“Spiral of Gopnik Swagger,” 2022
Art by Daniil Kudryashov
Tagged: criminal subcultures
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Bear Witness
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Bear Witness
Russian Criminal Slang: Fenya and Its Origins
Every culture has its hidden codes, and in Russia that secret language is known as Fenya — the criminal slang born in prisons, back alleys, and underworld dealings. More than just words, Fenya is a mirror of history: a mix of old peddlers’ speech, Yiddish borrowings, and Odessa street talk. Today, many Fenya expressions have slipped into everyday Russian, sometimes with humor, sometimes with menace. Let’s take a closer look at this unique linguistic world. Excerpt from Yuri Koval — So, you po fene botaesh (по фене ботаешь, po fene botaesh)? — Do you speak in thieves’ cant? — Botayu (ботаю, botayu). — I do. I speak it as hard as I can. — And do you po-ryb’i chirikaesh (по-рыбьи чирикаешь, po-ryb’i chirikaesh)? — Can you chirp in “fish talk”? — Chirikayu (чирикаю, chirikayu). — I chirp. — You lie, starling! You’re na bugaya beresh (на бугая берёшь, na bugaya…
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