Odessa expressions, catchphrases, funny words. Odessa phrases and aphorisms Odessa dialect phrases with translation into Russian

In recent years, many different texts have been published that in one way or another relate to the biography of Odessa slang. Assessing their quality is not the reason for these notes - my time is valuable to me. I just want to draw the reader’s attention to the obvious fact that language is a pulsating, pliable, moving thing. This fully applies to slang as a component of it, again, without a qualitative assessment. Slang has always lived actively, has not complained about its health and will continue to thrive, whether we like it or not.

Another thing is that not only its vocabulary is evolving, but also its semantics, and quite energetically. Therefore, it is necessary, for example, to distinguish Odessa criminal slang chronologically: say, in the second half of the 19th century it was not at all the same as in the 1910s, and even more so had little in common with the slang that was formed at different stages of the Soviet era. Consequently, when compiling etymological dictionaries and other phrase books, one must always make allowances for time, clearly indicating the retrospective. The current composition of the “Odessa language” is continually replenished with neologisms and is not at all what it was yesterday, much less the day before.

Among them, for example, “The Experience of the Southern Russian Dictionary” by the Ukrainian writer, publisher, linguist, teacher and ethnographer Kalenik Vasilyevich Sheikovsky (“A-B”, Kiev, 1861; “T”, Moscow, 1884; “U”, Moscow, 1886), linguist-lexicographer Fortunat Mikhailovich Piskunov “Slovnitsa Ukrainian (or South-Russian) language” (Odessa, 1873) and a number of others (M. Levchenko, 1874; M. Umantsa and A. Spilka, 1893 - 1898, etc.).

You and I, of course, are most interested in Piskunov’s dictionary, which absorbed many retrospective “Odessaisms” and was republished in 1882 in Kiev under the symptomatic title “Dictionary of the living folk, written and official language of Russian southerners of the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empire.” Commenting on these publications, Soviet historians of Ukrainian lexicography will later write that Piskunov blurred the boundary between real and fictitious elements of the vocabulary of the then Ukrainian language, since, say, there are a lot of words borrowed from other languages. But what kind of sterility of vocabulary could we be talking about in these territories, which represented a truly ethnic conglomerate?

The first edition of the dictionary quite contrastingly characterizes the vocabulary of the language of a significant part of the Odessa common people at the turn of the 1860s - 1870s. Censorship permission followed on March 15, 1872, and in 1873 “Slovnitsa” was published by the famous Odessa bookseller E.P. Raspopov. On September 25, Odessa Vestnik reported that the book costs 1 ruble 50 kopecks and is sold in the book warehouses of Elisey Raspopov. From June 5, 1868, his store operated in the house of the Greek family Mimi on the corner of Preobrazhenskaya and Grecheskaya (now the Mirage club), and on November 25, 1871 it moved to Deribasovskaya, to the Vedde house (now the House of Books).

So, let's start with the seemingly criminal "ATAS" noted in the title. The comment is very simple - “shouting at ducks”, that is, in this way they chased (drove away) poultry. It’s the same with Sheikovsky. True, the latter illustrates his comment with the following characteristic rhyme:

Atas, atas, kagure, go home!
I will sell you Jewish ore.

If you turn to the “Glossary of dialecticisms of Ukrainian languages ​​of the Odessa region” (Odessa, 1958) by the remarkable researcher A.A. Moskalenko, we will find that “ATAS” even after a hundred years remained in its former semantics: “whikuk, as a jock looks like.” It becomes obvious that in criminal jargon this cry was used practically for its intended purpose, which did not confuse the simple-minded villagers at all, and they continued, as if nothing had happened, as usual to “scare” geese and ducks.

"BALAGULA"- a surname that is often encountered to this day is “covered Jewish van.” From Sheikovsky: "A covered road cart, which the Jews usually ride with. A Jewish cabman. A cabby by trade (...) the king of the Balaguls in Zhitomir (...) A round bell, with which the Balaguls usually travel."

"BBEHI": - 1) animal entrails; 2) pillows and feather beds. Sheikovsky again corrosively clarifies: “Insides (...) Zhidivski bebekh = Jewish pillows (...) Gamuysya, bebekh nadirvesh!”

"DUSHMAN": in Piskunov - “despot, tyrant.” Interesting, isn't it? Both authors, however, do not particularly think about the languages ​​from which many of the words they cite were borrowed, including many distorted Turkic, Polish, German, Hebrew, Greek, Italian, French, etc.

"GAMUZ"- “PUSH”, that is, grape pulp. Compare the modern: “to take with a gamuz.” Now at least it’s clear what we’re talking about.

"GITZEL"- “flayer”, a word that apparently came from Austria-Hungary, was found in the publications of the Odessa Bulletin in the mid-1870s.

"ZINGER"- "pulse".

"KAPETS"- the same thing that in thieves' vernacular means "and kaput, and kayuk, and khan." In fact, this is a “sign on the field boundaries”, like a border owner’s post, that is, the same “end”.

"RAVLIK"- not a snail at all, but a “mole”.

"SHASHLIK"- not a meat dish, but only a “skewer” (nowadays they say: “skewer”).

"BAKLAGA"- not a flat bottle, but a “flat barrel”.

"WET"- it turns out that it’s not a “wet matter”, but simply “vodka”.

