person
Alexei (Chekhov's coachman)
also: Алексей, лейб-кучер Алексей, Alexei the coachman
The Chekhov household's coachman at Babkino during the summer of 1887, sent to meet guests at the Voskresensk train station; Chekhov mock-affectionately dubs him his "coachman-in-chief" and jokes that he is identifiable by his stupidity and bewildered look -- gentle household ribbing, not a slur.
Reading notes
- To A. S. Lazarev, 27–28 June 1887. Babkino. §5 coachman-in-chief
Alexei
The Chekhov household's coachman at Babkino, mock-elevated with the title "лейб-кучер" ("coachman-in-chief," echoing the imperial court title "лейб-" as in "life-guard"). Chekhov's joke that Lazarev will recognize him by his stupidity and bewildered look is affectionate household ribbing, not derogatory in intent -- no slur is implied by the Russian or the translation.