zaxurili, dva lit- before you end up as a real alcoholic.
ra, navernoe, vypili. Yesterday we ZATHS, perf. only. To receive treat-
really belted it down we drank about ment for alcoholism, especially the im-
two liters. planting under the skin of medication
ZACM MNE CIN, KOGD NET causing physical distress when alcohol is
VETCIN, idiom, joc. Lit., What present (lit., to be sewn up). On nedav-
good is rank to me if I dont have ham. no zails. He recently started taking
Used to express dissatisfaction with anti-alcoholic drugs.
rewards considered insufficient, esp. with ZAIFRVANNYJ, -a, -oe, joc. Lit.,
immaterial rewards as opposed to money. in code. 1. Secretive, mysterious. Cto-
U teb, kaets, vs v pordke, to ty xodih kakoj-to zaifrovan-
sidih v bolhom kabinete. Zacem nyj, cto-nibudh slucilosh? Youre
mne ciny, kogda net vetciny? I see going around looking very secretive. Has
youve got quite the position, with this something happened? 2. Undercover,
big office and all. Yes, but rank is no working for a secret service. On cto,
use to me if I dont have ham. zaifrovannyj? What is he, an
ZACSTKA, -i, f., army. A military undercover agent?
operation against civilians to clear out an ZAIFRVYVATHS/ZAIFRO-
area (lit., cleanup). The term came into VTHS, joc. To go underground by not
being during the Chechen war. Posle answering the telephone, declining social
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 106
ZAKLIVATH/ZAKLITH 106
invitations, and so on (cf. zaifrvan- Stop lying. Nothing like what youre
nyj). Ty cego zaifrovals, k tebe describing ever happened.
dozvoniths nelhz. Have you gone ZVENTH/ZAZVENTH mudmi, idiom,
underground? Its impossible to reach rude. To hang around idly (lit., to ring
you by phone. ones balls; cf. mudozvn). On nicego
ZAKLIVATH/ZAKLITH, im- ne delaet, tolhko zvenit mudmi.
personal. 1. To exceed the limits of Hes a real loafer just hangs around
something, go off the charts. Tempera- ringing his balls.
tura segodn taka minusova, cto ZVERK, zverhk. See zverh.
termometr zakalilo. Its so cold ZVERNE, -na, m., rude. The Cau-
today, the temperature reading has casian Republics (lit., zoo, animal-house).
dropped clean off the thermometer.
2. To go crazy. Ego sovsem zaka- ZVERH, -, m., neg. A person from the
lilo. Hes gone out of his mind. Caucasus (lit., a wild animal). Ty to-
go zver znaeh? Do you know that
\, army. Caucasian fellow?
To shirk, to dodge (lit., to hide behind
rocks). ZVON, -a, m., neg. Empty chatter, lies (lit.,
, , ringing of bells). to vs zvon, ne
. Dont you even think of verh. Thats all nonsense! Dont believe
dodging out today! Im going to check it.
the results myself. ZVONRH, -, m., neg. A tongue-wagger,
! idiom. Okay, its chatterer (lit., bell-ringer). Tolhko ty
settled, agreed (from , choco- tomu zvonar ni slova, vs razbol-
late). , taet. But dont say a word to that
. Its a deal! Ill tongue-wagger, or hell spread stories all
come to your shishkebab party on Satur- over town.
day. ZVONTH1, imperf. only, neg. To lie (cf.
, perf. To catch red-handed, zvon). Cto on tam zvonit? What
to nail (from , to darn, to stitch). kind of lies is he telling?
ZVONTH2/RAZZVONTH, neg. To
. Sooner or later youll divulge secrets, spill information (cf. zvo-
be caught smuggling. nrh). Kto razzvonil? Who leaked
, -, -. Scared, ner- it?
vous, intimidated (from , to scare ZVONK: So zvonkm, idiom, neg. Crazy
away). - (lit., with a bell). Ona ue davno so
, , zvonkom, a vs ew ucit drugix. Shes
. Their children seem kind of completely off her rocker, but she still
intimidatedthey keep their mouths shut goes around telling the others what to do.
and never play any games. ZVKATH/ZVKNUTH. To call by tele-
Z: Kak zju trpper, see under phone (lit., to clink, ring). Zvkni mne
kak. vecerom. Give me a buzz this evening.
ZVEZDANTH, perf. only, neg. To hit ZDROVSKI, adv. Strongly, excellently.
hard (lit., to make someone see stars). Rebta igrat zdorovski, vysij
Kto teb tak zvezdanul? Who klass! The fellows are playing very
gave you such a walloping? strongly really first-class!
ZVEZDTH/POZVEZDTH, rude. To ZDROVSKIJ, -a, -oe. Excellent, fine.
lie, to chatter idly (by euphemistic word- Vcera filhm zdorovskij smotrel!
play on [s]pizdth). Ne zvezdi, nice- Yesterday I saw a terrific film!
go takogo, kak ty govorih, ne bylo. ZDORVYJ LOB, idiom, neg. A big,
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 107
strong man (lit., a big forehead). Ty ue insatiable (cf. b-). Ona taka zloebu-
zdorovyj lob, a vs u materi denhgi ca, noci ne xvataet. Shes such a
prosih. Youre already a big strong nympho, she cant get enough in a whole
man, and youre still asking your mother night.
for money! ZNKOVYJ, -a, -oe. Very important,
ZDRVSTVUJ, ZDRVSTVUJ, XUJ significant. to znakova rech, sno,
MORDSTYJ. See under xuj. cto on xocet stath prezidentom.
ZDRSTE-MORDSTI! idiom. An This is a key speech, it means that hes
expression of surprise or incredulity. going to run for President.
Zdraste-mordasti, kak to moet ZNOJ, -, m., crim. A wound. Smotri,
byth! Heavens! How could that be! kakoj znoj u nego, ot noa, navernoe.
ZBRA, -y, f. A pedestrian crossing. Ego Look at that wound of his! It must be
maina sbila prmo na zebre. He was from a knife.
hit by a car right in the middle of the ZOLOTE VOROTNICK, idiom,
zebra. business. High-class specialists in
, -, f. Bushes or trees suitable advanced materials and technology (lit.,
for an ambush (lit., greenery). golden collars). Zolotye vorotnicki
, toe sejcas bez raboty sidt. The
. Things will be tougher in the high-tech people are also out of work
spring, when the vegetation thickens. these days.
ZELNYE TOVRY, idiom, business. ZONTRH, -r, m., crim. A thief special-
Environmentally harmless products. izing in robberies through a breach in the
ZELNYJ, -ogo, m. A dollar (lit., green ceiling (from zont, as of someone who
fellow). Zelnye esth? Do we have descends like a parachutist). Zdesh
any greenbacks? rabotali zontari. Parachutists have
ZLENH, -i, f. Dollars (lit., greenery). U been at work here.
men malo zeleni ostalosh. Im run- ZRPLTA, -y, f., joc. Salary (by word-
ning low on greenbacks. play on platith zr, to pay at random
ZMA, -y, m., army. A person from ones or to pay pointlessly; the idea is that the
hometown; a friendly greeting to any per- pay doesnt amount to much, but then,
son. Zma, daj zakurith. Hey, neither does the work). Kogda u nas
buddy, give me a smoke. zrplata? Whens playday around
here?
ZEML, -i, m., army. See zma.
ZUBLO, -a, n. A model 9 car of the
ZNKI, znok, pl., rude. Eyes. Protri Zhiguli make. This is a prestigious and
zenki, ne vidih, kto pril. Rub expensive but inconveniently delicate
your eyes look whos here! vehicle, which tends to meet with disaster
ZERN, -, n., crim. Drugs in tablet form on bumps or potholes. (By wordplay on
(lit., grain). Pora dostavath zerno, u iguli and zubilo, a metal cutter that is
men vs koncilosh. Its time to get thought to resemble the front end of this
some more pills; mine are all gone. car.) On ezdit na zubile. He drives a
ZIM, -, f., crim. A knife. Vozhmi, tin-snip.
zatoci mne zimu, sovsem tupa. ZUBV BOTHS V ROT NE
Sharpen my knife for me, would you? DAVTH, idiom, joc. Nothing ventured,
Its completely dull. nothing gained (lit., if youre afraid of
ZPER, -a, m., youth. A zipper in trousers, teeth, youll never get a blow job; from
fly (from Eng. zipper). U men ziper the proverb Volkov boths v les ne
slomals. My zipper is broken. xodith, If youre afraid of wolves,
ZLOEBCIJ, -a, -oe, rude. Sexually youll never go into the woods). Ne
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IZVLINA 110
111 ISXODTH/IZOJT
ISXURIVATH/ISXURITH 112
, adv. No, not, nothing (from Per-
sian). , ,
. Theres no tobacco,
no canned foodtotal bummer.
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KAJFVWIK 114
115 KAMS
ous, out of place (lit., like an umbrella for you?). Ty vesh denh xodih zloj,
a fish). Mne tvo kniga nuna kak rugaehs, kaka muxa teb ukusila?
rybe zontik. I need your book like a Youve been going around in a foul
hole in the head. mood all day. Whats gotten into you?
KAK S KUST, idiom, youth. Easily, KAKE LDI I BEZ OXRNY!
without effort (lit., as if [taken] from a idiom, joc. A greeting alluding to the pre-
bush). My zarabotali million, kak tensions of the people greeted (lit., What
s kusta. We earned a cool million like [important] people and walking
falling off a log. around without their bodyguards!).
KAK SOBKA POSSAL, idiom, rude. KKOM KVRXU, idiom, joc. Lit., ass-
Uneven, crooked (lit., as if a dog pissed upwards; cf. kkoj kvrxu under kka.
it). Ty sama sila cebe bku? Sboku KKTUS BRTYJ, idiom, joc. An
ov kak sobaka possala. Did you unshaved man (lit., a shaved cactus).
make that skirt yourself? The side seam is KKTUS LSYJ, idiom, joc. A bald
cockeyed. man (lit., a bald cactus).
KAK UGORLA KKA, idiom. KKCESTVO, -a, n., neg., joc. Bad qual-
Excessively, to the point of stupefaction. ity (by wordplay on kacestvo, quality,
elyj denh noush kak ugorela and kka). Kak tebe to kakcestvo
koka, sobira ego v dorogu. Ive nravits, nedel ponosil tufli i
been running around like a madman all otletel kabluk? How do you like the
day, trying to get him ready for his trip. quality of these shoes! Ive only been
KAK UGORLYJ, idiom. Dizzy, giddy, wearing them for a week, and the heels
confused. Cto ty nosihs kak already fallen off!
ugorelyj, sdh, otdoxni, uspeem. , , pl. Money.
How come youre acting so giddy? Sit
down and take a rest weve got plenty . We dont have enough cash
of time. for a ticket.
KAK MNA MA, idiom, joc. Like a KAL, -, m., army. A Kalashnikov
fool (lit., like clever Masha). Zavtra (automatic rifle). Ty strell iz kala-
prazdniki, vse ue davno uli, a , a? Have you ever used a Kalash?
kak umna Maa, siu, pecata. KALGN, -a, m., neg. Head. Kalgan
Tomorrow is a holiday, everybody has cto-to bolit. Ive got a headache.
gone home, and I sit here typing like a KLIKI, klik, pl., youth. Pills, nar-
fool. cotics. Skolhko ty ue zaglotil
KKA, -i, f., neg. Junk, trash, poor-quality kalik? How many pills have you swal-
stuff (lit., shit, usu. in childrens speech). lowed so far?
Zacem ty kupil tu kaku, to ne KALTKA, -i, f., joc. A zipper in slacks,
kotlety, a crt znaet cto! What fly (lit., gate). Zatvori kalitku!
did you buy that crap for?! Those arent Close your fly!
cutlets, but heaven knows what! KALMITH/ZAKALMITH. To earn,
Kkoj kvrxu, idiom, joc. An evasive make money (from kalym, dowry).
or irritated reply to the question Kak?, My xoroo zakalymili na strojke.
How are things?, How did it go? (lit., We earned a lot on that construction
shit upwards). Nu kak? Kakoj kver- job.
xu. So how did it go? Never mind. KMEEK, kmeka, m., army. A
Xotth/zaxotth i kku i mku, see kilometer (lit., a little stone). Ew
under xotth. kameek, i my doma. One more kilo-
KAK MXA TEB UKUSLA? meter and well be home.
idiom, neg. Whats gotten into you? KAMS, -, f., collect., crim. Young,
Whats wrong with you? (lit., what fly bit inexperienced thieves (lit., small fish,
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KANARJKA 116
typically eaten smoked and salted and KANTRNIA, -y, f., youth, neg. See
accompanied by beer). tot kiosk kantrnik.
kamsa brala, mnogo sledov ostavili. KNUR, -a, m., rude. A penis. Takim
The people who robbed this kiosk were kanurom ty naskvozh protknh.
small fry look at all the evidence they With a prick like that youll puncture me
left. right through. Nasivath/nasadth
KANARJKA, -i, f., youth, obs. Police na knur, see under nasivath.
patrol car (lit., canary; from the yellow KANCITH/ZAKANCITH, neg. To
color of the cars). Opth kanarejka nag, to pester with requests (lit., to cry).
vo dvore stoit, cto slucilosh? How Ne kanch, ne kupl tebe tu
come theres a canary in the yard igru. Stop pestering me, Im not going
again? to buy that game.
KANTH/POKANTH, youth. To go. KPATH/NAKPATH, neg. To inform
Kanaj otsda, poka el! Get out of on, report (lit., to drop [water] on some-
here while you still can! one). Kto e mog nakapath, cto my
/ ego izbili, ne pojmu. I dont under-
, idiom. To try repeatedly to talk stand who could have informed on us for
someone into doing something, to per- beating him up. Kpath na mzgi,
suade. - idiom, neg. To bore, be insistent, be
, . wearisome (lit., to drip on someones
You dont need to continue trying to talk brains). Ne kapaj na mozgi, vs ravno
me into it; Im not going to sell the ne pover tomu. Dont keep insist-
house. ing I wont believe it anyhow. S
KANTOVTHS/PEREKANTOVTH- kon kpaet u kog-l., see under s.
S. To spend time (lit., to maneuver or , m. Disaster, death (from ,
jockey something heavy or awkward). the end).
Vy zdesh noch perekantujtesh, a , ,
zavtra v gostiniu. You can spend . If they dont supply us with
the night here tonight, but tomorrow shells now, we wont hold out for even an
youll have to go to a hotel. hourits curtains for us.
KANTVWIK, -a, m., crim., neg. One , -, f., army. A bomb (lit., a drop).
who avoids or shirks work. On davno v KPOCKA: Po kpocke, idiom. A little
kantovwikax xodit, na nego ne ras- to drink, a glass (from kapl, a drop).
scityvaj, on rabotath ne budet. Davaj nalivaj vsem po kapocke!
Hes a slacker. You cant count on him Pour everyone a glass!
to do any work at all. KAPSTA, -y, f. youth. Money (lit., cab-
KNTRI, f., indecl., youth. A country bage). Kapusty net, cto delath
house, dacha (from Eng. country). budem? Were out of money. What
Cto vy na kantri delali? What should we do? Rzath (rubth) ka-
did you do in the country? pstu, see under rzath.
KANTRVYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. , -, m., neg. A short man.
Rural, provincial, from the sticks (cf.
kntri). On e kantrovyj, cto s , ,
nim govorith. Hes such a hick, theres . At
no use talking to him. first they only trained shorties as para-
KANTRNIK, -a, m., youth, neg. A troopers, but modern equipment enables
country bumpkin, hick, provincial (cf. them to take tall guys as well.
kntri). Kantruniki priexali na KARSIK: Bulh-blh karsik, see
sovewanie. The country people came to under bulh-blh.
the meeting. KARSH, -s, m., crim. A wide-hipped
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117 KATTHS/DOKATTHS
woman (lit., a carp). Nu ty i karas letth mmo kssy, see under prole-
sebe nal! What a broad-beamed gal tth.
you found yourself! KASSTNIK, -a, m. A cassette player.
, -, m. Death (lit., a Russian Ne zabudh vzth svoj kassetnik.
pagan evil spirit). Dont forget to bring your cassette
, . No one knows player.
when his number will come up. KSTOMER, -a, m., business. A client,
KARDN, -a, m., joc. A hand (lit., an customer (from Eng. customer). to
axle). Deri kardan! Lets shake na staryj kastomer, nado emu
hands on it! sdelath skidku. Hes an old customer
KARDF, -a, m., crim. Black bread. of ours, so he gets a discount.
Mne kardif nadoel, u kogo esth be- KASTRL, -i, f., neg. A head (lit., a
lyj? Im sick of black bread. Where saucepan). U teb sovsem kastrl
can I get some white? ne varit! Youre not thinking clearly!
KARKALK, -a, m., rude. A penis. 2. Army. A helmet.
Karkalyk otrastil, a uma vs net. x. "American hel-
Youve got a big prick but no mind. mets are lighter than ours."
Nasivath/nasadth na karkalk, KATAVSI, -i, f. 1. A mess, hulla-
see under nasivath. baloo, commotion. Prodavali sapogi,
KARMN: Der karmn re, see tam taka podnlash katavasi, i
under derth. Utith karmny, ul. There was such a mob scene
see under utith. when they put the boots on sale that I sim-
KARTVYJ, -ogo, m., neg. A nickname ply left.
for Lenin, referring to his guttural speech. \KATASTRJKA, -i, f., joc. Perestroika.
Kogda e kartavogo uberut iz Mav- Gorbachevs reforms (by wordplay on
zole? When are they going to move perestrojka and katastrofa, catastro-
Old Funny Voice out of the Mauso- phe). Teperh vse ponli, kuda nas
leum? katastrojka privela k finiu.
KARTAFN, -a, m., army. Potatoes. Now its obvious to everyone that
Kartafana ew mnogo, s goloda ne catastroika has brought us to ruin.
pomrm. Weve still got plenty of KATTH1/POKATTH, crim. To play
potatoes, so at least we wont starve to cards (lit., to roll). Nu, budem ew
death. katath ili vs? Well, shall we keep
KART, -a, m. Card playing, card games. playing, or have you had enough?
U nix tam vs noch idt kart. KATTH2/NAKATTH. To write some-
They play cards there all night. thing quickly, to jot down. uspel
KARTKA, -i, f., crim. A hand nakatath dva pishma, poka ty bril-
grenade. Nam by paru kartoek, s. I managed to write two quick letters
togda by otbilish ot mentov. If we in the time it took you to shave.
had some grenades wed blast our way KATTH/POKATTH balln, idiom,
out of the police cover. neg. To be annoyed with someone, pick
KRTY: Rzaths v krty, see under on someone (lit., to roll a tire at some-
rzaths. one). Cto ty na men ballon
KSSA: V kssu, idiom. Opportunely, at katih, ne bral tvoi knigi. Why
the right time. Ty v kassu pril. are you picking on me? Im not the one
Youve come at just the right moment. who took your books.
Ne v kssu, idiom, youth. Mistaken, KATTHS/DOKATTHS, neg. To
wrong. to ty sovsem ne v kassu go into decline, let oneself go, hit the
govorih. What youre saying is com- skids. On dokatils do togo, cto
pletely off the mark. Proletth/pro- ue poproajnicaet na bazare. Hes
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KATMANDNH 118
sunk so low that now hes actually beg- Russian pronunciation). Na Ukrainu
ging in the marketplace. Katsh kol- sejcas kaapy pocti ne ezdt. These
basj (kolbskoj) (katsh kolbskoj days there are hardly any Russkies going
po Mloj Spsskoj), idiom, rude. Get to Ukraine. l xoxl, nasrl na
out of here! (lit., roll like a sausage). pol, l kap, zubmi ap! A
Nu-ka, katish kolbasoj, teb sda hostile rhyming phrase used by non-
ne zvali. Get yourself out of here. You Russians, esp. Ukrainians, for taunting
werent invited! Katsh otsda, Russians; lit., A Cossack went and
idiom, rude. Scram, get out of here. crapped on the floor, along came a
Katish otsda, poka po ee ne Russky and slurped it up (cf. xoxl).
polucil. Get out of here before you get Kap, za ja ap, idiom, rude. A
it in the neck. hostile rhyming phrase aimed against
KATMANDNH, -i, f., rude. Junk, some- Russians (lit., If you see a Russky, grab
thing worthless or bad (by wordplay on him by the balls).
Katmand and mandnh). Cto to za KAPWINA, -y, f., joc. Russia (cf.
katmandenh? to pith ne budu. kap). Nu kak u vas tam v kaap-
What kind of junk is this? Im not going wine iznh? So hows life over there
to drink it. in Russkyland?
KATMAND: Id ty v Katmand! see KA, m., indecl. A Georgian (from the
under idt. Georgian word for friend). Gde tot
KATK, katk, m., joc. A bald patch (lit., kao ivt? Where does that Georgian
a skating-rink). Katok vs rastt, guy live?
skoro sovsem oblyse. My bald patch KACLKA, -i, f., youth. A workout room,
is getting bigger and bigger, soon Ill be exercise center (cf. kacths). Kto
completely bald. vas treniruet v kacalke? Whos your
KATRN, -a, m., crim. A hangout of card- trainer at the workout center?
sharps. Ty v tot katran ne xodi, KACTH/NAKACTH: Kacth/naka-
teb bystro obcistt. Dont go to cth mskuly, idiom. To do bodybuild-
that den of cardsharps theyll pick you ing exercises. On nacal kacath mus-
clean. kuly, sejcas vse kacat. He started
KATKA, -i, f., neg. An unshapely, pumping iron, and now everyones doing
unattractive woman (lit.. a spool, bobbin). it. Kacth prav, idiom, neg. To be
Kak mono lbith taku katu- demanding, make a lot of demands. Ty
ku! How could anyone fall for that bob- zdesh prava ne kacaj, nikto teb
bin! Na vs katku, idiom. With all sluath ne budet. Dont be so
ones might, as much as possible. mi demanding! No one around here is going
na vs katuku! Drive as fast as you to pay attention to you.
can! KACTH/SKACTH. To get information
KT, -i, f., obs. A hundred rubles, a hun- with a computer (lit., to pump). iz
dred-ruble bill (a Katie, named for Interneta skacal ego novyj roman.
Catherine the Great, under whom the first I got his new novel on the internet.
such bills were issued). Daj ew odnu KACTHS/NAKACTHS. To do
kat dl rovnogo scta. Add another gymnastic exercises, bodybuilding (cf.
hundred to make a round sum. kaclka). Tebe nado kacaths po
KFA, -y, f., crim., obs. A kopeck. U utram, ty oslab. Youve gotten
teb kafa esth? Have you got a flabby; you should work out every morn-
kopeck? ing.
KAP, -a, m., neg., rude. A Russian KACLH: Tud/tud eg (e, ix) v
(from the point of view of non-Russians, kaclh, see under tud.
esp. Ukrainians; with special reference to KACMN, -a, m., youth. Someone who
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119 KIDLA
goes in for athletics, gymnastics, body- settled up (from Eng. quits; cf. kvi-
building (cf. kacths). U nas v tani). Vot tebe stolhnik i my
klasse vse kacmany. Everyone in our kvity. Heres another hundred, and
class is a jock. now our accounts are settled.
KACK, kack, m., youth. See kacmn. KGL, -i, f., joc. A fist (lit., skittles).
KELH, kl, m., crim. Complaints Kegl u teb ne daj bog, ubhh s
(lit., coughing). Koncaj kaelh, vse odnogo udara. With that enormous fist,
tak sejcas ivut. Stop whining! you could kill someone with a single blow.
Everyone has it hard nowadays. KEJS, -a, m. Briefcase, attach case
KLTH: Budh zdorv, ne klj! (from Eng. case). Posmotri v kej-
see under budh. se, ty vse bumagi vzl? Look in the
KAWJ, -, m. A thin, gaunt person briefcase. Have you taken all the papers?
(After Kawej Bessmertnyj, a bony, thin KENF, -a, m., crim. Hashish. Idm k
character in Russian folktales). Ty nemu, u nego mono po devke kupith
stal prmo kak Kawej. Youve turned kenaf. We can buy hash cheaper from
into skin and bones. him.
KVKALO, -a, n., neg. A mouth. (From KE, -, m. The high front
kvakath, to croak). Kvakalo u teb bumper on a jeep. From , kanga-
ne zakryvaets, ty pomolcal by roo.
minutu! You never can keep your . I only smashed the
mouth shut.! front bumper in the accident.
KVKATH/KVKNUTH. To drink KENT, -, m., youth. A friend, pal. to
quickly (lit., to croak). Gde my s toboj tvoj novyj kent? Is that your new
kvaknem? Where can we go to toss back friend?
a quick one? , -, m., army. A helicopter (lit.,
KVARTIRNT, -a, m., crim. A convict, a centaur).
prison inmate (lit., a tenant). Novyx ? ,
kvartirantov privezli. Theyve . How many choppers do we
shipped in some new tenants. need? Five would be just right.
KVSITH/ZAKVSITH. To have a /. To be
long drinking session (from the long friendly with someone. See .
process of preparing kvas). S kem ty , .
to vcera kvasil? Who was that you Weve been buddies for years, I trust
were drinking with yesterday? you.
KVLYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Limp, inert, KEROSN, -a, m., joc. Liquor (lit.,
slack. Ot ary vse sidt kvlye. kerosene). Kerosin kupil? Did you
Everyone is drooping from the heat. buy the liquor? Dlo pxnet keros-
, idiom, army. Upside nom, see under dlo.
down. , , KEROSNITH/ZAKEROSNITH. To
. Fix the flag, dont drink, get drunk. A gde oni kerosint,
you see its hanging upside down? v garae? Where do they do their drink-
KVITTHS/POKVITTHS. To ing in the garage?
pay back, in a positive or negative sense; KERXA, -i, m., obs. A friend, acquain-
to avenge oneself; to pay up, settle tance. j, kerxa, idi sda. Come
accounts. s toboj ew za to over here, buddy.
pokvitash. Ill get back at you for KEF, -a, m., crim. A dose of drugs. Mne
this. Davaj pokvitaems. Ty mne vsego odin kef nado. I need just one fix.
dolen 30 dollarov. Lets settle KIDLA, -y, m., neg. A cardsharp, con
accounts. You owe me 30 dollars. artist (cf. kidth). Budh ostoroen,
KVTY, pred. use. Even-steven, quits, kogda budeh prodavath mainu, na
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121 KLZMA
coat. 2. Wealthy, rich (of people). [excrement] on someone [with a whole set
ego zna, on parenh kistevoj. I know of tableware]). Poloil na nego. I
him hes a really rich guy. felt the utmost contempt for him.
KITAZA, -y, m., neg., rude. A Chinese. Klasth/poloth glaz na kog/cto-l.,
U kitaz reformy luce idut, cem idiom. To take a liking to, to be sexually
u nas. Those Chinks are doing better attracted to, to notice with interest. Ka-
with their reforms than we are. ets, on na teb glaz poloil. It
KITJSKIJ TELEVZOR, idiom, looks like hes attracted to you.
business. Manual examination of baggage Klasth/poloth podlhe, pobl-
at customs (lit., Chinese television). e brath/vzth, idiom. Lit., The farther
you hide something, the easier it is to get it
KCA, -i, f., crim. A prison. Tam v kice, back.
mnogo naix vstretil. I ran into a lot
of our friends in the prison there. KLEVTH/POKLEVTH, joc. To eat a
little, have a bite (lit., to peck). Po-
KICMN, -a, m., crim. A prison. V
klj, vot mso. Heres some meat
kakoj kicman nas vezut? What prison
have a bite to eat.
are they taking us to?
KLVO, adv., youth. Well, excellently.
KIK MAR IGRT, idiom, joc.
My klvo otdoxnuli v gorax. We
My stomach is growling with hunger (lit.,
had a wonderful vacation in the moun-
my innards are playing a march).
tains.
Pojdm v stolovu, cto-to kiki
mar igrat. Lets go to the cafeteria KLEVOT, -, f., pred. use, youth, pos.
Im famished. Something excellent, good. ti griby
KIKODRM, -a, m., youth, neg. A klevota! These mushrooms are fan-
poor-quality cafeteria serving as the dining tastic!
room of a school, plant, or other place of KLVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Fashionable,
work (lit., gut-field). Neoxota idti v classy (cf. klvo). Klva u nego
na kikodrom, tam sejcas oceredh. rubaka! What a stunning shirt hes
I dont want to go to our cafeteria because wearing!
theres a long line there at this hour. KLITH/SKLITH, youth. To become
KIKOPRV, -a, m., crim. Switchblade acquainted with a girl, pick up a girl, go
(lit., gut-straightener, after kostoprav, out with a girl (lit., to glue). Kogda ty
bonesetter). Vozhmi kikoprav na uspel e skleith? When did you man-
vskij slucaj. Take along your switch- age to start going out with her?
blade just in case. KLEPTH/NAKLEPTH. To do or pro-
KILK, -, m., youth, joc. A beer bar duce something quickly and carelessly
(lit., an eastern mountain village, with (lit., to rivet). Skolhko e ty kartin
reference to the inferior sanitary condi- naklepal za nedel? How many pic-
tions). Zaglnem v kilak, pivka tures did you churn out in one week?
pophm. Lets stop in at the bar and have KLPOK NE XVATET u kog-l.,
a beer. idiom, neg. Used of someone stupid or
KLPAN, -a, m., youth, neg. A mouth foolish (lit., his rivets arent holding). U
(lit., valve). Zakroj klapan! Shut nego cto, klpok ne xvataet, emu e
up! nelhz pith. He shouldnt drink; he
KLSSNYJ, -a, -oe. Good, excellent just falls apart when he does.
(from Eng. class). to klassnyj KLVER, -a, m., crim. & youth. A necktie
komphter. Thats a great computer. (lit., a type of sail). Gde ty takoj lox-
KLASTH/POLOTH: Klasth/polo- matyj kliver kupil? Where did you
th na kog-l. (s pribrom), idiom, get that stylish tie!
rude. To feel or express contempt for KLZMA: Stvith/postvith klzmu,
someone, spit on someone (lit., to put see under stvith.
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123 KOZVKA
KKI 124
person, cipher, mere child (lit., a gnat). dore, proxodite v komnatu. Dont
A ty, kozvka, y, ne sporh so crowd around in the hallway; go on into
starimi. Shut up, small fry, dont the room. 2. To make an uproar, be
argue with your elders. upset. Vse srazu zakolgotilish,
KKI, -ov, pl., joc. Testicles (lit., chicken kogda uznali, cto deneg ne budet.
eggs). Na ulie xolodno, koki mrz- They all got upset when they found out
nut. Its cold enough out to freeze your that there wouldnt be any money.
balls. KOLDOBINA, -y, f., joc. A pothole,
, perf. To kill (from , an hole in pavement (by wordplay on
egg, something easy to break). - koldobina and b-). Tormozi,
, koldobiny poli. Slow down, here
, . He come some fucking potholes.
was killed because he didnt know how to KOLEBTH/ZAKOLEBTH, neg. To
keep his mouth shut. annoy, wear out (lit., to vibrate, with allu-
KOKSY, -ov, pl., neg. Testicles (lit., sion to ebth). Ty men sovsem zako-
coconuts). Ploxomu tanoru kokosy lebal proshbami. Youve fucking
meat. A poor dancer will blame his worn me out with your requests.
coconuts. KOLENKR: Drugj kolenkr, see
KOL, -, m., obs. A ruble (lit., a club, post, under drugj.
stick). Goni kol! Give me a ruble! KOLSA, kols, pl. Lit., wheels. 1. neg.
Kol teb v gltku! idiom, rude. Damn Nonsense, garbage, baloney. Ne verh
you! (lit., a stick in your throat). Kol emu, to vs kolsa. Dont believe
tebe v glotku za vs, cto ty natvo- him, hes talking nonsense. 2. youth.
ril. Damn you for all the mischief Shoes. ti kolsa tebe po razmeru?
youve done! Xoth kol na golov Are these shoes your size? 3. youth.
te, see under xoth. Pills, drugs. Mne kolsa ne nuny,
KOLBASTH1/ZAKOLBASTH, joc. kolsh. I shoot up; I dont take pills.
To play excitedly, indulge in horseplay, KOLSNIK, -a, m., youth. A drug addict,
be disorderly (cf. kolbas). Deti do one who takes drugs in the form of pills
six por kolbast, spath ne xott. (cf. kolsa 3). Ty togo kolsnika
The children are still horsing around and znaeh? Do you know that pill pop-
dont want to go to sleep. per?
KOLBASTH2/NAKOLBASTH. To KOLESOVTH, youth, neg. To go, leave
do something poorly, carelessly (cf. kol- (from koleso, wheel). Kolesuj ot-
basa). Cto ty tut nakolbasil, nu, sda podalhe. Get out of here!
kto tak rabotaet! What a mess KOLI`CESTVO I KCESTVO ZAEB-
youve made there thats no way to L (ZATRXALO) NAS NCIS-
work! TO. See under ebth.
KOLBASTH3/PRIKOLBASTH. To KOLLEKTVKA, -i, f., crim. Gang rape
go (cf. kolbasa). Tolhko k veceru my (lit., a collective). On sidit za kol-
prikolbasili domoj. It was getting lektivku. Hes serving time for gang
toward evening by the time we went rape.
home. , -, f. A blow.
KOLBASN, -, f., neg. Nonsense, , , ,
baloney (cf. kolbasa). Ne xocu ucast- ? OK, youve already
vovath v toj kolbasne s vyborami. taken two good blows, do you understand
I dont want to take part in this nonsense whos boss or do you need some more?
about elections. KOLDA, -y, f., youth. A group, set of
KOLGOTTHS/ZAKOLGOTTHS. people (lit., pack of cards). Ty iz chej
1. To crowd. Ne kolgotitesh v kori- kolody, iz mikinoj? Whose set do
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125
KOMPT 126
Well figure out whos been reporting us that, youll be struck down by paralysis.
to authorities (lit., whos been compos- KONDK, -, m., crim. A conductor (of a
ing an opera). railroad train). Sprosi u kondka, caj
KOMPT, -a, m. Lit., boiled fruit drink. budet? Ask the conductor whether
1. joc. A bad situation. Takoj kompot, theyre going to be serving tea.
nikto ne pril na denh rodeni. KON, kon, m., rude. A penis. Cto-
Heres a nice kettle of fish! No one came to kone bolit, nado sxodith k
for my birthday. 2. youth. A broth made vracu. Ive got a pain in my dick Ill
from poppyheads for use as a narcotic. have to see a doctor. Kon tlu
Daj xlebnuth kompota. Let me have ven, idiom, joc., rude. Everything ends
a sip of the broth. up in bed; sex is what everything always
, -, m. A computer (lit., a leads to (lit., the end [i.e., extremity,
ticket punch). prick] is the crown of the body; playing
KOMPOSTROVATH/ZAKOMPOS- on the saying kone delu vene, the
TROVATH mozg, idiom, neg. To completion is the crown of a work).
annoy, pester (lit., to puncture someones On e ulomal, uloil v postelh.
brains, as in punching tram tickets). Ne Kak govorits, kone telu vene.
kompostiruj mne mozgi, vs ravno He talked her into going to bed with
nicego ne polucih. Stop addling my him. As they say, the ending is the crown
brain theres no way youre going to of the body. S kon kpaet u kog-
get what you want. l., see under s.
, -, f. Compromising materials KNI, -j, pl. Lit., horses. 1. An army
(abbr. of - hockey team. 2. Parents. Koni doma?
). Are your folks home?
, . Destroy KONNA, -y, f. Lit., horse meat.
all traces of these compromising materials; 1. Brandy (by wordplay on konhk).
they could get us into trouble fast. 2. Meat of poor quality. piroki s
KOMPTER, -a, m., joc. A computer (dis- koninoj ne em. I wont eat those lousy
torted from komphter by wordplay on meat pies.
putath, to entangle, perplex). Ty na , adv. Excellent, good (lit.,
komputere moeh rabotath? Do particularly).
you know how to work a compooter? . We definitely had a great
, indecl. Said time there.
about an ambulance, imitating the sound , -, -. Aggressive,
of the Japanese language (lit., some- strong-minded. -
bodys feeling bad). See . ,
, , . Here, with us, everyone is
. Dont you see that ambu- very strong-minded, you cant fool
lance behind us? Get off the road! around with us.
KONVRT, -a, m., crim. Lit., envelope. A KONS, -a, m. A music school, conserva-
way of interrogating a detained person by tory. Ty idh segodn v kons? Are
making him lie down with his legs pulled you going to the conservatory today?
up. Pora emu konvert delath, tak KONSNSUS, -a, m., joc. A penis (lit.,
on nicego ne skaet. Its time for him consensus, a political term introduced by
to do the envelope, otherwise he wont Gorbachev).
talk. KONSERVATRI, -i, f., joc. A fac-
KONDRTIJ XVTIT, idiom. Lit., tory producing preserved food (from kon-
paralysis will strike; a warning of dire servy, tinned food). On rabotaet v
consequences. Budeh tak pith, konservatorii po rybe. He works in a
kondratij xvatit. If you drink like fish conservatory.
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127 KOPA
KOPCNYJ 128
129 KOSTYLTH/NAKOSTYLTH
long as you get your diploma. sumasdego (pod durak, pod inva-
KROCNIK, -a, m. A fool, an idiot. lda), idiom. To act or seem like a mad-
Kak ty emu verih, to e izvest- man (an idiot, an invalid). Men ne
nyj korocnik. Dont believe him obmaneh, ne kosi pod sumasedego.
everyone knows hes an idiot. Dont play the fool; you cant take me in
like that.
KRCITH IZ SEB NE ZNMO CTO,
idiom, neg. To show off, give oneself airs, KOSTH/OTKOSTH OT ARMDY,
pose. On korcit iz seb ne znamo idiom. To avoid being drafted into the
cego, a na samom dele ni v cm ne army. Kto xocet otkosith ot
razbiraets. He poses as an expert, but armady, idt v aspiranturu. Every-
in fact he knows nothing about it. one who wants to avoid the draft goes to
graduate school.
KORGA, -, f. A clumsy person (lit., a
snag). , KOSJ, -, -e, neg. Drunk (lit.,
- . Shes such a crooked, cross-eyed). Tam kosoj pesni
klutz, she breaks something every time ort. Theres a drunk bawling some
shes here. songs over there.
KORCITHS1, imperf. only. To be in KOSOPZYJ, -ogo, neg. (From kosoj,
wait, in store for someone. Tebe crooked, and puzo, belly). 1. An
otpusk korcits letom. Youve got unattractive, plain, insignificant person.
a vacation in store for you this summer. Kak ona mogla vyjti zamu za
takogo kosopuzogo? I cant understand
KORCITHS 2 /NAKORCITHS,
why she married that hayseed. 2. A poor
neg. To work hard in an awkward posi-
person. ti kosopuzye ne mogut
tion (lit., to squat). My zdesh korcim-
dae igruki detm kupith. Theyre
s, moem poly, a ty muzyku slua-
so poor, they cant even buy toys for their
eh. Here we are slaving away on our
children.
knees, scrubbing the floors, while youre
hanging around listening to music. KOSORLOVKA, -i, f., neg. A cheap,
inferior alcoholic drink (lit., face-twister).
KOS, -j, f., obs. A thousand rubles.
Videth ne mogu tu kosorylovku. I
Ty mne dolen kosu. You owe me
cant drink that rotgut.
a thousand.
KOSTH/OKOSTH, joc. To get drunk. KOSTERTH/POKOSTERTH. To
Ty ue okosel, cto li? Drunk scold, bawl out (lit., gnaw on). Math
already, arent you? ego kosterila pocm zr za ploxie
otmetki. His mother really chewed
KOSTH/ZAKOSTH, crim. & youth. him out for getting such bad marks.
To hide, secrete, stash away (lit., to
mow). My tut zakosili paru kilo- , -, pl. Parents (lit., bones).
gramm blok. Weve got a couple of ,
kilos of apples stashed away here. . My parents are at the dacha,
Kosth/zakosth na volhtantogo, we can have a party.
youth, neg. To act crazy or pretend to be KOSTYL, -j, pl., neg. Legs (lit.,
crazy (from volht, volt, in reference to crutches). Podberi svoi kostyli,
electric shock). Ne kosi na volhtanu- projti negde. Move your legs; youre
togo, vedi seb normalhno. Dont act blocking the passage.
like a maniacbehave yourself! KOSTYLTH/NAKOSTYLTH, neg.