"LEACHMAN"- not cash in a “shovel”, but a “medallion”, or, as it is called in Western Ukraine, “dukach” (an elegantly framed silver or gold coin), from the word “ducat”.

"PRITON"- not a dubious establishment, but a “leash”, “hitting post”.

"SCRATCH" And "SKEDADDLE" They did not change their old semantics: they also meant “to leave, to escape” and “to run away”.

transom corresponds "FARMUZA"- that is, "alcove".

In the common vocabulary of that time there were generally a lot of snorting Polish words: “filizhanka” - “tea cup”, “flerka”, “flinka”, “findyurka” - swear words, feminine. "Figlya" - "trick".
Let's remember the textbook "figli-migli". The German “spatsir”, “spatsiruvati” - “to walk” was also used.

A.A. Moskalenko traces the ethnic origin of some dialectisms that have been preserved in the Odessa region in the vernacular and professional slang of fishermen, sailors, artisans, and gardeners for many decades.

"ANCERADA"- Italian "fisherman's cloak"

"BAKRACH"- Turkic "bucket"

"GAFUWATI"- German "to preen"

"DESEIN"- French "pattern on carpet paper"

"DUVAN"- Turkic "fisherman's share",

"DUFTATI"- Polish "to expect, to hope"

"KOLUDAR"- Tatar "lowland, valley"

"KUKAN"- Turkish “thread for stringing caught fish”, etc.

Until now (I heard it myself) some fishermen in the lower reaches of the Danube and even hydrographers call the north wind in Italian, “tramontana”, and the North Star - “stele tramontana”.

And how many Greek words entered our vocabulary in the 19th century! Let us turn, for example, to a common Russian-Greek phrasebook, “printed in Russian script,” specially published in Odessa in 1866 by the printing house of Ludwig Nitche.

Without much effort, you will find out where dozens and hundreds of words came from in our vocabulary.

"KARAPUZ"- modified Greek "watermelon"

"KIOSK"- "gazebo"

"BORA"(northern wind in Novorossiysk, causing powerful icing) - “thunderstorm”,

"MANGAL"- "brazier"

"FRANZOL"- “kalach” (how many times have I been asked why in old Odessa rolls were called franzoly!),

"PILAF"- "porridge",

"CLIMAX"- "ladder",

"BESTIALITY"- “darkness”, etc.

Not only in Italian, but also in Greek, “BESZMEN” is “kantari”, which is why the verbal Odessa version of the steel scale - “KANTER” appeared.
And what about our dear “BLAIM”, that is, discussed behind our backs? In Greek it meant “to weigh”, “to take by weight”. In our case, actions are weighed. And the myriad of terms from the then criminal jargon?

I recently wrote a script for the adventure film “Odessa Catacombs” based on the novel of the same name by V. Pravdin (1874). Pravdin made, and very ineptly, a parody of the popular book by V. Krestovsky “Petersburg Slums”, which was recently adapted into a very good television series “Petersburg Mysteries”.

I felt somehow offended for Odessa, and I, using the outline of “Odessa Catacombs” only dottedly, transferred the plot onto the rails of real events that happened here in the first half of the 1870s. Now this script has been prepared as a separate book, and in parallel, negotiations are actively underway for its film adaptation. So, in my text there are a lot of dialectisms associated with the criminal jargon of those years. And in this case, I didn’t have to invent anything, because I collected a whole collection of authentic words from the then Odessa “underground.”

It’s interesting that quite a few examples of Odessa thieves’ vocabulary are of Greek origin, which, given objective circumstances, is not surprising.

Thus, various types of mazurians use the curse word “PSIRA”, that is, as it were, “dog, dog.” In fact, they did not quite accurately rethink the Greek word "psira" - "LOUSE".

"FIGA", "figaris", that is, "detective, spy", originates from the Greek "figas" - "fugitive".

Odessa was often called "Ades" and "Hades", that is, "hell" - from the Greek "o adis". “Stingy” was what the thieves then called “obshchak”, from the Greek “broom, broom,” that is, straws collected together.

"Gang" - "board".

What about the well-known “Maza”, “pull Maza”, “patriarch of Maza” and so on? “Maza” is very simple: “together”, “en masse”.

By the way, the very word “mazuriki”, “mazura” comes from the same word “maza”. The Greeks called the Jews “chifutis”, “chifutika”, hence the name of the city of Chufut-Kale near Bakhchisarai, from where many Karaites came to Odessa, who, as is known, professed Judaism. And so on and so forth.

By the way, almost all well-known Odessa surnames, first names, and nicknames of Greek origin are also easy to interpret, since they are functional.

"KYRIAC"- "Sunday",

"STEPHEN"- "crown",

"KAMBURIS"- "hunchbacked"

"KAPNIST"- "smoked", "

"CARAVYA"- from “karavi”, that is, “ship”,

"SKUFOS"- "cap",

"KALAFATIS"- "caulker"

"ROKA"- "pendulum"

"ARKUDINSKY"- from “arkuda”, that is, “bear”,

"SKLAVOS"- "slave"

"XIDA"- from “xidi”, that is, “vinegar”,

"KRYONA"- from “cold”,

"PAGONO"- from “freeze”, “

"GERAKOV"- from “geraki”, that is, “hawk”, etc.

