Mat (Russian Profanity)

Mat (Russian Profanity)

Mat (Russian: мат; матерщи́на / ма́терный язы́к / мáтный язы́к, matershchina / materny yazyk / matny yazyk; Ukrainian: матюки, matyuky) is the term for strong obscene profanity in Russian and some other Slavic language communities. The use of mat is censored in the media and the use of mat in public constitutes a form of disorderly conduct, or mild hooliganism, punishable under article 20.1.1 of the Offences Code of Russia, although it is only enforced episodically, in particular due to the vagueness of the legal definition. Despite the public ban, mat is used by Russians of all ages and nearly all social groups, with particular fervor in male-dominated military and the structurally similar social strata. However, it is considered highly uncultured and very offensive in certain social circles in Russia, especially if women are present.