K x, idiom. (from , a To beat up, give a beating (from kos-
madman). See / tylh, crutch). Tebe nado nakosty-
. , lth za takie dela, ctob znal.
idiom. (from , a crazy per- Well have to beat you up for that to
son). See / - teach you a lesson. Kostylth/na-
. Kosth/zakosth pod kostylth po nogm, idiom, sports. To
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KOSTH 130
hit in the legs. Oni tolhko i delat, KOTL, -v, pl., crim. & youth. A wrist-
cto kostylt po nogam, igrath watch (lit., a large pot). Nado emu
nevozmono. They just keep going for podarith kotly. Lets give him a
the legs. Its impossible to play like that! watch as a present.
KOSTH: Ne v kosth, idiom. Displeasing, KOFEMLITH/POKOFEMLITH,
not to ones taste. Vs, cto ty govo- neg. To chat (from kofemolka, coffee
rih, mne ne v kosth. Everything you grinder). Xvatit kofemolith, pora
say is displeasing to me. Brosth/ i porabotath nemnogo. Enough
brsith kosth, see under brosth. Dve yakkety-yak, its time to get some work
ksti sleny, (mdu nmi pizd done.
vlena), see under dve. KATH/OTKATH, youth. To admire,
KOSXA, -i, f., crim., obs. One thousand to appreciate. Ty otokal von tu
rubles (cf. kos). Vot kosuxa, poka blondinku? Xoroa! Did you get a
xvatit tebe na iznh. Heres a thou- load of that blonde over there? Shes a
sand that should be enough for you. real looker!
KOSK, -, m., youth. A papirosa ciga- KOCN, -, m., joc. Lit., a head of cab-
rette emptied of tobacco and refilled with bage. 1. A head. Ty budeh dumath
hash or any drug for smoking. (Originally svoim kocanom? Use your head! 2. A
a twist of paper [cf. kosj] for smoking revolver. Prodaj mne kocan. Sell me
tobacco). Zabil kosk (zard) v pu- your revolver. Po kocan, idiom, joc.
ku tugo / I dumal: ugowu druga. I Rhyming nonsense answer to the ques-
pushed a twist (a cartridge) tightly into the tion Pocemu? Why? Pocemu ty ne
gun / And thought: Ill treat a friend to xoceh exath? Pocemu? Po kocanu!
this. (Play on famous lines of Lermon- Why dont you want to go? Why?
tovs poem Borodino.) Zabi- Just because!
vth/zabth kosk, see under zabivth.
KOCEVRITHS/ZAKOCEVR-
KOT, -, m., neg. Lit., a tomcat. 1. A pimp. ITHS, neg. To be stubborn, put up
Pri nej vsegda dva kota. There are resistance, act naughty. Eh, ne koce-
always two pimps hanging around her. vrhs. Eat dont be naughty.
2. A lover. Ona enwina bogata,
derit dvux kotov: odin blondin, KOCM, -a, m., youth & crim. Time off,
drugoj brnet. Shes a rich woman leisure time, fun; esp., drunkenness.
she keeps two lovers, a blond and a On, kak vsegda, v kocume. Hes on a
brunette. Kot pod xvost, idiom, neg. spree, as usual.
In vain, to no purpose (lit., under a cats KOCUMTH, imperf. only. 1. crim. To
tail). Vs naa rabota pola kotu think, consider, deliberate. Tut kocu-
pod xvost. All our work has gone for math nuno, ne vs prosto. I need to
nothing. A potm sup s kotm, see think this over its not so simple. 2.
under a. youth. To finish, stop. Kocumaj ku-
KOTL, kotl, m. A head (lit., a boiler). rith, poli rabotath. Time to stop
U teb kotl sovsem perestal rabo- smoking and get to work.
tath. Youre not thinking clearly. KORH, -, m., crim. A sack, bag.
KOTELK, kotelk, m., joc. A head (lit., Poarh v koare, tam eda esth.
pot, cauldron). Cto-to kotelok Feel around in the sack there should
bolit. Ive got a bit of a headache. be something to eat there.
Kotelk ne vrit u kog-l., idiom. KOLKA, -i, f., rude. Lit., a sack with
Someone isnt thinking clearly (lit., handles. 1. A lesbian. Vse znat, ona
someones pot isnt cooking). Ustal, kolka. Everyone knows shes a
kotelok ne varit, davaj projdms. lesbian. 2. An ugly woman. U nego
Im tired; my head isnt functioning. devuka kolka. His girlfriend is a
Lets go for a walk. bag.
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131 KREM
KKA: Vo rtu, kak kki nasrli, kryu ne pojdu. Im not going to pay
see under srath. protection money either to the police or to
KKI I SOBKI, idiom, business. the mob.
Risky, low-priced securities (lit., cats and KRSNENHKA, -oj, f., obs. Ten rubles
dogs). Koki i sobaki ue mes ni- (from the red color of ten-ruble bills).
komu ne nuny. No ones been inte- Daj ew krasnenhku na metro.
rested in cats and dogs for the last Give me another ten rubles for the sub-
month. way.
KOMTERNYJ, -a, -oe, joc. Horri- KRASNOPZYJ, -ogo, m., neg. A com-
ble, dreadful (by wordplay on komar, munist (from krasnyj, red, and puzo,
nightmare, and maternyj, obscene). belly). O cm govoril tot krasno-
So mnoj proizol komaternyj puzyj po teliku? What was that
slucaj. Something horrible happened to redbelly talking about on the TV?
me. KRSNYJ PPA, -ogo, -y, m. A
KRAB, -a, m., joc. 1. A hand (lit., crab). nickname of Gennady Zyuganov, the
Deri kraba, davno ne videlish. leader of the Communist Party of Russia
Let me shake your hand; its been a long (lit., Red Daddy).
time since weve seen each other! 2. KRASNK, -, m., neg. Cheap, strong red
Army. A marine cockade, an insignia on wine (cf. krska). Vot kupil kras-
a military cover (lit., a crab). nka, xvatit na vsex. Ive bought
KRL, -i, f., joc. A beautiful woman enough wine for everybody.
(from the Polish word for queen). Ot- KRASK, -, m., crim., neg. A good-
kuda ty tu kral privl? Where looking man. tot krask tolhko o
did you find that beauty-queen? babax i dumaet. All that Adonis ever
KRANT, pl. Curtains! The end! Its all thinks about is dames.
over! Za to, cto s nej perespal, KREVTKA, -i, f., youth, neg. A small or
mne kranty. Itll be all over with me short young person (lit., a shrimp).
if they find out that I slept with her. Pusth krevetka sbegaet za sigare-
KRASV DO BEZOBRZI, idiom, tami. Send the shrimp out for ciga-
joc. Lit., handsome to the point of ugli- rettes.
ness (said of extreme good looks). Nu, KREJZ, -, f., youth, joc. 1. An insane
kak enix? Krasiv do bezobrazi. asylum, psychiatric hospital (from Eng.
So whats her beau like? So hand- crazy). On leit v krejze. Hes in
some it hurts. a psychiatric hospital. 2. m. and f. An
KRSKA, -i, f. 1. neg. Cheap, strong red insane person. On polnyj krejza.
wine. tu krasku pith ne budu. I Hes completely out of his mind.
wont drink that rotgut. 2. youth. Red KREJZANTYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg.
Square in Moscow. Znacit, na Kraske Crazy (from Eng. crazy). Ty cto,
v semh, smotri, ne opazdyvaj. So, krejzanutyj, cego orh? What are
seven oclock at Red Square dont be you, crazy, yelling like that?
late. KREJZANTHS, perf. only, youth. To
KRSKI, krsok, pl. Menstrual period. be crazy about someone or something.
Ona v sorevnovanii ne ucastvuet, u On krejzanuls na tlom roke.
ne kraski. Shes not playing in the He went crazy over hard rock.
competition because shes got her KREJZVYJ, -a, -oe, youth, joc. Out-
period. standing, extraordinary. to krejzo-
KRSNA KRA, krsnoj kri, va kniga, pocitaj. This is an extraor-
f. Illegal police protection of private dinary book you ought to read it.
enterprises, banks, etc. (lit., red roof). KREM, -a, m., joc. The Kremlin (lit.,
Ni pod krasnu, ni pod blatnu cream; a dialectal variant used for comic
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132
effect). Vse v Krem rvuts, vse until payday. Takj xoldnyj, kak
xott pravith. Everyones running to krokodl goldnyj, see under takj.
the Kremlin these days they all want to , -, m. A hashish dose (from
rule. , to sprinkle, referring to a small
, -, f. A special direct con- size of any substance).
nection to high officials in the Kremlin. . For you, I
, . can always find a dose of hash.
Keep it down, the boss is on the Kremlin KROSS, -v, pl. Sports shoes, running
line. shoes. Moi krossy sovsem razvali-
KREMLVSKIE BRVI, idiom, joc. A lish. My running shoes are completely
nickname for Leonid Brezhnev or Victor worn out.
Chernomyrdin, alluding to their bushy KROTH batn, idiom, youth, neg. To
eyebrows (lit., Kremlin eyebrows). scold, reprimand (lit., to crumble a loaf of
KREP IZ BUXENVLHDA, idiom, bread). Koncaj baton kroith,
army, neg. A skinny weakling (lit., a nicego ne bral. Stop yelling at me! I
strong man from Buchenwald). Ty didnt take anything.
xoth raz na turnike podtnuths /
moeh, krepy iz Buxenvalhda? , idiom. 1. To sleep. Lit., to crum-
Can you do even a single chin-up, you ble a loaf of bread on ones heels.
ninety-pound weakling? ,
, -, m., army, neg. A stupid igno- . You are a master when it
rant soldier (lit., a cross, from comes to rack-ups, youve been sleeping
, to consider someone (racked out) for almost 24 hours. 2. To
so stupid that he ought to simply be boast and lie.
crossed out). , ,
, ? . Now is
Are you sure that our fool will do every- when hell start his bullshit bragging about
thing as it was explained to him? how he killed five men at once with his
, -, f. A slogan repeated bare hands.
loudly by fans of a football or hockey KRUTHS, imperf. To be busy trying
team, a cheer (from , to scream). to make money (lit., to spin). Krucush,
KRVNA MESTH, idiom, joc. Mentrua- krucush, a deneg vs ravno ne xvataet.
tion, as an excuse for interrupting sexual No matter how I work at it, I never have
relations (lit., blood vengeance). Cto- enough money.
to ty casto primeneh krovnu U, -, f., army. Infantry (lit., grains
mesth. It seems to me youve been of cereal, describing the view of infantry
having your period very often lately. troops from above as being small, scat-
KROVH: Mloj krvh, idiom. Without tered, and of little importance).
problems, without casualties (lit., with lit- , , ,
tle bloodshed). Mne ta kvartira , .
dostalash maloj krovh. I managed We, the paratroopers, always go in first,
to get this apartment without too much of and only after weve done all the dirty
a struggle. work does the infantry come in.
KROKODL, -a, m. 1. army. An army KRUPNK, -, m., collect. Large-denomi-
vehicle for transporting troops. Vot i nation bills. U men melkix net,
na krokodil, zalezaj, poexali! tolhko krupnk. I havent got any
Heres our wagon hop on, were leav- change, just large bills.
ing. 2. joc., obs. Fifty rubles, a fifty- KRUTANTH, perf. only. To interrogate,
ruble note. Mne nado krokodil do question (lit., to spin). Nado ego kru-
polucki. I need to borrow fifty rubles tanuth kak sleduet, cto-to on skry-
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133 KRA
vaet. Well really have to grill him you investing your money in?
hes hiding something. KRUTNK, -, m., youth. 1. A tense situa-
KRUTIZN, -, f., youth, pos. Strength, tion, quarrel, fight. Skoro krutnk nac-
toughness, self-promotion (cf. krutj). nts. Soon the fighting will start.
On parenh s krutiznoj. Hes a tough 2. See krutj.
customer. S povennoj krutiz- KRTO, adv., youth. Excellently, well.
nj, idiom, youth, pos. Strong, danger- Nu i kruto on vyduvaet na sakse.
ous. Ego ne zavodi, on s povyennoj Wow, he blows that sax really well.
krutiznoj. Dont start up with him
hes dangerous. KRUTJ, -, -e, pos. 1. Strong, strong-
willed, strict, tough, pushy. U teb
KRUTTH1: Krutth dinmo, idiom, muik krutoj. Your husband is quite a
neg. 1. To flirt while refusing sex (lit., to tough guy. 2. Making a strong impres-
spin the engine). Ona s nim tolhko sion, frightening, terrific. to filhm
dinamo krutit, ne pereivaj. Dont krutoj, ne dl slabonervnyx. That
worry, shes just leading him on. 2. To was a powerful film not for the weak-
stall, delay, deceive, renege. On mne kneed! Krce teb byvt tlhko
krutit dinamo ue mes. Hes been ja! see under j.
giving me the runaround for a month
already. Krutth riki, idiom, neg. , -, -, neg. 1. A sharp per-
To deceive, trick, cheat (lit., to spin son (lit., twisted).
someones ball bearings). Ona emu , ,
ariki krutit, a sama gulet s dru- . That recruit is
gim. Shes cheating on him and going locked-on, hes smart, clever, hell make
out with someone else. Krut pedli, a great leader. 2. Treacherous, double-
pok ne dli, rhyming phrase, joc. Get crossing. ,
out of here! Scram! (lit., turn the pedals , . He cannot be
before you get beaten up). Krutth trusted, hes a double-crossing bastard!
ja, see under j. /-
KRUTTH2/ZAKRUTTH, neg. To pre- , neg. To steal from fellow soldiers
varicate (lit., to spin, fishtail). Ty ne in the barracks (lit., to rat).
kruti, govori pravdu. Dont beat ,
around the bush tell the truth. Kru- . Its been a long time
tth/zakrutth lbvh, idiom, joc. To since weve had to worry about a rat
go out with someone, be someones boy- (thief) among us, but dont worry, well
friend or girlfriend (lit., to spin love). S catch this one and string him out to dry.
kem on sejcas lbovh krutit? KRYTH/POKRTH: Kryth/pokrth
Whos he going out with now? matgmi, neg. To swear at someone.
KRUTTH3/POKRUTTH To interrogate Ne xodi sejcas k nemu, on vsex pod-
(lit., to whirl, to twist, to spin). rd kroet matgami. Dont go near
, him just now; hes swearing at everyone
. You grill him here, in sight. Kryth/pokrth na cm svet
squeeze out all the information you can stot, idiom. To curse, abuse (lit., to
while I search his apartment. K- cover the foundation of the world [with
/ barnku, idiom. To abuse]). On svo rabotu kroet na
work as a chauffeur (lit., to twirl the cm svet stoit. Now hes cursing his
wheel). Ty dumaeh, legko krutith work. Kryth/pokrth mtom, see
baranku elyj denh? You think its so gnuth/zagnth mtom.
easy to twirl the wheel all day long? KRA: Kra poxala (potekl)
Krutth/pokrutth dnhgi, idiom. (kru otorvlo) u kog-l., idiom,
To speculate in money. V kakom banke neg. Lit., someones roof has flown off
ty krutih denhgi? What bank are (used to describe strange or crazy behav-
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KRKA 134
ior). U nego, vidath, krya poexala, idiom. Whoever is late misses out. A
raz reil v svoi gody ew raz e- mne ostalosh vypith? Kto opoz-
niths. He seems to have flipped his dal, tot ne uspel. Is there anything
lid. Imagine, deciding to remarry at his left for me to drink? Youre late,
age! Kra v put, idiom, neg. Lit., youre out of luck.
someones roof is on the move; used to KTO SPRIT, TOT GOVN NE
describe strange or crazy-seeming behav- STIT. See under govn.
ior. Cto s nego vzth, u nego davno KUBL, -, n., neg. Bad company, a gang,
krya v puti. What can you expect den (of wolves). Ix kublo mne ne
from him? Hes been off his head for a nravits, tam oni pht, irts.
long time. I dont like that gang; they just drink and
KRKA kom-l., idiom. Someone is in shoot dope.
for punishment or trouble (lit. cover, lid). KUGT, -a, m., south, neg. An unsophisti-
Esli ob tom uznat, nam kryka. cated, provincial person. togo kugu-
If they find out about this, its curtains ta ne naucih vesti seb prilicno.
for us. That hick will never learn proper behav-
, perf. To die (lit., to quack). ior.
, , - KUD KORLH PEKM XDIT,
, . idiom, joc. A toilet (lit., where even the
Didnt you hear? That soldier that was king goes on foot). Mne nado, kuda
imprisoned for treason suddenly croaked korolh pekom xodit. I need to go to
about a month before his trial. the bathroom.
KSREVO, -a, n., joc. A photocopy (by KUD TY DNEHS, KOGD
wordplay on kseroks, xerox, and RAZDNEHS, rhyming phrase, joc.
serevo, a turd). poloil tebe Theres no use getting dressed when
kserevo na stol, pocitaj! I already put youve already taken your clothes off.
the xerox on the table for you. Read it! Used of a situation in which expectations
KSRITH/POKSRITH, OTKS- established by previous compliance make
RITH. To make photocopies (cf. ks- it hard to extricate oneself later on. ne
revo). Skolhko tebe strani ew budu bolhe pecatath ti bumagi
kserith. How many more pages do you nacalhniku! Kuda ty denehs,
need xeroxed? kogda razdenehs. Im not going to
KSVA, -y, f., crim. A document, identifi- type any more of these papers for the
cation card (from Heb.). Pokazyvaj boss. No use getting dressed when
ksivu, a to ne projdh. Show your youve already taken off your clothes.
identification or you cant pass. KUKARNIK, -a, m., crim. An isola-
KTO NE ZNET, TOT OTDYXET, tion cell for holding prisoners pending
idiom. Lit., He who doesnt know how [to trial (lit., a chicken coop). Kto u nas
make money] gets to rest. sidit sejcas v kukarenike? Whove
KTO NE RISKET, TOT NE PHT we got waiting in the coop?
AMPNSKOGO, idiom. An expres- KUKARKU: Ni b, ni m, ni kuka-
sion used to urge or praise bold, decisive rku, see under ni.
behavior (lit., He who takes no risk KKLA, -y, f., crim. A roll of bills in
drinks no champagne). Ne zna, cto which the inner bills have been replaced
delath, menth kvartiru? Reaj, by worthless paper (lit., a doll). Pri
kto ne riskuet, tot ne pht am- rascte emu vmesto deneg vsucili
panskogo. I cant decide whether to kuklu. When they paid up they slipped
move to another apartment or not. Do him a doll instead of real money.
it! Nothing ventured, nothing gained! KUKNR, -a, m., youth. 1. Ground poppy-
KTO OPOZDL, TOT NE USPL, heads. 2. A decoction of poppyheads.
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135 KREVO-PREVO
KUROLSITH/ZAKUROLSITH 136
139 LMON
yarsk and a prominent public figure (by ice). Skolhko u nas lhda ostalosh,
wordplay on drnh, rubbish). Lebe- bolhe kilogramma? How much sugar
dnh vsem podnadoela. Everyone is is left? Is there more than a kilogram?
sick of Lebeds speeches. , -, m. An apartment (lit., a deck
LEBEZTNIK, -a, m., neg. A fawning chair). ,
person, toady. U nas zavls lebezt- ? Wheres your
nik. Weve got an ass-licker among us. pad, do we need to take the metro or can
, -, f. A prostitute (a wordplay we walk?
on , a swan, and , a prosti- LETH/LECH, youth. To be amazed
tute). (lit., to lie down). tak i legla, kogda
LEVK, -, m., obs. From levyj, left uznala, cto on uexal za bugor. I practi-
side. 1. The driver of a private car who cally fainted when I heard he had gone
moonlights by carrying passengers for a abroad!
fee. Davaj vozhmm levaka, zdesh LECIJ: Ne bej lecego, see under
taksi ne pojmaeh. Lets hire a ne.
lefty; its impossible to get a regular LKA: V lku, idiom, neg. Very
taxi here. 2. A fence, dealer in stolen or drunk. Oni tam v lku perepilish.
resold goods. Nado kupith kirpic u Theyve drunk themselves under the
levaka. Well have to buy the bricks table over there.
from a lefty. LEZTH v butlku, idiom. To lose control
LVYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. Unpleasant, of oneself, become aggressive (lit., to
bad (lit., left). to vs levye priko- crawl into the bottle). Uspokojs, ne
ly, to ne lajka. I dont like all lezh v butylku. Calm down; dont get
this nasty nagging. Lva rabta, all hot under the collar.
idiom. Moonlighting, doing a supplemen- LEJTXA, -i, m., army, joc. A lieutenant.
tary job (lit., work on the left). On vs A na lejtxa sovsem zelnyj. Our
vrem delaet levu rabotu. Hes lieutenant is completely inexperienced.
always got some moonlighting job. LEKLITH/POLEKLITH, youth. To
Lvoj nogj, idiom, neg. Carelessly, engage in oral sex (from lekalo, a guide
any old way (lit., with ones left foot). for drawing curves). Oni tam v sosed-
Ty tot risunok delal levoj nogoj. nej komnate lekalt. Theyre mak-
You made that drawing carelessly. ing curves over there in the other room.
LEGVKA, -i, f., neg. A police station (cf. LEKLHWIA, -y, f., rude. A girl who
legvyj). V legavku luce ne popa- engages in oral sex (from lekalhwik, a
daths, snacala pobht, potom skilled metal turner). Ona izvestna
otrafut. Better not fall into the lekalhwia. Everyone knows she
hands of the police; first theyll beat you, gives blow jobs.
then theyll fine you.
LEKRSTVO, -a, n., joc. Liquor, esp.
LEGVYJ, -ogo, m., neg. A police officer when drunk as a supposed remedy for a
(from legava sobaka, a hunting dog). hangover (lit., medicine). Lekarstvo
Legavye idut, smatyvaems. Here esth, poleciths nado. Is there any-
comes the law. Lets cut bait. thing to drink? I need a cure.
LEG, -a, m., neg. See legvyj. , idiom, army,
LGCE DATH, CEM OBQSNTH, joc. Two years of army service (lit., a
idiom, joc. Lit., Its easier to give (you cure for love, meaning that girlfriends
what you want, i.e., to go to bed with you) rarely wait for soldiers to come home).
than to explain. Used to express LMON, -a, m. A lemon (distorted from
exasperation with someones failure to limon, imitating the English pronuncia-
understand. tion). Caj s lemonom budem pith ili
LD, lhda, m., crim. Lump sugar (lit., tak? Shall we have our tea plain or with
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141 /
LITH/OTLTH 142
LITH/OTLTH, rude. To urinate. Nado stva. How did you manage to get cham-
by otlith, gde zdesh tolcok? I need pagne for New Years? Believe me, it
to take a leak. Wheres the can around was skill, not fraud.
here? LGOVO, -a, n. Home, abode On sidit
LIXORDKA, -i, f., crim. A trial, court v svom logove na dace, nikuda ne
process (lit., a fever). Kogda u nego xodit. He just sits home at his dacha
lixoradka? Whens his trial? and doesnt go anywhere.
LI KAVKZSKOJ NAIONLH- , imperf., army. To eat greedily
NOSTI, idiom. A person of the (from , a spoon). ,
Caucasian nationality, a Caucasian. V ,
Moskve milii ne dat proxodu . The way you
liam kavkazskoj naionalhnosti, shovel food down your throat spoils
to trafuet, to proveret doku- everybodys appetite. You dont even
menty. In Moscow the police are bother to use forks and knives!
harassing Caucasians by fining them and LOTHS/LECH na dno, idiom. To be
checking their ids. in hiding, keep out of sight (lit., to lie on
, f., army. A personal bodyguard the bottom, as of a submarine). O na-
(from ). - ix delax znaet slikom mnogo naro-
, . Hes not da, nado lech na dno. There are too
important enough to have a personal many people who know about our affairs;
body guard. wed better lie low for a while.
LKU: Vpith lku, see under Lots/lech na xo, idiom. To stick
pith. in ones memory. ta muzyka srazu
legla na uxo. That tune stuck in my
LOB: Zdorvyj lob, see under zdorvyj.
head the minute I heard it.
LOBNIK, -a, m., joc. A forehead,
LOKTOR, -a, m. An ear (lit., radar set).
brow (from lob). Sejcas polucih v
Ne nastraivaj lokatory, ne pro
lobenik. Now youre going to get it
teb razgovor. Dont tune in on this,
right to the head.
its not for your ears.
LOVTH, imperf. only, youth. To succeed
LOK, -a, m., crim. Bad luck, misfortune.
in getting, acquiring (lit., to catch).
U nego lok, ego arestovali. He
Zdesh lovith necego, v magazine
had a piece of bad luck he got
piva net. We wont be able to pick up
arrested.
anything here; theres no beer in the
store. Ne lovth myj, idiom, neg. LOK, -, f., crim. Poor-quality
Not to do ones duty or carry out ones clothes. Ne mogu nosith tu loku.
assignment (lit., not to catch mice). Emu I wouldnt be caught dead in those rags.
porucili kupith knigi v biblioteku, LOM: Ne v lom, idiom, youth, neg.
a on myej ne lovit. They commis- Against ones will. Citath ti uceb-
sioned him to buy books for the library, niki mne ne v lom. I dont want to read
but hes not catching any mice. these textbooks at all. V lom, idiom.
LOVTH/POJMTH, SLOVTH kajf, Completely, utterly. On narals v
idiom. To get drunk, get a thrill. Ot lom. He drank himself into uncon-
stakana srazu pojmal kajf. I got sciousness. Prtiv lma net prima
really high just from that one glass. (, okrom druggo lma), see under
prtiv.
LVKOSTH RUK, I NIKAKGO
MONSTVA, idiom. Its skill, not LOMANTHS, perf. only, youth. To
fraud; used in ironic explanation of try, make a strong effort. Lomanms v
unexpected success. Kak tebe udalosh kabak? Shall we have a go at getting
dostath ampanskoe na Novyj god? into the restaurant?
Lovkosth ruk, i nikakogo moen- LOMTH1, imperf. only. To dicker with,
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143 LXMY
haggle with, bargain with someone. Ix trip. 2. Expensive, high (of prices).
ew lomath nado, oni ne xott ski- eny segodn lomovye. Prices are
nuth enu. Well have to dicker with high today.
them some more; so far theyre unwilling LONGVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Tall, long
to give a discount. (from Eng. long). ti truzera lon-
LOMTH2/OBLOMTH rog kom-l., govye budut. These pants are too long.
idiom, neg. To beat up (lit., to tear out LOPTA, -y, f., crim. A wallet, purse (lit.,
someones horns). tebe roga oblo- a spade). Dostavaj lopatu, platith
ma za vs. Ill tear you limb from limb pora. Wheres your wallet? Its time to
for what you did. pay up.
LOMTH3/POLOMTH butlku, LPATH/SLPATH, neg. To eat raven-
idiom. To drink a bottle of liquor, usually ously, greedily. Kogda to vy slopali
with another person (lit., to break a bot- vs mso? When did you wolf down all
tle). Ne mnogo li budet? Cto my, that meat?
ne moem polomath butylku? Isnt LPNUTH: Ctob mne lpnuth, see
that a lot to drink? Are you kidding? under ctob.
We can certainly break a bottle between
us. LOPX, -, m., neg. A fool, idiot, simple-
ton (lit., burdock). Teb, lopuxa,
LOMTH4/SLOMTH kajf, idiom. To netrudno obmanuth. Its not hard to
spoil the fun, ruin the enjoyment of an fool you, you idiot.
occasion. Ty nam vesh kajf slomal
utockami. Youve spoiled the fun LOPUXTHS/LOPUXNTHS, neg.
with your tricks. Lomth/slomth To be deceived, cheated, fooled. Zna-
crez kolno, idiom, neg. To do eh, kak my vcera lopuxnulish, kupi-
something quickly and violently (lit., to li kostm, a on ne togo razmera.
break over ones knee). Nelhz e vs You know how we got fooled yester-
stranu lomath cerez koleno, day? They sold us a suit, but it was the
segodn stroim kommunizm, zavtra wrong size.
kapitalizm. You cant just turn the LOX, -a, m., youth, neg. A country bump-
whole country upside-down like that, kin, provincial person. On Moskvu
building communism one day and sovsem ne znaet, lox on i esth lox.
capitalism the next! He doesnt know Moscow at all; hes a
LOMTHS/SLOMTHS. 1. To complete hick.
drink oneself unconscious. Ty, viu, LOXNKA, -i, f., neg. A mouth (lit., a
slomals, tebe xvatit. I see youve wooden tub). Zakroj loxanku, ruganh
drunk yourself into a stupor enough, nadoelo sluath. Shut your trap. Im
already! 2. To be tired, exhausted. Vs, tired of your scolding.
pora otdyxath, slomals. Enough! LOXMTA KRA, idiom, crim. Rape
Time for a rest. Im knocked out. (lit., hairy theft). Za cto sidih, ne za
LOMNA, -y, f., youth, neg. A strong loxmatu krau, slucajno? What are
man (from lom). Cto e ty, takoj you doing time for? Not rape, by any
lomina, a rabotath ne xoceh. chance?
Whats wrong with you? A big fellow LOXMTYJ, -a, -oe, adj. 1. Unkempt,
like you, and you wont work? V ratty (referring especially to hair).
lomnu, idiom, youth. Much, a lot (said 2. youth, pos. Fashionable. U teb
of drinking). Gde to vy uspeli ocenh loxmatye ocki. Those are really
nadraths v lominu? Where did you fashionable glasses youre wearing.
manage to get so loaded? LXMY, pl. Hair, especially when shaggy
LOMOVJ, -, -e, youth. 1. Good, or unkempt. Otrastil sebe loxmy,
fine, excellent. U nas budet lomova pora strichs. My mop has grown
poezdka. Were going to have a great really long. Its time for a haircut.
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LOXKA 144
LOXKA, -i, f., youth, neg. An unat- tom net. Turn your eyes away; theres
tractive girl. Ty v tom plathe sto- nothing to look at here.
proentna loxuka. You really look LPILKI, lupilok, pl. See luptki.
like a dog in that dress.
LUPTH/OTLUPTH. To beat up. De-
LADI, -j, pl. Horsepower (lit., laj. cto tebe govort, poka ne
horses). Skolhko loadej v tix otlupili. Do what youre told, or
igulx? How much horsepower do youll get a beating.
those Zhigulis have? j, zovt
LUPTH/SLUPTH, joc. To eat very
loadj, see under j.
quickly (lit., to beat, punish). Vy ue
LOADNA DZA, idiom. A large slupili vs moroenoe, nicego ne
amount (lit., a horses dose). Ne nali- ostavili. Youve already wolfed down
vaj takie loadinye dozy, davaj the ice cream and you didnt leave any for
potixonhku, ne goni konej. Dont me!
pour such enormous drinks. Take it easy
LUPEVTH/OTLUPEVTH. To hit,
dont be in such a hurry.
to beat up. Roditeli ego luput
/. 1. To beat up (lit., kadu nedel. His parents beat him
to tin). , every week.
, . Dont piss LCE PEREBZDTH, CEM NEDO-
us off or well beat you to a pulp. 2. To BZDTH, idiom, rude. Its better to be
build, to construct, to work hard. overcautious than to take unnecessary
risks (lit., Better to overfart than to fart
. Weve slaved and finished half incompletely). Zacem zakryvath
of the dictionary. dverh na vse zamki, odnogo xvatit.
LA, -i, f., Moscow. A sports center in Luce perebzdeth, cem nedo-
Moscow where a clothing market is held bzdeth. Why bother locking all the
(Luniki). Ty segodn pojdh v locks on this door? Ones enough. Bet-
Luu? Are you going to the Luzha ter safe than sorry.
today? LCE PZDNO, CEM NIKOM
LKATH/POLKATH, LUKNTH, (DATH), idiom, joc. Lit., Better late than
youth. 1. To look (from Eng. look). to no one, an off-color twist on Better
Lukni, kto pril. Look whos late than never.
here! 2. To listen, be attentive. Lukaj LCE STUCTH, CEM PEREST-
sda, cto tebe govort. Pay attention KIVATHS, idiom. Its better to inform
to what youre being told. on someone than to go to jail yourself.
LUKC, -a, m., youth. Lenin. Vstre- Cf. stucth.
tims vozle Lukica na Oktbrhskoj. LCE CSTNO PRDNUTH, CEM
Lets meet at the Lenin monument at PO-PINSKI BZDNUTH, idiom,
October Square. rude. Better to fart honestly than secretly
LUNTIK, -a, m., crim. A night robber like a spy. Ne skryvaj ot nas, vs
(lit., a sleepwalker). Sejcas opasno na ravno uznaem. Luce cestno prd-
uliax, moeh vstretiths s luna- nuth, cem po-pionski bzdnuth.
tikom. Its dangerous in the streets at Dont hide it from us, well find out any-
this hour; there are night robbers out way. Its better to fart honestly than
there. secretly like a spy.
LUPRA, -y, f. A sawed-off shotgun. LCIE NKI FRNII,
Beri svo luparu, idm oxotiths. SLI POBRTH I VPRMITH,
Bring your gun and lets go hunting. idiom, joc. Lit., The best legs in France,
LUPTKI, luptok, pl., youth, rude. if you just shave them and straighten
Eyes (from lupiths, to stare). Ube- them out; used to describe an unattrac-
ri lupetki, nicego interesnogo v tive woman.
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145 LRVA
LSY-BALSY 146
woman. Da ona e sama nastowa Empty chatter (from lsy, wooden forms
lrva. Shes a real whore. 2. An unat- for making spoons, a winter evening
tractive, ill-tempered woman. toj activity accompanied by lots of chatting).
lrve obrugath celoveka nicego ne U vas vs lsy-balsy o politike, a
stoit. That shrew thinks nothing of dela net. You babble about politics all
bawling people out. the time, but you never do anything.
LSY-BALSY, rhyming phrase, neg.
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MAKTH/MAKNTH 148
stuff they give us to eat is horrible, shit on Depressed, stuporous. Cto ty sidih
a shingle. takoj maloxolhnyj? Why are you
MAKTH/MAKNTH, youth, neg. To sitting around with such a long face.
scold, blame (lit., to dip). Xvatit MLYJ: Mlyj ne durk, idiom, pos.
men makath, raz oibs, vy vs A clever guy. Znacit, ty reil na
iznh vspominath budete. Okay, nej eniths? Ty malyj ne durak,
stop rubbing my nose in it. I make one ona bogata nevesta. So youve
mistake and you never let me forget it. decided to marry her? How clever of you!
MAKA, -j, pl., neg. Rightist, fol- Shes real rich. Mlyj ne durk i
lowers of former general A. Makashov durk ne mlyj, idiom, neg. A fool, no
(by wordplay on alk). U makaej small fool. (By wordplay on malyj,
vrag odin evrei! Makashovs people guy, and nemalyj, small). Zna-
recognize only one enemy the Jews. cit, ty reil na nej eniths? Ty
MAKI, -a, m. Makeup, cosmetics. malyj ne durak i durak ne malyj, ona
Ne mnogo li na tebe makia? ue byla tri raza zamuem. You
Arent you wearing a little too much think youre awfully clever to marry her,
makeup? Navodth/navest maki- but in fact youre quite a fool shes
, see under navodth. been through three marriages already.
, -, f. A head, a crown, a MLHCIK, -a, m., crim. A key (lit., a
cupola. boy). Dostavaj malhcika, svoj za-
, . byl. Get the key; Ive forgotten mine.
Youd better keep a low profile or youll Kak mlhcik nh Su, see under kak.
get it straight in the head. -, -, m. An electric outlet
(lit., mom and dad connection).
MALNA, -y, f. Lit., raspberries, berry
, ,
patch; with reference to sweetness.
-
1. crim. A thieves den. Segodn so-
. I have a male. If you have a
biraems na maline u Vithki. Today
female, we can get this cable TV work-
were getting together at Vics place.
ing.
2. A gathering place, hangout. Tam u
nix nastowa malina, ne zna, kuda MAMD, -a, m. A Central Asian (from a
roditeli smotrt. Theyre running a popular name). Mamedy svininu ne
regular hangout there I dont know edt. Mameds dont eat pork.
why their parents dont seem to notice. , -, f. The motherboard of a com-
MALNNIK, -a, m., joc. A group of puter. -
women among whom there is only one , . My mother-
man (from malna). Smotri, v kakoj board must be gone. My machine is not
malinnik ty popal. Look what a working.
berry patch of women youve fallen MAMLK, -a, m., neg. A Central Asian,
into! implying aggressive, wild character
MLO NE POKETS, idiom. A (from mamelk, Mameluke). U mam-
threat or warning of disaster (lit., It wont lkov samyj doxodnyj biznes tor-
seem like too little). Esli vse ax- govl ldhmi. Those Asians have
try vyjdut na relhsy, malo ne found the most profitable business the
pokaets. If the miners block the slave-trade.
railways, therell be hell to pay. MMONT, -a, m., joc. A big, heavy man.
MLOJ KRVH. See under krovh. Pusth tot mamont sdet na
MALOFH, -, f., rude. Semen. U teb divan, a to on stul razdavit. That
tany v malofhe. Youve got come giant had better sit on the sofa, a chair
on your pants. wont survive him.
MALOXLHNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. MANTKI, mantok, pl., neg. Things,
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149 MARSHKA
MARXA 150
smoke. Theres enouth Marianna for mastyril. Look at the dacha I built.
both of us. MASTRKA, -i, f., crim. A faked illness
MARXA, -i, f., crim. 1. A prostitute. or wound (cf. mastrith). U men
Tam odni maruxi stot. Those mastyrka, vidih, ranu raskovyrl,
women standing over there are all prosti- xocu polucith osvobodenie ot rabo-
tutes. 2. A girlfriend. to Lenhkina ty. Look at my construction I
maruxa. Thats Leonids girl. opened that wound in order to get out of
MAREFLH, -, m., youth. Narcotics, working.
drugs. U men marefalh koncils. MASTH, -i, f., crim. Narcotics for smoking.
Im out of dope. Masth prins? Did you bring the
, -, f. A fixed-route taxi- dope? V masth, idiom. Excellent, appro-
van. , priate (lit., matching the suit, as at cards).
. Take a route To, cto ty predlagaeh, prmo v
taxi; itll take twenty minutes to get masth, sam to sobirals sdelath.
there. What youre suggesting is exactly right
MARHITH/POMARHITH. 1. its what I myself was going to do.
To beat around the bush, be evasive. Ne MAT, -a, m. Obscene or abusive speech, a
marhh men, govori srazu, cto tebe swearword, an abusive expression.
nado. Dont beat around the bush with Gnuth/zagnth (kryth/pokrth, ob-
me; tell me straight out what you want. kldyvath/obloth) mtom, see
2. To distract someone in order to cheat under gnuth.
him. Ne nado men marhith, vas MATN, -a, m., youth. Mathematical
viu naskvozh. Dont try to pull the analysis (a school subject). Ty sdelal
wool over my eyes I see right through matan? Have you taken math-an?
you. MATERTH/IZMATERTH, OTMA-
MARHNA, -y, f., crim. A woman. A TERTH, neg. To scold with swear-
skolhko tam marhn budet? How words, swear at, curse. On e vs iz-
many women will be there? materil za to. He swore at her for
MASLNA, -y, f., crim. A bullet (lit., an that.
olive). Xoceh maslinu polucith? MATERWNNIK, -a, m., neg. Someone
Are you trying to get shot? who uses foul or abusive language. On
MASN, -a, m., neg. A Jew. Opth materwinnik, kakix svet ne videl.
masony packami edut za graniu. He can outswear anyone.
Again the Masons are going abroad in !, idiom, rude,
packs. army. Stand at attention! (lit., youll drop
MSSA: Davth na mssu, see under your womb!) (
davth. )! ,
, ! Stand at attention, soldier!
idiom. A corrupted traffic policeman (lit., Youre spilling your guts (womb)!
an expert in machine milking). MTKA OPUSKETS u kog-l.,
MSTER SPRTA PO LITRBLU, idiom, rude. Said of feelings of fright or
idiom, joc. A heavy-drinking, unathletic anxiety (lit., someones womb drops). U
person (lit., master of the sport of liter- men matka opuskaets, kogda vi-
ball). Kuda emu ucastvovath v sorev- u, kak deti perebegat uliu, a tam
novanii, on master sporta po litr- dvienie stranoe. My womb drops
bolu. How could he be in the play-offs? when I see the children running across the
His only sport is literball. street with all that traffic.
MASTRITH/ZAMASTRITH. To !, idiom, army,
make, construct (distorted form from rude. Stand at attention! (lit., your womb
master). Posmotri, kaku dacu za- will catch cold). See !
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151 MEDLK
MEDK 152
153 MCENYJ
155 MOLCTH/ZAMOLCTH
MNSTRA 156
157 MOCTH/ZAMOCTH
, infantry). time.
