Russian mat

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Mat (Russian: мат, матерщи́на, ма́терный язы́к) is a Russian patois language, based on the use of specific generally unprintable obscene words. Russian mat makes it possible to have a conversation (although not always insulting, but always emotional) using only obscene words, which is what sets Russian mat apart from the obsceneties of most languages. Mat's development is largely attributed to the Russian criminal underworld.[citation needed] Use of Russian mat in a public place constitutes a form of disorderly conduct, punishable under article 20.1.1 of the Offences Code of Russia.

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[edit] Background

Although it is commonly believed that the name derives from mat′ (Russian мать, "mother," where the prime represents the soft sign, which signals palatalization of the preceding t) the term comes from a word meaning "loud yell," which is now used in only a few expressions such as благим матом. It is at once almost universally understood and commonly employed, but also held in some cultural disregard, to the point of facing occasional social and legal proscriptions. Depending on context, as in languages besides Russian, speaking it may have the effect of conveying disrespect, congeniality or chic, cynicism, intensification, or self-assertion. The mat belongs to the ancient layers of the Russian language (the first written mat words date to Middle Ages). It was first introduced into literature in the 18th century by the poet Ivan Barkov, whose poetry, combining lofty lyrics with brutally obscene words, may be regarded as a forerunner of Russian literary parody. Non-native speakers of Russian are generally advised to be conservative about employing the terms or to shun them if they tend not to use their equivalents in their first language.[citation needed] A non-native speaker who attempts to use mat often unintentionally sounds ridiculous to Russian speakers.[citation needed]

[edit] Classical poetry with mat

Mikhail Lermontov ("Peterhof's holiday" - "Петергофский праздник", 1834

And so, I will not pay you
However, if you are a simple blyad'
You should consider it an honour
To be acquainted with the cadet's khuy!
Russian:
Итак, тебе не заплачу я:
Но если ты простая блядь,
То знай: за честь должна считать
Знакомство юнкерского хуя!

Ivan Barkov ("Luka Mudischev", prologue; actually, this work was probably written at some time in the mid 19th century, but was ascribed to Ivan Barkov, an equally obscene poet who lived in the 18th century [1])

Oh you, men' wives, or widows fair,
Or maids with 'cherry' there intact!
Let me tell you some humble fact
About fucking out there.
Make fucking fair and accurate,
The rarer fuck means fortunate -
The Holy God shall save all ya
From some disorderly ebnya.
As uncontrollable-kind passion,
Leads only to disaster's ashen,
And satisfied you won't be right
With usual elda-bearing knight.
Russian:
О вы, замужние, о вдовы,
О девки с целкой наотлет!
Позвольте мне вам наперед
Сказать о ебле два-три слова.
Ебитесь с толком, аккуратно,
Чем реже ебля, тем приятней,
И боже вас оборони
От беспорядочной ебни!
От необузданной той страсти
Пойдут и горе и напасти,
И не насытит вас тогда
Обыкновенная елда.

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