Malakas
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Malakas (Greek: nom. μαλάκας, voc./acc. μαλάκα, fem ῾μαλάκω῾) is a slang word, roughly equivalent to wanker, although it is usually employed where English would use asshole or jerk.
Usage
According to [Greek sources] malakas derives from the ancient Greek word "malthakos (μαλθακός)'", which meaning "soft" or "spoilt, well-used to luxuries of life". In 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. 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.
Malakas -to sum up -can be used in a variety of ways in modern Greek, according to the circumstance and the way the word is stressed:
- It can be used as a personal pronoun, replacing the name of the adressed subject.
- 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".
- It can be used as a vocative form of displaying one's befriending:
- * Malakas is one of the most common Modern Greek words known worldwide, and one of the few such words not referring to typical products or places.
- * Malakas is sometimes used by non-Greeks as a mild ethnic slur for 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".)
Local variations
Local Greek expressions that are distant to the meaning of "Μαλάκας" include 'minaras' (used in the city of Patras and the adjacent areas), 'tsiblieros' (in several Ionian islands) and 'grothos' (used in the island of Crete). These may be understood by the majority of Greeks, but generally are not used by speakers outside the abovementioned areas. Minaras is used also as an ethnic slur to refer to Patrans.Malakia
"Malakia" (abstract noun) is used as- The literal act of masturbating
- 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.
Other languages
- In Latin malacia, denotes calm sea.
- In the Philippines, the word "Malakas" means "strong", and is the name of the first man (equivalent of Adam) in the local creation myth. [link] [link]
- In South-East Asia, Malaka is the name of a region/kingdom/city/straits. It is also found as Malacca, Melaka (Malay language) and other forms.
See also
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