We, as they say, only amateurishly, with one eye, looked into that colossal crucible in which for many, many decades the spicy “Odessa language” was smelted from a variety of ingredients. We must be aware that this topic is not only immense, but, of course, requires truly encyclopedic knowledge and appropriate skills even in order to even approach it a little. They say that happiness favors the brave.

It’s just important not to overestimate your own courage, which sometimes borders on arrogance.

Photo from the Internet

Yes, that’s right, this “language” grew out of a legend. That's what it says. It turns out that the foundations of the “Odessa language” were laid by the son of the Spanish grandee, the Frenchman Deribas, who arrived from Naples. Many also consider him the first resident of Odessa. According to this legend, Deribas studied Russian from Ukrainian Cossacks. At first, the Frenchman, in his naivety, sincerely accepted what he learned from the Cossacks as the real Russian language.

True, as historians of Odessa write, Deribas was always confused by one fact: many Cossack expressions were often accompanied by the Russian phrase “vigorous mother.” The Frenchman did not really understand what this application meant. However, he probably guessed that they were talking about some kind of “mother”.

So, based solely on this knowledge, Deribas translated the legendary “Letter of the Cossacks to the Turkish Sultan” into most European languages. Moreover, through his efforts this masterpiece was brought to the attention of many European monarchs. And we must admit that Deribas’s sorrowful work was not in vain. After civilized Europe became acquainted with the “Letter...”, it immediately saw in the Zaporozhye Cossacks the true defenders of Christianity.

However, as follows from the same sources, Deribas encountered not only roses, but also thorns in the bosom of his literary and translation activities. He repeatedly received warnings from St. Petersburg that if he did not stop calling European monarchs their mothers, he would be immediately expelled from Odessa and sent to his native Naples to his father.

It is very likely that this is exactly how the so-called Odessa jargon originated. Or, if you prefer, talk. Why not, actually? Indeed, let’s take, for example, five different languages ​​and mix them thoroughly. Then we will bring the verbal “solution” to the consistency of wit, or even better, a witty anecdote. So much for the unique Odessa speech!

The brilliant Russian linguist V. Dal once, having visited Odessa, said that Odessa residents, without any doubt, are cheerful people, but they do not know how to speak Russian correctly. True, he immediately added that Russians don’t speak Odessa either. In short, it's a draw. Russians had no advantages over Odessa residents in terms of language in those years. However, it is fair to say the opposite.

And now a little philology. The Ukrainian language gave a great variety of beautiful and useful things to the Odessa dialect. First of all, I would name prepositions. This is from my own observations. And I often visited Odessa. And I even spent a long time in the “Pearl by the Sea” and its environs. See. So, as they say in those parts, I have something to say. And I want to say this. Sorry for the tautology. During the time spent, I came to a firm conviction: Odessa residents, for the most part, are busy people.

This is probably why they don’t have much time to search for various prepositions and other interjections. Here are the guys who don’t think hard about what excuse to adapt to this or that word in order to simply talk, quarrel or tell something about marriage.

A real Odessa resident, as far as I have been able to figure out, uses prepositions wherever possible. However, more often - precisely where this is completely impossible from the point of view of a more or less literate Russian-speaking person.

And here is another feature of the “Odessa dialect”. For some reason, Odessa residents always choose the most inappropriate of two prepositions. I will confirm the thesis with a couple of examples. In this cheerful city they laugh not “at someone”, but “from someone”, they do not address “to someone”, but “to someone”.

There is definitely something to be missed here. Spectators “behind the theater”, sellers “behind the buyer”, wives “behind their husbands”, etc. But what often puzzled me is that in Odessa they speak not “about someone,” but “for someone.”

For clarity, a small typical Odessa dialogue on the topic of marriage, which is relevant at all times.

A groom comes, say, to Odessa to get married:

Bendersky, let's talk about your daughter, I want to marry her.

Have you already asked your wife?

Yes, but I like my daughter better!

Indeed, what is there to talk about!

Linguists say that it is best to swear in German, to declare love in French, and to conduct scientific discussions in English. But having visited Privoz, the chic Odessa bazaar, I can confidently say that the Odessa style is the most convenient way to bargain.

But on Privoz, trade is not a primitive process of exchanging goods for money. Here all the pleasures are in one vessel: swearing, declarations of love, and even scientific discussion at the same time. This is where I consider it my duty to definitely note the invaluable contribution of the colorful Jewish language to the Odessa folk hubbub.

Yiddish unimaginably brightly colors the inimitable skill of Odessa trade. And mainly thanks to his original art of oaths and curses.

Of the oaths, as the simplest and most universal, I would first of all name this one: “May I live like this!” In the arsenal of Odessa residents, of course, there are others. True, they are, at least from my point of view, more risky. Well, take this one: “I hope I don’t get where I’m going!” Or another equally dangerous one: “I swear by my eerie beauty!”

But what especially struck me. Occasionally, after the seller and buyer finally shook hands, that is, made a deal, their relationship abruptly moved into the next phase. I would call her unfriendly. This is what I sometimes heard at the end of the trading process.

Well, sort of like, on the road: “So that I can see you on one leg, and you can see me with one eye!” And once even this: “So that all your teeth fall out and only one remains for pain!” The dentist must have cursed it. But what a scoundrel! He also did not forget his self-interest.

