[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Musziks

[Günther Böhm]

George Shoning schrieb:
> Pardon me for prolonging this discussion, but I want to point out an observation that can be inferred from Richard Benert’s note on this subject a few days ago.  Whether or not this word was derogatory depends on the emotion or tone with which it was expressed.  I recall being called “Niemcy”, “Niemiec”, “niemiecki” by Polish boys after WW II with some amount of ill will and my parents calling some Russians “Musziken” with some disdain.
>  
> George Shoning

Hello George,
a muzhik is nothing else but a peasant.
muzh = man, groom, husband
muzhik = man, fellow, chap - indeed nothing negative.

In the Russian army, a muzhik is the humble private.
The officers smoke(d) papyrossi, the muzhiks hand-rolled bags of 
makhorka slack and newspaper pieces.

Günther