/ , MOXNTA LPA, idiom, neg. An
idiom, rude. 1. To think hard (lit., to wrin- influential friend, connection (lit., hairy
kle ones ass). , paw). U nego, kaets, moxnata
. Dont wrin- lapa v banke. Apparently hes got a
kle your ass about that, its not your prob- connection at the bank.
lem. 2. To worry. MOXNTKA, -i, f., crim., rude. Female
, . genitals (lit., hairy one). Ty tolhko o
Im not going to wrinkle my ass about moxnatke i dumaeh. All you ever
whats going to happen when I get out of think about is getting some pussy.
the army. MOC V GLOVU UDRILA/ UD-
/ , RIT, idiom, rude. Lit., someones urine
idiom. 1. To frown, to express displeasure goes to his head; used of bizarre or unpre-
(lit., to wrinkle ones turnip). See . dictable behavior. Nikto ne znaet,
, kogda emu moca v golovu udarit, i on
. Wipe that frown off your vse plany izmenit. No one knows
turnip, life will look better tomorrow. when hell suddenly get a bee in his bon-
2. To think. net and change all the plans.
, MOCLITH/NAMOCLITH, idiom.
? No need to wrinkle your turnip To punish, to scold (lit., to sponge
about it, either buy the car or dont. someones neck). Tebe ef namoca-
MORK S P`ECKI BRK, idiom. A lit e, esli budeh opazdyvath.
rhyming phrase describing an inexperi- The boss will punish you if you keep
enced sailor. Kakoj on mork? coming late.
Mork s pecki brk. What sort of a MOCLKA, -i, f., neg. An unattractive or
sailor is he? A good-for-nothing promiscuous woman (lit., a piece of bast).
sailor. Opth ta mocalka v gosti pri-
MOSL, mosl, m. A leg or an arm (lit., a dt? Is that fright of a floozy coming to
bone). Mosly u teb bolhno xudye. visit again?
Your legs are awfully skinny. O , idiom, army.
MOSKLH, -, m., neg. A Muscovite; a Rainy weather not fit for flying (lit., blad-
Russian (from the point of view of non- der). ,
Russians, esp. Ukrainians). Na pre- ,
zident prodals moskalm. Our pres- . Theres a bag of rain out there.
ident has sold out to Moscow. We cant fly today, clouds and rainlike
MOTTH srok, idiom, crim. To serve from a bucket.
time, serve a prison sentence (lit., to wind MOCNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Very good.
[as thread] ones term). On davno srok Mne by tu mocnu tacku. Id
motaet? Has he been in prison long? sure like to have that great car.
MOTTHS/MOTANTHS. To go MOCLOVO, -a, n., youth, neg. A scuf-
quickly (lit., to flap). Motanish v ma- fle, fight (cf. mocth). Mne mocilovo
gazin, kupi xleba. Run into the store zdesh ne nado. I dont want any fighting
and buy some bread. here.
MOTR, -a, m. A car, taxi. Nado motor MOCTH/ZAMOCTH, crim. & youth.
brath, a ne to opozdaem. Wed better 1. To kill (lit., to wet). Sejcas v Mosk-
take the car or well be late. ve mocat bankirov. These days theyre
MOTRNYJ, -a, -oe. Active, busi- murdering bankers in Moscow. 2. To hit,
nesslike, efficient. On parenh motor- beat. Sejcas my vas mocith budem.
nyj, sdelaet cto nado v srok. Hes Now were going to beat you up.
an efficient fellow; hell do it right and on Zamocth lo, idiom, rude. To have
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 158
MOCKOVTHS/ZAMOCKOVTHS 158
sex with a woman (lit., to wet ones ne stath, a mud. This isnt an arti-
stinger). S kem by alo zamocith? cle its just nonsense.
Which woman should I go to bed with? MUDSTIKA, -i, f., rude. A boring sub-
Zamocth rog, idiom, crim. To get into ject (cf. mudk). Kak ty tu mudis-
an unpleasant situation, get into trouble tiku moeh izucath? How can you
(lit., to wet ones horns). My v kvar- stand studying that boring stuff?
tiru cerez okno, a tam sobaka, zamo-
MUDTH/NAMUDTH, rude. To spoil,
cili roga i beath. We entered the
break (cf. mudk). Cto vy namudili
apartment through a window, but there
tut s televizorom? How did you
was a dog inside, so we were in hot water
break the television?
and had to run for it.
MDO, -a, n., rude. A fool, idiot (by word-
MOCKOVTHS/ZAMOCKOVTH-
play on cudo, miracle, and mudk).
S, youth, neg. To be frightened, show
Nu ty i mudo, xodih zimoj bez
cowardice. Ne mockujs, oni nas ne
palhto. Youre a choice idiot, going
tronut. Dont be scared; they wont
around without a coat in the middle of
hurt us.
winter!
MOCKVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Cowardly
MUDVYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Foolish, idi-
(cf. mocth).
otic, unpleasant (cf. mudk). Mne na-
MOCK, mock, m., youth, neg. A cow- doela ta mudova pogoda, vs vrem
ard. S mockami del ne ime. I wont dodh i dodh. Im sick of this dis-
have anything to do with cowards. gusting weather; it just rains and rains.
MO TVO NE PONIMJ, idiom, joc. Mudvye rydnh, idiom, neg. Non-
I dont understand what youre saying sense, empty babble. Cto-nibudh by-
(imitation of broken Russian). lo interesnoe na konferenii?
MRAK, pred., neg. Awful, terrible (lit., Net, odni mudovye rydanh. So, did
gloom, darkness). Pogoda mrak, anything interesting happen at the confer-
xolod sobacij! This weather is awful, ence? No, just a lot of babble.
cold as hell! MDOM MTHS, idiom, rude. See
, -, n. A bad mood, drh mths.
depression, misery (from , dark- MUDOZVN, -a, m., rude. A fool, idler,
ness). - foolish chatterer (lit., one who rings his
, . Im in a balls; from mud and zvonith). Nicego
dark mood, I feel like killing myself. umnogo tot mudozvon ne skaet.
MUDK, -, m., neg. A fool, idiot (cf. You wont hear anything intelligent
mud). Mudakom byl, mudakom i from that idiot.
ostals. He always was a fool and he MUDXATH/OTMUDXATH, rude. To
still is. beat up, beat severely (cf. mudk). Teb
MUDAVLI, m., indecl., joc. A fool, malo otmudoxali v prolyj raz, ew
an idiot (from mudk and the typical xoceh? Whats the matter, you didnt
Georgian surname formative -vili). get enough of a beating last time?
Cto xocet tot mudavili? What MUDXATHS/ZAMUDXATHS,
does that idiot want? rude. To do something with difficulty,
MUD, -, n., rude. Male genitals. Zace- wear oneself out with effort (cf. mudk).
slos v mudx, bdet peremna pog- My sovsem zamudoxalish s tim mo-
dy na dnx, idiom, rude. An itch in the torom, nicego ne polucaets. Weve
crotch means the weather will change completely exhausted ourselves over this
soon. Zventh/zazventh mudmi, see motor and we still cant get it to work.
under zventh. MUDOLP, -a, m., neg. rude. A good-
MUD, -, m., neg., rude. Stupidity, for-nothing, incompetent person (by
foolishness, nonsense (cf. mudk). to wordplay on gubolp, lip smacker,
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159 MSOR
MSORNIK 160
161 MTH
163 NAVORT
NAVORCENNYJ 164
costume jewelry. Skolhko u teb na- doskoj ili dali premi? Did you get
vorotov, i to vse tvoi? Are all those a bonus or did they just reward you with a
bangles youre wearing yours? 2. pl. board?
only, neg. Complications, difficulties. NAGRTH, perf. only, neg. To cheat; to
v takie navoroty ne vqeza. Im win from someone (lit., to heat). Na
not going to get involved in those compli- skolhko oni teb nagreli v karty?
cations. How much did they take you for in the
NAVORCENNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. card game? Nagrth rki, idiom. To
Fashionably and expensively dressed. make money (lit., to warm ones hands).
On vsegda takoj navorocennyj! On na bananax nagrel ruki. He
Hes always such a clotheshorse. made a bundle trading in bananas.
NAGR, -a, m. Profit, advantage (lit., burnt NADEVTH/NADTH namrdnik,
wick of a candle). A mne kakoj nagar idiom. To supress, to silence (lit., to
svetit? Whats in it for me? muzzle). Kto e nadenet namordnik
NGLOSTH VTORE SCSTHE, na pressu? Who can muzzle the press?
idiom, neg. Lit., selfishness is a second NADIRTHS/NADRTHS, joc. To
happiness; used in reproach of selfish or get very drunk. Ty opth nadrals s
pushy people. Smotri, on ue bez druzhmi? So you got blotto with your
oceredi vlez, naglosth vtoroe sca- friends again?
sthe. Look at that guy cutting ahead in NADROCTHS, perf. only, rude. To
line there! Well, selfishness is a second learn to do something very well (cf. dro-
happiness. cth). Znaeh, kak on nadrocils
NAGLOTTHS, perf. To overeat. Tak ith brki, delaet kak firmennye.
naglotals, spath zaxotelosh. I ate Hes become an expert at sewing slacks
so much that I got sleepy. the ones he makes are just like those
NGLUXO, adv. Entirely, completely (lit., from a commercial firm.
to deafness). nagluxo zabyl, o cm NADRYVTH/NADORVTH pup, idiom,
my dogovorilish. I completely forgot neg. To work very hard (lit., to split ones
what we agreed on. navel, i.e., get a hernia). bolhe pup
NGLYJ KAK TANK, idiom, neg. nadryvath ne sobirash. Im not
Pushy, aggressive. On vs ravno vs going to knock myself out anymore.
vozhmt bez oceredi, on naglyj kak NADUVTHS/NADTHS, business.
tank. He gets everything he wants To spend all ones money on something
without waiting in line hes pushy as a (lit., to blow oneself up). Vs semh
tank. nadulash, my, nakone, kupili kom-
NAGOVNTH, perf., neg. To spoil, to phter. Our whole family blew all our
harm (from govn). Ty cinil motor money on a computer.
i vs nagovnl. You ruined the motor NADUVNJ MATRS, idiom, joc. A
when you tried to fix it. cultured, educated person (lit., unflatable
NAGORTH: Kom-l. nagort (nago- mattress). Ty u nas odin naduvnoj
rlo) za cto-l., idiom. Someone will be matras, na vse voprosy znaeh
(was) punished for something. Tebe otvety. Youre the only egghead
ew nagorit za poter deneg. among us; you know all the answers.
Youre going to be in hot water for los- NADLO, idiom, joc. Of unknown pater-
ing the money. nity (lit., it blew in; an evasive answer to
NAGRADTH/NAGRADTH doskj, the question of a childs paternity). Ot
idiom. To reward for good work (at kogo u ne syn? Ne zna, nadulo.
school, a factory, etc.) by hanging some- Whos the father of her child? I dont
ones photo on a board of honor (lit., to know. It just came along like a puff of
reward with a board). Teb nagradili wind.
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165 NAKLYVATH/NAKOLTH
NAKLYVATHS/NAKOLTHS 166
lal? How come you tricked me and did- NAKLKATHS, perf. To get drunk.
nt do what you promised? NAKLKA, -i, f. Lit., a sting, prick. 1. A
NAKLYVATHS/NAKOLTHS, trick, joke to cto, nakolka? A my
neg. To be tricked, deceived. Na tom poverili. What is this, a joke? And we
dele ue raz nakolols, xvatit. I believed it! 2. A tattoo. Smotri, on
was ripped off that way once, but never vesh v nakolkax. Look at that guy
again. hes completely covered with tattoos. 3.
NAKATTH V RPU, idiom. To hit, to An intelligence tip received by an unoffi-
beat up (lit., to roll in the turnips). cial source (from , to
Slova vy ne ponimaete, ostaets cheat by marking playing cards with a
nakatith vam v repu raz i navsegda. needle).
If you wont listen, Ill just have to beat , .
you up. Our mobile recon team received a tip
that Chechen guerrillas will be setting up
/. To drink
an ambush near the river.
(lit., to roll on). ,
. Come on, lets have a shot. NAKLHWIK, -a, m. A practical joker, a
cheater. Ne verh emu, on izvestnyj
NAKCENNYJ, -a, -oe. Strong, nakolhwik. Dont believe him, every-
muscular (lit., pumped; cf. kack). one knows hes a practical joker.
Kakoj syn u teb nakacennyj!
NAKOPTITH, perf. To procure, to get
What an ironman your son is!
(money). Gde by nam nakopytith
NAKCIVATH/NAKACTH, rude. To paru soten? Where can we get a couple
impregnate (lit., to pump). On e davno of hundred?
nakacal, vidih, ue ivot bolh-
NAKOROTK, adv. Quickly, briefly.
oj. He knocked her up a long time
Vstretims nakorotke zavtra.
ago. You can see her pregnancy is pretty
Lets meet briefly tomorrow.
far along.
NAKOSTYLTH, perf. To beat up, to
NAKCIVATHS/NAKACTHS. punish (from kostylh, crutch). Teb
Lit., to pump oneself up. 1. To practice ue raz nakostylli, tebe malo?
bodybuilding (cf. pumping iron). Youve already been beaten up once,
Smotri, kak ty nakacals za leto. isnt that enough for you?
Look how much youve built up your
NAKRTKA, -i, f. A false document,
body this summer. 2. neg. To drink a lot,
faked account. Na toj strojke odni
get drunk. Kogda vy uspeli naka-
nakrutki, potomu vse zarabatyva-
caths? When did you manage to tank
t neploxo. The accounts on this con-
up like that?
struction job are all faked; thats why
NAKCKA, -i, f. A reprimand, punish- everyones earning so much.
ment (lit., pumping). Sejcas budet u
/. 1. To
nacalhstva nakacka za prolye pro-
influence somebody (lit., to twist, to
koly. Now the management is going to
wind). ,
get into trouble for their past mistakes.
. He's
/ - completely brainwashed. Shes success-
, idiom. To beat up (lit., to put in a fully turned him against his friends. 2.
pocket, dated). To complicate, to aggravate, to make
, - things more difficult.
. Hes got a piss-poor attitude. Beat- ,
ing his face in wouldnt be a bad idea. ,
/. Said . Dont over-
of time (from Engl. clock). See . complicate your plan. Once bullets start
? What time flying its all about simplicity and
is it? instinct.
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167 NAPRG
NAPRGLOVO 168
(from naprenie, tension). U men idiom, joc. A crowd (lit., more people
so vremenem naprg, tolhko polcasa i than people; by wordplay as if narod,
beath. Im under some time pressure people, were different from ldi,
Ill just stay half an hour and Im off. people). V magazine naroda bolh-
NAPRGLOVO, -a, n., youth. See e, cem ldej, tuda ne pojdm.
naprg. Theres a huge crowd in the store; lets
NAPRGTH/NAPRCH. To force, not go there.
pressure (cf. naprg). Ne naprgaj NRY, nar, pl. A bed (lit., a plank bed).
men, to delath ne budu. Dont Kto to spit na moix narax?
pressure me. I wont do it. Whos that sleeping in my bed? a,
NAPRNKA, -i, f. Difficulties, po naram! idiom, joc. Hush! Quiet! (lit.,
problems. U men so vremenem Quiet in the plank beds!). a, po
naprnka. Im pressed for time. naram, ucilka idt. Quiet! Here
comes the teacher. Gnths pod nry,
NAPRNO, adv., youth, neg. Tense, un- see under gnths.
pleasant, dangerous (cf. naprg). Na
NARYVTHS/NARVTHS, neg. To
Kavkaze sejcas ocenh naprno.
act aggressive. Ty vs vrem nary-
Things are very tense in the Caucasus
vaehs, smotri, polucih. If you go
these days.
around acting so tough all the time youre
NAPRNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. going to get it.
Annoying, unpleasant (cf. naprg). On
NASIVATH/NASADTH na kn-
ocenh naprnyj, s nim ne poedu na
ur (na karkalk), idiom, rude. To
g. Hes awfully unpleasant; I dont
have sex with a woman (from nasai-
want to travel to the south with him.
vath/nasadith na krcok, lit., to bait a
/ , idiom, fishhook; cf. knur, karkalk).
army. To run away, to bolt (lit., to e ne proch nasadith na kanur. I
rethread a stripped bolt). See . wouldnt mind screwing that girl.
NAREZNJ, -go (-, -j), m. (f.), neg. NASKRZH, adv., joc. Through and
A toady, apple-polisher. Nareznoj through, completely (distorted from na-
opth v goru pol, nacalhstvo ego skvozh). Dodh lupit, vse naskrozh
lbit. That toady has taken another promokli. Its pouring rain. Everyones
step up the career ladder. The manage- soaked to the bone.
ment loves him. / -
NARISOVTHS, perf. only. To appear, , idiom, army. To look closely
show up. Kogda ty u nas nari- (lit., to tune radars). ,
suehs? So when will you show up at .
our place? , .
NARKMAN, -a, m., joc. A drug addict During your watch, dont take your eyes
(by wordplay on narko-, drug, and off of that bunker. If you see any move-
narkom, abbr. of narodnyj komissar, ment, notify me immediately.
peoples commissar). Odin narkoman NASTRUGTH, perf., joc. To produce in
i govorit: Esth plan po limonu. abundance. Ty znaeh, skolhko knig
So this druggie comes up and says, I on nastrugal za god? Do you know
can get you some for one million how many books hes cranked out this
rubles. year?
NARKOT, -, f., collect., neg. Drug (), idiom. To
addicts. Opth vozle teb vska beat up (lit., to knock on a mug).
narkota krutits. Again youve -
been hanging around with all sorts of ,
druggies. . Id like to whale on that pretty boys
NARDA BLHE, CEM LDJ, face, maybe then he wouldnt think he was
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 169
from Turgenevs praise of the Russian wouldnt take that money. Go ahead
language). Opth na velikij i and take it! Dont be a fool!
mogucij, slova bez mata skazath ne NE V DENHGX SCSTHE, A V IX
mogut. There he goes again with our KOLCESTVE, idiom, joc. Used in
great and mighty one he cant even mock-disparaging answer to claims that
open his mouth without using swear- money has no importance (lit., Happi-
words. ness isnt to be found in money, but in a
NA DOM GAZPRM, idiom, joc. A lot of money). U men net deneg,
rhyming distortion of the name of the zato i net problem s pokupkami.
political party Na dom Rossi, Da, ne v denhgax scasthe, a v ix koli-
Our home is Russia, alluding to the fact cestve. I have no money, but to make
that its leader, Victor Chernomyrdin, is up for that, I dont have to worry about
closely connected with the interests of the the security of my possessions. Sure,
gas company Gazprom. its not money that brings happiness, but
NAARIVATH/NAARITH. a lot of money.
To do or produce something quickly. NE VSKLAD, NEVPOPD, POE-
Skolhko strani slovar vy naa- LJ KOBLU V ZAD, idiom, rude. A
raili segodn? How many pages of rhyming phrase used to criticize bad
your dictionary did you guys manage to writing or speech (lit., Out of place, badly
churn out today? rhymed, kiss a mares ass).
NI CAS SMYE BSTRYE V NE GOVOR, U SAMJ MU
MRE, idiom, joc. Lit., Our watches are PHNIA, idiom, joc. Lit., No need to
the fastest in the world a sardonic explain, my husband is a drunk, too;
comment on the poor quality of domestic used to express the idea of sharing some-
Russian goods. one elses problems. Ty znaeh, men
NABYVAJ SPLI V ROT, idiom, deti sovsem ne sluat, vesh denh
rude. Mind your own business (lit., take gde-to gult, ne ucats. Ne govo-
your snot into your mouth). Ne lezh so ri, u men samoj mu phnia. My
svoimi sovetami, nabyvaj sopli v children dont listen to me at all. They run
rot. Dont butt in with your advice! around all day and dont study. Ive
Mind your own business. got the same problem.
NE BEJ LECEGO, idiom, joc. Very NE DL SRDNEGO UM (NE DL
easy. U teb rabota ne bej lea- SRDNIX UMV), idiom, joc. You
cego. Your job is a piece of cake. wouldnt understand (lit., its not for the
NE BER V GLOVU, idiom, joc. Dont average mind). Cto-to ne ponima,
worry about it, dont take it to heart. Ne cto to za zakon novyj? to ne
beri v golovu ti eny, zarabotaem. dl srednix umov. Somehow I dont get
Dont be discouraged by these prices; it. What sort of new law is this? Its
well earn the money. Ne ber v glovu, not for the average mind.
ber v rot, idiom, rude, joc. Dont worry, NE KELH, NE PERD, NICEG
dont take it to heart (lit., Dont take it NE RAZBERH, neg., rude. A
into your head, take it into your mouth, rhyming phrase used to criticize incom-
alluding to fellatio). Mne ne po sebe: prehensible speech (lit., Its not a cough,
opth oni ne otdat dolg. Ne beri its not a fart, you cant make anything of
v golovu, beri v rot. This is driving me it).
crazy. They still havent paid me what NE KOMR CIXNL, idiom, joc. Lit.,
they owe. Dont worry about it. Its not a mosquitos sneeze. See Ne
NE BUDH, CEM WI NALIVT, neg. mxa nagdila.
Dont be a fool (lit., dont be a soup NE MAJ MS, idiom. Its cold (lit.,
ladle). ti denhgi ne vozhmu. its not the month of May; used in criti-
Beri, ne budh, cem wi nalivat. I cism of someone who isnt dressed
Russ Slang 3rd.ed.ptI 1/23/06 9:37 AM Page 171
warmly enough for winter weather). idiom, joc. Lit., Dont put for tomorrow
Nadenh apku, ne maj mes. Put on what you can eat today. A twisted form of
a hat! Its not the month of May. Ne otkladyvaj na zavtra to, cto
NE MXA NAGDILA, idiom. Its in mono sdelath segodn, Dont put off
earnest, its serious business (lit., Its not for tomorrow what you can do today.
fly-shit). Tam nefti na milliardy, , idiom. Not to
to tebe ne muxa nagadila. These oil despair (a wordplay on , to
deposits cost billions of dollars, its despair, and , to fall on ones
nothing to sneeze at. ear). ,
NE MLHS, BRTHS NE B- . Dont despair, everything will be
DEH, idiom, neg. Dont get your hopes okay.
up (lit., no use lathering your face NE PRVYJ GOD ZMUEM, idiom.
youre not going to have a shave). Ne I know how to handle it, I wasnt born
mylhs, briths ne budeh, nikto yesterday (lit., Im not in my first year of
teb ne sobiraets priglaath v marriage). zna, cto delath v
gosti. Dont get your hopes up. No takix slucax, ne pervyj god zamu-
ones about to invite you to dinner. em. I know what to do in such cases
I wasnt born yesterday, you know.
NE MYCT, NE TLITS, idiom,
neg. Lit., someone neither moos nor NE PO UM, idiom, neg. Wrong, thought-
calves; used to describe someone inert, less, unreasonable. Vs ta reforma
passive, unproductive. Tebe pora sdelana ne po umu. Postradali opth
ustraivaths na rabotu, a ty ne bednye, a ne bogatye. This whole
mycih, ne telihs. Its high time reform has been done stupidly. Again its
you got yourself a job, but you neither the poor who are suffering, not the rich.
moo nor calve. NE POJMTE MEN PRVILHNO,
NE NDO L-L (nim rebtam), idiom, joc. Im only joking, dont take me
idiom, neg. Dont lie, tell tales, gossip. seriously (lit., Dont understand me
Ne nado l-l, ne bral tvoj mag- correctly, playing on Ne pojmite men
nitofon. Dont tell lies! I didnt take nepravilhno, Dont misunderstand
your tape recorder. me).
NE PROTGIVAJ RKI, A TO
NE NDO MUM, joc. This expression
PROTNEH NGI, idiom. A
derives from Turgenevs story Mumu,
warning not to touch something (lit.,
in which the dumb peasant Gerasim is
Dont reach with your hands or youll
attached to a puppy called Mumu.
reach with your legs).
1. Dont be silent. Govori, ne nado
mumu. Speak up! Cat got your tongue? NE PHT TLHKO SOV: ona dnm
2. Dont try to fool me, dont take me for spit, a nch magazny zakrty,
a sucker. Ne nado mumu, zna, cto idiom, joc. A proverbial expression used
ty xoceh. Dont try to fool me. I to assert, in response to the question
know what youre up to. whether someone drinks, that, of course,
everyone drinks (lit., The owl is the only
NE NDO PSEN, idiom, neg. Dont lie, creature that doesnt drink, because in the
dont be evasive (lit., theres no need of daytime shes asleep, and at night the
songs). Tolhko ne nado pesen, ty gde stores are closed). Vypheh s nami?
byl? Tell me straight out where have Ne pht tolhko sova.... Will you
you been? have a drink with us? Of course! After
NE NKAJ, NE ZAPRG! Dont keep all, the only creature that doesnt drink is
saying Come on! to me. Im not a horse the owl....
(lit., you havent harnessed me). NE PHT TLHKO TELEGRFNYJ
NE OTKLDYVAJ NA ZVTRA TO, STOLB (, u neg cki vniz), idiom,
CTO MNO SQESTH SEGDN, joc. Most people drink, its the usual
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NE RAZBEHS 172
173 NEPRXA
black person. Zdesh ucits mnogo ka, nikak ne xoceh ponth, cto tebe
negativov. A lot of blacks study here. nado govorith, kogda sprost. What
2. The negative or dark side of things. V an idiot you are! Cant you understand
ego romane odin negativ. His novel that you have to answer when youre
only shows the dark side of things. asked a question?
3. Compromising information. U nix NEDOMOK, nedomka, m., neg. An
na men negativ. They have some dirt idiot, fool. Kak mono s takim nedo-
on me. umkom druith? How can you be
NEGR: (Temn) kak u ngra v pe, see friends with such an idiot?
under pa. NEZAVERNKA, -i, f. Incomplete
NEGRITS, -a, m., neg. A Negro. V work, work left undone (esp. construction
orkestre u nego odni negritosy. His work). U nas v gorode nezavernki
orchestra is made up entirely of blacks. xvataet. In our city there are a lot of
NEGRITSI, -ii, f., neg. Any African abandoned construction jobs.
country. On uexal poslom v kaku-to NEZVNYJ GOSTH LCE TAT-
Negritosi. He went as an ambas- RINA, idiom, joc. Lit., An unexpected
sador to some Darkland or other. guest is better than a Tartar (by comic
NEDERNIE RCI, idiom, neg. distortion of the saying Nezvanyj gosth
Overtalkativeness (playing on nedera- xue tatarina,, An uninvited guest is
nie moci, incontinence). On pomol- worse than a Tartar).
cath ne moet i minuty, nedera- NEKAJF, -v, pl., youth, neg. Unpleas-
nie reci kakoe-to. He cant keep quiet antness, difficulties (cf. kajf). Ot
for a single minute, hes got such a case toj gerly odni nekajfy. Theres
of speech incontinence. never anything but trouble with this girl.
NEDODLANNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Idi- NEKSLYJ, -a, -oe, pos. Good (lit.,
otic, stupid (lit., defectively made). not sour). U nego nekisla zarplata.
Kakoj-to ty nedodelannyj, vs Hes making a good salary.
delaeh ne kak ldi. How can you be NENAVZCIVYJ SRVIS, idiom,
so stupid! You dont do anything like a joc. Poor, inattentive service (lit., service
normal person. that is not too insistent). Zdesh v res-
NEDOBANNYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Out of torane nenavzcivyj servis, cas si-
sorts, in a bad mood. Cto s nim, segod- dim, a ew zakaz ne prinli. The ser-
n on kakoj-to nedobannyj. Whats vice in this restaurant is not very insistent
with him today? He seems to be in a bad weve been sitting here an hour
mood. already and no one has taken our order
/- yet.
. Paradoxical word from , lit., NENABA, -y, m. & f., rude. A sexually
less, and , lit., more. , tireless or insatiable person. Emu malo
, . Hes dvux bab, vot nenaba. Two women
mad as hell, its obvious that he didnt arent enough for that stud.
drink as much as he should yesterday. NEPROXODNK, -, m. A hopeless
NEDPIL, -a, m. Not enough to drink. business, a doomed enterprise. To, cto
to budet nedopil, nado ew ty predlagaeh, neproxodnk.
butylku kupith. This wont be Your proposal hasnt got a chance.
enough to drink, well have to buy NEPROXON, indecl., pred. Nothing
another bottle. doing. V ego bank ustroiths
NEDOTKOMKA, -i, m. & f., neg. An neproxona. Its impossible to get a job
idiot, fool (lit., not fully penetrated, in his bank.
incomplete or defective in the manner of NEPRXA, -i, f. Bad luck, failure.
generation). Kaka ty nedotykom- Cto-to mne vo vsm nepruxa segod-
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NERV 174
177 NXC
nam. Dont invite any oldsters to the the card game? It was a draw. Si-
party. What would we do with them? dth na nul/sesth na nulh, see under
NOSOPRKA, -i, f., joc. A nose. sidth.
Vytri nosopyrku, platok esth? NULHSN V SMZKE, idiom, army.
Do you have a handkerchief? Wipe your An inexperienced first-year soldier or
nose! marine.
NOCN BBOCKA, idiom. A prostitute NUTR: Nutr gort, idiom. Lit., some-
(lit., a moth). Gde sejcas sbor nocnyx ones insides are burning; used to
babocek? Where are the prostitutes describe a hangover. Nado by xoth
hanging out these days? piva vypith, nutro gorit. My
NOCNE, -go, n., student. Late-night insides are on fire. I need a beer or some-
studying, as before exams. Kupi thing. Ne po nutr kom-l., idiom. Not
pobolhe kofe, my segodn v nocnom. to someones taste, disagreeable. Mne
Get some more coffee, were going to ne po nutru, cto ty xoceh sdelath.
pull an all-nighter. I dont like what you want to do.
Gnile nutr u kog-l., see under
NRVITHS, NE NRVITHS,
gnilj.
EH, MO KRASVIA! rhyming
phrase, joc., rude. Lit., Whether you like NHS, pl., youth. News (from Eng.
it or not, eat it, my beauty! Used in news). Nu, kakie nhs? Well,
response to complaints about food. Its whats the news?
the punch line of a popular rhyme that , -, f. A secret place to hide
begins Kak-to raz Anela Devis something (from , to hide).
proglotila cej-to penis, Once upon a ,
time, Angela Davis swallowed some- . Do you have any vodka
ones penis. left in your stash? I need a drink!
NU I PIROG! idiom. An exclamation NNI, nnh, pl., neg. Tears, crying.
of annoyance or incredulity: Incredible! Opth nni, skolhko mono? Are
Is it possible? Nu i pirogi, opth ona you crying again? Enough with the tears,
ne prila. Well, heres a fine kettle of already! Raspuskth/raspustth
fish shes stood me up again! nni, see under raspuskth.
NU TY DAH! An expression of NX: Davth/dath v nx, see under
amazement, admiration. Ty stolhko davth.
vetov kupil, nu ty dah! Wow, NXA, -i, f., neg. A promiscuous woman,
look at all the flowers you bought! prostitute. Cto to ty za nxu pri-
NUDTH/ZANUDTH, neg. To whine, tawil? Where did you drag in that slut
nag, be a nudnick. Ne nudi, vs ravno from?
ne kupl tebe moroenoe. Stop NXALKA, -i, f., joc. A nose (from
your whining. Im not going to get you an nxath, to smell). Mo nxalka ne
ice cream. obmanyvaet zdesh alyki goto-
NUNK, -, m., obs. An outhouse, out- vt. My sniffer tells me someones
door toilet. U nego na dace nunik vo cooking shashlik here.
dvore. Hes got an outhouse in the yard NXALO, -a, n., neg. A nose (see
at his dacha. nxalka).
NKATH/ZANKATH. To hurry or pres- NXATH/VNXATH. To find out, to
sure someone by repeating nu, nu (well, get to know (lit, to sniff). Ty nxal,
come on). Ne nkaj, ne zaprg!, see kakoj kurs dollara budet zavtra?
under ne. Have you found out what the exchange
NULH: Po nulm, idiom. A draw, an even rate on the dollar will be tomorrow?
score. Kak ty sygral v karty? NXC, -, m., youth. A drug addict.
Po nulm. How did you make out in Nxaci bez kokaina i dn proith
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NKA 178
OBLMYVATHS1/OBLOMTHS 180
181 OBUVTH/OBTH
OBVKA 182
183 OKOROK
OKCIVATH/OKCITH. 184
185 OSTOGRMMITHS
OSTOEBNIVATH/OSTOEBNITH 186
To drink 100 grams of vodka as a remedy OTVLHNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Wonder-
for a hangover (from sto gramm, 100 ful, astonishing. See otvlivaths.
grams). Pora nam ostogrammiths. OTVLHNA, -oj, f. A farewell party
Its time for us to drink 100 grams. (from otvalivath, to leave). Nika-
OSTOEBNIVATH/OSTOEBNITH, kix otvalhnyx ne sobirash
rude. To be boring, wearisome (cf. b-). delath. Im not planning to have any
Vyklci radio, ostoebenilo. Turn farewell parties.
off the radio. Im tired of it. , -, f., army. 1. Resistance
OSTONADOEDTH/OSTONADO- against the superiority and authority of
STH, euph., neg. To be annoying. Ty experienced soldiers.
mne ostonadoel svoimi alobami. ,
Im sick and tired of your complaints. . If I were you I wouldnt try
OSTOPIZDENIVTH/OSTOPZ- to challenge the old timers, they wont
DETH, rude. To be boring, wearisome tolerate it. 2. A counterattack.
(cf. pizd). Mne tlyj rok osto- ,
pizdel. Im sick of hard rock music. . Well start the
OSTOXUEVTH/OSTOXUTH. See counterattack within the hour, get your
ostopizdenivth. weapons ready and check each others
OT DXLOGO OSL I, idiom. No gear.
way, no chance (lit., a dead donkeys , -, f. A cocktail made with
ears). Ot doxlogo osla ui emu, a ne Fanta and vodka (lit., a screwdriver). The
premi! He sure isnt going to get a carbonation in the Fanta absorbs the
bonus. vodka quicker and makes it easier to get
OTBIVTH/OTBTH bbki, idiom, drunk.
youth. To return money. Aleks, kogda OTVIVATH/OTVSITH pizd-
ty otobhh babki? When are you lj. See under davth.
going to give me back my money, Alex? , -, -. Said of a per-
, -, f. A pork chop (from son who seems detached from reality,
). - isnt affected by anything, or has a
, . strange mindset and way of life.
What I want right now is to eat a few ,
pork chops and take a nap. . Be careful
OTBRSYVATH/OTBRSITH lpti, around that guy. Hes got a screw loose.
idiom. To die (lit., to throw out ones bast He completely lost it during the war.
shoes; cf. lpti). Skoro lapti ot- OTVNCIVATH/OTVINTTH i,
brou, togda delajte, cto xotite. idiom, neg. To beat up (lit., to unscrew
Soon Ill kick the bucket, and then you someones ears). tebe ui otvin-
can do whatever you want. cu, esli vozhmh moj magnitofon.
OTVL (PETRVIC)!, idiom, joc. (Go Ill twist your ears off if you take my
away, get out of here. Nu vs! Otval tape recorder.
Petrovic, spath pora. Enough! Buzz OTVZANNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, pos.
off now, Ive got to get to sleep. 1. Relaxed, at ease. On vsegda i vezde
OTVLIVATH/OTVALTH. To leave, otvzannyj. Hes always at ease.
pull out (lit., to cast off, of a ship). 2. Independent. Oni teb ne budut
Davaj otvalivaj otsda! Get out sluath, oni otvzannye. Theyre
of here! independent people; theyll never listen
OTVLIVATHS/OTVALTHS, to you. 3. Out of control, wild.
youth. To admire, to be amazed (lit., to OTVZKA, -i, f., youth. Entertainment,
fall off). otvalivash, kaka u relaxing distraction, dancing. Ustal ,
teb pricska. I adore your haircut! nado by otvzku ustroith. Im worn
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187 OTKLCTHS/OTKLCTHS
out; lets do something entertaining. main vo dvore. Did you hear about the
OTVZYVATHS/OTVZTHS, trick they played? They switched around
youth. To relax, have a good time. Vce- the license plates of all the cars in the
ra my neploxo otvzalish, potane- driveway!
vali, poorali pesni. We had a pretty OTKT, -a, m., 1. youth. Something won-
good time yesterday dancing and derful, terrific. Sejcas my smotreli
singing. vidik otkat! The film we just saw
OTVNUTH, perf. only, youth, neg. To is something fantastic! 2. A bribe for
leave alone, stop bothering (lit., to fade receiving credit or a contract, work (lit.,
out). Otvnh, ne xocu idti v kino. recoil). -
Leave me alone, I dont want to go to the , ,
movies. .
OTGLNEVTH, perf. To drink some That guy gets a five percent kickback,
beer or wine after vodka (lit., to gloss a that one ten, and then you end up without
photo print). Xoroo by ew i enough money to do the work that was
otglnevath, a potom po domam. contracted.
Lets give ourselves a little gloss before OTKTNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Wonderful,
everyone goes home. terrific (cf. otkt). Gde ty dostal
OTGRXIVATH/OTGRXATH. To takoj otkatnyj plejer? Where did
build something huge (from groxotath, you get that terrific tape player?
to thunder). On sebe taku dacu / ,
otgroxal elyj dvore. He built idiom. To die (lit., to kick a tail away).
himself an enormous country house, a - -
regular palace. , ,
OTDAVTH/OTDTH kon, idiom, . Make sure
joc. To die (lit., to untie the guy ropes). youve got someone covering you at all
Bez vody bystro otdah kony. times. Its a lot easier to die here than it is
Without water youll kick the bucket to survive.
fast. OTKDYVATHS/OTKNUTHS,
OTDCA, -i, f., joc. Breath smelling of crim. To complete a prison sentence, to
liquor (lit., recoil). U teb taka be released. svo otsidel, skoro
otdaca, za kilometr nest. Your otkinush. Ive served my term, Ill be
breath stinks of booze from a mile away. out soon.
OTDUPLTHS, perf. To finish, com- OTKNUTH kopta, idiom. To die (lit.,
plete (from dupliths, a term in to throw ones hooves outwards). Iz-za
dominoes). Ty ue otduplils na cego on kopyta otkinul? What did
rabote, zaxodi v gosti. If youre done he die of?
working, drop by at my place. OTKLIVATHS/OTKLITHS,
OTZNUTH, perf. only, youth, neg. To neg. To leave alone, stop bothering (lit.,
leave, go away. Tebe skazali, to come unstuck). Sluaj, otklejs,
otzynh! How many times do I have to ne xocu teb videth. Leave me alone!
tell you? Get lost! Get out of my sight.
OTKZNIK, -a, m. A refusenik, some- OTKLONNIE, -, n. An eccentricity, a
one who has been refused an emigration strange feature (lit., deviation). U nego
visa to leave the country (from otkazath; otklonenie na enwin, on ix ter-
cf. refhznik). peth ne moet. He has a thing about
OTKLYVATH/OTKOLTH xxmu, women he just cant stand them.
idiom. To play a trick, play a practical OTKLCTHS/OTKLCTHS.
joke (cf. xxma). Znaeh, kaku oni 1. To fall asleep (lit., to be disconnected).
xoxmu otkololi, pomenli vse nomera Posle uina my srazu otklci-
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OTKLCKA 188
189 OTSS
OTRVA, -y, m. & f., neg. A reckless per- you with her again. Otryvth/otor-
son (from otorvannyj, torn off). vth pgoviu s msom, idiom. To get a
tot otorva ne propadt, za nego button pulled off with a piece of the
bespokoiths ne stoit. That reckless fabric (lit., to tear off a button with its
fellow always lands on his feet; dont flesh). Otryvth/otorvth s rukmi
worry about him. (i nogmi), idiom. To be glad to buy
OTPD, -a, m., youth. Something wonder- something that is in great demand. Ne
ful, terrific (lit., a fainting fit). tot zna, vozhmut li tu apku za 50000.
konert otpad! That concert was Da ty cto, s rukami i nogami
wonderful! otorvut. I dont know if this hat will
sell for 50000 rubles. Are you kid-
OTPADTH/OTPSTH. To be amazed
ding? Theyll eat it up! Otryvth/
(lit., to faint; cf. otpd). Oni mo u-
otorvth , idiom. To go mad (lit.,
bu uvideli, srazu otpali. When they
to tear a phase off). ,
saw my fur coat they practically passed
,
out.
. I swear Ill lose my mind if we
OTPDNYJ, -a, -oe. Excellent, out- have anymore pop-inspections this
standing (cf. otpd). Takogo otpad- week. Otryvth/ otorvth ja, see
nogo mor davno ne bylo. The sea has- under j.
nt been so perfect for a long time.
