Malakas (Greek: nom. μαλάκας, voc. and acc. μαλάκα, fem. μαλάκω) is a slang word, roughly equivalent to wanker, although it has a much broader spectrum of applications, including both English equivalents of asshole or jerk or dick or son of a bitch, and the contrasting friend or pal or dude, depending on the context.[1] It derives from the Greek word malakos (or 'malthakos'), which means "soft" or "spoilt, well-used to luxuries of life".[2][3][4][5]
Usage
editIn modern Greek, the word malakas is used metaphorically in everyday speech to define the individual that uses no common sense, who instead repeats the same mistakes many times over, while maintaining an attitude of self-righteousness. The relation is probably derived by the common notion according to which excessive masturbation harms the brain.[6][7] While various swear words wax and wane in popularity, malakas is quite unaffected by phenomena such as this, being characterised by a certain timelesness. In addition, in parts of the world outside Greece, with significant Greek population (e.g. the States), the word malakas appears well known among non-Greek people too. This is perhaps an example of significant cultural exchange.
It falls into the class of slang where it is appropriate to use amongst friends, but may be considered an insult when used against strangers or enemies. Typically, male friends use the word among them in a way that expresses solidarity due to this exact insulting meaning. This behavior can be compared to the dozens. Additionally, females may use the word even in an affectionate way.[5]
Malakas (female: μαλάκω mala'ko, or also μαλάκας) can also be used in a variety of ways in modern Greek, according to the circumstance and the way the word is stressed:
- In a phrase such as "Poor malakas", it is used affectionately.
- Used imploringly, as in the phrase "Ela re malaka" (equivalent to "man" in the American "Come on, man")
- Used to convey disapproval (perhaps when the request of the previous usage is denied, "Ti malakas" ("What a jerk").
- As part of expressions of awe, admiration or surprise, as in "o, re malaka!", typically not referring to other persons present
- In a vulgar form it literally means "wanker". To give some emphasis to the aforementioned one could use the compound word 'hontro-malakas', meaning simply fat-malakas, or the superlative 'poly malakas', meaning very much a malakas. The expression 'grande-malakas', which sounds french-greek, is also common and its meaning more or less obvious.
- Surprisingly though, its main everyday use is as a vocative form of displaying one's befriending:
- Malakas is also one of the most common Modern Greek word known worldwide, and one of the very few such words not referring to typical products or places.
- Malakas is also used sometimes as a mild ethnic slur versus Greeks, when used by non-Greeks, because of its very common everyday usage.
- "Yia sou re malaka!" among friends, although it is not suggested that you call a stranger “malaka”. (This parallels Australians use of "bastard" and the British use of "mate".)
Types
editThe use of the word is usually combined with various slang expressions, thereby producing specific humorous types of malakas.[8][9]
Malakia
edit"Malakia" (abstract noun, plural "malakies") is used as
- The literal act of wanking
- A slang word for semen specifically produced by that act.
- It also can be used to describe nonsense (better translated as bullshit)
- An item considered worthless, a whatchamacallit.
- A mistake, or (ironically and degradingly) a time-consuming non-productive action, eg. someone who is doing geeky things like studying Klingon language or playing video games, he is "μαλακίζεται" (is doing malakia) as a macho neo-Greek would comment. The parallel exists since these actions are a way to consume excessive energy and satisfy a desire, more or less like wanking.
In many cases, when someone wants to refer to acts classifying as "Malakia" or to a person classifying as "Malakas" this can by implied by the up-and-down movement of a closed fist (clear allusion to the act of masturbation).
Interestengly, malakas/malakia is the ideal word for mainstream greeks to describe persons or actions that can be classified as geeky.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Tegopoulos, Fytrakis (1997). Μείζον Ελληνικό Λεξικό ("Mízon Hellinikó Lexikó"). Ekdoseis Armonia A.E. p. 676. ISBN 960-7598-04-0.
- ^ Λεξικό τής Κοινής Νεοελληνικής, Ίδρυμα Μ. Τριανταφυλλίδη; Babiniotis, Λεξικό της Νεας Ελληνικής Γλώσσας.
- ^ "The Malakas Times.org - Dare to be stupid". Humorous site. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ "Urban dictionary". Malakas. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ a b Karamitsiou, Areti. "University of Essex - Department of Language & Linguistics". Sociolinguisteessex x. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ "Circumcision Information and Resource Pages". The Case Against Circumcision. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ "DMT123.com". Do masturbation causes serious harms?. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ (in Greek)"Joke of the day". 22 types of Malakas. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
- ^ (in Greek)"ergenis.gr". 22 types of Malakas. Retrieved November 3, 2006.