kofe

[J.W.]

Perhaps some of you have already heard this account, told me quite a few
years ago (I may not have remembered all the details correctly, but the
main point is valid.

Researchers stood near a kiosk that sold coffee & pastries on a Moscow
street, to listen as to how many Russians had the gender of the word
"kofe" correct.  Without exception, everyone who used it in the context
of an adjective said "odno kofe".  Then came one young chap who asked
for "odin kofe".  Finally, thought the researchers, someone who knows
his grammar!  However, his whole order turned out to be: "odin kofe,
odin bulochka".

So much for grammatical correctness!

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