OTRYVTHS/OTORVTHS. To
OTPZDITH, perf. only, rude. To beat up relax, enjoy leisure activities. Xocu v
(cf. pizd). Ty xoceh, ctoby ot- voskresenhe otorvaths, poigrath v
pizdili za vorovstvo? Are you look- tennis. I want to have some relaxation
ing to get beaten up for robbery? on Sunday maybe a nice game of ten-
OTRATH/OTRAZTH. Lit., to repel, nis.
to reflect. 1. To refuse. Vse nai OTRKA PHNOGO INDSA,
proshby on otrazil. He turned down idiom, neg. Bad-tasting food of poor
all our requests. 2. To give an quality (lit., the burp of a drunken
unsatisfactory mark on an examination. Indian). Nu, kak salat? Otryka
Men ue dva raza otrazili. phnogo indusa. Hows the salad?
Theyve already failed me twice. Ugh. Its the burp of a drunken Indian.
/. OTSKK, -a, m., youth. Departure (lit., a
To beat up (lit., to even a surface). jump-off). Mne pora otskok delath.
, Well, its time for me to get out of here.
. Somebody beat his
OTSLNIVATH/OTSLNTH, joc.
face in good, its nothing but one big
To count out (money, bills) in payment
black and blue mark.
(from slna, saliva, with reference to
OTRB, -a, m., neg. Drunkenness, a state moistening ones fingers in the process of
of drunkenness. On ue tri dn v counting). Skolhko tebe otslnith
otrube. Hes been on a binge for three na segodn? How much do I owe you
days. for today?
OTRUBTHS/OTRUBTHS. To OTSS, -a, m., rude. 1. Oral sex, fellatio.
faint, to lose consciousness (lit., to be cut Ona otsosom zanimaets? Does
off). See otklcths. she do blow jobs? 2. Used as a rude dis-
OTRYVTH/OTORVTH. To buy. Gde missal or negation: certainly not, no way.
to ty sebe takoe plathe otorvala? tuda ne pojdu, otsos. I wouldnt
Where did you buy that dress? Otry- go there. No way. 3. A lazy person (from
vth/otorvth bku, idiom. To punish , to suck, meaning to live at
(lit., to tear someones head off). someone elses expense). See . 4.
tebe boku otorvu, esli ew raz Mooch. ,
uviu teb s nej. Ill kill you if I catch -? You are
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OTSTBYVATH/OTSTEBTH 190
such a mooch! You have never paid a sin- buy, to get (lit., to snap off). Smotri,
gle cent for anything. kakoj sebe kostm otxvatil. Look
OTSTBYVATH/OTSTEBTH. To rid- at this suit I bought for myself.
icule, to make fun of (cf. stb). Xoro OTXODNK, -, m., youth. A hangover
ego otstbyvath, nadoelo. Enough (from otxodith posle bolezni, to
making fun of him already! Its getting recover from an illness). Cto ty
boring. leih, na rabotu ne pojdh?
OTSTGIVATH/OTSTEGNTH, joc. Net, u men segodn otxodnk. Why
To pay, to count out money (lit., to unbut- are you still in bed? Arent you going to
ton). Mne nadoelo otstgivath work today? No, Ive got a hangover.
denhgi kadu nedel na erundu. Im OTXURIVATH/OTXURITH, rude.
sick of making weekly payments for this Cf. xuj. 1. To go a long distance. My
junk. otxurili ue 10 kilometrov, a de-
OTSTGIVATHS/OTSTEG- revni vs net. Weve already covered
NTHS, youth. To decline, to refuse ten kilometers, and theres still no sign of
(lit., to be unbuttoned). otstgi- a village. 2. To beat up. Teb star-
vash ot progulki, ustal. Im tired, I ij brat otxurit za porvannye
dont want to go for a walk. dinsy. Your older brother is going to
OTSTRYVATH DNHGI, idiom, beat you up for ripping his jeans. 3. To
business. To launder money. Kak oni work a long time. Ew otxurim paru
otstiryvat denhgi za narkotiki? casov i kone smeny. We have to slog
How do they launder the drug money? through another couple of hours and then
OTSTRELTHS, perf. To finish, to itll be the end of our shift.
compelte (from strelth, to shoot). OTCLIVATH/OTCLITH. To leave,
OTTG, -a, m., youth, pos. A vacation, depart (cf. otvlivath). Nam pora
rest, break (cf. ottgivaths). Letom otcalivath. Its time for us to get
budet tebe ottg. Youll get a vaca- going.
tion in the summer. OTCEBCIVATH/OTCEBCITH. See
OTTGIVATH/OTTNTH, joc. To otmcivath.
give relief as a remedy for a hangover OTIBTH/OTIBTH rog, idiom,
(lit., to draw off, with reference to the bad neg. To beat up, punish (lit., to knock
effects of the previous nights drinking). someones horns off). tebe roga
Pivo xoroo ottgivaet. Beer otibu za tvoi tucki! Im going to
works well as a hangover remedy. knock your block off for those tricks of
OTTGIVATHS/OTTNTHS, yours!
youth, pos. To rest, relax (cf. ottg). OTIVTH/OTTH, neg. 1. To
Pora nam ottnuths. Its time for reject, break off relations with someone.
us to take a break. On predlagal ej vyjti za nego za-
OTTNIK, -a, m., youth. A playboy mu, ona ego otila. When he asked
(cf. ottgivaths). her to marry him, she broke off with him
OTTPYVATH/OTTPATH. To grab, completely. 2. To chase away, force to
to take (from tpath, to chop). Vse leave. Otej ego, ne xocu, ctoby
roditelhskie denhgi brat sebe on ostavals. Get rid of him. I dont
ottpal. My brother took all our want him to stay.
parents money. OTQBYVATHS/OTQEBTHS,
OTFJSITH, perf., youth. To hit, to beat rude. To cease, stop (cf. b-). Otqe-
(from Eng. face). Kto kogo tam ot- bish so svoimi rassprosami. Thats
fejsil, ne pomn. I cant remember enough of your requests.
who hit who. OTQEZTH/OTQXATH. To die.
OTXVTYVATH/OTXVATTH. To Da ona ue goda dva nazad kak
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191 OCK
OCUMVATH/OCUMTH 192
PANKOVTH/ZAPANKOVTH 194
195
tuda bolhe ne pojdu, pas. Im not written four books in one year!
going there any more Ive had PAXTH/NAPAXTH. To work hard, to
enough. serve (lit., to plough). vs iznh na
PASKDA, -y, m. & f., rude. 1. A vas pau. Ive been slaving for you all
scoundrel, bastard. Ty paskudoj byl, my life.
paskudoj i ostals. You always were PAXTH: My paxli, see under my.
a bastard and you still are. 2. A prosti- PAN, -, m. A teenager. On e ew
tute. ta paskuda spit so vsej uli- paan, izni ne znaet. Hes still a
ej. That whore sleeps with everyone teenager, he doesnt know life at all.
on the block.
PCKA, -i, f., neg. A big face (lit., a
PASSV, -a, m. A passive homosex- pack). emu dal po packe, on s
ual.On aktiv ili passiv? Is he the kopyt. I punched him in the face, and
active partner or the passive one? he fell down. Valth/povalth pc-
PSSI, -ii, f. Girlfriend, lover. Von kami, see under valth1. Dath v pcku,
ta crnenhka ego passi? Is that see under davth. Polucth pcku, see
brunette over there his flame? under polucth.
PAST/POPAST. To follow, keep PALHNIK, -a, m., joc. A nose (lit., sol-
under surveillance (lit., to pasture). dering iron). Uberi svoj palhnik,
Milii ego past ue nedel. to tebe ne nado znath. Get your
The police have been following him for nose out of this! Its none of your busi-
a week. ness.
PASTH, -i, f., rude. A mouth, maw. PED, -a, m., neg. A homosexual, pederast.
Posmotri, kaka u ne pasth! Look Gde tot ped ivt? Where does
at the big maw on her. Zakroj pasth! that bugger live?
Shut your mouth. Zamknth pasth, PEDLI: Krut pedli, pok ne dli,
see under zamknth. Porvth pasth, see under krutth1.
see under porvth. Razevth/raznuth
PEDLH, -i, f. 1. A foot (lit., pedal).
pasth, see under razevth.
Pedali vytiraj, kogda v dom
PTI, f., indecl., youth. A party (from vxodih. Wipe your feet when you
Eng. party). Ty idh k nej na come in the house! 2. f. A slow-thinking
pati? Are you going to her party? person.
PTLY, patl, pl., neg. Long, unkempt PEDERGA, -i, m., youth, neg. A ped-
hair. Otrastil sebe patly, duma- erast. Znath togo pedergu ne xocu.
eh, krasivo? Do you think that mop I dont want to have anything to do with
of yours is attractive. that bugger.
PUZA: Derth puzu, see under PEJDERTH/ZAPEJDERTH.
derth. To page, to send a message to a pager.
PAXN, -, m. 1. The head of a group. Zapejderi emu na nomer, pusth
Kto u nix paxan? Whos their srocno pozvonit. Page our number to
chief? 2. A father. Moj paxan ne l- him so he can call us immediately.
bit, kogda kur. My father doesnt PEJS, -a, m., neg. A Jew (from pejsy,
like it when I smoke. forelocks). Esli on pejs, to na
PAXNKA, -i, f., crim. & youth. A russkoj ne enits. If hes a Jew, he
mother. Cego paxanka na teb ruga- wont marry a Russian woman.
lash? What was your mother scolding , -, m. A simpleton, a coun-
you for? try bumpkin (lit., pelmeni, Siberian meat
PXARH, -, m. A good worker. Kakoj dumplings). -
e on paxarh, za god cetyre knigi ,
napisal! What a workhorse! Hes . Its our fault for con-
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PNA 196
197 PER
PRSIK 198
Ostorono, u nego pero! Watch out, PETRKA, -i, f., youth. A girl, a young
hes got a knife! woman (lit., parsley). Kto privl tu
PRSIK, -a, m., joc. A Persian, Iranian petruku. pusth i domoj provoaet.
(from persik, peach). Whoever brought that gal should take
PERSONLKA, -i, f. 1. An office car for her home.
VIPs. 2. A personal computer. 3. (obs) A PETX, -, m., crim., neg. A passive
personal file recording an investigation homosexual (lit., a rooster). On v kolo-
into a violation of party discipline. nii byl petuxom. In the labor camp he
PERFRMANS, -a, m. An event, hap- was buggered by everyone. Derth
pening (from Eng. performance). Iz petux or udarth/udrith po petu-
dn rodeni ustroili elyj per- xm, see under derth.
formans i artisty, i pevy, i PETUTH/RASPETUTH. To
politiki vse poucastvovali. They scold, to critisize. Xoroo ego raspe-
put together quite an event for his tuili v gazetax za korrupi. He
birthday celebrities, singers, politi- was harshly critized in the papers for
cians. corruption.
PRWIK, -a, m. A lucky person. S PXOM, adv., joc. On foot. Skolhko
tim prwikom v karty ne sadish, ew pxom ostalosh? How much far-
bespolezno. Theres no point in playing ther is it to walk?
cards with him, he always lucks out. PEKODRLOM, adv. On foot. Tuda
PS, psa, m., crim., neg. A prison warden metro ne xodit, pridts dobirath-
(lit., a dog). Tie, psy idut. Shush. s pekodralom. Theres no subway
Here come the wardens. station there, well have to go on foot.
PSIJ, psh, pshe, neg. Bad (lit., PEKM: Stoth/postoth pekm,
dogs). Cto za psh pogoda! What see under stoth.
crappy weather! /, neg. To ad-
PESKOSTRJWIK, -a, m., joc. A vertise a political figure or goods using
decrepit old man (lit., someone who is slanted, partial, skewed information in
losing his sand). Cto ty aluehs order to manipulate the public. -
na zdorovhe, kak peskostrujwik? , , -
Why are you whining about your health ,
like a decrepit old man? . They tried and tried to
PSN: Ne ndo psen, see under ne. manipulate the public in Ukraine with
PESK SP(L)ETS iz kog-l., dirty campaigning but didnt achieve
idiom. Someone is old and decrepit (lit., their political goals; its tough to fool the
the sand is spilling out of someone). Iz people. (Note: In Russian, Public Rela-
teb pesok syplets, a ty za dev- tions or PR always has a negative conno-
conkami begaeh. Youre already los- tation and refers to manipulation of the
ing your stuffing, but youre still running public.)
after the girls. PVO: Udarth/udrith po pvu, see
PTR IVNOVIC, -a, m. A nickname under udarth.
for the Moscow Detective Department at PDOVSKIJ, -a, -oe, neg. Homosex-
38 Petrovka Street. Kaets, nami ual, pederastic. Prekrati svoi
zainteresovals Ptr Ivanovic! It pidovskie tucki, uberi ruki. Get
looks like the police have got curious your fairy hands off me. Po-pdovski,
about us. adv., neg. In an effeminate way, like a
PTRITH, imperf. To understand, to catch homosexual. On vedt seb po-pidov-
on. Ona nicego ne petrit v matema- ski, on goluboj? Is he gay? He acts like
tike. She doesnt get a thing in a fairy.
mathematics. PDOR, -a, m., rude. A homosexual.
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199 PIZDANTHS
Pdor gnjnyj, idiom, rude. A cunt laugh; its funny enough already).
scoundrel, bastard. Ty, pidor gnoj- Id v pizd na pereplvku, idiom,
nyj, opth ugrobil mainu. You rude. Go to hell, get out of here, go to the
dirty bastard youve gone and wrecked devil (cf. pereplavka, smelting). Idi
the car again. v pizdu na pereplavku so svoimi u-
tockami. Go to hell with your tricks.
PIZD, -, f., rude. Cunt. PIZD
Pro pizd glposti, idiom, rude. A
(nom.): Pizd vonca, idiom, rude. A
chatterbox, idle chatterer. Ty opth
worthless person, bastard, scoundrel.
pro pizdu gluposti, a nam nado serh-
Pusth zamolcit, pizda vonca.
zno pogovorith. There you go chatter-
That stinking bitch should shut up.
ing again when we need to have a serious
Pizd rvna, idiom, rude. A whore,
talk. PIZD (gen.): Davth/dath
good-for-nothing (lit., a torn-up cunt).
pizd, idiom, rude. To scold, punish.
S kem ty opth guleh, pizda
Mne pora domoj, a to ena dast
rvana? Who are you going around
pizdy. Ive got to go home now or my
with now, you whore? Pizd stra,
wife will really give it to me. Do pizd
idiom, rude. An old woman. Ne slu-
kom-l., idiom, rude. It doesnt matter,
aj tu pizdu staru. Cto ona poni-
its of no concern. Cto on govorit
maet? Dont listen to that old cunt
obo mne, mne do pizdy. I dont care
she doesnt understand a thing. Pizd s
what he says about me. Svalths iz
umi, idiom, rude. Someone or some-
pizd, idiom, rude. To be oblivious, out
thing ridiculous, out of place, strange (lit.,
of touch; to be like a creature from Mars
a cunt with ears). Ty, pizda s uami,
(lit., to fall from a cunt). Ty kak iz
cto ty nesh? What are you talking
pizdy svalils, razve ty ne slyal
about, you cockamamie fool! Pizd
o perevorote? How can you be so out
teb rodil, idiom, rude. A general
of it! You really havent heard about the
phrase of abuse (lit., a cunt gave birth to
coup? PIZD (dat.): Ne prij piz-
you). Dae kofe svarith ne
d rukv, idiom, rude. Unwanted, out of
moeh, pizda teb rodila. You
place (lit., dont sew a sleeve onto a cunt).
cant even boil the water for coffee, you
Sejcas pozdno, tot kofe ne pri-
idiot. Glaz ne pizd, promorget,
ej pizde rukav. Its late already; we
idiom, rude. The damage isnt permanent;
need this coffee like a hole in the head.
it will pass (lit., an eye isnt a cunt, it
Nno kak pizd dvry (kak do piz-
blinks itself clean). Net lce zlh,
d dvra), idiom, rude. Unwanted,
cem pizd na poxmlhe, idiom, rude.
superfluous, in the way (lit., needed like
Lit., Theres no better potion for a hang-
doors on a cunt). Mne tvoi sovety
over than a cunt. Pizd-zasrne,
nuny kak pizde dvery. I need your
pizd-zasrna, m., rude. A worthless
advice like a hole in the head. PIZD
person (cf. zasrne). Ot togo
(prep): V kdoj pizd zatcka,
pizdy-zasrana pomowi ne di.
idiom, rude. A busybody, a meddler (lit.,
Dont expect any help from that bas-
a tampon in every cunt). Ne budh v
tard. li xuj popolm, li pizd
kadoj pizde zatyckoj, teb nikto
vdrbezgi, see under xuj. Xuj i pizd
ne prosil ej pomogath. Dont be such
iz odnog gnezd, see under xuj.
a buttinsky. No one asked you to help
PIZD (acc.): Smeth pizd, idiom,
her. Ne povezt, tak v pizd na
rude. To joke around, talk nonsense, be
gvozdh natknhs, idiom, rude.
kidding. Ne smei pizdu, nikto
Unless youre in luck, you could always
tuda tak pozdno ne pojdt. Dont
get snagged on a nail in a cunt.
talk nonsense. No one would go there so
late at night. Ne sme pizd, on i PIZDANTHS, perf. only, rude. Cf.
tak smen, idiom, rude. What youre pizd. 1. To go crazy. Ty tam ot
saying is ridiculous (lit., Dont make the skuki ne pizdanuls? Didnt you go
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PIZDSTYJ 200
crazy from boredom there? 2. To fall. beat (cf. pizd). Kak pizdanu, ne bu-
Vcera pizdanuls na ulie. Yes- deh bolhe vorovath. The way Im
terday I fell down in the street. going to beat you up, you wont be doing
PIZDSTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Huge, any more robberies.
enormous (cf. pizd). Zacem ty ku- PZDITH2/SPZDITH, rude. To steal
pil takoj pizdastyj cemodan? Why (cf. pizd). Ty ne moeh spizdith
did you buy such a huge suitcase? nemnogo sigaret u ota? Cant you
PIZDTO, adv., rude. Wonderfully well swipe a few cigarettes from your father?
(cf. pizd). vykuril pervu siga- PIZDOBL, -a, m., rude. An idle chat-
retu za denh i mne pizdato! I just terer (cf. pizd). Skolhko mono
smoked my first cigarette of the day and I sluath togo pizdobola? How long
feel terrific! can you listen to that blabbermouth?
PIZDTYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Excellent, PIZDOBLITH/POPIZDOB-
extraordinary (cf. pizd). Gde ty dos- LITH, rude. To tell tales, chatter idly, be
tal takie pizdatye krossovki? kidding, lie (cf. pizd). Lbih ty
Where did you manage to get those great pizdobolith, na samom dele vs bylo
running shoes? ne tak. Youre just kidding. It wasnt
PIZD, -, m., rude. Chatter, twaddle, really like that at all.
nonsense (cf. pizd). Koncaj pizd. PIZDOBRTI, -i, f., rude. A group of
Cut the crap. Razvodth/razvest people, set, company (cf. pizd). to
pizd, see under razvodth. cto za pizdobrati tam sobralash?
PIZDNY, -a, m., rude. A little, weak What sort of group is that over there?
fellow (esp. one with pretensions to PIZDOVONCKA, -i, f., rude. A
power; cf. pizd). Kadyj pizd- worthless or bad woman (cf. pizd).
ny budet mne ukazyvath, cto de- Ne privodi v dom tu pizdovoncku.
lath. Guys who are still wet behind the Dont bring that bitch into this house.
ears are trying to tell me what to do. PIZDOPROTVNYJ, -a, -oe, rude.
PIZDNH, -i, f., rude. Large female gen- Offensive, repulsive (cf. pizd). Se-
itals (cf. pizda). Pizdenh u ne vse godn pizdoprotivna pogoda. What
pomestts. Theres room for every- disgusting weather today.
one in her big cunt. PIZDORVNE, pizdorvna, m.,
PIZDTH/SPIZDTH, rude. To lie, tell rude. A worthless or bad person (lit., a
stories (cf. pizd). Ty spizdel o ego torn-up cunt; cf. pizd). Kogda ty na-
priezde? Were you kidding about his ucihs dverh za soboj zakryvath,
arrival? pizdorvane, xolodno. When will you
ever learn to shut the door after you, you
PIZD, -, m., rude. Cf. pizd. 1.
idiot! Its cold!
Enough, time to stop. Nu, pizde, pora
koncath pith. Thats enough. Time to PIZDORVNKA, -i, f. See pizdo-
stop drinking. 2. A danger, a threat. rvne.
Mne pizde, oni men ubht. Its all PIZDS, -a, m., rude. An idiot, bastard
over with me theyre going to kill me. (cf. pizd). Cto ew natvoril tot
Pizd podkrls nezamtno, idiom, pizdos? What mischief has that bastard
rude. Something unexpectedly unpleas- been up to this time?
ant happened (lit., crept in unnoticed). PIZDOSTRADTELH, -, m., rude. A
Ty slyal o denenoj reforme? romantic, sentimental person (lit., a cunt-
Pizde podkrals nezametno. Have sufferer; cf. pizd). On ej vs vrem
you heard about the monetary reform? stixi piet, pizdostradatelh.
That nasty trick snuck up on us unno- That lovesick fellow is always writing
ticed. poetry to her.
PZDITH1/PIZDANTH, rude. To hit, PIZDOSTRADTELHNYJ, -a, -oe,
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201 PIPRKA
rude. Sentimental, lovesick (cf. pizdo- -oe, youth. 1. Cut up, scarred up. U ne
stradtelh). Sejcas on pot tolhko muik vesh pilennyj. Her boy-
pizdostradatelhnye pesni. These friend is all cut up. U maj lavera v
days he sings only sentimental stuff. mozgu not a singl izviliny;
PIZDS, -i, m. & f., rude. An absent- Dast a xip vpadt v tosku vse
minded person (cf. pizd). Ty zabyl xendy popileny (from a popular song:
prinesti zakuski, pizdos. You for- My boyfriend hasnt got any gray matter
got to bring the hors doeuvres, you scat- at all; hes just a hippie, and when hes
terbrain. down, all his veins are cut). 2. Worn out,
PIZDITH/ISPIZDITH. See worn-looking (as a mark of high fashion).
pizdcith. U nego prikid pilennyj. His clothes
are all worn out.
PIZDL, -j, pl., rude. A beating,
blows (cf. pizd). Davth/dath (nav`- PILTH1, rude. To have sex with a
ivath/navsith, otvivath/otv- woman. Ty znaeh, kto e pilit?
sith) pizdlj, see under davth. Do you know whos sleeping with her?
PIZDLINA, -y, f., rude. A thingama- PILTH2/ZAPILTH, neg. To scold,
jig, gizmo, whatchamacallit (cf. pizd). abuse verbally (lit., to saw). Ty ego
A gde zdesh byla taka metallice- sovsem zapilil. You gave him quite a
ska pizdlina? Wheres that little bawling out.
metal gizmo? PILTH3/POPILTH. 1. joc. To go,
PIZDKNUTHS, perf. only. See piz- walk. Dolgo ew pilith? Is it still
danths. far to go? 2. youth. 1. To cut ones veins
PIZDTINA, -y, f., rude. Cf. pizd. (lit., to saw). On seb popilil. He cut
1. Disgusting food. to ne arkoe, a his wrists. 3. To age clothing so that it
pizdtina kaka-to. This isnt meat. will look worn. Kogda ty uspel
Its something disgusting. 2. An un- dinsy popilith? When did you
pleasant smell. Otkroj fortocku, manage to age your jeans?
pizdtinoj paxnet. Open the win- PILOT: Vsij pilot!, see
dow. It stinks in here. under vsij.
PIZDCITH1/ZAPIZDCITH, rude. PILL: Navivath/navsith pi-
To hit, beat (cf. pizd). Ego zapizd- llej, see under navivath.
cili butylkoj po golove. They hit PINGVNY, -ov, pl., joc. Busts of
him over the head with a bottle. Communist Party leaders at the Kremlin
PIZDCITH2/OTPIZDCITH, rude. Wall (lit., penguins). Kogda ue vsex
Cf. pizd. 1. To work hard. On otpiz- tix pingvinov uberut s Krasnoj
dcil na strojke 10 let. He slaved as plowadi, ne plowadh, a kladbiwe. I
a construction worker for 10 years. 2. To wonder when theyre going to get rid of
beat up. Kto to teb otpizdcil? all those busts on Red Square. It looks
Who beat you up like that? more like a cemetery than a square.
PKA, -i, f., crim. A file sharpened for use PINT, -a, m., euph., student. See
as a weapon (lit., a spear). Nam by pizd. 1. The end, ruin, curtains.
piku sdelath, opasno tut. Wed bet- 2. Something very good or very bad.
ter make ourselves a spear its dan- ta gruppa pinet. Vse tawat-
gerous here. s. This rock-group is awesome,
PKATH/PKNUTH. To tell, reveal. everybodys crazy about it.
Ty tolhko pikni o tom, cto bylo, i PIPRKA, -i, f., joc. A penis, esp. of
tebe kone. If you make one peep small size. Nadenh tploe belh, a to
about what happened, itll be all over pipirka otmrznet. Put on some
with you. warm underwear or your little tool will
PLENNYJ/POPLENNYJ, -a, freeze off.
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PPKA 202
203 POVESTSH
tog i zaleth, see under s. likes is to spoil things for other people.
POVOLOKL PO KCKAM kog-l., PODGREBTH/PODGREST, joc. To
idiom, neg. Things are going badly for come, arrive (lit., to row in). Podgre-
someone (lit., someone is being dragged baj k esti casam. Come over by six
along over bumps). I povoloklo men oclock.
po kockam, cto ni denh, to podarok: PODDAVLA, -y, m., neg. A drunk.
to nogu slomal, to na rabote prob- On izvestnyj poddavala. Everyone
lemy. Im being raked over the coals. knows hes a drunk.
Every day its something else first I PODDAVTH/PODDTH. To drink.
break my leg, then I have problems at On poddath ne durak. Hes quite a
work. drinker. Ct-to stlo xolodth, ne
/ , por li nam poddth?, see under ct-to.
idiom. To cry out, shout, to raise ones PODDUVLO, -a, n., neg. A mouth (lit.,
voice. , flue). Zakroj podduvalo! Shut your
. Dont raise your voice, trap!
I can hear you just fine. PODENTHS, perf. only, rude. To
POVZANNYJ, -a, -oe. Mutually have sex with a woman. Ty tolhko i
dependent, involved in the same thing. dumaeh, s kem by podeniths. All
My nacali vmeste rabotath nad you ever think about is who to sleep
knigoj, potomu my nadolgo povzan- with.
ny. We started co-authoring a book, so PODKLYVATH/PODKOLTH. To
were in for the long haul together. deflate, give someone a dressing down
POGDA PCET, idiom, joc. Lit., the (lit., to prick). Ty ego xoroo podko-
weather is whispering. 1. An allusion to a lol nasct ego adnosti. You gave
desire to play hooky or take time off from him a good needling about his greed.
work. Ty vs smotrih v okno, pogo- PODKACTH, perf. only. To fail, slip up.
da epcet? Why do you keep looking Smotri, ne podkacaj! Ty dolen
out the window? Is the weather whisper- vyigrath segodn v tennis. Make
ing to you? 2. An allusion to a desire to sure you dont slip up. Youve got to win
get drunk. Cto my sidim? Pogoda ep- the tennis game today.
cet, nado vypith. Why are we just sit- PODKOVTH, perf., sport. To hit some-
ting here? The weather is whispering one in the feet or legs (lit., to shoe [a
lets have a drink. horse]). Nado ego podkovath, sli-
POGREMXA, -i, f., youth. A nickname kom bystro begaet. We have to hit
(lit., a rattle). Zabyl tvo pogremuxu, him, he runs too fast.
skai ew raz. Ive forgotten your PODKNYE, -yx, pl., joc. A hidden
nickname tell me again. supply of money. Vot ew esth
POD NOGTMI CERNOZM, TO podkonye. Ive got some more in my
ZNCIT AGRONM, rhyming private stash.
phrase, joc. Lit., Soil under the finger- PODKLKA, -i, f. A trick, joke (from
nails means youre an agronomist; used koloth, to prick). Ew odna pod-
as a reproach to children for dirty nails. kolka, i ty u men dodhs. One
PODVIGTHS/PODVNUTHS, more of those tricks and youre really
business. To reduce the price (lit., to going to get it from me.
move). Na skolhko oni podvinulish? PODLVLIVATH/PODLOVTH. To
Na limon, bolhe? How much is the track down and beat up (from lovith, to
discount? A million? More? catch). teb ew podlovl, ty u
PODGDITH, perf. only, neg. To spoil, men dodhs! Just you wait, Ill
harm. E mdom ne kormi, daj tolh- catch you and give you a hiding!
ko podgadith blinemu. All she really PODLNKA, -i, f., neg. A malicious act
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205 PODPLHWIK
207 POKTNYJ
POKDA 208
rasskazali pokatnyj anekdot, po- POLKN, -a, m., army. A colonel (by
sluaj. Listen to this hilarious story I wordplay on Polkan, a common dogs
heard yesterday. name, and polkovnik, colonel). Sam
POKDA! idiom, joc. So long! Be seeing polkan budet proverku delath. The
you! (distorted from poka and pokuda). colonel himself will be making
POKUPTH/KUPTH. To deceive, inspection.
trick, cheat (lit., to buy). Men ne ku- POL-LTRA: Bez pol-ltra ne razo-
pih, zna, cto ti sigarety plo- brths, see under bez.
xie. You cant trick me I know per- POLOVJ RAZBJNIK, idiom, joc. A
fectly well those are lousy cigarettes. man who changes sexual partners fre-
PLAK, -a, m., neg. A Pole. Polaki quently (lit., a sexual bandit). Opth
xott vstupith v NATO, kak tebe na polovoj razbojnik s novoj devi-
to nravits? How do you like that! ej. Theres our sex fiend with a new
Now those Polacks want to join NATO! girl again.
POLBNKI: Prinimth/printh POLOVXA, -i, f., youth, neg. Sexual
polbnki, see under prinimth. subject matter (from polovoj, sexual).
, idiom, army. A parade V tom filhme odna polovuxa. The
ground (lit., an idiots field, evoking the whole film is just a bunch of bedroom
field of dreams where Pinocchio planted scenes.
his coins in the belief that they would POLOTH S PRIBROM, idiom,
produce money plants). rude. To despise, to consider beneath
, attention. poloil s priborom na
. We spent two hours on a bloody tvoi ugrozy. I dont give a damn for
parade ground, were all wet and hungry. your threats.
POLT: V polte, idiom. Very drunk (lit., POLOSKTH/POPOLOSKTH ch-l.
in flight). On kadyj denh v polte. m, idiom, neg. To gossip about some-
He gets high as a kite every day. one (lit., to rinse someones name).
POLIVTH/POLTH, joc. To scold, ne xocu, ctoby ego im poloskali
verbally abuse (lit., to water, as with a komu ne lenh. I dont want everyone
hose). On ix davaj polivath posled- who feels like it to go gossiping about
nimi slovami. He showered them with him.
the most extreme abuses. POLTNNIK, -a, m. 1. obs. A fifty-
POLVKA, -i, f. 1. A lie. Ne verh, to kopeck coin. 2. A fifty-ruble coin. 3. Fifty
polivka. Dont believe it, its a lie. 2. thousand rubles.Skolhko to stoit?
A practical joke. On master na Poltinnik. How much is it?
polivki. Hes an expert at practical Fifty thousand rubles. 4. pl. Eyes (lit.,
jokes. fifty-kopeck coins). Cto ty poltin-
POLNA IVNNA, idiom, joc. Furni- niki vykatil, baby nikogda ne
ture polish or other spirit solutions as videl? Why are you bugging your eyes
used for alcoholic drinks (lit., Paulina out like that? Havent you ever seen a
Ivanovna, a womans name formed after woman before?
politura or polirovka, polish). Da- POLUKRVKA, -i, f. A person whose
vaj xoth Poliny Ivanny primem. parents are of different nationalities (lit.,
Lets have something to drink, even if half-blood). Kakoj on russkij, on
its just Paulina Ivanovna. polukrovka. Hes no Russian, hes just
POLIROVTH/ZAPOLIROVTH, a half-breed.
joc. To drink wine after hard liquor (lit., POLUMOTRNYJ, -a, -oe, south,
to polish). I vs to zapoliruem youth. Silly, half-witted (lit., half-
domanim vinom. Lets polish it off motorized). Soobraaj bystrej,
with some homemade wine. kakoj-to ty polumotornyj segodn.
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209 PONSNYJ
Get on the ball! Youre not cooking on been seduced and abandoned and you
all four burners today! thought he was going to marry you!
!, interj., army. 1. A warning PMESH NGRA S MOTOKLOM,
of danger. 2. In the navy and marines (but idiom, joc. A strange combination. Cto
not the army) the phrase serves as a cheer. to za dom? Pomesh negra s motoik-
POLUFABRIKT, -a, m. See polu- lom. What sort of a building is that? It
krvka. looks like a cross between a Negro and a
POLUCTH/POLUCTH: Polucth/ motorcycle.
polucth barnku, idiom, sports. To POMTH, perf. only, crim. To rob (lit., to
receive a zero score, to lose. My polu- wash). Vcera pomyli odnogo fraera,
cili baranku na poslednix sorevno- vzli paru limonov. Yesterday they
vanix. We got creamed in the last robbed some fellow of a couple of mil-
match. Polucth pcku, idiom. To be lion.
beaten, hit. On polucil paru pacek i PONARKU, adv. Not seriously, as a
ubeal. He was hit a couple of times, joke. Ne prinimaj to blizko k
and he ran away. serdu, to vs ponaroku. Dont take
POLX: tki tkami, a polx v it too seriously, its just a joke.
eldke, see under tki. PONESLSH! idiom. Lets get going!
POLESTGO: U kog-l. na poles- Come on! (usually with reference to
tgo, idiom, joc. Someone doesnt have drinking). Poneslsh! Du v raj, a
an erection (lit., with him its 5:30, ngi v mili, idiom, joc. Lit., Lets
referring to the hands of a clock). A on have a drink! Our souls will be in heaven,
neplox v posteli? Cto ty, u nego even if we land at the police station.
vs vrem na polestogo. So, is he PONESLSH DERHM PO TRBAM,
pretty good in bed? Are you kidding? idiom, rude, neg. Word got around fast,
Always half-past five! rumors or information spread quickly
POLTKI, f., indecl., obs. Five hun- (lit., the shit rushed through the pipes).
dred rubles. Mne nado poltuki na ena uznala, cto on s nej spit,
knigi. I need five hundred rubles for poneslosh derhmo po trubam. When
books. his wife found out that hes sleeping with
POLNA, -y, f., joc. (Lit., a glade, a her, the shit hit the fan.
clearing). 1. A bald spot. Polna PONITH/PONZITH, youth. To
rastt vs bolhe, skoro volos sov- rob (lit., to lower). Na rynke men
sem ne ostanets. Your bald spot is ponizili na 100 baksov. They
getting bigger and bigger. Soon you shortened me by 100 bucks in the
wont have any hair left at all. 2. A market.
playground. PONIM, KOGD VYNIM,
POLNDI, -ii, f., joc. Poland. rhyming phrase, rude. Yes, of course
POMAZK, pomazk, m., army. A soldier (used in answer to the question Do you
who has served more than one year and is understand?; lit., I understand when I
therefore released from certain menial take it out, in allusion to the sex act).
tasks (lit., a shaving brush). On ue Sobiraems v kino v semh casov,
pomazok, on to delath ne budet. ponimaeh? Ponima, kogda vyn-
Hes already a shaver; he wont do that ima. Well meet at the cinema at
sort of work. seven, understand? Of course!
POMATRSITH I BRSITH, idiom, PONSNYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Very bad
joc. To break off a love affair, seduce and (from ponos, diarrhea). tu ponos-
abandon (from matros, sailor). On nu knigu v ruki brath ne xocets. I
teb pomatrosil i brosil, a ty ue dont even want to touch that shitty
zamu sobralash. Well, so youve book.
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PONT 210
211 POTRSNO
POXERCITH 212
POXERCITH, perf. only, rude. To go, PRVO: Telefnnoe prvo, see under
leave (cf. xer). Kuda oni poxeracili? telefnnoe.
Where did they go? PRAJS, -a, m., youth. From Eng. price.
PXODH, -i, f., youth, joc. A womans 1. Price, cost. A kakoj sejcas prajs na
sexually attractive way of walking (play dinsy? How much do jeans cost
on poxodka, gait or stride, and now? 2. Money. U teb skolhko
poxoth, desire). Poxodh u ne, izna- prajsa? How much money do you
silovath xocets. That sexy strut of have?
hers makes me want her. PRAJSOVTH/ZAPRAJSOVTH,
POXUST, -a, m., rude. Someone who youth. To pay, finance (cf. prajs).
looks down on everything, someone who Skolhko ty nam zaprajsueh?
doesnt care (cf. p xuj under xuj). How much can you give us?
Ego to ne volnuet, on poxuist. It PRAJSVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Rich,
doesnt bother him. He couldnt care wealthy. On u teb prajsovyj mn.
less. Your boyfriend is always flush.
PO, -a, m., neg. 1. A guy, fellow. 2. A PRPOR, -a, m., army. A praporwik
fool, a worthless or unplesant person. (praporshchik; similar to an ensign;
Kakoj po zdesh tak nasledil na rank between soldiers and officers, usu-
kovre? What creep dirtied the carpet? ally held by enlisted men voluntarily
POL TY RKOM VDOLH ZAB- serving an extra term in the infantry).
RA! idiom, rude. Get out of here; go to E syn sluit v armii? Da, on
hell (lit., Walk crabwise along the prapor. Is her son in the army? Yes,
fence!). tebe ew raz govor, ona hes a praporshchik.
tebe ne para. A pol ty rakom PRCECNIK, -a, m., business. A money
vdolh zabora. Im telling you, shes not launderer (lit., laundry). Srocno naxo-
for you. Go to hell. di pracecnika, nalicnosth nako-
POL-POXALO, idiom, neg. There pilash. Weve accumulated a lot of
you go again, there it goes again (an cash, its high time to find a laundry for
expression of disapproval). Nu, polo- it.
poexalo, opth vy rugaetesh. There PREDL, -a, m., youth, neg. Misfortune,
you go yelling at each other again. end. Esli on uznaet obo vsm, mne
POBYVATH, imperf. only, rude. To predel. If he finds out about all this itll
have sex with a woman (cf. b-). E be curtains for me.
kto-nibudh pobyvaet? Is anyone PRDOK, prdka, m., joc. A parent (lit.,
screwing her? ancestor). Tvoi predki doma? Are
PS: Vs pone psa, see under vs. your parents home?
PP, abbr., neg. A mistress, lover (from PREDQVA, -y, f., youth. Conditions,
poxodno-poleva ena, battlefield demands. Za to delo kaka u nix
wife). Ona ego PP. Shes his predqva? How much are they asking
mistress. to do the job?
PRAV: Kacth prav, see under PRESS, -a, m., crim. A roll of bills. Lad-
kacth. no, ne mish, dostavaj svoj press,
, -, f., crim. A trial held by plati. Dont be a tightwad take out
criminals or soldiers, a kangaroo court your bankroll and pay up.
(from , to correct). - /,
, crim. To beat up, prosecute (lit., to press,
, . Our as with an industrial metal press).
honorable kangaroo court decided that
the thief needed to have the shit kicked . Headquarters decided to beat
out of him. him into shape.
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213 PRIPLIVATH/PRIPITH
PRICIVATH/PRICITH 214
215
rasskazyvaet. Dont miss this he PRISSKA, -i, f., joc. A hand (lit., a
tells such wonderful anecdotes. suction cup). Ne trogaj men svoimi
PRINADLNOSTI, -ej, pl., joc. prisoskami. Dont touch me with your
Genitals (lit., belongings). U men cto- paws.
to bolt prinadlenosti. Some- PRISPCIVATH/PRISPCITH,
thing hurts in my private parts. neg. To want very intensely (from
PRINIMTH/PRINTH polbnki, spicka, match). Cto tebe tak
idiom. To drink a half-liter bottle. My prispicilo tuda idti? How come
ue prinli polbanki, na troix nado youre so fired up about going there?
by ew dobavith. Weve already fin- PRISTAVTH/PRISTTH kak repj,
ished the half-liter; well need a little idiom. To pester, bother (lit., to stick to
more for the three of us. someone like a burr). Cto ty ko mne
PRINUDLOVKA, -i, f., neg. A job pristal kak repej? Why are you
forced on someone against his will (from keeping after me like that?
prinudath). Komu oxota delath PRISTAVNCIKI, -ov, pl. Endear-
tu prinudilovku? No one would be ments, kissing, sexual advances.
willing to be drafted into this job. Opth pristavunciki nacinats,
PRINUDRABTY, prinudrabt, pl. pododi, ustala. Can you hold off
Forced labor, a prison term of hard labor the nuzzlings for later? Im tired.
