ёлки-моталки

Russian

Etymology

Euphemistic alteration of ёб твою́ мать (jób tvojú matʹ), a vulgar curse.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): [ˌjɵɫkʲɪ mɐˈtaɫkʲɪ]
  • IPA(key): [ˈjɵɫkʲɪ mɐˌtaɫkʲɪ]

Interjection

ёлки-мота́лки • (jólki-motálki)

  1. (minced oath, colloquial) drat!, fiddlesticks! (expression of dismay, annoyance, or surprise)
    Synonyms: ёлки-па́лки (jólki-pálki), ё-моё (jó-mojó)
    • 2000, Виктор Астафьев, Мелодия Чайковского:
      — Нам по девятна́дцать лет, нам ещё жить да жить, ёлки-мота́лки…
      — Nam po devjatnádcatʹ let, nam ješčó žitʹ da žitʹ, jólki-motálki…
      “We are both nineteen, we have our whole life ahead of us, drat it…”
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