Another, after oaths and curses, the most popular genre of Odessa colloquial language, according to my observations, is scandal. Speaking in Odessa, this is something special! I’ll say more in Russian: this is, without any doubt, the most beautiful and poetic thing that has been created to date in Odessa folklore, unique in its humor.

And what unexpected epithets do Odessa residents use?! How colorfully and figuratively they decorate their speech! For example, how do you like this episode:

A former citizen comes to Odessa from prosperous Switzerland. Naturally, at a set table in the circle of family and friends, he immediately begins to praise his life there. However, his tirade is interrupted by a remark:

I apologize, dear Chaim, that you have been talking to me for so long about Switzerland. I’d better tell you for Odessa: so, in Geneva you’re a smart girl, but here in Odessa you’re barely an idiot! Our standard of living is the highest in the world. Which of your Swiss sharks of capitalism can afford to carry two hundred grams of gold teeth in its gnaw? And I beg you, don’t make such a lemon face at me.

And further. I have repeatedly attended “banquets” in Odessa courtyards. How attentive and caring these ordinary people behave at the table! Well, at least this phrase that I accidentally overheard:

I apologize, you guys fell asleep with your face right in the jellied meat, put them in the Olivier salad. Otherwise you'll catch a cold!

The Odessa language is relatively young. For this reason, it lacks all sorts of epics, legends and other various epics. All that is most beautiful, bright and sacred among Odessa residents is embodied in scandal. It is so familiar and ordinary to the mentality of an Odessa resident that it is a rare child in Odessa who can fall asleep without a scandal. They even say that little Odessa residents sometimes literally ask like this before going to bed: “Mom, there’s finally a scandal with Aunt Sima, I really can’t sleep!”

The reason for a scandal can be anything. Well, at least this one:

– Rose, how do you like my new dress?
– Sorry, Sarah, I’m in a hurry, I don’t have time for scandals right now!

Odessa speech is indescribably rich and varied. After all, Odessa residents have never been confused by any rules of grammar: declensions, conjugations, agreements and other cases. Well, I want to especially note the cases. In these parts they were always dealt with in a primitive manner. However, one might say it is brilliant.

For example, if an Odessa resident is not sure which of the two cases is more suitable for his tricky phrase, he will not hesitate. Will discard both. Well, what next? That's right, he will do it the Odessa way, i.e. will choose the third case, probably the most inappropriate one. But, surprisingly, anyone can understand such a phrase. And what’s even more surprising is that you don’t even need any explanations or, to put it scientifically, comments.

While trying on a suit, the tailor has a typical Odessa conversation with the customer, a theater actor:

Do you think, young man, that the most important thing on stage is the actor? So I’ll tell you, no. The main thing on a good stage is a suit. Of course, of course, and you are into it, that is. more precisely - in it. Because without my style, you, even if you were as healthy as hell, will remain his, that is, his!

And yet I don’t want to accuse Odessa residents of illiteracy. Especially Odessa residents. And more precisely, those of them who were lucky enough to receive a higher education in the humanities. Of course, an example:

For example, on Aleksandrovsky Prospekt, opposite the elite gymnasium No. 1, a mother is sitting on a bench. My son is nearby. By all accounts, not an excellent student. But the boy himself is round. An Odessa resident would say: “Look how pink the boy’s cheeks are! You can even slightly add a pale look to them.”

It is clear from the remarks that the conversation is about the Russian language.

Mother! How should you write it in your essay: “flikonchik” or “flaskonchik”?

Mommy, a curvaceous Odessa native with a first-class bust, a graduate of the Odessa philological department, immediately reacts:

Well, what do they teach there in your first gymnasium?! By the way, for mine, I swear by my mother-in-law, not bad pennies at all. In short, it was correct to write “pizarek”. I don’t know how our professor wrote there, but he always said that way.

By the way, a woman has always occupied an honorable place in Odessa folklore. I would even call it significant. But not so much in terms of significance, as literally in terms of the space occupied. And again an example:

She thinks she has a figure. So I’ll tell you, yes or no: she has FEGura. You can tell her this: if the lady doesn’t stop having breakfast at night, you can then see what she will have in six months - FE or FI? Well, in the meantime, admire so much female beauty at once!

Odessa residents are simply obsessed with the sanctity of private property rights. This is probably why their most popular word is “have”. In Odessa they have everything, everything, everyone, and always in large quantities. Here is just a tiny selection: “I don’t have time”, “What do you have to do with me?”, “I had to go to you”, etc. etc. And here is the Odessa dialogue corresponding to the topic:

David, today I dreamed of your wife.

And what did she have to say?

I don’t remember exactly, but it seems like nothing.

Then it definitely wasn’t my wife. My Rose always has something to say.

Or this:

Oh, Yashenka! Ours for you with a brush! How do you feel about yourself? They say you got married successfully?

Who introduced you to your wife?

No, no, I wish you were healthy for me, I don’t blame anyone...

Now a few words about Odessa issues. As is well known, the rhetorical question has long been considered the pinnacle of wisdom. Let me remind you that this question does not require an answer. From my point of view, the Odessa question is much wiser and incomparably deeper in meaning. He doesn't require an answer either.

