concept
Khokhlushka
khokhlushka
also: Хохлушка
The feminine form of the period ethnic term 'khokhol' for a Ukrainian (from a traditional forelock hairstyle), used of the unnamed young Ukrainian servant woman who brings in the tea things at the Armenian's house.
Reading notes
- The Beauties §4 A young Ukrainian woman
Renders 'хохлушка' (khokhlushka), the feminine form of the period ethnic term for a Ukrainian woman (from a traditional forelock hairstyle worn by Ukrainian men, 'khokhol'). The term was common, casually used, and carried mild condescension rather than being an outright slur in this context, unlike its use elsewhere in the corpus (see the note at, first attested in 'The Tragedian'). This servant is never named; she brings in the tea things before Masha appears.