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  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

The Ruskie

English translation: Russians

04:04 Oct 25, 2005
Russian to English translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / nickname
Russian term or phrase: The Ruskie
Is this slang for The Russian?
How can I find information on this word and how it is used?
Donna Garcia
English translation:Russians
Explanation:
This is a transliterated version of Russian word "русский" which means Russian (Russian citizen, person who lives in Russian Federation). Multitran Dictionary says that African Americans usually use this term for Russian criminals (mafia)
Selected response from:

Denis Kochkin
Local time: 07:47
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +8Russians
Denis Kochkin
5 +4Russians
Alexander Taguiltsev
5Russkies
Deborah Hoffman


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
Russians


Explanation:
This is a transliterated version of Russian word "русский" which means Russian (Russian citizen, person who lives in Russian Federation). Multitran Dictionary says that African Americans usually use this term for Russian criminals (mafia)


    Reference: http://www.multitran.ru/c/m.exe?HL=2&L1=2&L2=1&EXT=0&s=ruski...
Denis Kochkin
Local time: 07:47
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Aleksandr Okunev (X)
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Aleksandr!
agree  Sergey Strakhov
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Sergey!
agree  Kirill Semenov
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Kirill!
agree  Jack Doughty: except that I don't think "Russkie" (usually letter s x 2) in English is plural. Plural would be "Russkies".
2 hrs
  -> Thank you, Jack! I agree, the translation shall be just "Russian".
agree  tanyazst
3 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  GaryG: not offensive, but not respectful either
7 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Mikhail Kropotov: No, in the U.S. a ruskie is not a mafia guy, however it is a slightly derogatory term used to refer to Russian people. Also used in the plural "The ruskies are coming!" Can be used for humor.
11 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Blithe: with Mikhail
13 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Russians


Explanation:
It is not offensive until it is used with a special intonation. But the term itself is really neutral. Russkie - it is a noun, plural or an adjective, plural, Nominative case.

Russkie knigi - Russian books (adjective)
Russkie prishli - Russians have come. (noun)

The last example may be relatively offensive if pronounced with neglect.


Alexander Taguiltsev
Russian Federation
Local time: 15:47
Native speaker of: Russian
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kurt Porter: You get my vote for the depth of the answer. :)
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Kurt
agree  Vladimir Dubisskiy: it is not offensive, probably just wrong if used like "Russkie books" instead "Russian books".
2 hrs
  -> Thanks.
agree  GaryG
7 hrs
  -> THank you
agree  Mikhail Kropotov: Yes, this is how the term originated.
11 hrs
  -> Спасибо, Михайил. Ну, вот, ты и появился!
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2 days 19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Russkies


Explanation:
Used more often in the plural. So frequently encountered in the 1980s that there was a movie named "The Russkies." Not an insulting term, though somewhat jocluar and ironic.

See here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093898/

and here:


"Gotta Love Them Russkies"
http://www.deanesmay.com/archives/006066.html

and here:

"Russkies leak new Creative kit?"
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=453

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 19 hrs 49 mins (2005-10-27 23:54:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

and here:

"Russkies Advise: "Take Full Advantage" of Iraqi Offer"
http://www.warblogging.com/archives/000039.php

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 19 hrs 50 mins (2005-10-27 23:55:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Apparently it was in use by 1964:

"Well, boys, I reckon this is it — new-key-leer combat toe to toe with the Russkies"
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days 19 hrs 51 mins (2005-10-27 23:56:30 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And let's not forget:

"Raise Your Brewskis To The Russkies"
http://forums.comicbookresources.com/archive/index.php/t-518...

Deborah Hoffman
Local time: 08:47
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
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