Derivation of the Word "Zhid" in Slavic Languages

[Stephen Bobick]

Dorohi SEELangci!

I would appreciate any comments concerning the etymology of the word
"zhid" (Russian) and its variants in the various Slavic languages.
Specifically, I would like to know:

  1) The etymology of the word in the various Slavic languages.
  2) In which languages the word has taken on negative, inflammatory
     connotations.
  3) In the case that the word has taken negative connotations in a given
     language, I would like to know when this occurred and how/why.

I am especially interested in the etymology and use of the word "zhyd"
in Ukrainian.  I have been informed that historically, the word has *no*
negative connotations, and that it's use in classical literature is
by itself in no way an indicator of antisemitism on the part of an author.
I'd especially like to hear comments on the difference in connotations of
the word in the Western versus Eastern Ukraine.  I'd expect that the word
carries more negative meaning in the more-Russified/Russophonic East, but
would like to know, again, when this occurred.

Lastly, I have a similar question the etymology of the word "kike", which
I have seen used as a translation for the Russian word "zhid".  Specifically,
I found the following entry in "Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary"
which piqued my interest:

  kike n. [prob. alter. of kiki, redupl. of -ki common ending of names of
  Jews who lived in Slavic countries] (1904):  JEW -- usu. taken to be
  offensive.

Could anyone comment on the proposed derivation of the word suggested
above?

Lastly, I am a non-specialist, so if these questions are readily accessible
in books, or are common knowledge, then please excuse my intruston.

Duzhe Vam dyakuyu zazdalehid',

-- Stepan Bobyk