40 borrowings in Russian that infuriate Lifehacker's readers

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Not all borrowings in Russian are equally bad, but there are some very strange and downright stupid ones.

Disputes about the development of the Russian language are not one hundred years old. In the Russian Empire, there was even a division into Slavophiles - people who wanted to see Russia as distinctive, without outside influence - and Westernizers.

For example, the Slavophile Alexander Semyonovich Shishkov, founder of the literary society "Conversation of lovers of the Russian word", spoke out about the Russian syllable controversy between Westerners and Slavophiles against borrowing from the French language and the "new syllable" in principle. Thus, he proposed calling the actors actors, heroism - virtuousness, and field marshals - voivods. Nor did he like the words "melancholy" and "antipathy" we are used to today.

Sometimes the polemics between representatives of the two currents reached the point of absurdity. It is believed that Westerners even wrote a parody using Shishkov's syllable. As a result, from the sentence "The dandy goes from the circus to the theater along the boulevard in galoshes" it turned out "Horoshilische is coming through the gulbisch from the lists to the disgrace in wet shoes."

In our time, the then popular French language has changed to English. Many people use it on an ongoing basis for work or travel, watch TV shows and films in their original language. They even read books without waiting for translation. It is only natural that foreign words seep into our speech. However, some of them are downright annoying.

Lifehacker recently published material on this topic. Thanks to your comments, we have selected 40 new and most unpleasant borrowings. We figure out why they are so pissed off.

1. Experience

It is not entirely clear why the English experience began to be used instead of the word "experience". Our version is both shorter and more convenient, there is not much point in borrowing. Apparently that's why it is so pissed off.

2. Maby

For those who constantly use English, a foreign "maybe" sometimes creeps in. In colloquial speech, it is used quite often and can accidentally arise in a dialogue. Therefore, if a person speaks fluently and uses it, do not rush to swear. Chances are good that your interlocutor did not even notice the replacement.

3. Naming

Naming is an English business term associated with the professional development of a name for services, projects, companies, and so on. Comes from the word name - name. The synonym in our language is long and extremely inconvenient - "naming". Therefore, at work, a foreign word is still appropriate, but in ordinary speech it can be very annoying.

4. Teenager

This borrowing is already old and has been used for a long time - you can find the "Dictionary of Russian Argo". Articles with the letter "T" him in the "Dictionary of Russian Argo", which includes language materials of the late XX century. But the word does not become less haters. Most likely, because it is alien to the Russian language in terms of pronunciation.

5. Harassment

Last year in the news this Russified English word was used especially often and it was pretty eyesore. Indicates harassment and intrusion into a person's privacy. Probably used to reduce repetition in the text. But in simple conversation, it looks strange, as if a person wants to show off their knowledge of the language.

6. Workshop

This word means some kind of educational activity. He has enough synonyms in Russian, for example, courses, a seminar, a workshop. There are formal differences between borrowing and them, but, depending on the situation, each is quite legitimate. This is why the "workshop" is annoying, because in most cases it is not necessary.

7. Usability

Along with the word "yuzat", it is most often puzzling. The term itself is more professional, from the field of ergonomics. Indicates the effectiveness of the use of a particular product or product. In a word, usefulness. At a business meeting, the floor will come in handy, but imagine how it will look, for example, in a regular dialogue: "I don't understand the usability of this bike." The person you are talking to is likely to be confused.

8. Imageboard

It may seem that the word has to do with the image, but it is not. We just crookedly borrowed the English imageboard, literally it translates as "a board with pictures." These are forums for posting images. In most cases, the word enrages with its foreignness, but it has no independent analogs in Russian.

9. Skill

This word has a Russian version - skill. There are also synonyms: skill, skill, dexterity. Borrowing may sound organic in a conversation about computer games or business dialogue, but in general it is not necessary. Therefore, it causes negative for many.

10. Deadline

This lexeme is popular because its only Russian equivalent is hard - deadline. It is much easier to say one word instead of three. But it can be annoying because it sounds foreign.

