March 13, 2020

Russians "Re-Zero" in Online Humor


Russians "Re-Zero" in Online Humor

After weeks of denying his intent to alter the constitution so as to extend his time in office, President Vladimir Putin has announced that he supports the idea of being able to run for president again – possibly extending his rule to 2036, when he will be 84 years old.

Resetting the presidential term clock to zero, or обнуление, immediately sparked online mirth, even though the word does not officially exist. Few other means of expressing opposition to the rapid adoption of the constitutional amendments are available, especially as authorities further limit public gatherings due to the new coronavirus pandemic while expressing criticism is being likened to anti-Russian treason.

Here are some of our favorite memes being shared on the RuNet.

"The State Duma supported the idea to re-zero the years from the Birth of Christ and to start the count from the Birth of Vladimir Putin" [Link]

"Can I re-zero the amount of calories I consumed today? V important." [Link]

Writer Linor Goralik with a rephrasing of Pushkin's tale of The Little Humpbacked Horse.
See the original here.

Obnulinin

Obnulenin - a re-zeroed Lenin mausoleum [LINK]

Moscow city Duma member Darya Besedina, one of a handful of opposition lawmakers, sports a playful opposition t-shirt that her pro-Kremlin colleagues found offensive.

Loketsi Street art
Street artist Loketski creates Obnulin, a new "drug to counter democracy" LINK

You are my first
– You know, you are my first.
– Really?
– Well, after re-zeroing.

LINK


Convicts posing
"Convicts are also requesting that a rezeroing of their terms is added to the constitution." LINK

Tic Tac To a la Russe
Russian tic-tac-to. LINK

Gagarin and Tereshkova
A meme-meeting between Yury Gagarin, and Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space who was the one who suggest Putin should be able to run again:
– How is it going, kids?
– Yura, forgive us, we have re-zeroed everything!"

LINK


And of course the requisite cat meme.
Cats Meme
– I am against rezeroing of terms. – Only if the Constitutional Court allows it. – We will allow it. – Ok, let's.

LINK

You Might Also Like

Tsar Vladimir II
  • March 18, 2018

Tsar Vladimir II

Putin has again been elected president. This post was originally written/aired in November 2007. Apparently, it still seems relevant.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Bears in the Caviar
May 01, 2015

Bears in the Caviar

Bears in the Caviar is a hilarious and insightful memoir by a diplomat who was “present at the creation” of US-Soviet relations. Charles Thayer headed off to Russia in 1933, calculating that if he could just learn Russian and be on the spot when the US and USSR established relations, he could make himself indispensable and start a career in the foreign service. Remarkably, he pulled it of.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955