Talk:Ivan

A Russian

If it means 'A Russian', surely that a common noun, a bit like a Yank or a Brit? Mglovesfun (talk) 11:42, 3 October 2011 (UTC)

Yes, Fritz is a closer analogy, perhaps less derogatory, not sure, depends on the level of Russophobia, I guess. ;) --Anatoli 11:46, 3 October 2011 (UTC)

It’s a proper noun. It isn’t used like, "here come the Ivans"...if someone looks like a Russian immigrant, he might be addressed by the epithet Ivan: "Hey, Ivan, go back to Moscow!" It’s as though every Russian were named Ivan. —Stephen ^(Talk) 13:35, 3 October 2011 (UTC)

I'm more familiar with the German "Iwans". I've seen the usage you describe, though, Stephen - in the form "the Ivans are coming". It may be a translation from German? --Anatoli 21:38, 3 October 2011 (UTC)