What does it mean by pulling? If we hear this expression, we understand that a person has connections and acquaintances in certain circles, thanks to which he was able to get something, get hold of. The word "blat" in the Russian language is borrowed from others. Yiddish translates as "leaf, silent prayer." From Dutch - “a sheet of paper, a thin board”. In German it means “paper money”. What does the word "blat" mean, let's try to figure it out.
Peter the Great and Catherine the Great
Peter the Great knows the whole world as a great reformer. He carried out a coup in all state spheres: politics, education, power, church and so on. It was also necessary to overcome the ossified boyar foundations. By the decree of Peter, the names of those who fulfilled the entire list of requirements or paid off taxes were entered on a paper list, which was called in the Dutch manner - blat. The presence of a name in the blat relieved the boyar of penalties.
Catherine the Great is also famous for her love of change. By her decree, German immigrants were given paper when settling the state lands of New Russia. She gave her holder the right to receive certain privileges. She was also called blat.
We are ours, we are a new world ...
The 1917 revolution in Russia. Not always those “who were nothing” could cope with the opportunities that fell upon them, including material ones. There was a need to regulate the issuance of "benefits" by the authorities. German Cominterns could receive goods and products in special dispensers. To do this, they were given coupons called blat. “What are you supposed to do with doom? Three arshins of red cloth for harem pants. "
Gradually, the word took root in criminal circles, it became slang. The thieves began to call prisoners who, if I may say so, were in the top positions of the thieves' hierarchy.
Blat in the USSR
In the early forties, a commodity and food crisis arose in the USSR, during which the word from thieves' jargon was first used in the modern sense. Despite the dictatorship of the Soviet regime, even in wartime it was possible to achieve something through bribes or ties.
Gradually created organizations, which implied special support. It could be scarce products or things, service in specialized institutions, trips to rest houses and sanatoriums. To receive these benefits without serving in such institutions and without having friends who distributed them has become practically impossible.
The once very popular specialties were gradually losing their prestige. Zavmagov, catering directors and other "masters of life" were erected in favor. After all, it was they who could provide the “blat”.
Today
What does “doom” mean today, when store shelves are bursting with an abundance of goods and products? The presence of connections and acquaintances in the right circles helps today. For example, I got a job, went to school, took out scarce football tickets, went through an interview, casting for thieves, and so on.