blat
n.— «Alena Ledeneva, a University College London professor, will discuss how informal contacts and networks—which she dubs “blat”—have influence over society in post-Soviet Russia.» —“World of lectures set on campuses” by Mark Harper News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Florida) Jan. 23, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a word-pecker is “a person who trifles or plays with, or quibbles over, words.” This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of “Word-Peckers” I always love it when I’m looking through...
How do dictionaries define colors? And why are some of those definitions so confusing, like “stronger than carmine” and “bluer than fiesta”? Dictionary editor Kory Stamper explains it all in her new book. Plus, the story behind the expression more...