But, just think, the question is unanswered! Today, such questions hanging in the air cannot be counted in Russia alone. But Odessa residents ask a question in such a way that you can’t answer it in any other way except in Hebrew, i.e. counter question. Here are some typical Odessa dialogues consisting of only questions:

Auntie, why don’t you still get married?

Will anyone take me?

So, have you already asked everyone?

A conversation between two fishermen on a concrete breakwater of one of the Odessa beaches:

Will you give me a worm?

Do you need a worm?

Do you have it as extra?

Do I know?

Mr. Kharchevsky, do you know what Kuptsevich did?

And what did he throw out that is impossible to find?

He took it and died in the midst of complete health! Are you going to his funeral?

Who do you take me for? Why did I quarrel with my brains? Is he

Will it come to mine?

Tsilya! Why don't you ask how I live?
- So I’ll ask you, Rose, how do you live?
- Oh, Tsilya, don’t ask!

Is it true that in Odessa they always answer a question with a question?
- Who told you this?!

And yet I want to pay tribute to the people of Odessa. No matter what envious people say about them, they are an extremely cultured people. Really, how can you think otherwise? They apologize literally at every step. True, Odessa residents pronounce the word “sorry” differently from all other Russian speakers. It’s clear that they do this in their Odessa manner – “I’m sorry.”

And there is a very deep logic in this approach to the magic word. As far as I understand, no one excuses anyone in Odessa. People here are extremely apologetic. Well, at least this example:

The patient comes running to the doctor and immediately apologizes: “Doctor, I’m wildly sorry, but they told me that only you can help. My last name is Katz. I know yours. Here follows a detailed answer:

Alas, Katz, but medicine is powerless here. You have known for a very long time that I am a cultured person. And I could say with surprise: except for you, everyone without exception in Modavank and half of Peresyp knows this news. There’s no point in repeating for them. But for you personally, I will still invest a couple of minutes in your little education. No, no, mine doesn’t need your money yet.

I’ll earn them for myself later, when you understand everything and don’t have to walk through the whole Peresyp anymore. Well, let's continue our higher education. My friendship with Khaya z Debasovskaya was not in vain. You remember her too. She taught at the gymnasium for 30 years. Well, there are all sorts of polkas and various string bags and bags. I know what else... So I’ll add to you: a brilliant lady!

No, no, dear, don’t blow bubbles out of your mouth yet, you may very likely regret your completely uncultured behavior for this. Well, I was a little mistaken, then the Red Bolsheviks called our gymnasiums, I apologize wildly, schools. A shame!!! Is it really possible to teach Jewish children anything from them? Okay, I won’t talk about that shame. Here you are, dear Katz, think not with your head, but with your brains.

Let me add a little rudeness: they think with their heads, but all Jews think with their brains. This is not for you to click seeds on Privoz. And, let me tell you, it’s not a new thing at all. The most honest red communist, although a non-Jew, Yeltsin, defended our Jews with them for a long time. Sorry, sorry, I always asked you not to make such a sour face at me. If I said I’ll answer your stupid question, then you know I won’t get lost. Ask any Odessa resident.

Well, here’s what I’ll tell you, my dear pos, i.e. I'm so sorry - mine is smarter. And at the end of our short conversation, I will answer: do not be offended by my clever assumption, you can even say in a scientific way a question - a thesis. Yes, yes and no. No, I don’t understand: you must have thought that you were taking money from me. It's the taxi driver's money and time. For Jews, money is money. Therefore, I’ll just say two words, since you had information that my last name is also not Ivanov, but just Klugerman, who were you dragging along the whole Peresyp?”

Another fact shows that Odessa residents are extremely cultured people. They, like no one else, have learned to elegantly dress a strong word in an intelligent form. Of course, an example:

Don't be fooled by the place where the back ends its noble name.

Or an example of a euphemism: “Straighten your tie, dear Fima. Lower, lower, even lower. Oh, right here!!!

There is a lot more that can be said about the Odessa language. But I personally have long been convinced that it is incomparably more interesting to listen to him. To put it nicely, eat. And this is not an easy beautiful word. After all, the aromatic, one might say delicious, language of Odessa residents was born in the kitchen, mixing and absorbing all the tastes and aromas that exist in this world.

Born in the hustle and bustle of the kitchen and the cramped courtyards of Odessa, it smells of garlic and nutmeg at the same time. This, however, is not entirely a literary language, i.e. it is not printed. Nevertheless, with its help, even a dry, ordinary recipe for, say, ordinary borscht, a real Odessa resident, or even better, an Odessa resident, can easily turn into a big, exciting novel. With many chapters, dozens of characters, a prologue, an epilogue and even an obituary, if it comes to the neighbor’s borscht.

And this is just some kind of borscht! But you understand well that in Odessa there are many more important things? It’s hard to imagine how much more funny and wise things Odessa wits can write. Or at least tell it.

Yes, this is certainly a historical fact: Odessa is a pearl by the sea, a rich city with glorious historical traditions. And yet its main asset, at least from my point of view, is its unique language. To understand it, it is enough to simply have a sense of humor, but to speak it, you must, at a minimum, be born in Odessa.

