Vatnik (slang)

Vatnik (Russian: ватник, "cotoon-padded jacket") or vatnyk (Ukrainian: ватник), a collective image — vata (Ukrainian: вата, Russian: вата, "batting")^[1] — Internet meme, slang and neologism in Ukrainian and Russian languages.

Definition

A man in vatnik

In the original meaning, vatnik (also telogreika) is a cheap cotton-padded jacket.

Dictionary "Myslovo"

News reported that the Ukrainian online dictionary "Myslovo" (filled by internet users, similar to the Urban Dictionary), defines "vatnyk" is a man of (post) Soviet mentality that sincerely does not understand why there is such a state as Ukraine.^[1][2]

History

The author of the meme is Russian Anton Chadskiy, from Novorossiysk (then his nickname was Jedem das Seine^[3]).^[4][5] The picture of anthropomorphic square-shaped quilted jacket similar to Spongebob which was created by him was published in social network Vkontakte in one of the groups first time on September 9, 2011. In 2012, the meme has become widely popular in other resources on the Internet.^[6] The author has created the group which was devoted character of quilted jacket in Vkontakte (name of group in Russian: "РАШКА - КВАДРАТНЫЙ ВАТНИК").^[7][8]

The meme got much wider spread in society after Russian military aggression against Ukraine in 2014.^[6] In the beginning of 2015 Anton Chadskiy reported that he was forced to leave Russia in November, 2014 because of the danger of political persecution by the government.^[9] Since he is living in Kiev and going to move to Berlin.^[8]

Examples of use

• Autumn 2014 — "Podrobnosti" ("Inter" TV channel) in association with Irena Karpa started production of animated series, several episodes were devoted to the "vatnik" phenomenon.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}
• Orest Liutyi wrote a song about "vatniks", asa remake of the Russian famous song "Landyshy" (Russian: Ландыши).^[15]
• "We can say that vatnik is a "sovok" with active civil position."^[16] (Dictionary "Myslovo");^[1]
• "Will not let vata in our homes"^[17] — the name of the "Boycott Russian Films" campaign;^[18]
• "Inter is a "vata" channel of "kremlyad"^[19] Firtash"^[20] — a critical comment in social networks;^[21]
• "Proud name — "vatnik"^[22] — one of the topics at essays and scientific works competition in the Altai State Pedagogical University, that was dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union victory in the German-Soviet War (Second World War).^[23]
• During New Year 2015 celebration the author of the meme Anton Chadskiy held a humorous action — "Vatnik of the year" award. This action angered Russian Internet.^[24]

Other mentions

There is another meme that appeared in Ukrainian language — "Vyshyvatnyk", formed from the combination of the words "vyshyvanka" and "vatnik". According to the "Myslovo", it was created as opposite to "vatnik", but has not gained popularity because of much narrower social base. The dictionary gives the following definition of the concept: "Ukrainian vatnik" — usually uneducated person with low cultural level that is aggressive about anything that does not fit his/her idea about "how things should be."^[2][25]

See also

• Homo Sovieticus
• Little green men (GRU)
• Fifth column

References

External links

• Vatniki meme. weirdrussia.com.
• Патриоты и ватники (Russian). Dmitriy Gusev. Echo of Moscow. 24.03.2014.
• An article about the vatnik mentality from Jim Kovpak, author of Russia Without BS