KHMYR' and "CREEP"

[Edward M Dumanis]

However, there is nothing creepy in khmyr' by itself. Khmyr' can be creepy
but not necessarily.
I would suggest (depending on the desirable degree of vulgariry) loser,
schmuck, or asshole. At the same time, depending on the context, some
other specific-to-that-context translations might be more favorable.
For example, in already cited line of Voznesensky's poem "Antimiry," an
expression "nauchnyj khmyr'" would correspond to "egghead."

Sincerely,

Edward Dumanis <dumanis at buffalo.edu>

On Sat, 18 Jun 2005, David Powelstock wrote:

> 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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