A is the first letter of the alphabet, which in Odessa often becomes the last...
Bora, come out of the pestilence! (meaning, from the sea)
In addition, the letter “A” often begins phrases with a negative connotation.
Ah, the weather! (bad)
IS IT NOT HOHO? - "You do not want anything else?"
AND WHAT IS THIS is the most convincing argument in the dispute.
ADIYOT – idiot, short form – ADYA.
And ITSIN TRACTOR - I imagined.
ANTON (aka APPARATUS) is the male reproductive organ.
ARTEL "WASTE WORK" - work performed by the Sisyphus team.
further under cat
B

BANANA (same as Anton, see)
BANANA FOR YOU – a delicate form of the expression “Banana in your mouth”
PREGNANT HEAD – swollen from unnecessary conversations.
FOLLOW ME as an example - instruction.
BLADIKI - not what you thought, but 1) a dance evening; 2) date.

YOU WASN'T STANDING HERE - a polite warning about a possible conflict.
VIEW TO THE SEA AND BACK - depends on the intonation: either bad or good.
VITAMIN DE – money
VITAMIN CE – products: salce, beer, vince, myasce, etc.
TAKE YOUR EYES IN YOUR HANDS - look more carefully.
GIVE IT TO EVERYONE - THE BED WILL BREAK - a proverb like “not enough for yourself.”
TEARED YEARS are troubles.

GAVRIK - subordinate.
GAS HURRICANE - severe intoxication.
GELEMTER-MODETS is a clumsy person whose hands grow from the wrong place...
GESHEFT - deal, business. GESHEFTMAKHER is a businessman.
NAKED VASSER (VASYA) – useless.
GEC is a hot-tempered person.

YES - with Odessa intonation, probably not.
TWO ASSHOLES IN THREE ROWS - a pair of idiots whose idiocy cannot be matched.
TWO RUBLES? YOU WANT IT WELL! - dispute at the market.
TO MAKE SOMEONE FUN is to cause trouble.
DOLPHIN - a corpse found in the sea.
UNTIL THE FUCKING BROWN EYES - complete indifference.

JEWISH HAPPINESS is the opposite of happiness.
HEDGEHOG, SAME F – same.
GOING is the traditional readiness of Odessa residents.

FOR YOUR COFFIN FROM A HUNDRED YEAR OLD OAK THAT WE WILL PLANT TOMORROW - for your health.
ZAY A MENSH – “be a man” (Spanish – “be kind”, “I ask you”)
SHUT YOUR MOUTH – stop talking.
BORROW - lend.

IZ – “from”, but maybe “with”...
OR - or else!
HAD TO HAVE – a delicate form of swearing.
YOKALAMENE - among cultured people it is used when you want to say specific words, but have to be content with only individual letters.

KABYZDOKH is a popular pet name.
EVERYONE – anyone.
HOW DO YOU LIKE IT – what do you say to that?
JUST THAT CASE - you will wait a long time.
HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE IN YOUR FACE - a compliment.
SAUSAGE TRIMs are a reproach for professional unsuitability.
RUNNING AROUND - in the end.
TWISTING BUTTONS - being self-willed.
BUY YOURSELF A ROOSTER AND ROCK HIM EGGS - leave me alone!

LEMON MUZZLE – sour face.
CATCH WOOF - yawn.
PEOPLE! – a cry from the heart, intended for everyone.

MOM BENIN is a hospitable woman, capable of receiving and warming everyone who is sent to her.
DEAD BJOLI DO NOT HONK – equiv. “heavy alcohol intoxication of the 3rd degree”
MY ENEMIES HAVE SUCH LIFE WITH THAT MELIHA - they live “good” in our state.
YOUNG MAN – referring to a man aged 18 to 70 years.

ON MEDICATIONS is a threat.
FOR A MINUTE – “wow!”
OUR MAN is a Jew.
DON'T THROW YOUR EYEBROWS ON YOUR FOREHEAD! - do not be surprised.
I DON'T SEE TICKETS! - pay for travel.
DON'T PISE IN THE COMPOTE - THE TOMATOES WILL SOUR - don't dig a hole for someone else, you'll fail yourself.
WELL! - “And you’re still telling me about this?”

ABOUT! - one of the most Odessa words, can include almost any feeling and experience.
WHAT WE SEE ABOUT is the result of life observations.
OYC is a tragedy in life.
HALF IS NOW LEFT OF MANI, AND WHAT SIDES SHE HAD! – discussion of appearance.
OTSYM-POTSYM (OTsN-POTSN) - inopportunely, suddenly. An expression indicating extreme irritation.
OTSYM-POTSYM, TWENTY-EIGHT – the next, stronger degree of otsim-potsym.

STOP SAYING - and don't speak; don't talk nonsense.
THE FLOOR STANDS ON END UNDER HIM - he can barely stand on his feet.
LOOK AT DUKE FROM THE HATCH – go to….
LOST (AYA) - a rude curse word.

WORKING ON THE TOILET is a job from which the earnings are only enough for food.
SPREADING PORridge - talking a lot in vain.
CRAPEASTS - shrimp.
ROGOMET – comes from a village.

SAM – one.
FREE EARS – grateful listener.
SIT AND RIDE – roughly, “relax and don’t disturb serious people doing their thing!”
TITS AND PUSSIES - Meat pies or chebureks, for the production of which minced meat was used from beef selected for these purposes.
DRAIN THE WATER! – stop unnecessary conversation.
SPECIALIST – portach.
A QUESTION IS ASKED – a question arises.
AMONG HERE – in this place. Opposite - IN THE MIDDLE OF THERE.