11. Boyfriend

Always madly infuriated by two words: "boyfriend" (there is a guy, lover, partner, etc.) and "donut" (WELL DONUT - WHAT ARE YOU NOT PLEASED FOR ??)

Arina B

Indeed, there are many synonyms for this word. Most often it can be found in magazines and on teen forums, the creators of which are unsuccessfully trying to get closer to the audience. But often it looks ridiculous, and this is what infuriates.

12. Donate

To those who have found Soviet donut and puffy, this word seems strange and frankly infuriates. But everything is not clear here. Our typical donuts are dough that has been thrown into boiling oil and then sprinkled with powdered sugar. Donuts are something from The Simpsons. Something bright, glazed and always sprinkled. In fact, there is not much difference, but for a Russian person it is noticeable.

13. Pancake

Pancake is incredibly infuriating! There is also a word for pancake.

Endo ksy

Let's immediately establish that pancakes and our pancakes are two different dishes. The American cousin of pancakes tastes bland and is fried in a dry skillet rather than butter. At the same time, yeast dough and egg yolks are not used to prepare pancakes. Given the differences, you shouldn't be annoyed - you just need to call the dishes by their proper names.

14. Booking

A term associated with booking a place. From here even a whole profession arose - a booker. The lexeme is largely absent in dictionaries. For work, this word is quite applicable, but in a normal conversation you can do without it so as not to irritate the interlocutor.

15. Fake

Slang word that means something fake, fake, fiction. Applies to many things. A fake can be news, a social media account, or even a fake item. Both the foreignness of the term and its ambiguity can irritate.

16. Trend

The word means a general direction in the development of something. It is quite convenient, only it is used where necessary and not necessary. It just infuriates with its frequency, because sometimes synonyms sound and look much nicer. For example, trend, course, course, direction. Depending on the context, they can be used.

17. Craft

Nowadays, almost everything that is made by hand and has not been put into large-scale production is called craft. Because you see the word too often, it is annoying. The variant is fashionable and interesting, but "handmade" sounds no worse. And in some cases it is even more impressive.

18. Coworking

I recently received a letter from a new team. I counted a dozen in it. It just froze. “We will hold meetups and brainstorms in our new coworking space. We also have a super media room for living presentation. For booking use Outlook or go to the reception. That is, the Russian language can no longer describe in general all the same work processes?

Dmitry Ulyanov

Not a single dictionary can tell you what the word "coworking" means. In a broad sense - as an approach to the organization of work within the workspace - it still has the right to life. In the narrow - in fact, the office - does not make sense. It is annoying that they try to insert it wherever possible to make it meaningful.

19. Meetup

A word that also boycotts most of the dictionaries. Indicates an appointment or meeting. The sacred meaning of its use remains a mystery, because there is no need for it. That's why it pisses me off.

20. Brainstorm

It is not clear why brainstorming is no longer in vogue, but it is. It cannot be denied that the borrowing is shorter, but for the hearing of a Russian person it is not very pleasant. Especially if the person does not know English.

21. Also

Warped English also - and, moreover, also - can often be found on the Internet and even in spoken language. Many people use it for fun, but there is no need for it. What is it annoying.

22. Device

The word is considered a slang neologism, denotes any technical device or its components. It used to be less widely used, but has gained popularity over time. In general, it is quite useful on a professional level - in reviews on different devices, for example - but in simple dialogue it can seem strange.

23. Prolongation

Coach, coaching - sounds disgusting!

Prolongation sounds acceptable, but why? What did not please the word "Extension", it is even shorter and easier to pronounce

Igor Intravert1983 Mishurov

In principle, there is nothing to add to the comment. Perhaps the specified word is used in speech to give meaning to a phrase. It sounds more solid than an extension. But there is really no big need for borrowing.

24. Coach

The lexeme is more and more common and means almost the same as a coach or mentor. Most people do not understand the very meaning of the word, it enrages its foreignness. It is quite applicable in a professional environment, but in ordinary conversation it sounds abstruse and strange.

25. Primaries

Primary (preliminary) elections are called such an intricate word. Only most people don't know what the term means when they hear or read it. Therefore, it can really piss off.

