What is a fraer? We will try to answer!

The fact that the slang word is firmly rooted in the language of the people and even sometimes slips among the intelligentsia is no longer surprising. But who is a fraer? Where did this word come from and what does it really mean? Unfortunately, explanatory dictionaries give the reader too little information. This article is intended to expand the explanations that exist. And we will begin with history ...

The birth of Russian fraers

What is a fraer? The word itself was borrowed by criminals at the beginning of the century before last from the Germans (freier - “bridegroom”) through Yiddish (there were many Jews in criminal Russia). So at first brothel owners and prostitutes called their customers. Later, Urkagans (criminal elements - bandits, thieves) called their victims that way - people presentable, stylish, law-abiding. Soon, by the way, other meanings also went: “chill out” (dress with chic), “dress up” (suddenly fall into a hole). The word gained popularity in the twentieth century. before the revolution.

Pretty girls (often prostitutes) and all the same criminal elements knew perfectly well who the frayer was. It was already a well-built, well-established craft. Young people (victim fraer) were attracted to rented apartments. At a piquant moment, a “husband” suddenly burst in, who, seeing his lover, was enraged. The play was played in such a way that the victim herself emptied the wallet and at the same time did not even think about filing a complaint with the police.

Frara gulag

The well-known word "fraer" is preserved, but already in the meaning of "burdock", "victim", "simpleton." In the Stalinist camps, this word was already called those who were actually far from the criminal world - politicians and so-called domestic workers. There they were called "devils" and "deer." They were not considered people there. True, because of their own fault, they were far from criminals who fell into a foreign environment, did not know and did not understand the prevailing rules, they held on to the “cider” (things, food, knots), refusing to share. Most framers were representatives of the party council nomenclature. They considered themselves convicted illegally and despised rabble from criminals. Blatari also belonged to the fisted peasants from Western Ukraine ("Bandera"). The fact that "greed destroyed the fraer", many have heard. And this saying went precisely from those same Stalinist camps. By the way, Dovlatov in his “Zone” very well explains who the frayer is and who is the blat. True, prisoners who agreed to share, and did it on their own and regularly, lived relatively calmly.

There were also "spoiled", "beaten" fraers. They knew the arrest and criminal laws and did not give offense. Blatari respected such people, even sometimes they were afraid. The rest of the life went according to the law "a thief steals, and a frayer plows."

Crucial moment

The “bitch war”, which began in well-known circles in 1947 and lasted until 1953, led to a split in the criminal world. It was then that the war veterans began to return to prison again. But now they were automatically transferred to the category of framers, since they held in their hands weapons issued by the authorities. And this is prohibited by the "thieves' law", and categorically. “You are a frayer now, so you took a kaylo and went to plow!” Naturally, the past thieves did not agree.

The decree of the government of 1947, which received the name “four sixths,” warmed the atmosphere. Now, for embezzlement of property (both state and public), they could have been "closed" for 25 years. These are the terms provided for repeat offenders. The “honest” thieves who did not fight, striving to occupy the warm positions of “idiots” (as the Gulag used to call rationing officers, foremen, and grain cutters), began to cooperate with the administration, which was also not allowed under the “thieves' law”.

Thus, new forces joined the front-line soldiers. Traitors to the thieves' idea were called “honest thieves” by “bitches”. The massacre began, and with absolute lawlessness.

Realizing that they could endlessly scoff at “peasants”, “pins”, “deers”, “devils”, “fraers”, gutting their trunks and at the same time humiliating them, it would not work, “honest thieves” changed tactics. It was necessary to convince the rest that the thieves' law was not only strict, but also fair, and would always protect. Lawlessness will be followed by punishment. The “man” (hard worker) had to carry what he had previously extorted.

Before the start of the “bitch war” this would be unrealistic. Who is the fraer in the zone? This is the one who feeds the thief and plows on him. Now the “thief in law” cried for the prisoner's good, becoming his patron. The idea was clever and cunning: arrogant urks scoffed at weak intellectuals - they cut off their heads; they took away the healthy “foreheads” from the old man — the perpetrators were beaten with crowbars; the wife of the “man” died - they helped his children.

It was, really was. But the "nobility" was overgrown and decorated with details and spread. The results of such powerful propaganda, tangible even now, are as follows: the “man” will turn to the beholder rather than the administration in difficult times. And that will help. Usually a good word. But sometimes it’s the case. What will not only the whole zone know, but also friends outside its borders, and relatives and friends of friends. The grateful “man” begins to share with the “legalist” himself.

"Fraer" - meaning of the word today

By the 80s, the concept is changing. And cardinally. What does the word "fraer" mean in the 80s? Professional felon, ordinary underworld. "Honest (trump) fraer" is generally an authority close to a thief. Thieves' society is trying to erase the sharp distinction between the criminal world and the "fraternal." It is worth remembering that dissidents and politicians belonged to the “fraer class” in the 60s. And these were strong-willed people, with courage, “spiritual” - qualities that are valued among thieves. Who is the fraer today? A respected man, a noble robber. Simpletons are now called “pins”, “suckers”, “stamps”, “futsans”.