You missed out plavki for briefs. Underware is a totally new concept to most of Russians. Many of them still did not quite figure it out. You often see youngsters trying to look sophisticated by wearing strings or boxers over traditional Russian fur pants. Just like with almost anything coming from the West older generation believes wearing underware is dangerous, blatantly immoral and hazardous. Russians tend to believe wearing underpants leads to all sorts of diseases including erections disfunctions, syphilis and AIDS. This general public opinion has lead to Russian Parliament adopting a legislation limiting advertising of underware and requiring manufacturers to warn customers of potential risks of using undergarment. So now all underware in Russia is only sold in adult stores in opaque plastic bags with message from Surgeon General reading "Wearing undergarment may seriously damage your health".
Well, Russian clothing names don't necessarily come from sports. There is "aerodrom" and "meningitka" (hats with a VERY large visor and no visor at all, respectively).
Of course, a whole lot of objects are names after nationalities. There are "vietnamki" (flip-flops), "indeika" (turkey), "koreika" (bacon), "kitaika" (a traditional Russian dress), "finka" (a type of knife), "cheshki" (ballet slippers), "polka" (well, you know that one), "bolgarka" (a polishing machine), "panamka" (a type of hat), "amerikanka" (a type of pool game).
Note that all these words, as well as "footballka", "tenniska", etc., that you mentioned, are of feminine gender only (well, except "aerodrom"). Is there a deeper reason for it, Greg, that you may help us discover? Perhaps, another mystery of the Russian soul?
Comments 10
Reply
Reply
Underware is a totally new concept to most of Russians. Many of them still did not quite figure it out. You often see youngsters trying to look sophisticated by wearing strings or boxers over traditional Russian fur pants. Just like with almost anything coming from the West older generation believes wearing underware is dangerous, blatantly immoral and hazardous. Russians tend to believe wearing underpants leads to all sorts of diseases including erections disfunctions, syphilis and AIDS. This general public opinion has lead to Russian Parliament adopting a legislation limiting advertising of underware and requiring manufacturers to warn customers of potential risks of using undergarment.
So now all underware in Russia is only sold in adult stores in opaque plastic bags with message from Surgeon General reading "Wearing undergarment may seriously damage your health".
Reply
Of course, a whole lot of objects are names after nationalities. There are "vietnamki" (flip-flops), "indeika" (turkey), "koreika" (bacon), "kitaika" (a traditional Russian dress), "finka" (a type of knife), "cheshki" (ballet slippers), "polka" (well, you know that one), "bolgarka" (a polishing machine), "panamka" (a type of hat), "amerikanka" (a type of pool game).
Note that all these words, as well as "footballka", "tenniska", etc., that you mentioned, are of feminine gender only (well, except "aerodrom"). Is there a deeper reason for it, Greg, that you may help us discover? Perhaps, another mystery of the Russian soul?
And what's with "aerodrom"?
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment