Here, for example, why Ukrainians are called "Ukrainians"? Where did this offensive nickname come from? Is it really offensive? Let's figure it out.
The word "crest": meaning and origin
After conducting a semantic analysis, he found Turkic roots. “Ho” is the son in translation, and “hol” means heaven. It turns out very beautifully. The phrase "son of heaven" does not seem either offensive or offensive. But why are Ukrainians called Ukrainians? Somehow this nationality does not draw on such a nickname, especially when you consider the context in which it is used. After all, all the jokes where the "crest" is mentioned do not tell about the divine essence of man, but quite the opposite. The term is used in a derogatory sense. People are endowed with such non-decorating qualities as cunning and greed. Some people still believe that in Ukraine, in addition to vodka and bacon, there are no other nationally recognized values.
Another meaning of the word
Understanding why Ukrainians are called Ukrainians, one cannot help but recall the appearance of the most “hyped” representatives of the nation. And it was, as you know, Zaporozhye Cossacks. Remember the picture of I. Repin? It depicts colorful Cossacks, the most striking feature of which is a long forelock that adorns the bald head. This detail can also be called a crest, i.e., crest, as in some birds. Perhaps the origin of the offensive nickname is caused precisely by this distinctive feature that the Cossacks were so proud of. Only Ukrainians do not agree with this. They call a strand of hair a forelock, or a sedentary. Naturally, there is no connection with Khokhl here.
Maybe the Tatar-Mongol yoke is to blame?
Finding out why Ukrainians are called Ukrainians, researchers invariably raise the strata of history. And so it turned out. It turns out that in the Mongolian language there is a concept similar in sound: “hal-goal”. It means "blue-yellow", which, as you know, is a combination of colors of the modern Ukrainian state flag. During the time of the Tatar-Mongol yoke, Galiko-Volyn warriors acted with such banners. They were called that by the colors of the banners. Over time, the word could undergo changes and turn into a "crest." It is clear that such a concept does not imply anything offensive. Quite the contrary. It shows belonging to that part of the country where people live who consider themselves to be true Ukrainians, unlike the rest. But it is they who are offended most often. Paradox!
Are Ukrainians only Ukrainians?
Dealing with the terms, the researchers came across very interesting facts. So, according to their scientific achievements, “Ukrainian” and “crest” are not at all the same thing, in any case, for certain territories. In Siberia, this nickname in the nineteenth century was called all immigrants from the southwest. Under the definition of "crest" fell both Cossacks and Belarusians, who generally do not associate with Ukraine. It was also called in general all the southern Russians who moved to the snowy territories of the country. And Old Believers live in the Danube Delta, who call all the Orthodox Christians different from them. Now they live in the town of Vilkovo.
What dictionaries say
Finding out the meaning of any word, it is best to turn to the interpreters who were engaged in research from a scientific point of view. To the question of why Ukrainians are Ukrainians, nevertheless, and they do not have a single opinion. So, S.I. Ozhegov recognizes the identity of concepts, and V.I. Dahl argues with him. Modern scholars believe that “crest” is a derogatory, insulting name of a representative of a nationality that bears a chauvinistic connotation. There are researchers who claim that the word is humorous and familiar.