SO ON SO - for no reason.
TAKI is an intensifying particle.
GOODS TO THE HOMELAND – return the items.
To vomit on your nerves - to reprimand.
THIRD TOAST – traditional. "for those who are at sea."

GET KILLED WITH A BROOM! – pleasant surprise.
ALREADY OR ELSE - a traditional question at the bazaar, it means: you have already reduced the price, it is taken into account that the day is ending, or the product costs the same as in the morning.

WASTE WITH MONEY - waste it.
A POUND OF RAISINS is a unique measure.

HA – you will tell me.
COLD PHOTOGRAPHER – shooting on the street.
WELL LITERATE – smart, businesslike.
WANTING WELL – wanting too much.

CENTRAL LAUNDRY - you can send any complaint there, bypassing the authorities, the result is the same.
CIRCUS is funny on the one hand, and sad on the other.

THROUGH WHY – because of what?
WHAT WILL I HAVE FROM THIS? - the main question of philosophy.
Just so YOU ​​KNOW, cut it on your nose.
SO THAT YOU DIE - a universal Odessa wish.
SO YES, SO NO - not entirely true.
SO THAT I SEE THIS THROUGH MY EYES - an oath.

SHA! - quiet!
CATCH SHAMILA - drink to the squirrel.
SHANETS is a chance, but a small one.
WHAT IS THIS? - What’s all the noise, but there’s no fight?
NECK WASHED – readiness No. 1.
TO GRIND YOUR EARS – to lie.
WHAT I KNEW SO I DON'T KNOW - I don't have the slightest idea.

RIGHT NOW! - “ran away!”...

Y is a letter that many Odessa residents cannot pronounce.

EXPRESSIONISM – the Odessa-Moscow express train, on which the “Zionists” traveled to the capital of Russia to fly from there to Israel.
IT'S YOU IN Kyiv GROYSE HUCHEM, AND IN ODESSA - BARELY POTTS - you're a big man in Kyiv, and in Odessa...

I BEG YOU – 1) don’t worry; 2) there would be something to talk about (ironic)
I FOUND YOU out - I found out everything about you
I KNOW? – I find it difficult to answer.

Odessa slang (jargon, dialect)

Let's talk about Odessa? In films about Odessa and Odessa residents, the most touching thing is Odessa slang. “Oil painting” or the expression “What do you want from under me?” - will certainly make you smile.

Repeat “As they say here in Odessa”, “Talk over here” - try to duplicate Odessa slang. I have something to tell you...

27 bright phrases of Odessa slang

1. Are you leaving, thank God? Or are you staying, God forbid?
2. Now I’ll make a scandal for you and you’ll have fun.
3. You're stopping me from being impressed!
4. I wish I had forgotten you as much as I remember you!
5. Your foot is across my throat.
6. Don't hit so hard! You'll sweat!
7. It's on you to throw it away! He took it and died in the midst of full health!
8. What do you want from my life?
9. Don't ask questions.
10. Don't run so fast, or you'll give yourself a heart attack!
11. Maybe you had a fight with your brains?
12. Smile! Tomorrow it will be even worse.
13. Remove opinion from your face!
14. You will buy? Or should I forget for you forever?
15. Man, why are you leaning ahead of me?
16. What a wonderful hip composition! (compliment to a lady)
17. The place where the back ends its noble name.
18. You are telling this here in all seriousness, without risking anything.
19. I'm definitely starting to like you!
20. The man got married. Well, I feel sorry for him, of course.
21. How much seven eight will be depends on whether we are selling or buying.
22. If you think that you are not late, then I will tell you that you are.
23. Don't try to persuade me, otherwise I'll agree.
24. Bikitser, this bodega has good wine.
25. They attacked with all the gamuz.
26. Take a break from this thought!
27. So this is a completely different matter! Two big differences!

Only some examples of Odessa slang need explanation, and only because they appear in the text without reference to action. That is, there is a need to explain when there is no clarity. And where there is a scene with characters, Odessa slang is completely and absolutely understandable.

• Stop these things for me!
• Listen!
• What is this? (What's the big deal, exactly?)
• Breathe through your nose! (don't be nervous and keep quiet)
• I am ready to listen for your request.
• You weren't standing here.
• Let the steamer move. (let me pass)
• Are you in a hurry faster than us?!
• Panties for swimming. (Swim trunks)
• Won't you feel nauseous? (Aren't you taking on too much?)
• I respect you, although I have already forgotten why!
• I'm wildly sorry! (polite insolence)
• Does this ass have something to tell me?
• I can't hear you because I can't see you.
• Get off the wheel! (Don't tell me)
• Close your mouth, the fillings will fly out!
• Everyone who is hot in the head, unite!
• Fima, don't get on my nerves!
• Scared the cat with a sausage.
• Don't need these details!
• Get your goat out from under my window!
  - Is it bad for her to graze there?
• I’m not interested in walking around Odessa alone with you!
• You are a figure there, but in Odessa you are a nobody.
• Why are you yelling so loudly in the middle of the street?
• Oto CementoVoz. (There's a police car over there)
• Mentality. (police department)
• Some impudent guy was touching me with all his hands here!
• And where are these hands now with him?
  - It's already gone.
• Speak for the poor. (idle chatter, chatter)
• Why is there a foreign body in the house? (about an uninvited guest)
• I didn't understand! So what do you propose?
• Arrogant, like a traffic cop from a prestigious intersection.
• Don't play around!
• Kill yourself with a broom! (Who do I see!)
• Do I know? (I doubt)
• Don't give me a pregnant head!
• Can you still be adopted?
• Right now, I've run away! (I do not want)
• I know it for myself, but you think about it.
• You will laugh, but our country has suffered a heavy loss! (about the magnificent funeral of the national leader)
• Well, look at this patriot at my expense!
• And you will get a profit. (luck)
• How do you feel? (how do you feel)
• I didn’t understand something! I need it? (extreme bewilderment)
• Why are you rummaging through sausage scraps? (Hint of your complete incompetence)

