Kopijka

[Loren A. BILLINGS]

I don't believe that anybody mentioned the etymology of this word on the
list during the recent discussion of it.  I really don't know about the
Ukrainian _kopijka_, but the Russian word _kopejka_ 'penny' (1/100 rouble)
is supposedly derived from _kop'e_ 'spear'.  One person tells me that the
Russian coin had a depiction of St. George and the Dragon.  Who's to say if
this is a Russianism in Ukrainian?  At worst, it seems, _kopijka_ is the
Ukrainian variant of a word that arose within the Russian Empire while much
of _Ukra(j)ina_ 'the Ukraine' was part of it.  Can anyone clarify the
picture with more accurate details?

Ironically, if inflation continues the way it has in that country, there
may not need to be a word for '1/100 _hrivnja_' for very much longer.
Thus, the nationally-minded should cling to this apparent Russo-relic as a
vote of confidence in their country's fledgling economy!


Loren A. BILLINGS

1748 Slaterville Rd., Apt. 4
Ithaca, NY 15850 U.S.A.

e-mail:  lab24 at cornell.edu

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