KHMYR' and "CREEP"

[David Powelstock]

And how many SEELANGERs remember the blassib Monty Python skit with the
blerk who pronounce the letter "c" as "b," until a helpful bustomer suggest
he spell bolor supplement with a "k": kolor supplement.  That's the klassik
MP skit with the klerk and the kustomer.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Slavic & East European Languages and Literature list
> [mailto:SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU] On Behalf Of colkitto
> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 1:27 PM
> To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
> Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] KHMYR' and "CREEP"
>
> and as a footnote, if "creep" is selected as a rough
> equivalent for "khmyr", how would one render the interplay
> between c and k used for humorous effect in English (which
> might bring us even closer to khmyr if such a touch is added,
> cf. "khmyr ' is roughly equivalent to "kreep"?), e.g., Kreepy
> Krow ( the ghost of Krow, from the video game Donkey Kong).
> Ages ago, one of the Keystone Cops cartoon series had nearly
> all c's replaced by k's, which added slightly to the humour.
>
> as I write this, I can't  think of a Russian equivalent, but
> maybe replacing all ?  in a similar Ukrainian piece with  ?......?
>
> Robert Orr
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steven Hill" <s-hill4 at UIUC.EDU>
> To: <SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU>
> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 9:33 AM
> Subject: [SEELANGS] KHMYR' and "CREEP"
>
>
> > Dear helpful colleagues:
> >
> > I am grateful to several  helpful folks who contributed
> great  ideas in my
> > search for the
> > colloquial English equivalent(s)  of  KHMYR'.   (David Powelstock's
> > summary is attached
> > below.)
> >
> > As I've looked back over your suggestions, a somewhat
> unsavory English
> > nickname
> > occurred to me:  "CREEP."  (E.g., "you creep!"; "that
> creep!")   Tempting,
> > but it may not
> > quite fit KHMYR'.
> >
> > "Creep" seems a bit strong to be used as a nickname borne
> by an unlucky
> > "Everyman"
> > character in a film from 1935 ("SCHAST'E,"  rural anti-kulak
> > comedy-fantasy directed
> > by Medvedkin), or from 1971 ("DZHENTEL'MENY UDACHI"), where
> KHMYR' is one
> > of
> > the gang of amusing crooks, played by the master of timid
> inepitude, the
> > late, great
> > Georgii Vitsin).  Difficult for me to think of my favorite
> Russian actor,
> > Vitsin, as a
> > "Creep."   For him, at least, I suppose "Sourpuss" or
> "Low-Life" or "Sad
> > Sack" or
> > "Grouch" might  work better....
> >
> > Perhaps Russian  usage has changed in the present decade, and is it
> > possible that
> > today (unlike 1935 or 1971), KHMYR' may be taking on a
> connotation rather
> > close
> > to "CREEP" in colloquial English?
> >
> > With appreciation,
> > Steven P Hill,
> > University of Illinois.
> > _ __ __ __ __ _ __ __ __ _ __ __
> >
> > Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2005 18:43:20 -0400
> > From: David Powelstock <pstock at BRANDEIS.EDU>
> > Subject: Re: translating colloquial word
> >
> > I'm still not sure I have a very good grip on the
> connotations of the
> > word.
> > It seems to have elements of "sad sack," "sourpuss," "lowlife," and
> > "loser."
> > Perhaps someone could try to locate "khmyr'" among these
> reference points?
> >
> > David P(owelstock).
> > __ _ __ __ __ _ __ __ _
> >
> >
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