Yo! How To Swear When The Kremlin Says You Can't

753 views · Published 1 July 2014 · 0:52 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty · 2014 · Entertainment

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One of the most notorious Russian epithets involves an unpleasant sentiment involving someone's mother -- a phrase that utilizes one of the most pungent sounds in the Russian language, "yo." Over the years, Russian speakers have invented literally hundreds of G-rated ways to convey the sound without the sentiment. As Russia ushers in its new ban on swearing, RFE/RL staffers share some of the best-known variations on the theme. Even your mother will approve. (Note: Not all translations will necessarily make sense.) (Video by Kieran D'Arcy and Daisy Sindelar) 

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