(abbr. of prinuditelhnye raboty). PRISTAVCIJ, -a, -oe, neg. Nagging,
Emu dali pth let prinudrabot. annoying, irritating. U teb mu pris-
He was sentenced to five years of hard tavucij, vs vrem teb rassprai-
labor. vaet, gde ty byla, cto delala? Your
PRIPXIVATH/PRIPAXTH, neg. husbands an awful nag, always pestering
1. To do heavy labor. My pripaxivali you about where youve been and what
na uborke snega. We slaved away at youve been doing.
shoveling the snow. 2. To force some- PRISTEBJ, -, m., euph. Cf. razq-
one to work. Men pripaxali na e- ebj. 1. A hanger-on, parasite, moocher.
lyj denh, v kino ne pojdu. Theyve tot pristebaj nicego ne delaet,
put me to work for the whole day, so I a denhgi polucaet. That drone doesnt
cant go to the movies. do a stitch of work but he keeps pulling in
PRIPKA, -i, f., neg. Heavy labor. a salary. 2. An importunate, intrusive
Ne dodush, kogda ta pripaka person. Ty men dostal, pristebaj,
koncits? I cant wait until we finish kogda ty nakone ujdh? Im sick of
this heavy work. you, you pest! When are you going to
PRPIZDH, -i, f., rude. A whim, quirk, leave already!
peculiarity (distorted from pridurh; cf. /,
pizd). On celovek s pripizdh. army. To steal (lit., to fasten, latch on to).
Hes got a certain quirk. ,
PRIPXIJ , -a, -oe, youth, neg. 1. . Keep an eye on
Selfish, pushy. Ty sovsem pripuxij, your firearm. Someone will glom onto it
cto li? A to teb uspokoim. Dont as soon as you look the other way.
act so high and mighty or well put you in PRISTKIVATH/PRISTKNUTH,
your place. 2. Crazy. Ty cto pripux- neg. To kill (from [s]tuk, the sound of a
ij, pith stolhko vodki? Are you blow). On moet i pristuknuth,
crazy, drinking that much vodka? esli uznaet ob tom. Hes capable of
PRISOBCIVATH/PRISOBCITH. killing someone if he finds out about
To attach, fasten, affix. Prisobach mne this.
kabluk, otvalils. Can you fix the , perf. To irritate, to
heel of my shoe? Its come loose. pester (lit., to put sand or dust, as on a
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217 PROGNY
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PROTOKLHNA RA 220
has to use the oppositions methods in PROCUXNKA, -i, f., joc. A tongue-
order to win (lit., against a jackhammer lashing, scolding (lit., scratching). Nas
theres no resource except another jack- dt xoroa procuxanka. Were in
hammer). for a severe scolding. Davth/dath
PROTOKLHNA RA, idiom, neg. procuxnku, see under davth.
A disapproving facial expression. Ne PROCXIVATHS/PROCXATHS,
delaj protokolhnu rou. Dont rude. To sober up, to recover from drunk-
look so disapproving. enness or a hangover. Ty nacal soo-
PROTUXTH/PROTXNUTH, neg. braath, procuxals? Youre starting
(Lit., to rot). 1. To be embarrassed, to feel to talk sense sobered up, have you?
uneasy. Cto ty protux, utok ne PROVYRNTHS, perf. only, joc. To
ponimaeh? Why are you so freaked take a walk. Davaj provyrnms po
out? Cant you see it was just a joke? 2. sveemu vozduxu. Lets go for a walk in
To be bored. My ue protuxli, teb the fresh air.
dm elyj denh. We got bored PROL LBVH, ZAVLI PO-
waiting for you all day. 3. To be broken, MIDRY, idiom, joc. The love affair is
to be out of order. Televizor ew over (lit., love is gone, the tomatoes have
vcera protux. The TV went on the fritz faded).
yesterday.
PROLPITH, perf. To be late for, to
/. To
miss. Prolpil povyenie, te-
lose sight of, miss (from , to huff in
perh sidi! Youve missed your chance
the game of checkers, i.e., to remove an
for promotion, now youll have to stay
opponents piece from the board as a for-
where you are.
feit for neglecting to capture an opposing
piece). - PROWJ-MOLODOSTH!, idiom, joc.
? How could Unfashionable footwear, thick shoes or
miss such a big drug shipment? You boots (lit., Farewell, youth!). Kupila
really blew it this time. sebe prowaj-molodosth, bolhe ni-
cego v magazinax net. I bought myself
PROFRA, -y, m. & f., neg. 1. A clever,
some old ladies shoes it was the only
self-promoting person. Cto ty o nej
kind they had in the stores.
zabotihs, ta profura ne propa-
dt. Why are you worrying about her? PRUDNITH/NAPRUDNITH. To
She knows how to look after herself. 2. urinate (from prud, pond). Osto-
A promiscuous woman. ta profura rono, zdesh kot naprudonil. Look
spit s kadym vstrecnym. That out, the cat peed on the floor!
floozy will sleep with anyone she picks PRM, idiom. No, nothing doing. Ty
up. xoceh s nim pomiriths? Prm!
PROXLPATH, perf. only, neg. To over- Are you willing to forgive him?
look, fail to notice. Kak ty mog ego Never!
proxlopath? How could you have PSIX, -a, m., neg. An idiot, lunatic. Ty
missed him? budeh poslednim psixom, esli sde-
PROXODTH/PROJT. To be consid- laeh to. Youd be crazy to do that.
ered, regarded as. On u nas proxodit Psix na vle xe dinamta, idiom,
gramotnym inenerom. Among us neg. Lit., an insane person at liberty is
hes considered a competent engineer. worse than dynamite. Znacit, on
Proxodth/projt za suxar, crim. sg svo rukopish? Psix na vole xu-
To be imprisoned for someone elses e dinamita. So he actually burned
crime. Za cto sidih? proxou his manuscript? Give a lunatic some rope
za suxar. What are you serving time and hell hang himself.
for? Im in for someone elses crime. -, -, m. A nervous,
, -, f., army. See . bad-tempered person (lit., psycho-cross-
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221 PUSKTH/PUSTTH
223 PTH
phnogo ika, idiom, youth, joc. Lit., a Cego plihs, phnyx ne videl?
drunken hedgehog. 1. A young person What are you gaping at? Never seen a
acting provocative or disorderly, possibly drunk before?
under the influence of alcohol. O cm PTK, -, m. A snub nose (from ptak,
tam sporit tot phnyj ik? snout). Nosa u nego sovsem net,
Whats that drunken hedgehog making a tak, ptak tolhko. Hes got no nose
row about over there? 2. A punk hairdo. at all, just a button.
Kogda to ty stal nosith phno- PTA TCKA, idiom, joc. Buttocks
go ika? When did you start wearing (lit., fifth point). On prizemlils na
that drunken hedgehog? Phnyj kak ptu tocku. He landed on his
grzh, idiom, neg. Stuporously drunk. behind.
Von tam ofr na phnyj kak
PTIFON, -a, youth. Five rubles, a five-
grzh leit. Theres our driver out
ruble coin.
cold in a drunken stupor.
PTKA, -i, f., youth. A butt, the end of a
PHNH: Po phn, idiom. While drunk, marijuana cigarette. Daj ptku doku-
because of drunkenness. ego udaril rith. Let me smoke that roach.
po phni, a tak my druzh. I hit him -
when I was under the influence, but were , idiom. A glass of vodka (lit.,
actually friends. fifteen drops on ones diaphragm).
PRNT, -a, m., youth. A parent (from PTNKA, -i. 1. Fifteen kopecks.
Eng. parent). Prnty doma? Are 2. Fifteen rubles.
your parents at home? PTH: Derth pth, see derth
PLITHS/VPLITHS. To stare. petux under derth.
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RAZEVTH/RAZNUTH, RAZVITH
RAZZVITH 226
off your mouth. 2. To gape in amaze- neg. To break down in tears, to sob (lit.,
ment. My vse razinuli vareki, kog- to smear snot along the fence; cf. sopl).
da uvideli ego novu mainu. We all Vse umet sejcas razmazyvath sop-
dropped our jaws when we saw his new li po zaboru, a cto delath nikto ne
car. Razevth/raznuth pasth, idiom. znaet. Everyone can weep and moan
To long for, set ones heart on, covet. about it, but no one knows what to do.
Ona bylo razinula pasth na sapogi, RAZMORDTH, perf. only, neg. To gain a
no ena ne po karmanu. She had her lot of weight, become fat (cf. mrda).
heart set on those boots, but they were too Kogda to ona uspela tak raz-
expensive. Razvath/raznuth rot, mordeth? When did she put on all that
idiom. Lit., to open ones mouth wide. 1. weight?
To talk. Kogda ne spraivat, rot
RZNIA: Bez rzniy, idiom. Unim-
ne razevaj. Dont talk when youre not
portant, indifferent, all the same. Mne
asked. 2. To envy, begrudge. Na cu-
bez razniy, gde rabotath. It doesnt
oe dobro rot ne razevaj. Dont be
matter to me where I work.
envious of other peoples good fortune.
3. To be distracted, be oblivious. Budh RAZNNITHS, perf. only, neg. To
vnimatelhnee, a to rot razineh burst into tears (cf. nni). Nu cto ty
u teb vs i stawat. Be more careful raznnils, ne bolhno vedh sovsem.
or youll be robbed while youre not Whats with the tears? Youre not hurt at
looking. 4. To be amazed. On kak all!
otkryl sumku, my rty tak i razinu- RAZ-RZ I V DMKI, idiom, neg. Lit.,
li, cego tam tolhko ne bylo. one-two and youre kinged, referring to
When he opened the bag our jaws the kinging of pieces in checkers. Used in
dropped at all the stuff in it. disparagement of attempts at overhasty
RAZZVITH gltku, idiom, neg. To successes. Ty xotel bystro razbo-
shout, scream (lit., to open ones throat gateth, raz-raz i v damki, tak ne
wide). Cto ty glotku razzvil, i byvaet. Youd like to get rich quick
tak slyno. Theres no need to shout. one-two and youre kinged but it
I can hear you just fine. doesnt happen that way.
RAZLV: Mstnyj razlv, see under RAZ-RZ I NA MATR, idiom, joc.
mstnyj. Said of quick, decisive actions (lit., one-
RAZLIVTH/RAZLTH po blhkam, two and into bed). s tim delom
idiom. To pour (liquor) in proper quanti- voziths ne budu, raz-raz i na mat-
ties by the sound of the bottle (lit., by the ra. Im not going to waste time fussing
glug-glugs). Razlivaj po bulhkam, u over this business, just wham-bam-thank-
vsex raznye stakany. Youd better you-maam.
pour by sound, since weve all got differ- RAZRTHS/RAZRDTHS. To
ent-shaped glasses. relax (lit., to unload, as a gun). Davaj
RAZMAZN, -i, f., neg. A nobody (from sqezdim v les za gribami, nado razr-
kaa-razmazn, a type of gruel). Vse diths. Lets go mushroom hunting in
druzh u teb nacalhniki, a ty, raz- the woods for a little relaxation.
mazn, nikto. All your friends have RAZJ GLAZ, idiom, rude. Look where
high posts, and youre such a loser. youre going, pay attention (lit., unshoe
RAZMZYVATH/RAZMZATH, neg. your eyes) Razuj glaza, cuth s nog ne
To destroy, do in, kill (lit., to spread, sbil! Look where youre going! You
smear). Ego vcera na direkii vzli almost knocked me off my feet.
i razmazali, obvinili vo vztkax. RAZUKRIVATH/RAZUKRSITH.
They destroyed him at the meeting yes- To beat up (lit., to decorate). Kto teb
terday by accusing him of taking bribes. tak razukrasil? Who decorated your
Razmzyvath spli po zabru, idiom, face like that?
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227 RASKDYVATH/RASKNUTH
RAZQBA, -y, m. & f. See razqebj. ing in the strategic missile forces is no
RAZQEBJ, -, m. (razqebjka, -i, f.), piece of cake, were always stuck on a
rude. An unreliable, careless, slipshod base in the middle of nowhere.
person (distorted from razgilhdj; cf. RANH: S smogo s ranh, idiom, joc.,
b-). tot razqebaj cto-nibudh da rude. Early in the morning (playing on
pereputaet. That good-for-nothing is ranh, early morning, and srath, to
bound to screw something up. shit). Zavtra s samogo s ranh edem
RAZQEBJSTVO, -a, n., rude. Unrelia- za gribami. Tomorrow were going
bility, irresponsibility. to ne razq- mushroom hunting shit-early in the morn-
ebajstvo, to xue, to naglosth. ing.
This is worse than irresponsibility RASKADRVANNYJ, -a, -oe, youth.
this is downright brazenness. Very good (cf. kadr). V taku
RAZQBANNYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Worn raskadrovannu pogodu doma ne
out, not working properly. tot velo- sidt. You cant sit indoors in such
siped vesh razqbannyj, na nm opas- fabulous weather.
no ezdith. This bicyle is an old wreck RASKLYVATH/RASKOLTH. 1. To
it would be dangerous to ride it. make someone tell the truth, make some-
RAZQBKA, -i, f., rude. See razqebn. one confess. Ego trudno budet rasko-
loth, nicego on ne skaet. Its going
RAZQEBN, -a, m., rude. A scolding, to be hard to get him to own up; hell try
tongue-lashing. Sejcas nam ustrot not to say anything. 2. To pressure,
razqebon. Now theyre going to bawl us force. Nado ego by raskoloth na bu-
out. tylku. Well have to put the screws on
RAZQBYVATH/RAZQEBTH, rude. him for a bottle.
1. To break, smash up. On vcera sov- RASKLYVATHS/RASKOLTH-
sem razqebal mainu. Yesterday he S. To confess. On raskolols, my
smashed up the car. 2. To reprimand, znaem, gde on prcet oruie. He
criticize. Oni razqebali ego knigu. cracked. Now we know where hes been
They blasted his book with criticism. hiding the guns.
RAJN: Splhnyj rajn, see under RASKTYVATH/RASKATTH gub
splhnyj. (gby), idiom, joc. To want something
RAK: Rkom, rude. Rear end up (lit., crab- very much (lit., to roll ones lips). Ne
wise; esp. of position in sex act). A kak raskatyvaj guby, to tort detm.
ty men xoceh? Rakom! How do Dont start drooling; that cake is for the
you want me? Crabwise. Na bez- children.
rbhe sam rkom stneh, see under RASKVIVATH/RASKVSITH. To
na. Pol ty rkom vdolh zabra!, smash (from kvasith, to pickle).
see under pol. Stanovths/stath Uronila sumku na lestnie, vse
rkom, see under stanovths. Stoth pomidory raskvasila. I dropped the
rkom, see under stoth. bag on the stairway and smashed all the
RAKTCIK, -a, m. A racketeer (lit., a tomatoes!
rocket-artillery man). Na vas raket- RASKDYVATH/RASKNUTH: Ras-
ciki ew ne naezali? You mean the kdyvath/rasknuth cernxu, idiom,
rocketeers havent put the squeeze on crim. To tell lies, be misleading (lit., to
you yet? spread trash). na sledstvii raski-
, idiom, army. nul taku cernuxu, cto sam udiv-
Strategic missile forces (lit., cancer lls. Under interrogation I told such
forces, referring to the numerous cancer- lies that I myself was amazed. Rask-
ous diseases caused by radiation). nuth mozgmi, idiom. To think (lit., to
, spread out or unfold ones brains). Cto
- . Serv- e dalhe delath, nado by raski-
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RASKLD 228
229 REDSKA
REZK 230
diska, tebe roga obloma. You bas- let. Hes been a refusenik for five years
tard Ill beat you up if you call me already.
names like that. RECGA, -i, f., neg. A speech (from
REZK, -a, m., army. A bootlicker (lit., rech). Nadoeli mne recugi i staryx
sharp one). A kto ix lbit rezakov v i novyx liderov. Im sick of all their
castx! No one likes having a speeches the new leaders as well as
bootlicker in the unit. the old ones. Tolkth/tolknth re-
RZATH kapstu, idiom, joc. To earn cgu, see under tolkth.
money (lit., to cut cabbage). Gde ty RATH/PORTH, neg. To laugh loud-
reeh sejcas kapustu? Where are ly (lit., to neigh). Cto vy vs vrem
you earning your money these days? rte? Why do you keep guffawing
RZATHS v krty, idiom. To be like that?
absorbed in playing cards, be involved RING, -a, m., youth. 1. The ring of a tele-
in a card game. Nu xvatit vam re- phone (from Eng. ring). Vozhmi
zaths v karty, zajmitesh delom. trubku, ne slyih ring? Pick up
Enough of your card game! Lets get the phone dont you hear it ringing?
down to business. 2. A telephone number. Kakoj u teb
REZNA: Tnth/potnth reznu, see ring? Whats your telephone number?
under tnth. 3. A telephone. U teb esth ring?
REZNKA, -i, f. 1. A condom. Rezinki Do you have a phone?
stali delath xue nekuda, vs vrem RNGATH/RINGANTH, youth. To
rvuts. The condoms theyve been phone, call by telephone (cf. ring).
making lately are lousy they keep tear- Daj trubku, mne nado srocno ringa-
ing. 2. Army. A wet suit (lit., a rubber nuth na rabotu. Give me the phone. I
band or eraser). have to call the office immediately.
, . Put a , idiom.,
sweater on under your wet suit, its cold army. Absence without official leave (lit.,
down there. its always noble to take a risk).
REZHB: Sorvth rezhb, see under ,
sorvth. , . You may
RKORD, -a, m., youth. A record (from think its noble to go AWOL but if you
Eng. record). Zr tot rekord get caught its your ass.
kupil. It was a mistake to buy that RISKOVTH: Kto ne risket, tot ne
record. pht ampnskogo, see under kto.
RPA, -y, f., youth, joc. A head (lit., a RIXTOVTH/OTRIXTOVTH. To hit,
turnip). Nadenh na repu cto-nibudh, to beat (lit., to smoothe a metal surface).
na ulie moroz. Wear something on ROG: Na rogx, idiom, rude. Very drunk
your head. Its cold out. Cesth rpu, (lit., on ones horns). Ne davaj emu
see under cesth. bolhe vodry, on ue na rogax.
REPJ: Pristavth/pristth kak Dont give him any more to drink; hes
repj, see under pristavth. already falling-down drunk. Davth/
REFHZNIK, -a, m. A refusenik, some- dath po rogm, see under davth.
one who has been refused an emigration Oblmyvath/oblomth rog, see under
visa (usually on such grounds as having oblmyvath. Otibth/otibth
had access to state secrets or classified rog, see under otibth. Ryth rgom
information grounds widely under- zml, see under ryth. Upirths/
stood, during Soviet times, to be manu- uperths rgom, see under upi-
factured). The original term was otkz- rths.
nik; refusenik is the anglicized RODNJ, -, -e. 1. As a casual term of
version. On refhznik ue pth address: buddy, pal, dear (lit., kin, rela-
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RUK 232
233 RXA
RBA, -y, f. Lit., a fish. 1. An outline, RYTH rgom zml, idiom, joc. To make
rough sketch. Sdelaj rybu otzyva na great efforts, try very hard (lit., to dig up
knigu, dodela. You make an outline the ground with ones horn). On roet
for the book review, and Ill fill in the rogom zeml, xocet kupith dacu.
text. 2. A sexless or sexually cold Hes making enormous efforts to raise
woman. Ona okazalash ryboj v pos- the money to buy a dacha.
teli. In bed she turned out to be com- RCAG, -a, m. An arm (lit., lever). Ube-
pletely frigid. ri svoi rycagi, sam sdela. Take
RYGLOVKA, -i, f., rude. A poor-qual- your arms away, Ill do this myself.
ity cafeteria (from rygath, to belch). R, m., indecl. A ruble (from the first letter
Kak ty moeh xodith v tu of rublh). to tebe budet stoith
rygalovku? How can you stand eating pthsot r. Thatll cost you five hun-
in that greasy-spoon? dred rubles.
RYDNH: Mudvye rydnh, see , -, m., abbr. A racketeer (from
under mudvyj. ).
RIJ, -a, -ee. An exception, someone RKETR, -a, m. A racketeer (from
left out or excluded (lit., red-headed). Eng.). Vcera arestovali dvux rke-
Cto , ryij, vse otdyxat, a tirov. Yesterday two racketeers were
budu deurith? What am I, some kind arrested.
of black sheep, that I should be on duty RXATH1, imperf. only, youth. 1. To
while all the rest of you are free? understand. On v tom nicego ne
RYH, -, n., crim. Gold, things made of rxaet. He doesnt understand a thing
gold (cf. rij). Vzli na toj kvar- about it. 2. To think, decide. Rxaj
tire ne tak mnogo, ryh potnulo skorej, ty idh s nami ili net?
tuk na sto. They didnt get very Make up your mind quickly are you
much from that apartment; the gold they coming with us or not?
took only brought in about 100,000 RXATH2/PORXATH, youth. 1. To hit,
rubles. beat up. Cto, porxath vas za ti
RLO, -a, n., neg. A face, mug (lit., snout tucki? You deserve a beating for
of a pig). Nu i rylo u nego! Look at those tricks of yours. 2. To go, trot.
the mug on that guy! Na rlo, idiom, Rxaj otsda! Get out of here!
rude. Apiece, per head. Skolhko u nas RBCIK, -a, m. A ruble (lit., a grouse).
edy na rylo? How much food do we Gde e vse moi rbciki, uleteli!
have apiece? Vorotth/otvorotth All my pretty little rubles have flown the
rlo, see under vorotth. Ni xa ni coop.
rla, see under ni. RVKATH/RVKNUTH, neg. To yell,
RPATHS/RPNUTHS, neg. To shout (lit., to roar). Ty na men ne
thrash about, wriggle around. Sidi i rvkaj. Dont yell at me.
ne rypajs, ty nicem ne pomoeh. RXA, -i, f., rude. A face. On sebe rxu
Sit down and dont thrash around; otqel. He put on a lot of weight (lit.,
theres nothing you can do to help. he fattened his face).
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S KEM POVEDHS, OT TOG I youve got strawberry juice all over your
ZALETH, idiom, joc. A remark face.
about unintended pregnancies (lit. SLHTO S PROGBOM, idiom, indecl.,
Whomever you associate with, you get youth. A trick, strategem (lit., somersault
pregnant by, distorted from the saying S ending in a standing position). ti
kem povedhs, ot togo i naberhs, salhto s progibom zna, on ne raz
Whomever you associate with, you take tak nas obmanyval. I know those
on qualities similar to his). tricks; hes tricked us that way several
S KON KPAET u kog-l., idiom, times.
rude. To have gonorrhea (lit., someones SAMIZDT, -a, m., obs. The hand copy-
prick is dripping). U nego s kona ka- ing and underground circulation of the
paet ue nedel, nado delath ukoly. writings of forbidden authors under the
Hes had the clap for a week hell Soviet regime (lit., self-publication; by
have to get treatment. imitation of the names of official Soviet
S PODCI, idiom. By the advice of, at publishing houses such as Politizdat).
the prompting of. S chej to ty V samizdate vse togda procitali
podaci snl denhgi so scta do Soleniyna. In those days everyone
kraxa? Who gave you the tip to close read Solzhenitsyn in samizdat.
out your bank account before the crash? , -, f., army. A deliberate
SADANTH, perf. To deliver a blow, to absence without official leave (from
strike, to hit. Kto-to men sadanul ).
loktem v avtobuse, do six por sink. , -, m., army (lit., scooter or
Somebody elbowed me on the bus soap-box racer; a wordplay on
during rush hour, I still have the bruise. and ). See and
SADTHS/SESTH n ui, idiom. To .
bore with tedious or unwanted conversa- SAMOPL, -a, m., neg. Homemade cloth-
tion (lit., to sit down on someones ears). ing sold under commercial labels (lit., a
Ne sadish mne na ui so svoim biz- homemade cap gun). ti dinsy
nesom, vs u ue slyal. Dont bore samopal, oni ne Levis. Those jeans
me with your business, Ive already heard arent real Levis; theyre just imitations.
it all. SAMOSTRCNYJ, -a, -oe, neg.
SAJGK, -a, m., neg. 1. An idiot, Homemade (cf. samopl). to samo-
blockhead. Vrazumith takogo sajga- strocna rubaka, a nikakoj ne Kar-
ka nelhz. Theres no talking sense into den. Theres no way that shirt is a real
an idiot like that. 2. A Central Asian. Cardin. Its just a homemade fake.
SAJZ, -a, m., youth. Size (from Eng. SAMOXD, -a, m., army. Absence from
size). Mne tot baton ne v sajz. ones unit without leave. Ty reil v
This shirt isnt my size. subbotu pojti v samoxod? Did you
SALABN, -a, m., army, neg. See salga. decide to go AWOL on Saturday?
SALGA, -i, m. 1. An inexperienced first- SAMURJ, -, m., neg. A Japanese (lit.,
year soldier or marine. 2. Any young, samurai). tot samuraj Moskvy
inexperienced person. Cto ty, sala- sovsem ne znaet. That Jap doesnt
ga, ponimaeh v politike? You baby, know Moscow at all.
what could you possibly understand SPA: Txoj spoj, see under txoj.
about politics?! SAPG, -, m., army. Lit., boot. 1. neg. An
SALTNIK, -a, m., joc. Face (lit., salad- army officer responsible for ideological
bowl). Salatnik vesh perepackal training. Tixo, sapog idt! Quiet!
klubnikoj, begi umojs. Go wash up, Here comes the boot! 2. joc. An infan-
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235 SVALTH
236
SVINTTH, perf. To leave, to escape SVOLTA, -y, f., collect., rude, neg.
(lit., to unscrew). Mne nado iz Mosk- Worthless people, bastards, bums. Tam
vy svintith, men milii iwet. u nix sobralash odna svolota. The
Ive got to get out of Moscow, the police people theyre hanging out with are just a
is after me. bunch of bums.
SVNTUS, -a, m., joc. 1. A pig, swine. SVLOCH, -i, f. Scum, swine (used as a
A ty cto, svintus, posle seb term of abuse). Ty, svoloch, zacem
ubrath ne moeh, vs posudu brosil sda pril? You scum, what did you
na stole? You pig, cant you clean up come here for?
after yourself? Youve left all the dirty , -, f. A girlfriend or
dishes on the table. 2. A selfish person. female lover (lit., a telephone worker, a
tot svintus brosil e s rebnkom. wordplay on , communication, and
That swine abandoned her and the , love affair).
baby.
SDAVTH/SDATH, youth. 1. To sell.
SVINCITH/NASVINCITH, neg. ti uzy sdal vcera doru. I sold
To make a mess. Kto to tak nasvi- those shoes to a Georgian yesterday.
ncil na stole? Who made this mess 2. To betray, hand over. Oni reili
here on the table? ego sdath, ctoby ujti ot nakazani.
SVIST, -a, m., neg., joc. Lying, a lie (lit., They decided to turn him in so as to
whistling). to vs svist. Thats a escape punishment themselves.
big lie. SDVIG, -a, m., neg. A quirk, eccentricity,
SVISTTH, imperf. only, neg., joc. To abnormality. U kadogo svoj sdvig.
tell a lie. Ne svisti, togo ne bylo. Everyones got his own quirks.
Dont lie! That never happened. , idiom. Odd or quirky
SVSTNUTH, perf. only, neg., joc. To behavior (lit., an electric change of polar-
steal. Kto svistnul moj sviter? ity). See .
Who lifted my sweater?
SDVNUTYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Crazy,
SVISTK, svistk, m., army. A fighter abnormal. Tolhko sdvinutyj mog na
plane. Opth svistok letit, uce- nej eniths. Only a crazy man could
ni u nix, cto li? There goes another marry that woman.
fighter plane. They must be doing maneu-
SDVNUTHS, perf. only, neg. To go
vers.
crazy, go out of ones mind. On u nas
SVISTOPLSKA, -i, f. Fuss, confu- sovsem sdvinuls. Hes gone clean out
sion, to-do. V pravitelhstve idt of his mind.
svistoplska, kadyj denh ment
SDLAL DLO, SLEZJ S TLA,
ministrov. The government is all at
rhyming phrase, rude. Lit., Youve done
sixes and sevens; they replace the minis-
the deed, now get off the body, from the
ters every day.
saying Sdelal delo, gulj smelo,
SVISTN, -a, m., neg. A liar. Ty to- Youve done your task; youre free to go
mu svistunu ne verh. Dont believe that have some fun. 1. A sardonic reference
liar. to having sex, like wham-bam-thank-
SVXIVATHS/SVIXNTHS iz- you-maam. Sdelal delo, slezaj s
z ceg-l., idiom. To be crazy about tela, nadevaj tany. Finished?
something. Moi rebta sovsem svix- Okay, put on your pants. 2. In nonsexual
nulish iz-za komphtera, igrat vs contexts, an authorization to take a break,
vrem v igry. My kids have completely take the rest of the day off, and so on.
flipped over the computer. Now theyre Sdelal delo? Pokrasil okno?
always playing computer games. Slezaj s tela, mono pospath.
SVOBDA: Vek svobdy ne vidth, see Youve finished painting the window?
under vek. Well, get off the body go take a nap.
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SDLATH 238
SDLATH, perf. only, youth, neg. To pun- . You can croak from
ish someone, get ones own back against this slop theyre feeding us.
someone. togo ne zabudu, teb SEKRH, -a, m. A clever, hard-working
ew sdela. I wont forget this, and Ill student (cf. sech). tot sekarh ue
get you for it. Sdlath koz, idiom. 1. gotov k kzamenam, mne daleko do
To behave strangely (lit., to make a goat). nego. That bookworm is already
Nu ty i sdelal kozu, zacem ty tu prepared for the exams, but Ive still got a
grznu koku domoj pritawil? long way to go.
What a weird thing you did! Why did SEKTOR, -a, m., army, joc. A smart,
you bring home this dirty cat? 2. To take knowledgeable person (see sech).
revenge, to get back at. tebe ew Sprosi sekatora, on vs tebe obq-
sdela kozu za to! Ill get even with snit. Ask the expert. Hell explain
you for what youve done to me! everything to you.
Sdlath rckoj, idiom. To say good-
bye, to leave. Sdelaj pape ruckoj, on SKELH, -, m., rude. Clitoris. Ona,
uxodit na rabotu. Say bye-bye to znaeh, kak vozbudaets, esli e za
daddy, hes going to work. sekelh potrogaeh. She gets excited if
you touch her on her button.
SDIRTH/SODRTH, youth. To copy,
cheat (lit., to skin). Daj sodrath SEKRTKA, -i, f. A locking or alarm
lekii. Let me copy your notes. device for protecting an automobile from
theft. U men maina s sekretkoj, e
SE L VI, idiom. Thats life, an expres- tak prosto ne ugonih. My car has
sion of resignation (Fr. cest la vie). got an anti-theft device, so it wouldnt be
Ty znaeh, oni razvelish. Nu cto so easy to steal it.
, se l vi. Did you hear that theyve
SEKSOKOSLKA, -i, f., joc. A sexy
divorced? Well, cest la vie.
woman (by wordplay on senokosilka,
SVERNOE SINIE, idiom, joc. A mowing machine, and seks, sex).
drink made of vodka, cognac, and cham-
SEKSUL-DEMOKRT, -a, homosex.,
pagne (lit., aurora borealis). Sdelaj
joc. A homosexual (by wordplay on
dl xoxmy severnoe sinie. Just for
soial-demokrat, social democrat).
the fun of it, make us some aurora bore-
to kafe tolhko dl seksual-
alis.
demokratov. This cafe is only for
SEDL: Kak korve sedl, see under gays.
kak.
SEKSULHNYJ CAS, idiom, joc. A
SEZNKA, -i, f. A season pass for a sub- scolding from the bosses (lit., a sex ses-
urban train. U men sezonka kon- sion). Ty kuda? Sejcas nacnts
cilash. My season pass has expired. seksualhnyj cas, sobirat nasct
SEJCS ZBY PROGLTIH!, trudovoj disipliny. Where are you
idiom. A threat to hit in the face (lit., off to? Its time for my sex session.
Youll swallow youth teeth!) Sejcas u Im going to be disciplined for breaking
men zuby proglotih, esli ne the rules.
zatknhs. Ill hit you in the face if SEKN, -, m., youth. An expert, a knowl-
dont shut up. edgeable person (from sech). On sekun
SEJCS MNO DLATH VS, NO v literature. Hes an expert on litera-
NE VSEM, idiom, joc. A sardonic ture.
summing-up of post-Soviet lawlessness SELDKA, -i, f., joc. A necktie (lit., a
in Russia (lit., Everythings permitted herring). Popravh seldku, sqexala
now, but not to everybody). nabok. Straighten your tie its listing
, idiom. To die to one side.
(from , to die, and , cold SEMJNYE TRUS, idiom, joc. Knee-
weather). length cotton undershorts, considered
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:33 AM Page 239
239 SIVXA
SIGTH/SIGANTH 240
quality (from sivyj, gray). Kak ty army. To be on duty from 3 to 9 A.M. (lit.,
phh tu sivuxu? How can you drink to sit dog hours, from , damned,
that mud? bad). ,
SIGTH/SIGANTH. To jump. Smo- . I cant stand the
tri, kak on siganul metra na tri v dog watch, I have a hard time keeping my
dlinu. Look, he jumped a distance of eyes open.
about three meters. SDOR, -a, m. A bag, string bag. Cto u
, -, f., army. A stretch of teb tam v sidore? What have you
borderland which has been plowed so as got there in your bag?
to reveal footprints (from , a sig- SIKILHDVKA, -i, m. & f., neg. See
nal). krevtka.
SIDLKA, -i, f. Behind, buttocks (from SKOSH-NKOSH, idiom, joc., neg. In
sideth, to sit). Vs sidelku otsi- a careless, slapdash way (from kosoj,
del, poka perevodil tu stath. My crooked). Ty vs privyk delath
behind got numb by the time I finished sikosh-nakosh. Youve got into the
translating the article. habit of doing everything in a half-baked
SIDTH/SESTH, POSIDTH: Si- way.
dth v pecnkax, idiom, neg. To be irri- SLA: Ot sly, idiom. At the most.
tating, annoying (lit., to settle in ones Emu ot sily 50 let. Hes no more
liver). Kogda on uedet, ego zamecani than 50 years old. So strnoj sloj,
sidt v pecnkax? When is he leav- idiom. Intensely, devotedly. On zani-
ing? His remarks are getting under my maets biznesom so stranoj siloj.
skin. / , He puts his whole heart into his busi-
idiom, army. To man a roadblock (lit., to ness.
sit on a block). , -, m. A member of a gov-
, ernment department authorized to use
. Well have to be coercive force, e.g., defense, the army,
on guard duty at this barrier all winter, the the police. A minister of such a depart-
Chechens use this road whenever they ment.
can. / ,
-, -, m., army.
idiom. To sleep (lit., to sit on your own
A soldier sadistically applying brute force
back). ,
against recently enlisted men (from ,
. Have a snooze, Ill stand the
power, strength, and , to
first watch and you can sleep on your
teach).
feet. Sidth na vint/sesth na vint,
idiom, youth. To use narcotics regularly, SIMPAPLECKA, -i, f., joc. A sympa-
to be a drug addict. On ue god sidit thetic, attractive girl or woman. Ona u
na vinte. Hes been addicted to the teb simpapulecka! Your girl is a real
stuff for a year already. Sidth na darling!
nul/sesth na nulh, idiom. To have no SIMPATGA, -i, m. & f., joc. An attrac-
money (lit., to be sitting on zero). tive person or animal. ta sobaka
ue tri dn siu na nule. Ive been taka simpatga! That dog is such a
broke for three days. Sidth/posidth darling!
na ock, idiom. To sit on the toilet. Ty SIMPTNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Attrac-
dolgo budeh sideth na ocke? How tive, pleasing. tot simpotnyj kos-
long are you going to be sitting on the tm kupl. Im going to buy that
can? Sidth na trvke, idiom, youth. nice-looking suit.
To smoke dope (lit., to sit on the grass). SINAGGA, -i, f., neg. A large propor-
On davno sidit na travke. Hes tion of Jews in one office, department, or
been smoking dope for a long time. the like (lit., a synagogue). U nas ne
/ , idiom, kafedra, a sinagoga. Our department is
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:33 AM Page 241
241 SKAKTH/ZASKAKTH
SKLITH/POSKLITH 242
243 SKUL
SKUL 244
SMETTH/SMEST 246
(lit., a cross between a bulldog and a to your mother that way! 2. A small,
rhinoceros). On sam sproektiroval weak person. V lbovnikax u ne
svo dacu, vot i polucilash smesh xodit kakoj-to smorcok. Her
bulhdoga s nosorogom. He designed his boyfriend is a 90-pound weakling.
country house himself, so it turned out SMOTRLKI, smotrlok, pl., joc.
neither fish nor fowl. Eyes. Zakryvaj svoi smotrelki, de-
SMETTH/SMEST. To eat up quickly tm ue spath pora. Close your peep-
(lit., to sweep, to clean up). Kogda ty ers; its time for little children to go to
uspel smesti vs mso? When did you sleep.
manage to eat up all the meat? SMOTRTH/POSMOTRTH na kog-
SMEX BEZ PRICNY PRZNAK l., kak bdto kto-l. dlen sto
DURACNY, rhyming phrase, neg. rublj, idiom, neg. To give someone
Lit., Laughter without cause is a mark of hostile or threatening looks. Cto ty
stupidity, a rhyming phrase used in dis- na men smotrih, kak budto tebe
paragement of inappropriate laughter. sto rublej dolen. Why are you look-
Razve skazal cto-to smenoe? ing at me as if I owe you a hundred
Smex bez priciny priznak rubles?
duraciny. Whats so funny? Laughter SMOTRBELHNYJ, -a, -oe, joc.
without cause is a mark of stupidity! Worth seeing, interesting. Kak filhm?
SMEXUCKI, -ov, pl., rude. Tricks, Smotribelhnyj. How was the
jokes, fooling around. Vam odni smex- movie? Worth seeing.
ucki, a delo serhznoe. You keep kid- SMUR, -a, m., neg. A bad mood. Sejcas
ding around, but this is a serious matter. u nego smur, ostavh ego v pokoe. Leave
SMENKA V ROT POPLA, idiom. him alone. Hes in a bad mood right
To have the giggles, a bout of inappopri- now. Smur naxdit na kog-l.,
ate laughter (lit., a funny thing got into idiom. Someone has the blues, is
someones mouth). Ne pojmu, cego ty depressed. Na nego smur nal, on
tak smehs, smeinka v rot brosil institut. He got into a funk
popala? What are you laughing at? and quit the Institute.
Having a fit of the giggles? SMURNTH/ZASMURNTH, joc. To be
SMITINGOVTHS, perf. only, youth. gloomy, downhearted. Da ne smurnej
See zabivth mting. ty, budut skoro denhgi. Dont mope
SMOK, -a, m., youth. Cigarettes, tobacco youll have some money soon.
products (from Eng. smoke). Smok SMURNJ, -, -e. Gloomy, depressed.
koncils. I have no more cigarettes. Kakoj-to ty segodn smurnoj.
SMOLTH/ZASMOLTH. To smoke Why are you so gloomy today?
(from smola, pitch, tar). Ne smoli SMURH, -i, f., neg. 1. A bad mood.
kak parovoz. Dont smoke like a loco- Opth u teb smurh, nicego delath
motive. ne xoceh. Youre in a bad mood again;
SMORZITH glposth, idiom, neg. To you just dont feel like doing anything.
say or do something stupid (lit., to freeze 2. Bad weather. Na ulie smurh, vyxo-
a silly thing). Kaku gluposth dith ne xocets. The weathers foul. I
smorozil, cto vas poslual. What a dont feel like going out.
stupid mistake I made by listening to SMYVTHS/SMTHS. To leave,
you! slip away, make off (lit., to wash off).
