грызун

грызть (gryztʹ) +‎ -у́н (-ún)

• IPA^(key): [ɡrɨˈzun]

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грызу́н • (gryzún) m anim (genitive грызуна́, nominative plural грызуны́, genitive plural грызуно́в)

1. rodent
2. (derogatory, ethnic slur) a Georgian person.

The term "грызун" is used as a derogatory and offensive slur against Georgians. This usage is not based on the etymology of the word "Russian грузин (gruzin)" but is a xenophobic pun, playing on the phonetic similarity between Russian грузин (gruzin) and "грызун". The slur gained prominence in Russian nationalist circles. For instance, the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny referred to Georgians as "грызуны" in a 2008 blog post during the South Ossetia war, a statement for which he later offered an apology. This term is considered hate speech and is deeply offensive to people of Georgian ethnicity.

• грызть impf (gryztʹ)