kulak
UK[ˈkuːlak]US[ˈkuːlɑːk]
n
A wealthy or prosperous peasant in Russia, especially one who owned a farm and hired labor, viewed as exploitative by the Communists.
Etymology
The term entered English directly from Russian in the early 20th century, specifically in the context of Soviet agricultural policy and propaganda. Its Russian origin, meaning "fist", was used metaphorically from at least the 19th century to denote a prosperous, often miserly, peasant who was perceived to exploit poorer neighbors through money-lending or hiring labor. This literal-to-figurative semantic shift from a body part to a socioeconomic class was solidified by Bolshevik rhetoric, which labeled such peasants as class enemies. The word's journey into English reflects the specific historical and political discourse surrounding the collectivization of agriculture in the Soviet Union.
Analysis
The word is a direct loanword from Russian. In Russian, "кулак" (kulak) literally means "fist". Its functional role in the original Russian term is metaphorical, implying a tight-fisted, grasping person.
Examples
During the collectivization campaign, the Soviet regime sought to eliminate the kulaks as a class.
The term kulak was applied broadly to any peasant who resisted handing over grain or livestock to the state.
Historical accounts describe the brutal deportation of millions labeled as kulaks to remote labor camps.