After the collapse of the USSR, many representatives of different nationalities remained on the territory of Russia , who, despite the emerging ethnic conflicts, had to re-learn to get along with each other on the territory of a huge country, which had recently united 15 states. Many different characters, cultures and customs united under a single state symbolism of our country. Do you know what the inhabitants of Russia are called? You will find the answer to this question in this article.
One well-known Internet portal conducted a survey among residents of Russia on the topic: “What should be called the citizens of Russia, so that it contributes to their awareness of themselves as a single community, but does not provoke the separation of people according to ethnicity? Most of the respondents chose the answer “Russian citizen”, the second place was “Russian”, and the third place was answered “Russian”.
This begs the question: interesting, but what are the inhabitants of Russia in different countries called? It is probably very difficult to pick up one single nickname that would unite Russian citizens who are so different in origin, but today living on the same land.
Oddly enough, but there is even a special section of science that is capable of giving a scientifically sound answer to the question of what the inhabitants of Russia are called in various countries. This science deals exclusively with national nicknames. It is known that scientifically neutral national nicknames are called "exonyms", and offensive nicknames that carry a negative meaning in themselves are called "ethnopolisms." Therefore, knowing the origin of certain national nicknames, everyone can learn a lot not only about himself and his people, but also about his neighbors who are representatives of a different nationality.
What is the name of the inhabitants of Russia in the countries of the Near Abroad?
From their brothers “Ukrainians”, the Russians received the playful nickname “katsap”. Scientists are still arguing what this means. According to one version, it means "goat" (a bearded Russian strongly reminded a goat of Ukrainians), according to another version, this word is a derivative of the word "robber, slaughterman." Ukrainians called immigrants from Moscow "Moskal" (from the words "cheat", "cheat").
What is the name of the inhabitants of Russia in the countries of the Far Abroad?
It is known that after Grand Duke Aleksey Aleksandrovich visited the United States in 1871 at the head of a group of Russian aristocrats , Indians of many tribes began to call Russians “bear people” because many boyars were dressed in fur coats made from bear skins.
After the Great Patriotic War, the Russian people in the USA and Germany began to be called "Ivan" (one of the most common names in our country). Soviet Koreans gave the Russians the nickname "maujee." This word of Chinese origin means "bearded man," as the Chinese liked to call Russians.
Some Russians take offense at various mocking or playful nicknames. However, a person with a good sense of humor will not care what the inhabitants of Russia are called in certain countries. Do not forget that we live in a country that is home to many prominent figures of science, literature and art, who have had a tremendous impact on the whole world.