Odessa joke in Odessa slang

The Bundes is full of tsimes! Firstly, I receive three benefits: as an unemployed person, as a refugee, as a descendant of Holocaust victims. I wish you lived like that! Secondly, there is a good climate, beautiful shiksa and tasty, although not kosher, food. Thirdly, mit compote, I have a wonderful job - I work in a crematorium. Naumchik, we are burning the Germans! And yesterday I watched a program - the countries of Benny Lux. This Odessa Jew managed to buy up half of Europe!

From the Odessa slang dictionary

• Shiksa - blonde
• Same Tsimes of the situation (Essence; in principle, can mean any thing)
• Potz (bad boy, fool)
• Bikitser (in short)
• Gamuz (crowd)
• Bodega (basement inn)

How is Izya?

Odessa:
- Yesterday I saw two girls swimming on the beach! So completely naked!
- I beg you, in this cold...Probably walruses!
- Well, the older one is definitely a walrus, but the second one is still pretty...

Moishe, is it true that you are marrying Sarah just because she has a crush?
- Abrash, and did you believe that these people were speaking for me?! Lies! I'm marrying her because I don't have a penny.

A 100-year-old Jew fell ill. His old 105-year-old friend comes to him and asks:
- What’s wrong with you, Abram, how are you feeling?
- Azokhn vey, Izya... I’ll probably have to stand before God!
- Abram, then I have a small request for you. If he asks you: “How is Izya? What about Izya? - You haven’t seen me, haven’t heard me, and don’t know anything about me.

The airport customs officer asks the old Jew:
-Where did you come from?
- What profits are you making? Just losses...

Little rose, my dear, finish with the dishes. You, not the dishwasher. So go wash the floor!

During an atheism lesson at school, the teacher gives the children a task:
- Children, shout to the sky - “There is no God!” - everyone starts shouting together, “There is no God!”
And then she notices that one Jewish boy is standing silently. She asks him:
- Yasha, why are you silent?
To which Yasha replies:
- So, if there is no one there, then why shout? And if there is someone there, then why spoil the relationship?

So, you can come to Israel and have your own guide?
- It’s not necessary to have a guide, he’ll tell you everything about the country!

Rabinovich, remember last year you borrowed a hundred rubles from me?
- Young man, anyone will tell you for my phenomenal memory. I still remember everything perfectly, so what?
- And if you remember, then tell me when I will get them back?
- How should I know this? What am I to you, a prophet?

Father - daughters:
- Marry Abram. He definitely loves you.
-Are you sure, dad?
- Absolutely! I’ve been borrowing money from him for six months now, but he still continues to come to us.

Moishe died of a heart attack while playing cards. We need to tell his wife, but no one dares to do this. The choice fell on Aron, who was the calmest. He comes to the house of the deceased, knocks on the door:
- I'm from Katzman.
- Is this from the one whose hubby hangs around all the time playing cards?
- Yes.
- And he plays?
- Yes.
- And, probably, as always, he loses?
- Exactly, he loses.
- He's dead, you bastard!
- Yes already!

Rabinovich, would you like to come in and have some tea?
- Why not?
- Well, no, no.

Conversation between two Jews:
- Monya! Do you play the clarinet?
- No.
- And your brother?
- Yes!
- What "yes"?
- Also no.

Customer in Abram's store:
- Tell me, do you have yellow fabric?
Abram shows a roll of fabric. Buyer with a smile:
- So it’s black.
Abram takes out two more rolls from the warehouse. Buyer:
- Excellent quality, it’s just a pity that one roll is red and the other is blue!!
Abram:
- You know, maybe it’s completely yellow, but no.

Moishe, where are you going in such a hurry?
- To the stop...
- Shaw, are you going somewhere? Are you already late?
- No, Aunt Tsilya is making me a jacket, she asked me to collect buttons...

Sarochka, I beg you, don’t go outside, I’m worried about your health.
- What is it?
- Yesterday in the pharmacy I heard that a maniac had appeared in Odessa who was killing prostitutes...
- Don’t fool me, Rose, what do I have to do with it?!
- You didn’t listen to me, and neither did the bastard.

Two Jews meet. One says to the other:
- Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I listened to the Beatles live, and I absolutely didn’t like it. They are fake, they burr, it’s terrible!
Second:
- Where did you listen to them?
- Moishe sang it for me.

Do you remember Moishe, who lived opposite the prison?
- Yes, so what?
- So now he lives opposite the house...

More cool and funny jokes about Jews, Odessa and ? We do have them.