Navigating the two different words for "blue" and their many hues in meaning.

How to handle that common situation in Russian: too much hospitality...

Russian talking names can lead to many unexpected places. In this instance to euphemistic phrases for, well, you know...

The recent visit of Hollywood megastar Cameron Diaz to Moscow – to promote the launch of the movie Bad Teacher – started Mikhail Ivanov's creative juices flowing toward a seasonally appropriate theme: school slang.

Every Russian learned a few "draznilki" (teases) in childhood. While these usually have cruel intent and may not be something you will use in your Russian, it is good to be able to recognize and understand them.

The domino revolutions in the Middle East got me thinking about the word “Arab,” along with some other less-than-politically-correct Russian colloquialisms. 

A consideration of Russian leaders and eminences who have left their imprint on the Russian language

Where columnist Mikhail Ivanov considers the influence of Japanese on Russian language and slang.

A consideration of patriotism and language.

Where we consider Moscow's summer heat wave and its impact on language.

The fine art of linguistic shortcuts and slang.

How to find the "red price" when haggling for goods and services.