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Kulak

2 stages from Russian to English.

Today it means a relatively wealthy Russian peasant, persecuted under Stalin

Where does the word "kulak" come from? It comes from Russian kulak, adopted directly into English (1870s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
kulak
Russian · 1800s
"fist; grasping peasant"
'fist', slang for a tight-fisted village moneylender or better-off peasant
2
Stage 2 of 2
kulak
English · 1870s
"prosperous peasant"
became a Soviet class label; in December 1929 Stalin announced the 'liquidation of the kulaks as a class', and deportations of millions followed
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Read the full story

Kulak’s story begins in Russian: kulak meant “fist; grasping peasant.” 'fist', slang for a tight-fisted village moneylender or better-off peasant. It reached English by 1870s as kulak. Became a Soviet class label; in December 1929 Stalin announced the 'liquidation of the kulaks as a class', and deportations of millions followed. Today, kulak means a relatively wealthy Russian peasant, persecuted under Stalin.