Why ‘BLIN’ ('pancake') is the most popular Russian swear word!
Russians invented a ‘PG’ alternative for their f-word (b-word, actually!) that doesn’t have to be bleeped.
The ‘blin’, a.k.a. a pancake or crepe, is one of the most traditional Russian dishes. However, don't be surprised to hear a Russian use this word with no connection to food.
'Blin' is just a parasitic word, which Russians say dozens of times a day.
- Accidentally dropped something? – BLIN!
- Forgot something important and remembered at the last minute? – BLIN!
- Hit your arm or toe on something? – BLIIIIN!!!
Why on earth would Russians mention a dish instead of using something similar to the English ‘crap’?
“The word ‘blin’ has become so widespread in the rude colloquialism of both men and women when communicating that it takes the leading place in the lexicon of Russian-language rude colloquial discourse in terms of frequency of use (after service words),” as Gramota.ru writes.
The word has a long history and it’s actually a euphemism, i.e. it hides and replaces another word, in this case a swear word, which people with good etiquette and morals would never utter. And the one which cannot be printed or broadcasted legally (Even social media algorithms can ban you for using this word).
This is the B-word. We can’t spell it here. But, maybe you saw the viral video of actress Elizabeth Olsen cursing in Russian on ‘Late Night with Conan O'Brien’? We’ll leave it here, just in case!
In the Russian language, curse words are a taboo, which actually have a long history. In old times, peasants believed one could attract evil forces by pronouncing them. And, in the 20th century, saying them meant you were a badly-educated, ill-mannered and rude person.
However, people can't live without bad words. So, for everyday usage, Russians came up with some other words that sound similar to well-known curse words, but, in fact, mean something innocent and harmless. For example, there are many words with letter ‘Ё’ that are euphemisms for bad words (‘ёлки-палки’, ‘ёмое’). Or Russians say ‘arctic fox’ (‘pesets’, ‘песец’), instead of the more rude P-word.
So, ‘blin’ just didn’t just get lucky to sound similar to that badass b-word!
READ MORE: Russia’s eternal struggle with foul and obscene language