SMORCK, smorck, m., neg. Lit., morel Davaj smoems s urokov! Lets slip
(mushroom). 1. A cheeky young person, out of school.
worthless kid. Smorcok, kak ty SMYCK: Drath/otodrth v dva
smeeh tak razgovarivath s mate- smyck, see under drath2.
rh. You cheeky kid, how dare you talk SNARD, -a, m., joc. A large liquor bottle
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:33 AM Page 247
247 SOBCITHS/POSOBCITHS
249 SOROKVNIK
SOROKOPTKA 250
SOROKOPTKA, -i, f., obs. A 45-rpm SOIALST(Y), -a (-ov), m., obs. Citi-
record. ta pesn esth tolhko na zen(s) of socialist (Soviet-bloc) countries.
sorokoptke. That song is only avail- rabota perevodcikom u soia-
able on a 45. listov. Im working as a translator in
SOSTHS/POSOSTHS, rude. To countries of the Soviet bloc.
kiss (from sosath, to suck). Oni SONAKOPLNIE, -, n., neg., obs. A
sosalish elyj vecer. Theyve been potbelly (from soialisticeskoe nako-
kissing away all evening. plenie; lit., a Socialist savings account,
SOSSKA: Phnyj v sossku, see i.e., a savings account in a state bank).
under phnyj. Da, u teb prilicnoe sonakople-
nie. Thats quite a potbelly youve got
SOSKKIVATH/SOSKOCTH. Lit.,
there.
to jump off. 1. To leave. On soskocil
minut pth nazad. He just left about SPAGTTI: Vath/povsith spagt-
five minutes ago. 2. To leave alone, stop ti n ui, see under vath.
bothering. Ty s men soskocih so SPALTHS, perf. only. To get caught
svoimi proshbami? Get off my back doing something wrong (lit., to get
with your constant demands! burned). Oni spalilish na vztkax.
SOSKK, interj., neg. Scram! Buzz off! They got caught taking bribes.
(cf. soskkivath). Nu-ka, bystro SPLHNYJ RAJN, idiom. A residen-
soskok otsda! Hey, get out of here! tial region on the outskirts of a city (lit., a
SOSTONIE NESTONI, rhyming sleeping region). Vse e druzh ivut
phrase, neg., joc. Sexual impotence (by v spalhnyx rajonax. All her friends
wordplay on stoth; lit., a condition of live way out in the bedroom communi-
nonstanding). U teb opth sos- ties.
tonie nestoni? Whats with you? SPASBO: Spasbo nekrasvo,
Again youre in a nonstanding condi- nado dneki platth, idiom, joc. Pro-
tion? fessions of gratitude arent enough; grati-
SOSTYKVATHS/SOSTYKO- tude isnt a sufficient reward. Nu, spa-
VTHS, joc. To meet, to join (lit., to sibo za vs. Spasibo nekrasivo,
dock [spacecraft]). Stykuems za nado deneki platith. Thanks for
polcasa do otxoda poezda. Well meet everything! Thanks are worthless
half an hour before the train leaves. without a cash payment. Za spasbo,
idiom. Gratis, for free (lit., for a thank-
SOSUNK, sosunk, m., neg. A young,
you). Za spasibo nikto teperh rabo-
innocent, inexperienced person (lit., a
tath ne budet. These days no ones
suckling). Tebe, sosunku, ew rano
going to work for nothing.
takie filhmy smotreth. Arent you
still a little wet behind the ears to be SPATH: Ne spi, zamrzneh, see under
watching that sort of movie? ne.
SOTVORTH/SOTVORTH lazh, SPEKULHNTH, perf. only, neg. To sell,
idiom, crim. To slap in the face. Esli trade. Spekulhnuth nado casami,
tebe sotvorith lazh, dumaeh, ne ctob nemnogo podzarabotath. Ive
obidno? You think its not an insult to got to do some trade in watches to earn a
be slapped in the face? little extra money.
SOXTYJ, -ogo, m., crim., neg. Lit., a SPERMATOZVR, -a, youth, joc. Sperm
moose. 1. A cuckold. Kto sdelal ego (by wordplay on spermatozoid, sper-
soxatym? Who cuckolded him? 2. A matozoon, and dinozavr, dinosaur).
fool. Soxatyj on i esth soxatyj, Ot moix spermatozavrov tolhko
nicego tolkom skazath ne moet. synovh polucats. My sperm
Hes a prize fool; he never says anything makes only sons.
that makes any sense. SPERMONACLHNO, adv., joc. From
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251 SPRGIVATH/SPRGNUTH
the beginning, to begin with, at once (by someone else (from spixivath, to put
wordplay on sperma and pervonacalh- off [as a decision]). On polnosth
no). Ty skai spermonacalhno, kuda ovladel spixotexnikoj. Hes a past
ty sobiraehs nas vezti otdy- master of the art of passing the buck.
xath. To begin with, tell us where SPCITH/ZASPCITH, joc. To speak,
youre planning to take us for vacation. to speechify (from Eng. speech). Cto
SPEXA, -i, f., youth. A students major on tam spicet o svetlom buduwem?
subject in an institution of higher educa- Whats he speechifying about the bright
tion. Kogda u nas speuxa? When future for?
does the class in our major subject meet? SPLAVLTH/SPLVITH, neg. Lit., to
SPE I PDA, idiom, neg., joc. No float (logs) down a river. 1. To sell.
way; I certainly wont do that (lit., Ill ti vewi nado srocno splavith.
hurry [to do what you say] so fast that Ill Wed better sell this stuff quickly.
fall down). Idi ucith uroki! Xva- 2. To get rid of. Ona mua splavila
tit smotreth televizor. Speu i na dacu. She sent her husband packing
pada. Youve watched enough televi- off to the dacha.
sion. Now go do your homework! Not SPLYTH: Byl da splyl, see under byl.
a chance! SPOK: Budh spok!, see under budh.
SPIDMETR, -a, m., joc., neg. A blood SPOKXA, -i, f., youth. Calm down,
test for AIDS (from SPID, AIDS, by dont get excited (lit., peace and quiet).
wordplay on speedometer). Tebe Spokuxa, nicego ew ne proizolo, a
delali spidometr? Did you have your vy v panike. Calm down! Nothings
AIDS test? happened yet, and youre already in a
SPIDONSE, spidonsa, m., neg. panic!
An AIDS carrier, someone who has AIDS SPRITH: Kto sprit, tot govn ne
(-nose, carrier). Beri tu loku, stit, see under kto.
spidonosev u nas net, ne bojs.
SPRITH S NACLHSTVOM, CTO
Dont worry about using the spoon
SSATH PRTIV VTRA, idiom,
no one here has AIDS.
rude. Arguing with the boss only leads to
SPIN: Pone spin, idiom, joc. On trouble for yourself (lit., Arguing with
the buttocks (lit., below the spine). the management is like pissing into the
Dath by tebe ponie spiny za ti wind). Zacem ty ego kritikueh?
slova. You deserve a spanking for what Sporith s nacalhstvom, cto. . . Why
you said. do you criticize him? Arguing with the
SPINOGRZ, -a, m., joc. A child (lit., a boss can only get you into trouble.
spine-gnawer). U ne dvoe spinogry- SPORTVNYJ INTERS, idiom. Lit.,
zov. Shes got a couple of children. a sporting interest, that is, disinterested
SPIONRIVATH/SPIONRITH, motives. On to delaet iz sportiv-
joc. To steal (from pioner, member of a nogo interesa ili kak? Is he doing
junior Komsomol youth group; cf. skom- this out of a purely sporting interest, or
munzdith). Skolhko kolbasy spio- what?
nerili? How much sausage did they SPROS O CM-NIBDH POLG-
steal? CE, idiom, joc. I havent the faintest idea
SPXIVATH/SPIXNTH kzmen, (lit., ask me about something easier).
idiom, youth. To pass an examination. Skai, budet povyenie en?
Nikak ne mogu spixnuth anglijskij. Sprosi o cm-nibudh polegce. Tell me,
Theres no way I can pass the English do you think prices are about to go up?
exam. I havent the faintest idea.
SPIXOTXNIKA, -i, f., neg. The art of SPRGIVATH/SPRGNUTH, youth.
passing the buck, leaving the decision to 1. To leave. Sprygni otsda! Get
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SPUSK 252
out of here! 2. To stop, quit. On indifferent (lit., to shit from a high hill).
sprygnul s kajfa. He quit drinking. Tebe popadt za to, cto propus-
SPUSK, -a, m., rude. An orgasm. Kogda kaeh lekii. A mne nasrath s vy-
e u teb spusk budet? When are you sokoj gorki. Youre going to get in
going to come? trouble for missing classes. I dont
give a shit. Srath mkom kom-l.,
SPUSKTH/SPUSTTH, rude. To have
idiom, rude. No matter how hard one
an orgasm (lit., to let down). ne mogu
tries, in spite of all ones efforts (lit.,
spuskath po phnke. I cant come
[even if] one shits poppy seeds). Tebe
when Im drunk. Spuskth/spustth
srath makom do nego, on ue izvest-
na tormozx, idiom. To hush something
nyj ucnyj, a ty nikto. You can try
up, prevent something from coming to
your best with him, but after all hes a
trial (lit., put the brakes on something).
famous scholar and youre just a
Slucaj s tvoim tovariwem nado
nobody. Srath ne prsihs, idiom,
spustith na tormozax. Your friends
neg., rude. To act independent, grown-up
situation has to be hushed up.
(lit., not to ask permission to shit).
SPTITH, perf. only, neg. To go crazy, eniths reil, molode, srath ne
lose ones mind. Ty cto, sptil cto prosihs, a podumal, gde vy budete
li? Kto e pokupaet mso za taku ith? So youve decided to get mar-
enu? Are you out of your mind? No ried! Well, that seems very grown-up of
one spends that much on meat! you, except that you havent given a
SRKA, -i, f., rude. Buttocks. Otorvi thought to where youre going to live.
sraku ot stula, pomoj posudu. Get Ne sesth rdom srath s kem-l., idiom,
your ass off that chair and wash the neg., rude. To hold someone in contempt,
dishes. Do srki, idiom, rude. Of no to want nothing to do with someone (lit.,
importance, indifferent. Mne ego slova not to sit next to someone to take a shit).
do sraki. What he says doesnt matter s tim celovekom srath rdom ne
to me. sdu. I wouldnt have anything to do
SRNYJ, -a, -oe, rude. Bad, worthless. with that fellow. Vo rtu kak kki
Zacem mne ti sranye podarki? nasrli, idiom, rude. Lit., Its as if cats
What do I need these lousy presents took a shit in my mouth. Used to
for? describe a bad taste in the mouth, espe-
SRANH, -, n., rude. Shit, a pile of shit. cially of a hangover. Prosnulish, a vo
Vstavth/vstath sranh, see under rtu kak koki nasrali, vcera pere-
vstavth. kurili i vypili linee. They woke
up with the taste of cat shit in their
SRASTTHS/SRASTTHS, mouths after smoking and drinking too
impers., youth. To work out, be arranged much last night. rath do pta, srath
(lit, to grow together). U men ne sras- do slz, see under rath.
taets na kanikuly poexath domoj.
I cant manage to go home for the holi- SRAC, -a, m., rude. A mess, disorder.
days. pojdu v magazin, a ty vesh tot srac
v kvartire uberi. Ill go shopping, and
SRATH/NASRTH, POSRTH, rude. you clean up the mess in the apartment.
To shit. Gde tut u vas posrath
mono? Where can a person take a shit SR`EDNEJ PARVOSTI, idiom. Of
around here? Srath/nasrth (xo- poor quality (lit., of medium lousiness).
tth) na kog-cto-l., idiom. To hold in Vot kupil, a kolbasa srednej
contempt. Srath na nego xotel, na parivosti. That sausage I bought is
ego ugrozy. I shit on him and his pretty awful.
threats. Srath/nasrth s vyskoj SROK: Motth srok, see under motth.
grki, idiom, rude. Not to care, to be SRUBTH fku, idiom, youth. To
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253 STVITH/POSTVITH
understand (lit., to cut the cards). piss pot you are! Youve gone and soaked
Teperh srubaeh fiku, pocemu oni the sheets. 2. A coward. tot ssy-
ne priexali? Now do you understand kun draths ne budet. That coward
why they didnt come? wont fight with you.
/ , idiom. SSYKXA, -i, f., neg., rude. 1. A girl
Said of drunk or drugged people (lit., who wets the bed or her pants. ta
someones roof has blown away). See ssykuxa opth mokra. That little
. pisser is all wet again. 2. A woman who
, - urinates frequently. Ty opth, ssyku-
. He xa, v tualet? Off to the john yet again,
drank a bottle, flipped his lid, hijacked a you pisser? 3. An innocent, inexperi-
tank, and drove it into town for another enced girl. Ty ew ssykuxa, ctoby
bottle. tak rassudath, podrasti snacala.
SRYVTHS/SORVTHS. 1. youth. Youre still too much of a baby to dis-
To slip away. Davaj sorvms s pos- cuss such things; wait till you grow up a
lednego uroka. Lets cut the last class. little.
2. perf. only. To appear unexpectedly. STABNIVATHS/STABUNTHS,
Ty otkuda sorvals? Where did you joc. To crowd together (lit., to herd).
pop up from? Opth vy vse stabunilish na kuxne,
SSKI, ssak, pl., rude. Urine. to ne idite v komnaty. Why are you all
pivo, a ssaki. This isnt beer, its just crowded into the kitchen again? Go to the
piss. living room.
SSANH, -, n., rude. Piss, a pool of piss, STAV, -a, m., business. Goods, merchan-
a mess. Ch to ssanh, kota? Who dise (from stavith, to put). Ty stav
made this piss-pool the cat? prins? Have you brought the goods?
STVITH/POSTVITH: Stvith/po-
SSATH/POSSTH, rude. To urinate.
stvith klzmu, idiom, neg. To scold,
Possath xocets. I need to take a
abuse, punish (lit., to give an enema).
piss. Ssath kiptkm, idiom, rude.
Sejcas emu stavt klizmu za obman.
To be enthusiastic, eager, carried away by
Now hes going to get his punishment
someone or something (lit., to piss boil-
for the trick he played. Stvith/
ing water). U nas molodoj professor
postvith na knpku, idiom. (To bug,
cital leki, vse baby ssali kipt-
to monitor covertly (lit., to put on the but-
kom. A young professor came to lecture,
ton). Ego telefon stavhte na
and all the girls were peeing in their pants
knopku. Bug his telephone. Stvith/
over him. Ne ssy (, prorvms)!, see
postvith na sctcik, idiom. To set a
under ne.
punitive interest rate for debts not paid on
SSUN, -, m., rude. 1. Someone who uri- time (lit., to put someone on the meter).
nates a lot. Nu ty i ssun, kadye My teb postavili na sctcik, ty
pth minut v tualet begaeh. What ue nedel ne otdah denhgi.
a pisser you are running to the john Weve put you on the meter because
every five minutes! 2. A coward. to youre a week behind in your payments.
ssun izvestnyj, vs vrem droit za Stvith/postvith pistn, idiom,
svo kuru. Everyone knows hes a rude. To have sex, to have an erection.
coward always worried about saving Skolhko ty moeh postavith
his own skin. pistonov za noch? How many times
SSYKN, -, m., rude, neg. 1. Someone can you make love to a woman in one
who urinates frequently, or a child who night? Stvith/postvith gnilj
wets the bed or his pants. Nu ty i ssy- pistn, idiom, joc. To have sex as a rem-
kun, vse prostyni promocil. What a edy for a hangover (gniloj, rotten).
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STVKA 254
Sejcas by neploxo gniloj piston ass, and thats all there is to it.
postavith. A little tumble would be STANK, stank, m., joc. Lit., a lathe.
just the thing right now. Stvith/po- 1. A womans buttocks. Stanok u ne
stvith tksu, idiom. To set a price. znatnyj. Shes got a beautiful ass.
Kaku vy postavili taksu na siga- 2. A highly sexed woman. to takoj
rety? What price have you set for the stanok, tolhko derish! Watch out,
cigarettes? Stvith/postvith fin- shes a real sexpot! 3. A bed. Gotovh
gl, idiom, joc. To give someone a black stanok, davaj lem. Make the bed so
eye. Kto tebe postavil takoj fin- we can lie down.
gal? Who gave you that black eye?
STNI BEREZJ! KOM
STVKA, -i, f., crim. The headquarters of NDO VYLEZJ! idiom, joc. Lit.,
a mafia boss. V stavku tak prosto ne Berezai Station! All off thats getting
popadh, e oxrant i ew kak. off! A rhyming phrase used to attract the
Its not so easy to get into his headquar- attention of dozing or distracted passen-
ters, its heavily guarded. gers to arrival at a station. Vot derev-
STDO, -a, n., neg. A crowd (lit., a herd). n, avtobus zdesh stoit dve minuty.
V magazine stado, v oceredi sto- Stani Berezaj! Komu nado vy-
th ne xocu. Theres a herd of people in lezaj. Theres the village. The bus will
the store, and I dont want to wait in line. only stop here for a minute. Berezai Sta-
STAKN, -a, m., neg. A traffic-control tion! All off thats getting off!
station (lit., a glass). Tie, sbavh sko- STRA BOEV LADH, f., idiom,
rosth, vperedi stakan. Slow down. joc. A loyal wife or girlfriend (lit., an old
Theres a glass up ahead. warhorse). A to mo stara boeva
STAKNOVE, staknova, m., joc. A loadh. Meet my dear old gal.
drunk, a hero of the drinking-glass (by
wordplay on stakan, drinking-glass, /,
and Staxanov, the first Hero of Socialist army. To start acting like an experienced
Labor, a miner who, in the industrializ- soldier (from , an old man).
ing years of the 1930s, greatly exceeded ,
his production norm). Vy vse sta- . Just yesterday
kanovy! Youre a bunch of drunks! you were a green recruit. Now all of a
sudden youre pushing people around,
STLINSKIJ TORT, idiom, neg. A acting like a second-year man.
Stalin cake, a grandiose building of a
type favored and often constructed under STARLJ, -, m., army. A first lieuten-
Stalin (in the so-called Stalin baroque ant. Tebe starlej peredal pishmo?
style). A vot to zdanie sovsem Did the lieutenant give you the letter?
stalinskij tort. That building is a STAROPRIMNYJ, -a, -oe, joc.
real Stalin cake. An inflexible, reactionary person, some-
STLKER, -a, m., youth. A pimp (from one who sticks to the rules and codes of
the name of a character in a science fic- the old (i.e., Soviet) regime (by word-
tion story by the Strugatsky brothers). A play on staroreimnyj, belonging to
on sejcas ew v stalkerax xodit, ne the old regime, and priimath, to
znaeh? Is he still working as a pimp oppress or to suppress). On takim
these days? e staropriimnym i ostals, xo-
STANOVTHS/STATH rkom, idiom, t sejcas drugoe vrem. Times have
rude. To take up a position with rear end changed, but hes still the same old-
up. Cego ty boihs idti k vracu? regimer he always was.
Staneh rakom, on tebe v zad zagl- STROSTH NE RDOSTH (DA I
net, i vse dela. Why are you so ner- MLODOSTH GDOSTH), idiom. A
vous about going to the doctor? Youll sardonic comment on aging (lit., Old age
take the crab position, hell look up your is no joy, and youth is pretty awful too.
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255 STOLA
STARPR, -a, m., rude. An old man (from STEJTSVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Ameri-
staryj perdun; cf. perdn). V polit- can (from Eng. the States). Stejt-
bro sideli odni starpry. The sovye filhmy vsegda zabojnye.
guys in the Politburo were all a bunch of American movies are always interest-
old farts. ing.
STARJ, -go, m. A leader, boss, direc- STEJTS, -v, pl., youth. Americans
tor. Kto u vas staroj? Whos in (see stejtsvyj). Kogda stejtsy
charge here? priedut? When are the Americans
STRYJ KONH BOROZD NE PR- coming?
TIT, idiom. Lit., an old horse doesnt STEKL, -, n., youth. Glass utensils for
mess up the furrow; an expression used to preparing narcotics. Steklo u teb
sum up the advantages of older men as grznoe, pomoj. Your glassware is dirty
lovers and, by extension, of older people wash it.
in any activity. Nu i cto e, cto on STKLYKO: Trzvyj kak stk-
staryj, staryj konh borozdy ne lyko, see under trzvyj.
portit. So what if hes old! An old STEKLNTH/OSTEKLNTH, neg.,
horse doesnt mess up the furrow, you joc. To get drunk, become glassy-eyed.
know. Ty ue sovsem osteklnel, nicego
STSIK, -a, m. A cockroach. tix pered soboj ne vidih, togo i gldi
stasikov ne perenou. I cant stand upadh. Youre already so drunk that
these cockroaches. you cant see whats in front of your nose.
STVOL, -, m., rude. Lit., the barrel of a Watch out that you dont fall!
gun. 1. A penis. Cto to u teb STEKLKA, -i, f. A type of caf with
stvol torcit? How come your prick big windows, constructed especially in
is sticking out like that? 2. A gun. the days of Khrushchev. Davaj posi-
Skolhko u nas stvolov? How many dim v steklke na uglu. Lets get a
guns have we got here? corner table in the steklyashka.
STB: Podnimth/podnth stb, see STLHKA: Phnyj v stlhku, see
under podnimth. under phnyj.
STEBANTYJ, -a, -oe, rude, neg. STEND, -a, m., youth. An erection (from
Crazy, idiotic. Tolhko stebanutyj Eng. stand). V koi veki u men
mog takoe ucudith. Only an idiot stend, a bab net. Here I am with one
could pull off a stunt like that. of my rare erections, and not a woman in
STEBANTHS, perf. only, rude. To go sight!
crazy. Ot vsex pereivanij steba- STPA, -y, f., youth. A student stipend
nuths mono. These troubles could (lit., a nickname for Stepan). Naa
drive a person crazy. stpa u starosty. Our group leader
has our stipend payments.
STEBTHS1, imperf. only, youth, rude.
To mock, ridicule. Koncaj nad nim STRVA, -y, f., rude. A nasty or worthless
stebaths. Stop making fun of him. woman (cf. stervtnik, vulture).
Taku stervu, kak naa komendant-
STEBTHS2/POSTEBTHS, rude.
a, poiskath nado. Our house mother
To have sexual relations (cf. b-). Oni
is a real stinker.
stebats ue polgoda. Theyve
been sleeping together for half a year. STIP, -a, m., youth. A student stipend.
Stebths smeths, idiom, rude. Kogda vydadut stip? When are they
Incredible! Too much! Stebaths going to pay our stipend?
smeths, skolhko nas ew budut STOLB: Ne pht tlhko telegrfnyj
nakalyvath! This is unbelievable! stolb (, u neg cki vniz), see under
How long can they go on cheating us like ne.
this! STOLA, -y, f. 1. A Stolichnaya brand
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STOLVKA 256
cigarette. Ty cto kurih, stoli- stok? Can we sit down in that bar or is
u? What are you smoking, a Stolich- it a stander? 2. rude. An erection. Po
naya? 2. Stolichnaya brand vodka. utram u nego stok dvum rukami
Pocm stolia? How much is a ne sognh. In the mornings he gets
bottle of Stolichnaya? such an erection you couldnt get your
STOLVKA, -i, f. A cafeteria, dining hands around it! V stok, idiom,
hall. Stolovka ue otkryta? Is rude. In a standing position (esp. of sex).
the cafeteria open yet? Prilosh s nej v stoka muciths
STLHNIK, -a, m. 1. obs. A hundred- xaty net. There was no room in the
ruble bill. Ty ne zabyl, cto nado apartment so I had to screw her standing
stolhnik otdath sosedu? Did you up.
forget to pay our neighbor the hundred STOTH/STATH, VSTATH, POSTO-
we owe him? 2. A hundred thousand TH: Stoth/stath na atse (na vs-
rubles. sere, na strme, na nke, na xere),
STON SO SVSTOM, idiom, youth. idiom, crim. & youth. To stand guard.
Excellent, wonderful (lit., a groan with a Ty stoj na vassere, a my sygraem v
whistle). On anekdoty rasskazy- ocko. You stand guard while we play a
vaet prmo ston so svistom. Hes game of blackjack. Stoth/postoth
fantastic at telling jokes. pekm, idiom, joc. To remain standing,
STOP: xath stpom, see under xath. decline to sit (lit., to stand in a walking
STOPRIK: Vrzath po stopriku, position). Saditesh. Nicego,
see under vrzath. pekom posto. Have a seat.
, -, m., army. A useless soldier Thats all right. Ill stand. Stoth/
(from , a stop, meaning that this per- stath rkom, idiom, rude. 1. To stand
son lets a unit down by poor perfor- bent over. Cto to ty rakom sto-
mance). See . ih? Da igolku uronila, ne mogu
, , najti. Why have you got your ass in
. I dont want him in my com- the air like that? Im looking for a nee-
pany, hes a fuck-up. dle I dropped. 2. To work hard, espe-
cially in a bent-over position. toe
STPITH/ZASTPITH, youth. To
ne bezdelhnica, elyj denh sto
stop a car in order to hitch a ride or, more
rakom nad korytom. I havent exactly
likely, in order to negotiate payment for a
been idle ass-up over a washtub all
ride (from Eng. stop). Poexali, za-
stopil mainu. Come on! Ive day. Stoth/postoth u martna,
flagged down a car. idiom, joc. To cook, prepare food (lit., to
stand at the furnace). sto u mar-
STPOR, -a, m., neg. Dullness, stupor, tena ue cas, skoro obed budet gotov.
mental sluggishness (from Eng. stop). Ive been working at the furnace for an
Na men stopor napal, nicego ne hour already; dinner will be ready soon.
soobraa. A mental shutdown has Stoth na kog-l., idiom, rude. To
come over me; I cant think at all. desire sexually (lit., to have an erection
STOPORLA, -y, m., crim., neg. A ban- toward). U men na ne ne stoit.
dit, armed robber. Kogda togo stopo- Im not attracted to her. Stoth na
rilu vozhmut? When are they going to ux, idiom, joc. To work very hard,
catch that bandit? make a great effort (lit., to stand on ones
STORCTHS, perf. only, youth, neg. To ears). Posledn nedel sto na
die from an overdose of narcotics. Ty uax, zakanciva knigu. This past
znaeh, Nikolaj vcera storcals. week Ive been knocking myself out to
Yesterday Nick died from an overdose. finish the book. Stoth na cto-l.,
STOK, -, m. 1. A beer bar without seats. idiom, rude. To like, feel like, be attracted
Tam posideth mono ili to to. Segodn u men na rabotu ne
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257 STRIPTIZRKA
stoit. I dont feel like working today. STRLKA, -i, f., youth. A meeting, date,
Stoth u kog-l., idiom, rude. Someone appointment (lit., the hand of a watch).
has an erection. U nego ue davno ne Strelka, kak vsegda, v naem kafe.
stoit. Its been ages since the last time Well meet at our cafe as usual. Zabi-
he had a hard-on. Vstath n ui, vth/zabth strlku, see under
idiom. To make a great effort, put oneself zabivth.
out. Vcera my vse vstali na ui, STRELTH/STRLHNUTH. To bum,
ctoby kupith emu xoroij podarok. sponge (as a cigarette) (lit., to shoot).
We all knocked ourselves out yesterday Strelhni sigaretu, a to u nas kon-
getting him a good present. cilish. Were out of cigarettes. See if
STOCKA, -i, f., neg., joc. A beer bar you can bum one for us.
without seats (cf. stok 1). Tut neda- STRELTHS/ZASTRELTHS:
leko stocka esth, mono po-byst- Cto mne, strelths/zastrelths?
romu vypith. Theres a stander not see under cto.
far from here where we can have a quick STRM, -a, m., crim., youth. Danger, ten-
beer. sion. Davaj bez strma obojdms.
, -, m., army. A strategic Lets talk calmly.
bomber pilot (lit., strategist). STREMK, -a, m., youth, neg. Danger,
, - unpleasantness. S toboj vs vrem
. Everybodys underpaid these stremaki proisxodt. Bad things are
days, even those strategic bomber pilots. always happening with you.
STRALO, -a, n., neg. Un ugly person STREMTH/POSTREMTH, youth,
(from stranyj, frightening). Va neg. To frighten, scare. Ty men ne
drug takoe strailo, prisniths stremaj. Dont scare me.
moet. Your friend is nightmarishly STREMTHS/ZASTREMTHS,
ugly. youth, neg. To be frightened. Ne nado
STRNYJ: Strnyj kak vojn, stremaths, nicego tebe ne sdelaem.
idiom, neg. Extremely ugly. Muik u Theres nothing to be afraid of. Were
ne stranyj kak vojna. Her boy- not going to hurt you.
friend is ugly as sin. Strna kak STRMNYJ1, -a, -oe, crim. & youth.
mo iznh, idiom, joc. Very ugly (of a Dangerous. to strmnoe delo.
woman; lit., dreadful as my life). Kto Thats a dangerous business.
e zamu vozhmt? Ona e strana STRMNYJ2, -ogo, m., crim. & youth.
kak mo iznh. Who would marry her? One who stands guard. Ty segodn
Shes ugly as sin. Stranj tomnoj budeh strmnym. Youll be on guard
vojn, idiom, neg. Ugly, terrible. Ba- duty today.
ba u nego stranej atomnoj vojny.
STRMOPTI, -ii, f., youth. An
His girlfriend is uglier than atomic war.
obsessive, unaccountable fear, anxiety
STREJT, -a, m. A heteresexual man (from without manifest cause. U men naci-
Eng. straight). On ne goluboj, nas- naets strmopati. Im having an
towij strejt. Hes not gay, hes anxiety attack.
completely straight. STRIPTZ, -a, m., neg. An intimate,
STREJTOVK, -a, m. See strejt. open conversation (lit., striptease). Mne
STREKOZL, strekozl, m., joc. A nadoel tot striptiz o tvoix l-
light-minded, frivolous, scatterbrained bovnikax. Ive had enough of your true
person (from strekoza, dragonfly, and confessions about all your lovers!
kozl, goat). tot strekozl ne STRIPTIZRKA, -i, f., neg. 1. A strip-
umeet vesti peregovory. That scatter- tease performer. Ona uexala na zapad,
brain wouldnt be able to conduct negoti- tam rabotaet striptizrkoj. She
ations. went to the West, where shes been work-
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STRIT 258
259 SURVO
Stydno, u kogo vidno. You should be female mercenary (from , bitch, and
ashamed of yourself, swearing like that in , a cuckoo). See .
front of the children! Theres nothing , - -
shameful about it. , . We have
STYDNK, -a, m., youth. Shame, reports that a sharpshooter bitch is active
disgrace. Kakoj stydnk, ni odnogo in this area, we have to get her.
kzamena ne sdal. What a disgrace! I SUKOVTYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Stubborn,
havent passed a single exam. difficult (lit., knotty, as of wood; cf.
STYDBA, -y, f., neg. 1. A shame, a dis- ska). Ty sovsem sukovatym stal, s
grace. Razve to ne stydoba byth toboj trudno dogovoriths. Youve
nudistom? Isnt it disgraceful to be a become awfully stubborn! Its hard to
nudist? 2. m. & f. A shameless, disgrace- reach an agreement with you.
ful person. Kak ty moeh tak SKOJ BDU! crim., rude. Lit., Ill be a
xodith, stydoba! How can you go bitch (if I do that), a form of oath.
around like that?! You should be Pridh noch k reke? Sukoj
ashamed. budu! Kak dogovorilish. Will you
STYKOVTHS/SOSTYKOVTH- come to the river tonight? Cross my
S. To meet (lit., to dock, join, as in heart! Just as we agreed!
spaceflight). Vy stykuetesh segodn SULTGA, -i, f., army. Liquor diluted
na rabote? Are you having a meeting with 30% water. Sultyga ostalash?
at work today? Poxmeliths nado. Have you still got
STYKVKA, -i, f. A meeting. Gde u some sultyga? I need something for my
nas segodn stykovka? Where are we hangover.
holding our meeting today? SMERECNOE ZRNIE, idiom, army.
ST`JTSVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. See A night vision scope (lit., twilight vision).
stejtsvyj. SUNDK, -a, m., neg. A big, tall man (lit,
STJTSY, -ov, pl., youth. See stejts. a trunk). U nego brat cistyj
STND, -a, m., youth. See stend. sunduk. His brother is a real giant.
SUBBTA: Crna subbta, see under SUNH XUJ V CAJ (I VYNH SU-
crna. XM), see under xuj.
SUGRV: Dl sugrvu, idiom, joc. For SUP: A potm sup s kotm, see under a.
warmth, to warm up. Xoroo by ne- SPER, -a, m., pos. Someone or some-
mnogo vypith dl sugrevu. Lets have thing outstanding, excellent (from Eng.
a little something to drink, just to warm super). Ona speialist prosto
us up. super! Shes a really outstanding
SUETTHS: Ne suetsh pod kli- expert.
ntom, see under ne. SUPERKLSS, -a, m., pos. Outstanding,
SKA, -i, f., neg., rude. Lit., a bitch. 1. A remarkable. U nego segodn leki
term of abuse or reproach (used of both superklass. His lecture today was ter-
men and women). Nu i suka e ty, rific.
opth nas zaloil. You bastard! SPNIK, -a, m., neg. A faithful lover, a
Youve betrayed us again! 2. crim. A one-woman man (cf. sup). Opth k
thief who breaks the thieves code of nej supnik pol. Her lover came to
honor. Ty ne vrh slucaem? Ty see her again.
cto, men za suku derih, govor SURLTH/POSURLTH. To drink.
vam, magazin bez oxrany. Are you Cto u teb surlth esth? What
sure youre not lying? Do you think have you got to drink?
Im a rat? Im telling you, the store is SURVO, adv., youth. Too much, exces-
really unguarded. sive. to slikom surovo tak pith.
-, -, f., army. A Its excessive to drink like that. Ne
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SUSNIN 260
survo? idiom, youth. Its too much, too Ty, sucij syn, zatknish, sluath
expensive. A tebe ne surovo budet teb ne ela. Shut up, you son of a
stolhko deneg prosith? How can you bitch! I dont want to hear another word
ask for such a sum? Its far too much. out of you. Sch lpa, idiom, rude. A
SUSNIN, -a, m., army, joc. From bastard, scoundrel (lit., bitchs paw).
Susanin, the hero of Musorgskys opera Ty, such lapa, dolg otdavath bu-
Ivan Susanin, who led Polish invaders deh? You bastard, are you going to
to their death in a Russian forest. 1. A pay what you owe me?
guide who doesnt know the way or SUCK, -ov, pl., joc. Hands (lit., twigs).
whom others suspect of not knowing the SCNIK, -a, m., army. A dog breeder
way. A ty, Susanin, znaeh, kuda (from suka, bitch). Ty sobak ne
my idm? Hey, guide, do you know lbih, rabota sucnika ne dl teb.
where were going? 2. An air force navi- You shouldnt be a dog breeder if you
gator. Skoro vylet, gde na dont like dogs.
Susanin? Were scheduled for takeoff. SUCK, suck, m., neg. 1. Cheap vodka
Wheres our navigator? of poor quality (lit., knotty wood, allud-
STOCNIK, -a, m., neg. Someone sen- ing to wood alcohol). V magazine
tenced to a 15-day term for hooliganism tolhko sucok. Theyve only got cheap
(from sutki, twenty-four hours). Gde vodka at the store. 2. rude. A bastard,
tut sutocniki rabotat? Where scoundrel (from ska). Ty komu,
are the 15-day guys working? sucok, grubih? Hey, who do you think
SUXRIK, -a, m. See suxrh. youre yelling at, you son of a bitch?
SUXRH, -, m. Dry wine (from suxoj). SUTH/NASUTH: suth/nasu-
Tam prodats suxarh, skolhko th suxar, idiom. To get ready to go
xoceh. Theyve got lots of dry wine on to prison (lit., to dry biscuits). Za vse
sale there. tvoi dela tebe pora suith suxari.
SUXC, -, m. Dry wine (from suxoj). After what youve done, youd better
Gde suxac pokupali? Where did you start drying biscuits. Suth vsla,
get the dry wine? idiom. 1. To stop doing something (lit., to
dry ones oars). Sui vsla, koncaj
SXE, n., indecl. Dry wine (by wordplay
rabotu. Well, its time to stop work.
on suxoj, dry, and Suxe Bator, the
2. An expression of surprise, shock. A
Mongolian revolutionary leader). Vozh-
potom nacalosh takoe! Sui vsla:
mi paru butylok suxe. Buy a couple of
oni vse polezli v draku. Then all hell
bottles of dry wine.
broke loose. Dry your oars they all got
SUXODRCKA, -i, f., rude. 1. Masturba- into a fistfight. Suth mozg, idiom,
tion. Zdesh na korable enwin net, neg. To pester, annoy (lit., to dry some-
vse suxodrockoj zanimats. There ones brains). Ona mne vesh denh
are no women on this ship; everyone suila mozgi, vs rasskazyvala o svo-
masturbates. 2. Futile work, a pointless ix stradanix. She addled my brains
job. Bez instrumentov to suxo- all day with her stories about her trou-
drocka, my ne smoem pocinith bles.
traktor. Without tools this is useless
SUNK, -, m. Dry wine. Pod mso
work well never get the tractor fixed.
sunk nicego idt. Dry wine goes
SUCRA, -y, m. & f., neg., rude. A bitch, well with meat. Sunk probl
bastard (from ska). Kak ty s toj kog-l., idiom. Someone wants to drink
sucaroj moeh razgovarivath? (lit., dryness [thirst] has attacked some-
How can you stand to even talk to that one). Men sovsem sunk probil,
bitch? gde by xoth vina dostath? Im dying
SCIJ: Scij syn, idiom, rude. A for something to drink. Where can I get
worthless person (lit., son of a bitch). some wine?
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261 SR
SRNYJ 262
pletely weird.
SRNYJ, -a, -oe, joc. Strange, unintel-
ligible. to srna istori. Thats
a weird story.
SSKATH/ZASSKATH, neg. To
speak fawningly or in baby talk, to coo.
ne lbl, kogda so mnoj ss-
kat. I dont like being crooned at.
SVKA, -i, m., crim., neg. 1. A young,
inexperienced thief. Tut rabota ne
dl men, pusth to svki delat.
Thats no job for me give it to the
small fry. 2. A homeless beggar, a pau-
per. U nego nicego net, u togo
svki. That poor beggar has absolutely
nothing.
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 263
TABK: Dlo tabk, see under dlo. terth. Lets trade your gas for my oil.
TABL, n., indecl., youth, rude, neg. Face, A deal like that is just a waste of
mug. Tebe dath v tablo? You look- time.
ing for a punch in the face? Namli- TAK NE TAK, PERETKIVATH NE
vath/namlith tabl komu-l., see BDEM, idiom, joc. Used in reply to the
under namlivath. expression Tak, tak, in the sense
TABURTOVKA, -i, f., joc. Home brew Theres nothing to be done, It cant be
(from taburetka, wooden stool). Kto changed. Tak, tak, pontno, my
tebe dal taburetovku? Who did you nikuda ne idm. Tak ne tak,
get that moonshine from? peretakivath ne budem. Well, thats
it. Were not going. Right or wrong,
TAZ: Nakryvths/nakrths md-
were not going to change it.
nym tzom, see under nakryvths.
TAK ON I LI, gby krsili, a
TAK: Za tak, idiom. Gratis, for nothing.
nog ne mli, rhyming phrase, joc. Lit.,
Za tak tebe nikto ne budet pomo-
So they lived: they painted their lips, but
gath, nado platith ili stavith vy-
didnt wash their feet. Used in sardonic
pivku. Nobodys going to help you for
response to the difficulties of life.
nothing you have to pay them or at
Opth eny vyrosli vdvoe. Tak oni
least offer them something to drink.
i ili. . . . Prices have doubled again.
TAK DAM: Tak dam, vs iznh na ap- Well, so they lived. . . . Tak on i
tku bdeh rabtath, idiom. A threat li, spli vrozh, a dti bli,
of a severe beating; lit., Ill give it to you rhyming phrase, joc. Lit., So they lived:
so that youll be paying the medical bills they slept separately, but still they had
for the rest of your life. Ne prista- children. Used in ironic resignation to
vaj, a to tak dam, vs iznh na apte- the difficulties of life: What can you
ku rabotath budeh. Get off my case do? Cest la vie! Skoro nam na
or Ill give it to you so that youll never pensi uxodith, a ne xocets. Tak
see the end of the medical bills. Tak oni i ili. . . . Were going to be pen-
dam, ni odn dktor ne pocnit, sioned off soon, though we arent ready
idiom. A threat of a severe beating. Ew to retire. Well, so they lived. . . .
raz s nej budeh tanevath, tak dam,
ni odin doktor ne pocinit. If you TAKE PIROG! idiom. Thats the way
dance with her again Ill give it to you so it is; thats how things stand (lit., What
that no doctor will be able to fix you. pies!). Opth ne platt vovrem
Tak dam, ni odn bolhna ne pr- zarplatu, takie pirogi! Theres
met, idiom. A threat of a severe beating. going to be another delay in paying our
Ew raz nas roditelm zaloih, salaries. Well, thats the way the cookie
tak dam, ni odna bolhnia ne crumbles.
primet. If you tell on us to our parents TAK-PERETK, idiom, neg. A euphe-
again, Ill give it to you so that no hospi- mism for swearwords or abusive lan-
tal will admit you. guage. Tak-peretak! Skolhko mono
TAK NA TAK MENTH, TLHKO tebe povtorth: ne beri cuie vewi!
VRM TERTH, rhyming phrase, Sugar! How many times do I have to tell
joc., euph. Lit., To exchange this for that you not to take other peoples things!
is just a waste of time; an expression for TAKJ XOLDNYJ, KAK KROKO-
declining a proposed swap or barter (cf. DL GOLDNYJ, rhyming phrase,
xuj na xuj menth . . . under xuj). joc. Very cold (lit., as cold as a crocodile
Davaj menth benzin na maslo! is hungry). Cto, na ulie moroz? Ty
Tak na tak menth, tolhko vrem takoj xolodnyj, kak krokodil golod-
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TAKJ-SKJ-NEMZANNYJ 264
267 TERTH
TERTHS/POTERTHS 268
her all night it was great. TXNIK: nyj txnik, see under
TERTHS/POTERTHS, rude. To nyj.
spend time in a certain circle, to associate : , idiom. On
with certain people. Cto ty tut tape, under electronic surveillance (lit.,
trhs, tebe zdesh delath necego. under technical devices).
How come you keep hanging out around . Im not
us? Theres nothing for you here. saying anything on tape.
TERP: Ne v terp, idiom. Very TEXNCNO, adv. Well, elegantly, suc-
impatient. Mne ne v terp poexath cessfully. Ty nad nim texnicno
v les za gribami. I cant wait to go poutil. That was a clever trick you
mushroom hunting in the woods. played on him.
TERPKA, -i, f., joc. Patience, endu- TCKA, -i, f., rude. Lit., estrus. 1. Sexual
rance. Tak ith trudno, nikakoj excitement, availability. U teb cto,
terpki ne xvataet. Its hard to live tecka, na vsex muikov brosaehs?
like this; the patience of a saint isnt What are you, in heat or something?
enough. How come youre throwing yourself at all
TERP URVLS, idiom, Ukr. I have the men? 2. Menstruation. U ne
no patience, Ive lost my patience (from tecka, ona ne dat. Shes got her
terpenie, patience, and rvaths, to period, so she wont sleep with me.
break). Terpe urvals dath, poka TECH V KRE, idiom, joc. Strange
vy boltath koncite. I have no behavior, eccentricity (lit., a leak in the
patience to wait for you to finish your roof). U nego tech v krye, vs vre-
gabbing. m cto-to bormocet vslux. Has he
TERRORST, -a, m., joc. A playboy, got a screw loose or something? How
seducer, Don Juan. Ty u nas izvest- come hes always muttering to himself?
nyj terrorist, ni odnu bku ne pro- TIGRA, -y, f. A strong, energetic
pustih. Everyone knows youre an woman (lit, tigress). Ej pale v rot ne
awful womanizer youre after every kladi, nastowa tigria. Dont
skirt you see. mess with her, shes a real tigress.
TESTH: Xoth kol na golov te, see TKALKA, -i, f., youth., joc. A heart
under xoth. (from tik-tak, the sound of a clock).
TSTO: Iz druggo tsta, idiom, neg. Cto-to tikalka stucit. For some
Different, outside the norm (lit., from a reason my ticker is thumping very hard.
different dough). Ty cto, iz drugogo /. To tick, to make
testa, pocemu ne pomogaeh nam? the sound of time passing (from -,
What do you think you are, some supe- a watch sound).
rior sort of being? Why dont you give us ? What time does your watch
a hand? enx i nevsta obqlis say (tick)?
tsta, see under enx. /. To run, escape
TETR: Glux tetr, see under (from Ukrainian). ,
glux. Snna tetr, see under sn- , ,
na. . Theres no way to get out
TTKA, -i, f., youth, joc. A girl (lit., an of here, the rivers behind us and they can
aunt). A tam ttki na vsex budut? get a shot at us from there. We have to
Will there be enough girls to go stay where we are.
around? TKET, -a, m., youth, obs. Ticket (from
TEXNRH, -, m. Someone with a techni- Eng. ticket). Tiket dostal? Did
cal education. Net, on texnarh, ne you manage to get a ticket?
filolog. He studied technical subjects, TKI-TAK, adv., joc. Ukr. 1. Just right,
not humanities. just so, exactly. Ty to delaj tiki-
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 269
tak, i vs budet xoroo. If you do it TXIJ (-a, -oe), kak sto obezhn v
just exactly like that, everything will be kltke, idiom, joc. Naughty, noise (lit.,
fine. 2. Well, fine. U nas vs budet as calm as hundred monkeys in a cage).
tiki-tak, posmotrih. Wait and see Kakoj u Vas syn spokojnyj malh-
everything will turn out fine. cik. Kak e tixij, kak sto... What
TIPN TEB NA ZK, idiom, neg. a well-behaved boy you have! Oh,
Lit., (May you get) a blister on your yeah, quiet as a barrel of monkeys.
tongue. An expression for objecting to TXIJ AS! idiom. Terrible! Incredi-
the uttering of negative predictions. ble! (lit., speechless horror). Tixij
Vot zaboleeh, togda uznaeh, cto uas! Na bank lopnul. Oh, my God!
znacit byth odnomu. Tipun tebe Our bank has collapsed.
na zyk, poka zdorov. When you get TXO KAK V TNKE, idiom. Calm,
sick, youll find out what it really means normal, orderly (lit., quiet as in a tank).
to be on your own. Bite your tongue! Kak dela na rabote: sporite, naver-
So far Im just fine! noe, perestraivaetesh? Cto ty, u
TPCIK, -a, m., neg., joc. An unpleasant nas vs tixo kak v tanke. How are
or suspicious character (lit., a type). Nu things at work? Are they trying to apply
i tipcik tvoj drug, takogo grubina the perestroika policies in your office?
ew ne videla. Your friend is quite an Are you kidding? Everythings just chug-
unpleasant character. Ive never seen ging along as usual.
such rudeness! TXOJ SPOJ, idiom. Calmly, without
TIR: Vyxodth/vjti v tir, see haste (lit., with a quiet hoe). Kuda nam
under vyxodth. speith, tixoj sapoj k veceru vs
, -a, n. A liar (from , to zakoncim. Whats the hurry? We can do
cheat). See . , - the job calmly and still finish by
, . The man evening.
is telling you a pack of lies, hes a bullshit TOVARNK, -, m. A freight train. to
artist. ne lektricka, tovarnk idt.
TSNUTH, perf. only. Lit., to squeeze, Thats not our train; its a freight train.
press. 1. To print, publish. On nedavno TOG: Kto-l. tog, idiom, neg. Crazy.
tisnul paru statej. He published a On cto, togo? Whats with him? Is
couple of articles recently. 2. youth. To he out of his mind?
steal. Kto tisnul denhgi so stola? TOK, -a, m., youth, obs. Talk (from Eng.
Who stole the money that was on the talk). Mne tot tok ne nravits.
table? I dont like that kind of talk. Davth/
TTI-MTI, idiom, neg., joc. A prodavth tok, see under davth.
womans breasts. Prikroj svoi TKARH-PKARH, tkar-pkar, m.,
titi-miti, a to sda mogut vojti. neg. An incompetent worker (lit., a
Cover your titties someone could turner-baker). Esli ty ne znaeh,
walk in here anytime. Razvodith/ raz- kak remontirovath utg, tokarh-
vest tti-mti, see under razvodth. pekarh, to zacem togda polez? You
TTHKA, -i, f., neg., joc. A womans bungler, if you dont know how to fix an
breasts. Smotri, u ne ue vyrosli iron, why did you even start up?
tithki! Look, shes starting to get tit- TOLK VEL, BSTOLOK OSTL-
ties! S, idiom, joc. An apotropaic expression
TIXRH, -, m., crim., neg. A plainclothes used to show uncertainty about the clev-
police officer. Posmotri, tam ne ti- erness or success of someone or some-
xarh za uglom topcets? Go see if thing (playing on the positive idiom tolk
thats a plainclothes cop over there in the vyel, someone/something has become
corner. a success). Kak tvoi deti? Iz nix
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TOLKTH/TOLKNTH 270
vyel tolk? Tolk vyel, besto- TNUS: ith v tnuse, see under
lok ostals. How are your kids doing? ith.
Has anything good come of them? TNHKA, -i, f., youth, joc. Tonic water
Well, what can you expect from kids like (lit., a nickname for Antonina). Ty
that? din s tonhkoj phh? Can I offer
TOLKTH/TOLKNTH. To sell (lit., to you a gin and Tonya?
push over). ue tolknul vse svoi TPATH/POTPATH, joc. To go (lit., to
dollary. Ive already sold all my dol- stamp ones feet). Topaj v magazin.
lars. Tolkth/tolknth recgu, Go over to the store.
idiom, neg. To give a speech, deliver a / ,
speech. On opth tolkaet recugu ob idiom. To sleep (lit., to apply someones
konomike. Hes giving another speech weight). ,
on economics. . Stop making so
TOLKTHS, imperf. only, rude. To much noise, Im trying to hit the sack.
have sexual relations. On s nej davno
TOPR: Xoth topr vaj, see under
tolkaets? Has he been sleeping with
xoth.
her for long?
TOPOTNCIK, -a, m., joc. A fussbud-
TOLKCKA, -i, f., neg. 1. A crowd. V
get, a bustling person. Kakoj u ne
metro segodn taka tolkucka. The
mu topotuncik, vs srazu sdelal,
subway was awfully crowded today.
kofe prins, kupil konfet. Her hus-
2. A market, an open-air bazaar. Poj-
band is quite a busy beaver bringing
dm na tolkucku, sapogi kupith nado.
the coffee, getting the candy, just seeing
Lets go down to the flea market. I need
to everything.
to buy some boots.
TOLSTOMSYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Fat, TOPTTH/POTOPTTH, rude. 1. To
obese. Ty togo tolstomsogo zna- have sex with a woman. Ne xodi tuda,
eh? Do you know that fat fellow? tam Pethka topcet babu. Dont go
in there. Pete is screwing a girl. 2. To
TOLCK, tolck, m. 1. A toilet. A vot beat, win a victory over. Nas potop-
i tolcok, davaj zajdm. Lets stop in tali v futbol. They beat us in soc-
the bathroom over there. 2. An open-air cer.
market, flea market (cf. tolkcka 2).
Ty byl na tolcke segodn? Plas- , idiom, army. To
tinki prodavali? Were you at the patrol a border (lit., to trample a border).
market today? Were they selling records -
there? Tolck s pedlmi, idiom, , . Im
neg. A car in bad condition, a worthless sick and tired of this guard duty. Ive
automobile (lit., a tolcok with pedals). been marching up and down this stretch
to ne maina, a tolcok s peda- of the border for ten years.
lmi. Thats not a car, its a can on , idiom, army. To
wheels. bother (lit., to trample Mumu the dog).
---, idiom, army. ,
Said about a poor marksman (from , .
wide of the mark, and , askew). For the tenth time, I wont take you on
, this reconnaissance mission. Youre beat-
---. Try ing a dead horse! See .
to hit the target, why dont you? Youre TOPTN, -, m., neg. A detective, sleuth,
shooting here, there, and everywhere. plainclothes officer. Tam za uglom
TNNA, -y, f., youth. A thousand rubles. toptun. Theres a detective over there
Vot dve tonny, kupi sebe vodki. in the corner.
Heres two thousand. Buy yourself some TRBA, -y, f., crim. Solitary confinement,
vodka. isolation cell (lit., a bag). A za cto
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271
TORCK 272
273 TRP
TREPK 274
head is spinning from it. esth, a sejcas est tak, cto za uami
TREPK, -, m., neg. Gonorrhea (by trewit. At first he refused to eat, but
wordplay on tripper and the name of a now hes packing it away with a hearty
Ukrainian dance). Budeh po babam appetite.
xodith, trepak sxvatih. You could TRIDTNIK, -a, m. 1. Thirty years.
get the clap if you sleep around. Emu zavtra tridatnik. Hell be
TREPTH: iznh trepanla (potre- thirty years old tomorrow. 2. obs. Thirty
pla) kog-l., see under iznh. rubles. Vot tebe tridatnik i
TREPTHS/POTREPTHS, neg. To xvatit. Heres thirty, and thats the
talk long and pointlessly, to chatter on. end of it.
Ne trepish! Esli ne znaeh naver- TRPPER, -a, m. Gonorrhea. ,
nka, to i govorith nezacem. Dont kaets, podxvatil tripper. I seem
babble. If you dont know for sure, then to have caught the clap. Kak zju
dont talk about it. trpper, see under kak.
TREPC, -, m., neg., rude. A big talker, TRGATH mmu, idiom, neg., rude. To
boaster. Ty togo trepaca ne slu- hold in contempt, despise, spit on (lit., to
aj. Dont listen to that windbag. touch someones mother; euph. for b
TREPETLHKA, -i, f., youth, joc. A tvo math). ego mamu trogal,
romantic, sentimental young girl. Ty pusth ne grozit. The hell with him and
davno s toj trepetulhkoj xodih? his threats.
Have you been dating that doting girl for TRE STOK I VS LSOM, idiom,
long? joc. Too far away (lit., its a three-day trip
TREPL, -, n., neg., rude. See trepc. and all forest). ivut oni gde-to na
TRSKATH/POTRSKATH, neg. To eat zapade Moskvy, troe sutok i vs
greedily (lit., to crunch). Skolhko lesom. They live somewhere out in the
mono konfety treskath? Dont boondocks of western Moscow.
wolf down so much candy. , -, m., army. A rifle with a
TRSKATHS/VTRSKATHS, telescopic sight (lit., trombone).
youth. To take drugs. Oni v drugoj ,
komnate treskats. Theyre doing . My sniper scope was
some drugs in the other room. damaged by a piece of shrapnel and I
TRXA, -i, f., neg., obs. Three rubles, a need a new one.
three-ruble piece. Daj emu trxu, ne TRNUTYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Crazy (lit.,
bolhe. Dont give him more than a touched). Ty cto, tronutyj? Takie
three. denhgi potratil na cepuxu! Are you
TRXMESTKA, -i, f., crim., obs. Thirty crazy, spending all that money on this
rubles. S teb trxmestka. Give me crap?
thirty rubles. TRNUTHS, perf. only, neg. To go
TRXNUTHS, perf. only, neg. To go crazy, lose ones mind. Posle avarii
crazy, become crazed. Ot vaix zaki- na zavode on sovsem tronuls. After
donov trxnuths mono. Your the accident at the plant he went com-
pranks could drive someone crazy. pletely bonkers.
TRKA, -i, f., neg. See trxa. TROK, -, m. 1. neg. See trxa. 2. youth,
TREWTH: Golov trewt u kog-l., school. An average grade, a 3.
idiom. Someone has a splitting headache Opth trok sxlopotal po matem-
(lit., someones head is making a crack- atike. I got a C in math again.
ing sound). U men golova trewit. TRUB, -, f., neg. Lit., pipe. 1. Trouble,
Ive got a splitting headache. Za disaster. Mne truba budet, esli
umi trewt, idiom. To have a hearty roditeli ob tom uznat. Itll be
appetite. Snacala otkazyvals curtains for me if my parents find out
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275 TRSTSH/POTRSTSH
TRXOMDSTVO 276
277 TYL
Finns has just arrived; now the drinking mood, depressed. Cto ty xodih
will really begin! elyj denh kakoj-to tuxlyj? How
TROK, NE KAZK, idiom, neg. A come youve been going around in such a
weak, cowardly person (lit., a Turk, not a funk all day?
Cossack). x ty, turok, ne kazak, ne TCA, -i, f. A bazaar, a secondhand mar-
moeh dae prygnuth s para- ket (lit., a cloud). Ty byl segodn na
tom! Hey, you Turk, you cant even tuce? Did you go to the flea market
bring yourself to do a parachute jump! today?
TROK NEDORZANNYJ, idiom, neg. TUEVTHS/STUEVTHS. To
A Turk (lit., an incompletely killed Turk). be shy, shrinking (lit., to shade in a draw-
Vot turki nedorezannye, opth ing). Ne tuujs, zdesh vse svoi.
oni lezut v nai dela. There go those Dont be shy! Youre among friends
damned Turks interfering in our affairs here.
again. TU(TE) SVET! idiom. Lit., Turn off
TURSY NA KOLSAX, idiom, neg. the light. 1. neg. Something terrible, an
Untruth. Vs to turusy na kolsax. awful situation. My sidim, phm.
Xvatit sluath tu erundu! Thats Vdrug zaxodit nacalhnik tui
a crock! I dont want to hear that crap. svet! We were sitting there drinking
TUSMN, -a, m., youth. A crowd, a gath- when the boss walked in horrors!
ering. Po kakomu sluca na ulie 2. pos. Excellent! Wonderful! Vcera
tusman? Why is there such a crowd out byli na ego konerte tuite
on the street? svet! We went to his concert last night
TUSNK, -a, m., youth. See tusvka. it was terrific!
TUSOVTHS/POTUSOVTHS, TY I MRTVOGO IZNASLUEH
youth. To meet, to get together, to spend (podnmeh), idiom, neg. Lit., you
time together (lit., to shuffle [cards]). would rape (resurrect) a corpse; used in
My obycno v kafe tusuems po protest against excessive insistence on
veceram. We usually get together at the anything. Ty men dostal svoimi
caf in the evenings. proshbami. Ot teb ne otstaneh,
TUSVKA, -i, f., youth. A get-together. ty i mrtvogo iznasilueh. Theres
A gde u nix tusovka? Where do they no getting away from your constant
usually get together? demands; you would rape a corpse.
TUSVWIK, -a, m., youth. A party-goer, TY MNE NE TYCH, idiom. Dont
playboy, good-time Charlie. Ego rabo- address me with ty; dont take liberties
tath ne zastavih, to tusov- with me. Ty mne ne tych, teb v
wik, kakix poiskath nado. Youll pervyj raz viu. Dont call me ty! I
never get him to work hes such a dont even know you.
playboy. TYK: Mtod tka, see under mtod.
TUFT, -, f., crim. Nonsense, falsehood. TKATH/TKNUTH nsom, idiom, neg.
Ne sluaj tu tuftu. Dont listen To point out someones mistakes, criti-
to that nonsense. Gnath/pognth cize. Cto ty men tykaeh nosom v
tuft, see under gnath2. moi oibki? Why are you always rub-
TUFTTH/ZATUFTTH, youth and bing my nose in my mistakes?
crim. To lie (cf. tuft). TKVA, -y, f., joc. A head (lit., pumpkin).
TXAS, -a, m., neg. Buttocks (from U teb esth tykva na plecax?
Heb./Yiddish tukhas). Podvinh tu- Havent you got a head on your shoul-
xas, a to projti nelhz v dverh. ders? Vsivath/vsadth po tkve,
Move your behind youre blocking see under vsivath. Davth/dath po
the door. tkve, see under davth.
TXLYJ, -a, -oe, neg., joc. In a bad TYL, -a, m. Connections, protection,
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TRITH/STRITH 278
influence. Kakie u teb tyly, cto- person. x ty, tl, nicego delath
by ustroith ego v institut? What ne umeeh. You clumsy oaf, you cant
kind of connections do you have, that you do anything right!
were able to get him into the institute? TLHKA, -i, f. Lies, tall talk. Gnath/po-
TRITH/STRITH. To steal. Ty gnth tlhku, idiom. To lie. Nu ty i
pojdh noch tyrith tlhpany? master gnath tlhku. Youre so
Are you coming with us tonight to steal good at making up tall tales.
some tulips? TR, -i, f., crim. Bread moistened with
TRKATHS/POTRKATHS, neg. vodka (reputedly a way of getting more
1. To bustle around, make a fuss. Ona drunk on less vodka). On potreblet
ue nedel so mnoj tyrkaets, tre- tolhko tr. He takes vodka only
buet, ctoby brosil kurith. Shes with bread.
been fussing at me for a week, trying to TRGA, -i, f. A prison (from trhma).
get me to stop smoking. 2. To try some- On v trge ue bolhe goda. Hes
thing unsuccessfully. potyrkals v been in jail for over a year.
dverh i ul. I fiddled with the door TTELHKA V TTELHKU, idiom. Just
but couldnt open it, so I left. right, just exactly. Nu cto, sapogi pri-
TYR-PR, idiom, joc. Any which way, lish kak raz? Ttelhka v t-
pointlessly, unsuccessfully. Otveca telhku. So, did you find boots that fit
na kzamene, tyr-pyr, viu, govor you right? To a tee.
ne to. I was just answering at random TFK, -a, m., neg. A passive, ineffec-
on the exam; I could see that what I was tual person (lit., a mattress). Ne budh
saying wasnt right. takim tfkom, potrebuj povye-
TYR-PR-NAATRH, rhyming ni. Dont sit there like a bump on a
phrase, joc. In vain, pointlessly, unsuc- log, ask for a promotion!
cessfully (an absurd rhyming phrase from TGA: Zadavth/zadth tgu, see under
tyr-pr and naatyrh, smelling zadavth.
salts). Popytalish zavesti mai-
nu, ona dolgo stola na moroze, tyr- TLYJ SLCAJ, idiom. Thats
pyr-naatyrh ne polucilosh. We hard, thats a difficult situation. Ne
tried to start the car after it had been mogu synu kupith zimn obuvh.
standing out in the cold, but nothing Da, tlyj slucaj. I cant afford to
doing. buy winter shoes for my son. Thats
really tough.
TYRS(A)NTH, perf., south. To hit, to
strike (from tyrsa, sawdust). -, idiom. Any mechanism
that can only be operated by human
TWA, -i, f. A thousand roubles.
power (lit., push-pull).
Odoli tywu. Lend me a thou-
, -,
sand.
. Half the time my car
THMUTARAKNH, -i, f. An out-of-the- wont run on its own power, you have to
way place, a distant, obscure place. On push it to get anywhere.
ivt gde-to v thmutarakani, exath
TNTH1/VTNUTH. To drink. My
k nemu casa dva. He lives somewhere
ne uspeli oglnuths, on vytnul
out in the sticks. It takes two hours to get
elu butylku vodki. Before we
there.
could even look around, he had already
TN, -a, m., youth. Ten rubles (from Eng. drunk up a whole bottle of vodka.
ten). Daj mne tn. Give me a ten.
TNTH2/POTNTH. Lit., to drag,
TNK, tnk, m. See tn. pull. 1. crim. To accuse, blame. Cto
, -, m. A pistol (from ty na men tneh, ne bral tvoi
, a type of officers gun ). denhgi. What are you blaming me for? I
TL, -i, f., joc. An awkward, clumsy didnt take your money. 2. To cost. Na
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279 TPATH/TPNUTH
281 UKKIVATHS/UKKATHS
UKT 282
ukakals. Youre too old to soil your UMT, -a, m., youth, pos. A wonder,
pants! 2. To get scared. Cego vy vse something or someone wonderful. ta
ukakalish, to vsego lih grom. What gerla umat! That girl is wonder-
are you all so scared of? Its just ful.
thunder. UMTNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, pos. Amus-
UKT, pred. use, youth. Good! Excellent! ing, entertaining. On umatnyj cuvak.
Sluaj, anekdot zna, ukat! Lis- Hes a very amusing fellow.
ten to this joke its terrific! UMTYVATH/UMOTTH, joc. 1. To
UKORCIVATH/UKOROTTH. To put bore, weary. On umotaet kogo xo-
someone in his place, bring someone ceh svoimi razgovorami. Hed bore
down a peg (lit., to shorten). Nado e anyone to tears with his stories. 2. To go
ukorotith, ona delaet, cto xocet. away, go out. Kuda deti umotali?
Shes got to be put in her place she Where have the children gone to?
thinks she can do just whatever she feels UMTYVATHS/UMOTTHS. To
like. be on ones feet, be running around (cf.
KSUS, -a, m., neg. Sour wine (lit., vine- motath, to wind [wool, a bobbin, etc.]).
gar). tot uksus pith ne budu. Daj poleu, umotals za elyj
Im not going to drink this vinegar. denh. Let me lie down for a while
UKUSTH: Kak mxa teb ukusla?, Ive been running around all day.
see under kak. UMCI DLGO, idiom, joc. An off-
ULMYVATH/ULOMTH, joc. To per- color reply to the idiom Dolgo li
suade. Tebe ego ulomath ne udasts. imeci?, It doesnt take long for some-
You wont manage to talk him into it. one who knows how, alluding to the idea
ULEPTYVATH/ULEPETNTH, joc. that sex is something that takes a long
To flee. Pocemu oni tak ulep- time precisely for someone who knows
tyvat, bots nas, cto li? Why how. Vy uspeete sdelath to do
are they taking to their heels like that? zavtra? Dolgo li umeci?
Are they afraid of us? Umeci dolgo. Can you get this done
ULT! pred. use, youth. Good! Wonderful! by tomorrow? Im a professional! Ill
tot filhm nu prosto ult! be quick. A real professional takes
This movie is out of this world! V some time over it.
ulte, idiom. Happily drunk, high. UMINTH/UMTH. To eat quickly and
sovsem v ulte, bolhe ne ph. Im hungrily (lit., to knead, press). Pirogi
high as a kite already; no more for me. ue umli, pejte caj. Now that
ULETTH/ULETTH, youth. Lit., to fly youve gobbled up all the pastries, why
away. 1. To be delighted, thrilled, full of dont you have some tea.
admiration. Palhto u teb, ule- UMRA, -y, f., pred. use. Someone or
ta! Im crazy about that coat of something killingly funny. to ne
yours. 2. To be amazed, shocked. celovek odna umora. That fellow
Uleteth mono, ty slyal, eny could make you die laughing.
vyrosli v tri raza. Im in shock UMYVTH/UMTH, neg. 1. To deceive,
have you heard that prices have just cheat (lit., to wash). Opth men
tripled? umyli na 1000 rublej. Theyve
ULTNYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Amazing, cheated me out of another thousand
wonderful. Takix ultnyx vesternov rubles. 2. To win, show superiority, get
davno ne videl. Its been ages since the upper hand. Vy vcera ix xoroo
Ive seen such terrific Westerns! umyli v futbol. You guys really
UM: Ne dl srdnego um (srdnix creamed them in the soccer game yester-
umv), see under ne. Ne po um, see day.
under ne. UMYKTH/UMYKNTH. To steal, lift
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283 URL
284
285 UXRKIVATHS/UXRKATHS
UXUL 286
pig). S kem to ty tak uxrxals? ten to your nonsense. Its wearing out my
Who was that you were drinking so ears. i pxnut, idiom, neg. Some-
much with? one is tired of listening (lit., someones
UXUL? idiom, rude. Are you crazy? (dis- ears are swollen). Ot vaix razgovo-
torted from oxuel [see oxuth]; by word- rov ui puxnut. Youve talked my ears
play on Uxu el? Did you eat fish off. I i u teb xoldnye, idiom,
soup?). Ty cto, uxuel? Are you out joc. Youre a fool (lit., even your ears are
of your mind? cold). x ty, i ui u teb xolod-
UCSH, POK IV(), idiom, joc. nye, zacem ty reil prodavath dom?
Dont just praise me follow my exam- You fool, how come you decided to sell
ple! (lit., learn [from me] while Im still your house? Po smye i, idiom.
alive). Ty otlicno gotovih borw! Very much, to an extreme degree (lit., up
Ucish, poka iv! What delicious to ones ears). Emu dali srok po
borscht you make! Well, youd better samye ui. They sentenced him to an
learn my technique while Im still among extremely long prison term. P ui v
the living! derhm, idiom, rude. In a lot of trouble
UCTH: Ne uc men ith (, lce (lit., up to ones ears in shit). Iz-za
pomog materilhno)!, see under ne. tvoix oibok my okazalish po ui v
derhme. Now were up to our ears in it
UCTHS na docku, idiom, youth. To because of your mistakes. Stoth na
be a C student, to get average grades. ux, see under stoth.
On u vas, navernoe, otlicnik? Da
net, ucits tak sebe, na udocku. I KI: Derth ki toprikom, see
suppose hes a real whiz-kid. Far from under derth.
it! Hes only getting Cs. UWCIVATH/UWCITH. To catch
I: i vnut, idiom, neg. Im tired of someone lying (from wuka, a pike).
listening (lit., my ears are fading). Ne Zdorovo ty ego uwucil, ne budet
xocu teb sluath, ty taku cuh bolhe vrath. You caught him out
nesh, ui vnut. I dont want to lis- beautifully! Now he wont tell any more
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FARVWIK 288
seb!, idiom. Incredible! Are you kid- ni certa. Your flashlight is lousy. It
ding? Ni figa sebe skazal! What did doesnt give any light at all.
you say! Fga s dv kom-l., idiom, FIGLECKA, -i, f., joc. A fig (an
neg. By no means; no; no way. Figa s obscene gesture; cf. fig). Figulecku
dva emu, a ne premi. Hes certainly tebe, a ne apelhsin. Up yours! No,
not getting a bonus. you cant have an orange!
FGA, -i, f., rude. A fig (an obscene ges- FIGLECKU TEB NA ROGLEC-
ture). Figu tebe, a ne zagrankoman- KU, rude. Up yours! The hell with you!
dirovku. Up yours! Youre not getting Prodaj mne tu knigu! Figulecku
to go on a trip abroad. Fgu s mslom, tebe na rogulecku. Id like to buy that
idiom, joc. No, no way, nothing. du- book. The hell with you! Im not sell-
mal polucith zarplatu, a polucil ing.
figu s maslom. I was supposed to get FIGURSTYJ, -a, -oe. Having an
my salary, but I got exactly nothing. attractive figure (esp. of a woman).
Derth fgu v karmne, see under ena u nego nicego, figurista.
derth. His wife is really stacked.
FIGANTYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Crazy, ab- FIGURTH/FIGURNTH, joc. 1. To
normal (cf. fig). Cto on xodit ka- show off clothes, model clothes. Ona
koj-to figanutyj? Why is he going lbit figurth v novyx plathx.
around as if hes off his rocker? She likes to show off new dresses.
FIGCITH/ZAFIGCITH. Cf. fig. 2. To appear. Ego im figuret vo
1. To hit, throw. Kuda vy zafigacili vsex gazetax. His name is showing up
mc? Where did you throw the ball? in all the papers.
2. To do something intensely, strongly. FZI, -i, f., joc. A face (from fiziono-
Kakoj dodh figacit! Its raining mi, physiognomy). Kto to tak
cats and dogs. tebe razukrasil fizi? Who made
FIGTH/OFIGTH. Cf. fig. 1. To be up your face like that?
amazed. s teb fige, kak ty mog FKSA, -y, f. A metal false tooth. U
takoe sdelath. Im surprised at you! nego fiksa iz zolota. Hes got a gold
How could you do such a thing! 2. To be tooth.
exhausted, worn out. Ofigel ot FIKSTYJ, -a, -oe. Having a metal
modnyx pesen. Im sick of the popular tooth or teeth. A kak ego uzna?
songs. On vysokij, cernvyj, fiksatyj.
FGLI-MGLI, -ej, pl., neg. Non- How will I recognize him? Hes tall
sense, idle chatter; sweet nothings (cf. and dark and has a metal tooth.
fig). Nu, nacalish tut figli-mig- FILN, -a, m., neg. An idler, lazy person.
li, on ej komplimenty, ona glazki On ne budet rabotath, to e fi-
stroit. So now theyve starting with lon. Hes too lazy to work.
the billing and cooing he gives her FILNITH/PROFILNITH, neg.
compliments; she makes eyes at him. To be idle, lazy. Ty vs leto profi-
FIGN, -, f., neg. Nonsense, rubbish (cf. lonil, pora iskath rabotu. Youve
fig). to splona fign, cto on idled away the whole summer; now its
govorit. What hes saying is a bunch of time to look for a job.
crap. FILHTROVTH/OTFILHTROVTH,
FIGVINA, -y, f., joc. A gadget, thing youth. To weigh ones words, speak cau-
(cf. fig). Vot ew kaka-to figovi- tiously (lit., to filter out). Filhtruj
na ot motora. Heres another thin- pri nm, emu ob tom znath ne nado.
gummy from the motor. Speak carefully when hes around I
FIGVYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Bad (cf. fig). dont want him to find out about this.
Fonarh u teb figovyj, ne svetit FILHTRJ BAZR! idiom, neg. Stop
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291 FRAERNTHS
FKA, -i, f. A playing card. Po- fonar, idiom, neg. Out of the blue;
smotri, kaets, odnoj fiki ne without forethought, unintentionally.
xvataet. Look theres a card miss- On to skazal ot fonar, ne dumaj
ing from the deck. Kak fka ob tom. He didnt mean anything by
let, idiom. It depends on fate; its in what he said. Dont give it a second
the stars; theres no way of knowing thought.
beforehand (lit., its lying hidden like a FOND NEZAVSIMOSTI, idiom,
card). ne zna ew, gde budu rab- joc. A hidden stash of money (lit., an
otath, kak fika let. I still dont independence fund). ena ob tix
know where Ill be working; well see denhgax ne znaet, to fond nezavisi-
what kind of a hand fate deals me. mosti. My wife doesnt know about
Srubth fku, see under srubth. this money its my independence
FKI, fek, pl., youth. Eyes. fund.
Protri fiki, ne vidih, kuda FONTH/ZAFONTH, neg. To inter-
idh. Rub your eyes! Youre not look- rupt, make noise (lit., of distortions in
ing where youre going. amplifying systems). Ne foni, kogda
, , m., army. A safety vzroslye razgovarivat. Dont make
(lit., a flag), referring to the shape of a such a racket when the grown-ups are
safety on an automatic rifle. talking.
, FONTN: Zakryvth/zakrth fon-
. Check your safeties before you tn, see under zakryvth.
hit the barracks so you dont end up FONTANROVATH/ZAFONTAN-
shooting each other. ROVATH, neg. To talk much and contin-
FLAKN, -a, m., youth. A bottle. U uously (cf. fontn). Sluaj, on na-
teb ew bulhkaet v flakone? Do cal fontanirovath, to casa na dva.
you have anything left in that bottle? Now that hes started spouting off, hell
FLT, -a, m., youth. An apartment (from go on for two hours.
Eng. flat). Na cej flt pojdm slu- FRIN, -a, m., youth. A foreigner (from
ath diski? Whose apartment should Eng. foreign). Ona xodit tolhko s
we go to to listen to the records? forinami. She only goes out with for-
FLTVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Domestic, eigners.
of the home, homemade. lbl FORSTH/POFORSTH, neg. To
fltovu edu. I like home cooking. flaunt new and fashionable things
FOLHKLR, -a, m., joc. Swearing, abuse (clothes, cars). Lbit ona pofor-
(lit., folklore). A dalhe vse uslya- sith, kadyj denh u ne novye sapo-
li takoj folhklor, xoth ui zaty- gi. She just loves to show off her stylish
kaj. Then they heard the kind of swear- things! It seems as though she wears a
ing that could make your ears turn red. new pair of boots every day.
FONARTH/OFONARTH, neg. To FRTELH, -, m., neg. Surprising behav-
become exhausted. ofonarel ot za- ior; a stunt, trick. to cto za for-
ntij, sxodith v kino, cto li? Im telh? What sort of stunt is that!
knocked out from all this studying. What Vykdyvath/vyknuth frtelh,
do you say we go to the movies? see under vykdyvath.
FONRH, -, m., joc. A black eye (lit., a FRER, -a, m., crim. A noncriminal.
torch, lantern, streetlight). U teb fo- Kto tot fraer, cto emu nuno?
narh pod glazom, otkuda? Where did What does that straight fellow want
you get that black eye? Do fonar, here? dnosth frera pogbit,
idiom, neg. Indifferent, immaterial, unim- see under dnosth. elznyj fr-
portant. Mne eny ti do fonar. er, see under elznyj.
The prices dont matter to me. Ot FRAERNTHS, perf. only, crim., neg.
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FRILVNIK 292
To be taken in, to be conned (cf. frer). What do you think youre doing, cutting
Ty znaeh, kak my fraernulish, ahead in line like that?
poverili emu, a on nas zaloil. Do FUNT: Ne funt izmu, see under ne.
you realize how weve been taken in? We FUNTH/NAFUNTH. To fart. Zdesh
trusted him, and he betrayed us. zdorovo kto-to nafunl. Someone
FRILVNIK, -a, youth. Someone who farted here.
follows the beliefs and practices of free FRA, -y, f., army. An army cap (from
love (from Eng. free love). Oni furaka). Furu svo nikak ne naj-
ivut vmeste ue enatye? Net, du, ty ne bral? Did you take my cap?
oni frilavniki. Theyre living I cant find it anywhere.
together are they married? No, they
, -, m. A cap (lit., a carriage,
believe in free love.
from a horse and carriage and wagon).
FRUKT, -a, m., neg. An unpleasant or bad
FURCITH/ZAFURCITH. To be
person (lit., a fruit). Nu ty i frukt,
operating, to function, work (from the
predal druga. What a rat you are,
sound of a motor). U men televizor
betraying your friend like that. Vs-
ne furycit. My TV is on the fritz.
komu vowu svoj frukt, see under
vskomu. FUTBLITH/OTFUTBLITH, neg.
To pass on to someone else (as a memo,
FRND, -a, m., youth. A friend (from Eng. request). Mo rukopish futbolt
friend). U teb esth frnd? Do ot redaktora k redaktoru, a reeni
you have a friend? ne prinimat. Theyve passed my
FRNDVYJ, -a, -oe, youth. Of a manuscript like a hot potato from one edi-
friend (from Eng. friend). to tor to another without reaching any deci-
frndovye knigi. These are my sion.
friends books. F-TY, N-TY (, LPTI GNTY),
FRNC, -a, m., youth. A Frenchman (from rhyming phrase, neg. Well, well! Whats
Eng. French). tot frnc kogda going on! Fu-ty, nu-ty, kakoj ser-
priexal? When did that Frenchman get hznyj, davno takim stal? Well,
here? well, whats with the long face? Has this
FR, -i, f., neg. A girl, woman (from Ger. been going on for a long time?
Frau). Cto to za fr sidit v FUFL, -, n., neg. 1. Goods of poor
uglu? Whos that dame sitting over there quality, junk, trash. to fuflo ne
in the corner? kupl. Im not going to buy that junk.
FUGS, -a, m., neg. A large (more than 2. A worthless person, bastard. Ne
half-liter) bottle of usually low-quality oidal, cto on takoe fuflo. I didnt
wine (lit., a high-explosive bomb). expect him to be such a bastard. Dv-
Vozhmi paru fugasov, nam na troix gath fufl, see under dvgath.
xvatit. Get a couple of wine bombs FU-F: Na fu-f, idiom. For nothing,
thatll be enough for the three of us. wastefully, pointlessly. Math iz koi
FUGOVTH/FUGANTH. 1. To work lezet, pomogaet tebe, a ty vs na
(lit., to plane). My fugovali vs fu-fu puskaeh. Your mothers
nedel, a polucili vsego nicego. We knocking herself out to help you, and you
worked hard all week and got paid go and spend everything on useless
practically nothing. 2. To throw out, to stuff.
kick out. Fugani ego otsda! Kick FJS, -a, m., youth. A face (from Eng.
him out of here! face). Pobrej fjs. Shave your
FLI NDO? idiom, rude. What are you face.
up to? (euph. for xli ndo; an indignant FJSOVTH/FJSANTH, youth.
response to cheating or aggression). To slap or punch in the face (cf. fejs).
Fuli nado? Cego bez oceredi prh? Kto tebe tak fjsanul? Who
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293 FRGNIK
295 XER
much he managed to steal while he was Jokes, tricks. Vam by tolhko xaxanh-
working at the store? 2. To touch, take. ki-xixonhki, a delo stoit. With you
Ne xapaj, ne tvo kniga. Dont its just a barrel of laughs but no work.
touch that book its not yours. 3. To XCIK, -a, m., neg. A Caucasian (from a
eat greedily. Cto ty xapaeh, eh Caucasian proper name). Xaciki u
akkuratno. Why are you gobbling it seb vs vrem vot, cto im nado,
down like that? Eat properly! ne pojmu. Those Caucasians are always
XPKA, -, f. A homemade liquor (from at war among themselves; I cant under-
x, to drink with thirst. , stand what theyre trying to achieve.
x x , XLHNIK, -a, m., rude. A mouth (from
, . Unfortunately, out xath, to bad-mouth). Sejcas dam v
hostess doesnt make her own moonshine xalhnik za takie slova. Im going to
anymore but she said she knows where to give it to you in the mouth for what you
get some good juice. said.
