8

In one of his interviews, President Putin used the expression "Кто в лавке-то останется? Кто работать будет?", apparently alluding to some well-known joke, but I can't find any reference to the original.

Is this expression idiomatic? What does it mean? What is its origin?

Improve this question
5
  • Asking for a joke reference is off-topic unless it has something to do with Russian language as a topic
    – shabunc ♦
    Commented Dec 26, 2021 at 23:09
  • if you fail to find something at google you can try your luck at yandex - yandex.ru/search/…
    – shabunc ♦
    Commented Dec 26, 2021 at 23:12
  • @il--ya sure, let's think what would be a better category. However it's not about being trivial - it's about being off-topic.
    – shabunc ♦
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 16:30
  • 2
    @shabunc: I've changed the wording in the question, does it look good now?
    – Quassnoi ♦
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 17:52
  • 1
    @Quassnoi thanks! I agree with you that in this form it's on-topic
    – shabunc ♦
    Commented Dec 27, 2021 at 19:24

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
13

This sentence alludes to a century-old Jewish joke
(where "Jewish" doesn't imply that it's "told by Jews," but rather "about Jews").

And old Jew is on his deathbed, surrounded by his weeping family.
In a weak voice, he asks:
— Is Sara here?
— Yes, honey, I'm right beside you.
— Is Joseph here?
— Yes, Dad, here I am.
— Is Samuel here?
— Yes, Grandpa, I'm with you.
— А кто же в лавке остался ?! [So who's minding the shop?!]

Improve this answer
2
  • 5
    Significant part of the fun of this joke is the way of delivering it. While most lines of the dying man are spoken in a weak, frail voice, the last line is spoken in a strong, healthy voice, making an impression that now he is not really going to die.
    – Alexander
    Commented Dec 29, 2021 at 18:37
  • 1
    The joke belongs to the Jewish culture and to a quite big group of jokes referenced as Jewish humor. First of all the jokes are "created by Jews" inside the Jewish community/neighborhood.
    – 30thh
    Commented Dec 31, 2021 at 10:27

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.