26. Chill

There is another version of "chill". Translated from English, chill is coolness, but in slang - to chill out or just relax. English-speaking teenagers often use it in speech, and ours also keep up. However, for those who are not so familiar with the English language, it can really be annoying.

27. Pliz

Same as please. There is no point in using it if you are not talking to a foreigner. But it is used by many and often, therefore it can cut the ear.

28. Wow

I am pissed off by the "wow" that resembles a dog barking. Moreover, there is a normal Russian interjection "hoo".

Vadim Sukhotin

In English, it is spelled wow. And it translates as "Wow!" or "Wow!" The English version is shorter, but if you stretch the "a", then the word will sound very unpleasant.

29. Powerlifting

A kind of sport, otherwise also called powerlifting. Since the English version turned out to be simpler, it came into use. But those who keep a respectable distance from English perceive this word as heavy and ugly.

30. Level

The same as the level. The word most often heard in the society of gamers. The problem is that they are trying to use it now not only in conversations about games. For example, you can hear the insult "You are a fool of the ninetieth leveled". Or the phrase "My level of English has gone up." This kind of use can really piss off.

31. Troubles

Each of us has troubles, but it's better to say "problems" anyway. The word itself is a twisted English version of the lexeme trouble, which means the same thing. But the Russified version sounds rude and unpleasant.

32. Fail

Easily replaced with "this is a failure." There is no sense in borrowing - rather, it is done for fun. A single use in speech is not that annoying yet, but when you hear it too often, it really does.

33. Easy

English easy can mean both "easier" and "easy, simple, elementary."Of course, borrowing is pronounced faster, but not much. Those using this word are usually not limited to one time, which is incredibly annoying in the dialogue.

34. Sponge

If anyone remembers the animated series about a yellow sponge in square pants, then it's the same thing. Sponge is a regular cosmetic sponge. There was no need for this word. Apparently, it just seemed to someone cooler than the Russian version.

35. Hype

The meaning of the word is familiar to almost everyone, because it is used by all and sundry. For this very reason, it began to enrage many. He has many synonyms in Russian: hype, excitement, popularity, hysteria, and so on.

36. Bullying

Bullying, bullying, aggression, intimidation - and many other synonyms of the word that turned out to be out of fashion. Nowadays, many people write about bullying and use this borrowing so as not to be repeated in the text. But in a simple dialogue, it is quite possible to do without it, because not everyone knows English.

37. Luxury

Chilli (rest), pisses it off, luxury (luxury, luxury) pisses it off even more. The list goes on and on.

Vsevolod Koryagin

A completely stupid borrowing from the English language from the word luxury. Easily replaced with "luxurious, prestigious". There is no need for it, it is used more often in colloquial speech. The trouble is that lovers of this word insert it almost everywhere, which is annoying.

38. Childfree

In general, it is entirely up to you to have children or not. And to make of this an ideology with foreign borrowing is not at all necessary. But aggression in people is caused not so much by a foreign word as by the values of supporters of this idea. Which is also not the norm. You need to be more tolerant of each other, because we are all different.

39. Action

You can often see this word in movie reviews. It is easily replaceable with "action", but the foreign equivalent is shorter, because it is used in many places. Another genre of video games is called action, where the emphasis is on exploiting the player's physical abilities. In this sense, it is quite problematic to replace the word. In general, people are annoyed by borrowing precisely because of its frequency and foreignness.

40. Merchandiser

In our store, boxes have been carried by merchandisers for a long time.

Vladimir Bogatyrev

A beautiful and interesting borrowing, in which many more make a mistake and write it with "e". Only the profession hiding behind this word has a less poetic meaning - a commodity expert. Since being him, apparently, is less pleasant than a merchandiser, the borrowed word has spread. In general, this is a personal matter of representatives of the profession, what to call them. It doesn't matter if a person does his job well.

Language development is a normal process. Not only we, but also we borrow words. However, in pursuit of fashion and knowledge, you should not forget your native language, because there are still so many Russian words that you do not know. And remember: the abundance of borrowings will not make your speech more interesting - rather, it will confuse the listener or reader.