XARITN, -a, m., youth, joc. A face. XVA, interj., youth. Enough; stop it (short-
Xariton u teb kirpica prosit. ened from xvatit). Xva, ne xocu slu-
That face of yours is just begging to be ath tvo ruganh. Cut it out. I dont
hit with a brick. want to listen to your yelling.
XRITH/OTXRITH, rude. To have sex
XVATTH/SXVATTH za ja, see
with a woman. Xoroo by e otxa-
under j.
rith. Id like to go to bed with her.
XARKOT, -, f., collect., neg. Negli- XVORTH/ZAXVORTH, joc. To suffer
gible, contemptible people (lit., spittle). the effects of a hangover. On xvoraet,
Zacem ty vodih s toj xarkotoj, nalej emu sto gramm. Hes hung over
ne druzh oni tebe. Why do you hang pour him a hundred grams.
around with those nobodies? Theyre not XVRA, -y, f., youth & crim. A group, set,
for you. company (from Hebr. hevrah, a group of
XARC, -a, m. Food. Ty xarc s soboj friends). Ch to xevra tam stoit,
vzl? Did you bring the grub with kurit? Who are those guys standing
you? Metth xarc, see under over there smoking?
metth. XZATH/POXZATH, rude. To defecate.
XARCEVTHS/POXARCEVTHS. Uberi za kotom, on v uglu poxezal.
To eat (cf. xarc). Gde vy xarcuetesh v Clean up after the cat he pooped over
obed? Where do you eat lunch? there in the corner.
XAR, adv. From xoroo. 1. Thats XER, -a, m., rude. A penis. Xer drnyj,
enough, stop. Xar rath. Stop idiom, rude. An idiot, bastard (dranyj,
laughing. 2. All right, agreed. Ty poj- worn-out). Xer dranyj, vali ots-
dh s nami? Xar. Are you coming da! Get out of here, you idiot! For the
with us? Okay. following expressions, see under xuj:
XR: Mth xr, see under mth. Xer (xuj) s gor; Xer (xuj) lyx,
nolh destyx; Xer (xuj) znet cto;
XTA, -y, f. An apartment (from Ukr. Kak xer (xuj) rznia; Men
word for a house). U teb xata trx- ucth, tlhko xer (xuj) tupth;
komnatna? Do you have a three-room zykm xoth xer (xuj) li, a rukm
apartment? vli ne davj; N xer (xuj); Xotth i
XXALH, -, m., neg. A sweetheart, suitor, rbku sqesth i n xer (xuj) sesth; Ni
beau. K komu, interesno, tot xa- xer (xu) seb; Stryj xer (xuj);
xalh s vetami pol? I wonder who Xer (xuj) morvyj; N xer (xuj);
that beau is going to court with those Odn xer (xuj); Xoth by xer (xuj);
flowers. Xer (xuj) v pu; Xer (xuj) ego
XXANHKI-XXONHKI, pl., neg. znet; Ctob mne xer (xuj) pty
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XERN 296
297 XORK
best part of the day is taps, and the worst po rukm, idiom, neg. To become a pros-
is reveille. titute. I davno ona pola po rukam?
XMYRH, -, m., neg. 1. An unpleasant per- Has she been a prostitute for long?
son. Zacem ty priglasil togo XODK, -, m., joc. A lady-killer, Don
xmyr? What did you invite that sour- Juan (cf. xodth po bbam). On u nas
puss for? 2. army. Food sent from home. izvestnyj xodok, u nego kadu nede-
Polucil xmyrh, deliths nado. l nova baba. Hes quite the Don Juan
Divvy up what you got from home. around here, going out with a new girl
every week.
XBOT: Brath/vzth za xbot, see
brath/vzth za bry under brath. XODCIJ SKELT, neg., joc. A very
skinny person (lit., a walking skeleton).
XODTH/POJT, ZAXODTH, SXO- U nego ne ena, a xodcij skelet.
DTH: Xodth/pojt do vtru, idiom. What hes got isnt a wife, its a walking
To urinate (lit., to go into the wind.) skeleton.
Nado sxodith do vetru. I have to
take a leak. Xodth kak pobanyj, , idiom,
idiom, rude. To be in a bad mood, in low army. A drill (lit., a march on torments,
spirits. Sejcas arko, xodih kak after the title of a popular novel).
pobanyj. Its so hot it makes you feel ,
really low. Xodth/pojt na bldki, , . Thank
idiom, rude. To have promiscuous sexual God theres so much snow to shovel
relations with women, to sleep around today, that means we wont have to run
with various women (cf. bldh). Tebe the obstacle course.
ne nadoelo kadyj denh xodith na ,
bldki? Arent you sick of constantly idiom, army. AWOL (lit., a walk on a
sleeping around? Xodth/pojt nal- thin ice). See .
vo, idiom. To be sexually unfaithful, !, idiom. Okay (a word play on
cheat on someone (lit., to go left). e- , hockey, and Engl. okay).
na vs vrem nalevo xodit, a mu XOLODRGA, -i, f., neg. Very cold
nicego ne zamecaet. His wife is always weather (from xolod, cold, and dro-
cheating on him, but he never notices a ath, to shiver). Nu i xolodryga
thing. Xodth/pojt - segodn. Were having a real cold snap
, idiom, army. A sailors shore today.
pass (from , to relax, to
XOMT, -, m., youth, neg. A police offi-
take everything easy). -
cer (lit., horse collar). Xomutov na
,
uliax segodn mnogo. There are a lot
. Youre going to have to go
of cops on the streets today.
on shore duty alone, I cant go, Im
broke. Xodth/zaxodth na rlax, XOMUTTH/ZAXOMUTTH, neg.
idiom, neg. To be submissive (lit., to walk From xomut, horse collar. 1. To force
on tiptoe). Mu u ne zabityj, xodit someone to do something. Men zaxo-
na irlax. Her husband is completely mutali perevodith stath. They
submissive to her. Xodth/pojt po roped me into translating the article.
bbam, idiom, neg. To have frequent 2. To try to induce someone to marry one-
affairs, be a skirt-chaser. U nego ue self. Ona davno xocet ego zaxomu-
deti vzroslye, a on vs po babam tath, on bogatyj enix. Shes been
xodit. Hes got grown children already, trying to collar that rich fellow for a long
but hes still chasing skirts. Xodth/ time. 3. youth. To arrest. Vcera dvoix
sxodth po-bstromu, idiom. To uri- naix zaxomutali. Yesterday two of
nate, take a leak. Gde zdesh mono our people were collared.
sxodith po-bystromu? Where can a XORK, xorhk, m., neg. A scoundrel, bas-
person take a leak around here? Pojt tard (lit., polecat). Ctoby togo
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XOROVD 298
xorhka v dome bolhe ne videl. I dont see under xuj. te xoc, no mma
ever want to see that bastard in my house spit i molc, see under .
again. XOTH KOL NA GOLOV TE,
XOROVD: Ustrivath/ustrith xo- idiom. Lit., even if you sharpen a stake on
rovd, see under ustrivath. his/her head, meaning no matter what you
/ - do, no matter how hard you try to per-
, idiom, army. A punishment for sol- suade soneone. Ne xocet on uciths,
diers who drop their cigarette butts on the xoth kol na golove tei, ne ubedih
ground. When even one such butt is ego. You can beat him black and blue
found all soldiers are woken up in the and he still wont study.
middle of the night and forced to spend XOTH TOPR VAJ, idiom, neg. Its
hours digging deep holes to bury individ- stuffy, its smoky (lit., [you could] hang
ual cigarette butts. an ax [from it]). Otkryli by for-
XOREGO CELOVKA DOLN tocku, a to nakurili xoth topor
BYTH MNGO, idiom, joc. Lit., there veaj. Youd better open the window
should be a lot of a good person; used in its so smoky in here, you could hang
affectionate defense of plumpness. an ax from it.
posle rodov silhno popravilash. XOXLOBKS, -a, m., joc. Ukrainian
Nicego, xoroego celoveka dolno currency used before the last monetary
byth mnogo. I put on a lot of weight reform (from xoxl and baks). Xoxlo-
after having the baby. Never mind. baksov u men ela kuca, a stoit
There should be a lot of a good person. to nicego. Ive got piles of Ukrainian
XOROTH/ZAXOROTH kom-l., money, but its not worth a thing.
impersonal. To get high, drunk. Tebe XOXLNDI, -i, f., joc. Ukraine (from
zaxoroelo ue? Are you feeling good xoxl). V xoxlndii sejcas ith ne
yet? sladko, eny rastut kak sumased-
XORIJ, -a, -oe, joc. Drunk. Vcera ie. Its no picnic living in Ukraine
vy byli xoroie. Yesterday you guys these days. Prices there are going up like
were good and drunk. crazy.
XOTTH/ZAXOTTH: Xotth/zaxo- XXMA, -y, f. A joke, witticism (from
tth i kku i mku, idiom, joc. To want Heb. wisdom, khochma). Xoceh,
too much, to want something impossible xoxmu rasskau? Do you want me to
(lit., to want both the shit and the pop- tell a joke? Otklyvath/otkolth
pies). Ty xoceh i kaku i maku: i xxmu, see under otklyvath.
mnogo zarabatyvath i nicego ne de- XOXMC, -, m. A jokester (cf. xxma).
lath. Youre asking for the moon, On takoj xoxmac, s nim ne sosku-
wanting to earn a lot of money without cihs. Hes such a comedian. Theres
doing any work. Xotth/zaxotth na never a dull moment with him.
gork, idiom. To have to go to the
XOXMTH/POXOXMTH. To play
bathroom (lit., to want to go on the potty).
jokes, be mischievous (cf. xxma). Oni
opth zaxotel na gorok, gde
lbt poxoxmith. They like to play
zdesh tualet? I need to go again
jokes.
wheres the john around here? Xotth
ne vrdno, idiom, joc. Lit., Theres no XOXL, xoxl, m.(f. xoxlka, -i). A
harm in wanting; used in the sense of Ukrainian (lit., a topknot, referring to the
You cant have what you want. Cossack hairstyle). Na bazarax polno
xocu razbogateth. Xoteth ne vred- xoxlov, oni torgut vsem, cem mo-
no. I wish I were rich. Well, go ahead no. The open-air markets are full of
and wish. Crez ne xoc, see under Ukrainians trading in every conceivable
crez. Xotth/zaxotth i rbku (i kind of goods.
kku) sqesth i n xuj (n xer) sesth, XOXOTLHNIK, -a, m., neg. A mouth
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299 XRKATH/XRKNUTH
(from xoxotath, to guffaw). Zakroj XRENVYJ, -a, -oe, neg. Bad, poor (cf.
xoxotalhnik, ctob teb bolhe ne xren). to delo ocenh xrenovoe.
slyal. Shut your mouth I dont Thats a very bad business.
want to hear another word out of you. XRENOTNH, -i, f., rude. Nonsense (by
XCEH ITH UMJ VERTTH- wordplay on xren and tenh, shadow).
S, idiom. You have to be flexible to Ty opth tu xrenotenh pro pi-
survive (lit., If you want to survive, youd onov citaeh? Are you reading that
better learn to spin around). junk about spies again?
XCEH ITH UMJ RAZDTH- XRNUKI, xrnuek, pl., joc. No,
S, idiom, joc. A sardonic twist on the no way (cf. xren). Xrenuki vam, a ne
foregoing: If you want to survive, youd mso. No, you cant have any meat.
better learn to take your clothes off. XROMTH/POXROMTH, neg. To go,
? walk (lit., to limp). Xromaj otsda,
! Idiom. Shut up! (Lit., if you poka el. Get out of here while you still
want to say something, stand at attention can.
and keep silent). XRONH, -i, f., collect., neg. Drunks,
XO, -a, m. A wish, desire. U teb xo drinkers (from xroniceskij alkogolik,
esth pogulth? Do you feel like going chronic drunkard). Smotri, xronh s
out? utra u magazina stoit, cego-to
dut. Those drunks have been hanging
XREN, -a, m., rude. A penis (lit., horserad- around the store since morning they
ish). Xren mocnyj, idiom, rude. An must be expecting something.
idiot, fool (lit., pickled horseradish). A
ty, xren mocnyj, cto zdesh dela- XRMKATH/POXRMKATH, joc. To
eh? What are you doing here, you eat (esp. cabbage or other common food).
idiot! For the following expressions, see Cto na obed mne poxrumkath? What
under xuj: Xren (xuj) s gor; Xren sort of chow is there for dinner?
(xuj) lyx, nolh destyx; Xren XRUSTLH, -l, m., collect., joc. Empty
(xuj) znet cto; N xren (xuj); Ni bottles (lit., crystal). Gde zdesh xrus-
xren (x) seb; Stryj xren (xuj); talh prinimat? Where do they take
N xren (xuj); Odn xren (xuj); Xoth empties around here?
by xren (xuj); Xren (xuj) eg znet; XRUST, -v, pl., joc. Money (lit., sounds
N xren (xuj) ne ndo; Do xren of rustling). Vse lbt xrusty.
(xu); Kakgo xrna (x) teb ndo? Everyone likes money.
Ni xren (x) seb!; Za kakm xr- XRUWBA, -y, f., neg. Shabby, cheap
nom (xem)? apartment buildings put up under
XRENCITH/ZAXRENCITH. Cf. Khrushchev in an attempt to solve the
xren. 1. To beat up. Za uglom naix infamous Russian housing shortage (by
xrenacat. Theyre beating up our boys wordplay on truwoba, slum, and
over in the corner. 2. To do something Xruwv, Khrushchev). Kvartiry v
quickly. tu rabotu dolen zaxre- xruwobax stot sejcas sravnitelhno
nacith za denh. Ive got to get this nedorogo. Apartments in the Khru-
whole job churned out in one day. shchev tenements are relatively cheap
XRENVINA, -y, f., joc. Cf. xren. these days.
1. Nonsense. Ty verih v tu xreno- XRKATH/XRKNUTH, joc., rude.
vinu po radio? You mean you believe Lit., to grunt. 1. To talk . Teb ne spra-
that rubbish that was on the radio? ivat, ne xrkaj. Shut up, no ones
2. Thingamajig, gadget. Zdesh byla asking you. 2. To drink. Pora nam s
taka xrenovina, karandai tocith. toboj xrknuth kak sleduet. Its
There was a whatchamacallit over here time for you and me to have a proper
you know, for sharpening pencils. drink together.
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XRPATH/SXRPATH 300
301 XUJ
XUJ 302
bylo pri Breneve. ili normalhno. ruki pod xuj zatoceny, dae gvozdh
Sravnil xuj s palhem, zato togda zabith ne moeh. Youre all thumbs
kadyj sidel i molcal. Remember you cant even hammer in a nail. S:
how good things were under Brezhnev? S glhkin xuj, idiom, rude. Very little,
Youre comparing apples and oranges. just a tiny bit (lit., about the size of a
In those days everyone kept his mouth pigeons prick). Vody ostalosh s
shut. SNUTH: Sunh xuj v caj (i gulhkin xuj, a pith xocets. Im
vynh suxm), idiom, neg., rude. A Chi- thirsty, but we have very little water left.
nese (lit., Dip your prick in tea [and take Dva tajmn, odn s xuj, drugj
it out dry], an absurd imitation of the pomnee, rhyming phrase, rude. I didnt
way Chinese names sound to Russians). catch any fish, the fishing was bad (lit., I
U men v gruppe novyj student caught two, one about the size of a prick,
sunh xuj v caj. The new student in my and the other a little smaller; tajmenh,
group is a wonton. TOCTH: Tocth/ the name of a Siberian fish).
natocth xuj, idiom, rude. To get ready XU (acc. pl.): Navivath/navath
for an erotic encounter (lit., to sharpen xu, idiom, rude. To abuse, swear at (lit.,
ones prick). Ty, viu, xuj nato- to hang pricks on). Pododi navei-
cil, u teb svidanie? You must have vath xui, ne vinovat. Dont be so
a date I see youre all sharpened up. quick to swear at me! I didnt do it. Raz-
XOTTH: A xuj ne xceh? idiom, davth/razdth xu, idiom, rude. To
rude. You expect too much. Daj mne scold, verbally abuse. Ne xodi k nemu,
tvoj komphter na nadel. A xuj on vsem razdat xui. Dont go near
ne xoceh? Let me borrow your com- him he curses everyone out.
puter for a week. Youre asking for the
moon. X (gen. sg.): Do xu, idiom, rude.
Lots, a great deal. Tam piva do xu.
XUJ (acc. sg. with prepositions): ZA: Ne Theres lots of beer there. Ldej na
scitth z xuj, idiom, rude. To consider ostanovke do xu i bolhe, ne sdeh
worthless, not to respect. Ego na rabo- v avtobus. There are so many people at
te za xuj ne scitat. They dont the bus stop you wont get a seat on the
respect him at work. NA: N xuj (ne bus. Kakgo x teb ndo?, idiom,
ndo), idiom, rude. No one needs it, to rude. What more do you want? tebe
hell with it, its beside the point, its irrel- vs skazal, cto zna, kakogo xu tebe
evant, it doesnt matter. V takoe vrem ew nado? Ive told you everything I
tvoi knigi i na xuj ne nado. The hell know; what more do you want? Na xu
with your books at a time like this. koz ban (pop garmnh)?, idiom,
Posylth/poslth n xuj, idiom, rude. rude. Its useless, irrelevant, beside the
To refuse, reject. Poli ego na xuj s point (lit., What does a goat [a priest]
ego podarkami. The hell with him and need an accordion for?). Ty predla-
his presents. Xotth/zaxotth i rb- gaeh mne tu rabotu, a na xu koze
ku (i kku) sqesth i n xuj (n xer) ban? I need that job youre offering me
sesth, rude. To eat ones cake and have it like a hole in the head. Ni xu osben-
too; to have the impossible (lit., to eat fish nogo, idiom, rude. Nothing special (dis-
and sit on a prick; an absurd rhyming torted from nicego osobennogo). Nu
phrase). Ty xoceh i rybku sqesth i kak balet? Ni xu osobennogo. So,
na xer sesth i rabotath i otdy- how was the ballet? Nothing special.
xath odnovremenno, tak ne byvaet. Ni xu seb! idiom, rude. Incredible!
You cant be at work and on vacation at What next! Ni xu sebe! Gde-to
the same time! You want to eat your cake strelt. What the hell is going on!
and have it too. POD: Rki pod xuj Theres shooting somewhere. Ot x
zatceny, idiom, rude. Clumsy (lit., ki, idiom, rude. No, nothing doing,
hands shaped like a prick). U teb like hell I will (lit., ears from a prick).
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 303
XKI 304
EPANTH 306
307 PKA
ets, tebe nado umyths. Show me beg, to mooch (from ygan, gypsy).
your face it looks like you need a Pojdu na uliu yganith sigarety,
wash. vse koncilish. Im going out to mooch
IK, -a, m. A puppy. Gde ty vzl some cigarettes I havent got any left.
togo uika? Where did you get that PKA, -i, f. A pretty, attractive girl (lit.,
puppy? Mrznuth/zamrznuth kak a chick). Von stoit neploxa ypka.
ik, see under mrznuth. Theres a nice-looking chick over
YGNITH/NAYGNITH, neg. To there.
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 308
vodka. Vozhmi cekuku, nam xvatit. CEM DLHE VLEZ, TEM BLHE
Just get a quarter-liter; thatll be enough INTERS, rhyming phrase, joc. The
for us. deeper you penetrate, the more interest-
CELNK, -, m. A merchant who buys ing it gets. An off-color parody of the
goods abroad and sells them in Russia proverb Cem dalhe v les, tem bolhe
(lit., a shuttle). Kou nado pokupath u drov, The further you go into the woods,
celnokov, u nix deevle. Leather coats the more firewood there is. Ty
are cheaper when you buy from a shut- znaeh, mne nravits ta rabota.
tle. Cem dalhe vlez, tem bolhe
-, idiom, army. A interes. You know, Im getting to like
soldier on dish-washing duty (lit., an this work. Sure, the more you get into
amphibian man, after the title of a popular it, the more interesting it is.
SF novel, meaning that theres plenty of CENC, -a, m., An exchange, a swap (from
water around him). Eng. change; cf. cejnd). Davaj
- , sdelaem cenc, ty mne casy, a tebe
. You sumku. Lets make a swap you take
dont want to get stuck with dishwashing my bag, and Ill take your watch.
duty on the ship, the skin on your hands , , m. Emergency situation
will start to peel off after a week. (from , extreme, and
CELOVK IZ OBJMY. An influen- , accident).
tial person, party boss, and the like (lit., ?, ,
someone belonging to a cartridge clip, . How was your watch? Normal,
i.e., a member of a set). Vidno srazu, no incidents, no accidents.
on celovek iz obojmy, daca, maina, CEPUX: Cepux na pstnom msle,
vlasth vs u nego esth. Its obvious idiom. Nonsense, rubbish. to cepuxa
hes one of the big wheels with his dacha, na postnom masle. Thats completely
his car, and all his power hes got absurd. Nest cepux, see under
everything. Kak blyj celovk, see nest.
under kak. , -, m. A ten-ruble bill.
-, idiom, CERVNCIK, -a, m. From cervone.
army, joc. A lazy soldier (lit., an invisible 1. A ten-ruble bill. 2. pl., money. Vy
man). - mne vernye druzh, s vami i syt i
, , phn, milye cervonciki moi! Darling
. Hes a slacker, he gets out of chervonchiki, youre my true friends;
everything because he disappears when- with you Ive got plenty to eat and drink
ever theres work to be done. (from a popular song).
CEM BY DIT NI TILOSH,
CERDK, -, m. Lit., attic. 1. joc. The
LIH BY NE FKALOSH, idiom,
head, brain. U men sovsem cerdak ne
rude. A distortion of the common saying
rabotaet. My brain has completely
Cem by dit ni teilosh, lih by ne
shut down. 2. crim. An outer breast
plakalo, Let the kid amuse himself any
pocket. Ne kladi denhgi v cerdak,
way he wants, just so he doesnt cry.
mono ix legko vytnuth. Dont put
The distorted version, referring to
your money in your outer pocket it
teenagers, replaces the ending with just
could easily be stolen.
so he or she doesnt have sex (cf. f-
kaths). Mo doch bez uma ot te- , idiom,
logo roka. Da, nu i ladno. Cem by army. A rhyming phrase describing con-
dit ni teilosh, lih by ne faka- tempt for duties without a break (lit., to
losh. My daughter is crazy about hard have a rifle belt in a day).
rock. Well, let the kid have her fun, as CREZ NE MOG, idiom. In spite of
long as she doesnt get laid. ones weakness; by way of overcoming
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 310
oneself (lit., in spite of I cant). Ty black person (lit., smeared black; cf. cr-
dolna sdelath to cerez ne mogu. nyj3). Zacem tebe nuen tot cer-
Youve got to outdo yourself and bring nomazyj? Why do you associate with
this off. that black guy?
CREZ NE XOC, idiom. In spite of dis- CERNORTYJ, -ogo, neg. Foul-
inclination (lit., in spite of I dont want mouthed, obscene, nasty (lit., black-
to). Davaj, delaj to cerez ne xocu. mouthed). Cernorotyj ty, ot teb
Come on do it even if you dont want slova dobrogo ne dodhs. You
to. have a nasty tongue you never have a
CEREPK, cerepk, m., joc. Skull, head kind word to say.
(lit., shard, crock; by wordplay on cerep, CERNOT, -, f., coll., neg. Caucasians
skull). Tam idi ostorono, a to and/or Asians (lit., blackness). Otkuda
sverxu kirpicom po cerepku popadt. stolhko cernoty v Moskve? How
Be careful over there a brick could come all these black people are in
fall on your head. Cerepk (cerep- Moscow?
ka) ne vrit u kog-l., idiom, joc. CERNXA, -i, f., neg. Art or literature
Someones brain isnt working; someone showing the negative side of life. Sej-
isnt thinking clearly. U teb cto, cas v kino odnu cernuxu pokazyvat,
cerepok ne varit, zacem ty ix privl smotreth ne xocets. The movies
sda? Have you got a screw loose or nowadays are only showing the dark side
something? What did you bring them of things; I dont feel like watching that
here for? stuff.
CRNA BBOCKA, idiom, business. A CERNKA, -i, f. A black-humor joke
dummy company (lit., black butterfly). (wordplay on castuka, a popular
Firmu svo on okruil ew cr- rhyme, and crnyj mor, black
nymi babockami, ctoby denhgi pr- humor; cf. cernxa).
tath. Hes surrounded his company CRNYJ1: po-crnomu, neg. Exces-
with dummy firms to hide his income. sively, uncontrolledly. On davno pht
CRNA SUBBTA, neg., obs. Lit., po-crnomu. His drinking has been out
black Saturday. A Soviet arrangement of control for a long time.
whereby one Saturday a month was a CRNYJ2, -ogo, m., youth. 1. Opium, an
compulsory workday. Segodn rabo- opium preparation. U men crnyj
ta do pti, u nas crna subbota. davno koncils. My blackie is all
Ill be at work until five today its our gone. 2. Crystalline iodine. Razvedi
black Saturday. crnogo nemnogo. Dissolve some
CERNLA, cernl, pl., joc. Red wine of blackie for me.
poor quality (lit., ink). Ty, viu, CRNYJ3, -ogo, m., rude. A black person.
bolha lbitelhnia cernil. I see CRNYJ4, -ogo, m., neg. A person from
you really go for that red rotgut. the Caucasus. Crnye ue torgut
CERNOPYJ, -ogo, m., neg., rude. A vinogradom? Are the blackies selling
person from the Caucasus (lit., a black- grapes yet?
assed fellow). V Moskve cernoopye CRNYJ TLHPN, idiom, army. A
obnagleli, delat vs, cto xott, transport aircraft for soldiers killed in
ubivat, spekulirut. The black- action (lit., black tulip). Ne xotelosh
asses have gotten very uppity in Moscow by, ctoby za nami crnyj tlhpan
lately they speculate, murder, what- priletel. Id hate to see a black tulip
ever they feel like. coming for us.
CERNOZM: Pod nogtmi cernozm, CERNKA, -i, f. 1. Black bread. U
to zncit agronm, see under pod. nas k obedu cernka esth? Do
CERNOMZYJ, -ogo, neg., rude. A we have any black bread for dinner?
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 311
311 CESTH2/CESANTH
CESTHS 312
. These /, army. 1. To
Chechens are like animals, the way they drill too much.
maneuver, fight, and survive in the moun- , , .
tains is unreal. That jackass drills us to death because
CLEN, -a, m. A penis (lit., member). U he thinks its gonna get him promoted.
nego clen do kolen. Hes got a prick 2. To insult, tease recruits.
down to his knees. ,
. Dont harass them too
CLENOVZ, -a, m., neg. An official gov-
much, weve already taught them how to
ernment car (lit., member-transporter or
fire their weapons.
prick-transporter, compounded from
clen, member [of the government or the , -, m., army. A recruit. See
Party], but also penis, and vozith, to . ,
convey. These cars are usually large : , -
black Volgas or ZILs, which give their , . We have very
occupants privileged treatment in city simple rules around here, the new recruits
traffic). Perekryli dvienie, sejcas polish our shoes, iron our uniforms, and
poedut clenovozy. Theyve stopped make our racks, understand?
traffic to let some prick-conveyers go CKATHS/CKNUTHS, joc. To go
by. crazy (lit., to clink glasses in a toast).
CMO, n., indecl., youth, neg. A worthless Ty sovsem u nas coknuls? Have
or unpleasant person (from acronym of you gone completely out of your mind?
celovek moskovskoj oblasti, a person CKNUTYJ, -a, -oe, joc. Crazy. Cego
of the Moscow district). s tim cmo ty kricih, coknutyj, cto li?
dela ne budu delath. I wouldnt have What are you shouting for? Are you
any dealings with that creep. crazy?
CMOK, -a, m., youth, neg. A worthless or CPKATH/CPKNUTH, joc. To have
unpleasant person. Otojdi otsda, sex with someone (from the sound of
cmok, videth teb ne xocu. Get out of opening bottles). Tak ty e vs e
here, you schmuck! I dont want to see cpoknul ili net? Well, did you go to
your face. bed with her or not?
CMRITH/ZACMRITH, youth. To CPKNUTYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg.
frighten, terrify. Rketiry ego sovsem Strange, crazy, abnormal. Ne obrawaj
zacmorili, trebut denhgi, grozts na nego vnimanie, on davno cpoknu-
izbith. Those racketeers have got him tyj. Dont pay any attention to him;
completely terrorized with their demands hes completely crazy.
for money and their threats of violence.
CTVO, -a, n., joc. Easy reading, some-
CMNIK, -a, m., youth, neg. An thing to read for entertainment (from cte-
unpleasant, dirty person. tot cmo- nie). kupil paru detektivov, u
nik zagadil vs kvartiru. That slob men teperh xoroee ctivo na vos-
has messed up the whole apartment. kresenhe. I bought myself a couple of
CMNYJ, -a, -oe, youth, neg. Un- detective stories, so Ive got some easy
pleasant, dirty. Tam u vas cmona reading for Sunday.
kompaka, tuda ne pojdu. Those CTO VROSLO TO VROSLO,
friends of yours are such slobs, I wouldnt idiom. Dont complain! (lit., Whats
want to go to their place. grown has grown). Govorih, cto
CMUR, -, m., neg. A person who acts pravitelhstvo slaboe? Cemu zdesh
strangely, an eccentric or crazy person. udivlths, cto vyroslo to vy-
tot cmur vs delaet ne tak, kak roslo. You say the government is
ldi. That weirdo doesnt do anything powerless. What is there to be surprised
in the normal way. at? We have what we have.
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317 AXN
ALK 318
319 I
320
321 MPOL
OP 322
OP, -a, m., youth. A store, shop (from What grade is your boy in?
Eng. shop). Ty v op pojdh? PKATH/PKNUTH, joc. 1. To
Are you going to the store? break, shatter. Kto tu vazu pok-
RKATHS/RKNUTHS. (To nul? Who broke this vase? 2. To have
go, to move (lit., to shuffle). Ty ne sex with a woman. On pokaet vsex
znaeh, v kakoj restoran luce devok podrd. He sleeps with all the
orknuths? Do you know which girls one after another.
restaurant we should go to? , -, m. A reprimand (lit., a
ROX, -a, m. Noise, confusion, disorder syringe, referring to an unpleasant proce-
(lit., rustling). Cto tam za orox? dure like an injection). ,
Whats the hubbub over there? Bez , .
roxa, idiom. Quietly. Tolhko Chill out, youre sure to feel like a new
delath to nado s umom, bez oroxa. man after the commander chews you
This has to be done carefully and dis- out.
creetly. PYNTH/ZAPINTH. To tease, to
, -, f. Spirits that have previously bait, to nag (from pynh [obs.], thorn).
been used for technical purposes (lit., a Xvatit men pynth, ustal ot
rapier, referring to a sharp taste). tvoix pridirok. Stop nagging me, Im
, , tired of your carping.
. Filter those , -, f., army. Pearl barley or
spirits before you drink them, God only oatmeal or porridge (lit., shrapnel, refer-
knows what the tech guys have already ring to the rough texture and bad taste).
washed in them.
PAKLEVTHS/NAPAKLE- . There is no way I can
VTHS. To put on makeup (lit., to down that shrapnel or porridge without a
caulk). Sejcas napaklsh i poj- load of butter in it.
dm. Ill just put on my makeup and then
TAN: Naloth v tan, see under
well go.
naloth. Snth tan i bgath, see
PAKLVKA, -i, f., neg. Makeup, cos- under snimth.
metics. Na tebe paklvki kilo-
TTNIK, -a, m. An American.
gramm. You must be wearing a pound of
tatniki bez mainy ith ne
makeup.
mogut. Americans just cant live with-
PLA, -y, m. & f., neg. A tall, thin per- out their cars.
son (lit., a railroad tie). U teb podruga
pala. Your girlfriends quite a TPATH/ZATPATH, joc. 1. To
beanpole. repair surgically, perform an operation on
someone (lit., to darn). Posle avarii
PAN, -, f., collect, neg. Thugs, ego bystro zatopali, sejcas vyzdo-
hoodlums. ravlivaet. They sewed him up right
PRITH/ZAPRITH. To talk fast after the accident, and now hes recover-
(from parith, to scald). Ty pa- ing. 2. To apprehend, catch. Ix za-
rih po-anglijski, kak i po-russki. topali na meste, vorovali mai-
You babble away in English as fluently ny. They were caught red-handed
as in Russian. stealing cars.
PLITH/POPLITH, rude. To TPOR: V tpore, idiom, neg. Lit.,
have sex with a woman (from pilhka, in a spin. 1. On a drinking spree. On v
hairpin). On e davno pilit? topore ue nedel. Hes been on a
Has he been sleeping with her for long? binge for a week already. 2. Intensely
PINGALT, -a, m., joc. A teenager, occupied with something, very busy.
young person (lit., a door latch). V ka- vs nedel byl v topore, ne mog
kom klasse ucits tvoj pingalet? dae pozvonith. Ive been so busy all
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 323
323 RY-MRY
week I didnt even have time to phone. Na uliax noch ugalovo, luce
TRVKATH/POTRVKATH. To doma sideth. Its too scary on the
eat. Potrvkath by sejcas bylo v streets at night, better stay home.
samyj raz. A bite to eat would really UGTH/UGANTH. To drive away,
hit the spot right now. to scare away. Nu-ka ugani sobak s
TKA, -i, f. A thousand rubles, a thou- naego dvora! Get these dogs away
sand-ruble bill. Sejcas divan stoit from our yard!
300 tuk. A sofa costs 300,000 these , -, m. Nagging, harassing. See
days. Vot tak tka! idiom. Incredi- .
ble! I can hardly believe it! Znacit, on UM: Izobrath/izobrazth um
ne pridt, vot tak tuka! You morskgo prib, see under izobra-
mean hes not coming? How can that th.
be? UMXA, -i, f. A brouhaha, a sensation
TUKATRKA, -i, f., joc. Makeup, cos- (from um, noise). Vokrug bolezni
metics (lit., plaster). Ne mnogo na mne prezidenta kak vsegda umixa v gaze-
tukaturki? Have I got too much tax. As usual, the papers are making a -
makeup on? sensation about the presidents illness.
, idiom, army. The MNYJ KAK VOD V UNITZE,
mass rush for the head or toilet in the idiom, rude. Lit., noisy as a toilet flush-
morning (lit., the storming of the Winter ing; used to describe a noisy, energetic
Palace). 5 person. ot nego ustal, on umnyj
, kak voda v unitaze. Im sick of him
, , he kicks up too much dust.
, UMK: Pod umk, idiom, neg.
. If you get up 5 minutes early Secretly, unnoticed, under cover of con-
youll miss the mass dash to the head, if fusion. Vo vrem perestrojki, pod
you dont, youre gonna have to wait in umok, oni sdelali bolhie denhgi.
line just to take a piss. During the perestroika years they made
TER: bolhj ter, idiom. a lot of money without anyone noticing.
(From tuer, connecting pipe). 1. A UROVTH/POUROVTH, joc. To
specialit, an expert. On bolhoj look, look for something, search (lit., to
tuer v motorax. Hes an expert dig). Pouruj v wikax, tam dol-
with motors. 2. A boss. Ne znal, cto ny byth sigarety. Dig around in the
on u vas takoj tuer. I didnt realize drawers. The cigarettes must be in there
hes such a big wheel among you. somewhere.
TCKI-DRCKI, pl., joc. Tricks, URPITH/ZAURPITH. To under-
mischief, annoying behavior. Cto za stand (from urup, screw). Ty
tucki-drcki? Pocemu vse loki urupih, v cm tut delo? Do you
leat v xolodilhnike? What sort of get the point?
stupid trick is this? How come all the URTH/ZAURTH, neg. Lit., to
spoons are in the refrigerator? rustle. 1. To babble, to speak out of turn.
, -, m. Fear (from , fur Sidi tixo, ne uri! Sit quietly
coat, referring to how people shiver from and stop chattering! 2. To bustle, med-
cold or fear). , dle, make unnecessary fuss. On vs
, , urit v parlamente. Hes always
, . He needs to go making some to-do in Parliament.
see the shrink, he wakes up every night RY-MRY, pl., indecl., joc. Flirting,
screaming and shaking with fear. love games, endearments. Oni ne ra-
UGLOVO, -a, n., youth. Fear, horror botat kak nado, u nix na ume ury-
(from ugath, to scare, to frighten). mury. Those two arent doing their
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 324
USTRTH/PODUSTRTH 324
GOSTIK, -a, m., youth. A personal native rockets, illum (lit., an electric
tape player with headphones. nadenu welding machine).
v metro goistik, siu, slua , , -
muzyku, xoroo! I take my Walkman , -
on the subway and listen to music while . Were too visible in this
Im traveling. light, only when it subsides can we dash
J, ZOVT LOADJ, rhyming to the forest.
phrase, joc. Hey is what they call LEMNT: V lemnte, idiom. Easily,
horses (used in protesting response to simply. to v lemente mono sde-
being rudely hailed). j, kuda ty lath za pth minut. Itll be a cinch to
idh? j, zovut loadej. do that in five minutes.
Hey! Where are you going? Hay is NTOT, pronoun, joc. This, that. Kto
for horses. ntot celovek? Whos that fellow?
KZEMPLR, -a, m., neg. A scoundrel, a REKTORT, -a, m., joc. Voters (by
bad person. to takoj kzemplr, wordplay on reki, erection, and
poiskath nado! That bastard is in a lektorat, electorate). U nego rek-
class by himself. torat odni komsomolhskie babu-
KSTRA, -y, f. A brand of vodka. U ki. His whole constituency is made up
men esth butylka kstry. Ive got of Komsomol grandmothers.
a bottle of Extra. TAKA, RAZTAKA MATH, idiom,
KSTRA-KLASS, idiom, pos. First-class, euph. Damn it! On, taka, razta-
outstanding. On peve kstra- ka math, ne verit mne i vs. Damn
klass! Hes a terrific singer. it, he just doesnt believe me!
KTIV, -a, m., youth, neg. A homosexual TO KOG-L. NE KOLET, idiom.
who plays the active role. Po vsemu It doesnt bother (someone) (lit., it
vidno, to ktiv. Apparently hes an doesnt shake someone in the wind).
active. to men ne kolyet. That doesnt
, -, f., army. Illumi- bother me.
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 327
329 WIK
NOTES
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 331
NOTES
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 332
NOTES
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 333
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Books may be purchased at your bookstore, or by mail from Barrons. Enclose check or money order for total amount
plus sales tax where applicable and add 18% for postage and handling (minimum charge $5.95). All books are
paperback editions. New York, New Jersey, Miichigan, and California residents add sales tax. Prices subject to
change without notice.
Visit our website at: www.barronseduc.com
L
earning a new language means acquiring a brand-new
vocabularyand Barrons Vocabulary Builder books
concentrate on building the language students word
power. Each book presents approximately 120 illustrated
quiz-style exercises with answers
on back pages. Quizzes take many Vocabulary BuilderFrench
different forms, including Muriel von Dengern
fill-in-the blanks, matching words ISBN 0-7641-1821-8
with words, matching words with Vocabulary BuilderGerman
Eva Maria Weermann
pictures, crossword puzzles, and ISBN 0-7641-1823-4
more. There are hundreds of
Vocabulary BuilderItalian
labeled illustrations plus a Beatrice Rovere-Fenati
bilingual word index with ISBN 0-7641-1822-6
reference to the quiz where Vocabulary BuilderSpanish
the word will be found. Rosala de Rsler
ISBN 0-7641-1824-2
Each book: paperback
$10.95$11.99/Can$15.50$17.99
All prices are in U.S. and Canadian Barrons Educational Series, lnc.
dollars and subject to change without 250 Wireless Boulevard,
Hauppauge, NY 11788
notice. Books may be purchased at your
bookseller, or order direct adding 18% In Canada:
postage (minimum charge $5.95). New Georgetown Book Warehouse
York, New Jersey, Michigan, and 34 Armstrong Ave., Georgetown,
California residents add sales tax. Ontario L7G 4R9
All books are paperback editions.
Visit our web site at: www.barronseduc.com (#116) R 12/05
Russ Slang 3d.ed.ptII 1/23/06 10:34 AM Page 338