"Durak" (Fool) Arguably the most common of native Russian insults. It must be noted that "fools" appeared relatively recently in Russia: the word entered widespread use in the second half of the 17th century, thanks to Archpriest Avvakum. The leader of the Old Believers used this term to scornfully describe admirers of "demonic wisdom" such as rhetoric and philosophy. Interestingly, defenders of the Old Belief later began calling supporters of the liturgical reforms of Patriarch Nikon "fools." Avvakum likely borrowed this word from the skomorokh (wandering entertainers) culture: it was probably the name of one of their troupes. Linguists believe "durak" derives from the Indo-European root dur ("to bite") and literally translates to "bitten" or "stung." It is thought that the title "fool" was tied to an initiation ritual among skomorokhs—one theory suggests the person had to endure a viper's bite. If true, the proverb "a fool spots another fool from afar" likely originally referred to skomorokhs. "Svoloch" (Scoundrel) This word stems from the verb "to drag" ("волочить"). Originally, "svoloch" meant "dragged refuse." Later, it was applied to vagabonds and other "worthless people." "Podlets" (Scoundrel) This insult was borrowed from Lithuanians, who used the term "base" for people of lowly origin. As late as the 18th century, the term "base people" was an official designation for "irregular" townsfolk who did not belong to the petite bourgeoisie. These were typically unskilled laborers or migrants from villages living in semi-legal conditions. By the late 18th century, "podlets" and "padla" entered the vocabulary of bourgeois intolerance. "Podonok" (Scum) Originally, the plural "podonki" peacefully coexisted in Russian lexicon for centuries, referring to liquid residues at the bottom of a container. In the 19th century, someone cleverly extended the term to describe tavern dwellers who drank others' leftovers. Eventually, "podonki of society" emerged to label urban social outcasts. "Merzavets" (Bastard) The precise origin of this word remains unclear. However, linguists generally agree that "merzavets" (or "mraz") is related to "frost" ("moroz"). The term may have referred to criminals executed by drowning under ice, believed in Russian tradition to become restless spirits or vampires. "Dryan" (Trash) Initially used to describe something "stripped"—like tree bark or animal hide. Later, linguists suggest, it came to mean something worthless. Some exotic theories link the term to executions by flaying, referring to people "worthy" of such a fate. "Bydlo" (Cattle) The word is straightforward: "bydlo" means "cattle" in Polish. Polish nobles used it to refer to agricultural workers. Russian nobles adopted the term, which spread into bourgeois vocabulary. Interestingly, Czechs use "bydlo" to mean "shelter" or "dwelling."