The case took place in Turkey, more precisely in Istanbul, which in 1969 seemed mysterious and exotic to our citizens.
Semen Semenych ...
Soviet-naive Semyon Semenych, who had no experience in communicating with women of the most ancient profession, showed human participation. He tried to understand what the lady who turned to him wanted, believing that she was preoccupied with some kind of problem requiring his intervention and help. His new comrade Kozodoev, more experienced in these matters, rejected the claims of the “priestess of venal love”, using a pseudo-foreign language. He explained that his friend had a "moral character", and no "tsigel" on the side he was not interested. This scene is recognizable to everyone who watched the wonderful comedy "The Diamond Arm" directed by Gaidai. She causes laughter today.
Holtepa, studding and other "foreign" words
The tradition of giving Russian words a foreign sound in art is not new. It is enough to recall Leskov with his “student” (pudding) or an explanation of the French concepts of “promenade” (walk) and “holtepa” (goal) by the mother of the unforgettable Balzaminov. In the post-war years, the folk language was enriched with other pearls, this time of German origin (for example, “Guten Morgen Saccharin”, or “Hyundai Hoh Gutalin”), which mockingly imitate the voices of former opponents. Humor is contained in the sound of these phrases combining foreign and Russian words. The replica “Russo-tourist-like-moral” also “works”, complemented by the German question: “Fershteyn?” By the way, in this wonderful comedy there are other moments that beat the aforementioned “ayu liu” in combination with an untranslatable pun, the meaning of which is easily guessed by the gestures and articulations of foreign characters.
Comedy joke and party program
In the sixties, the order in the country became much more liberal than in the 30s or 50s, but joking about the “guise of morality” was still a matter committed, if not beyond the bounds of censorship, then certainly right on it. The fact is that the concept of the “moral character of the builder of communism” was part of the party program, a document that did not provide for the possibility of any ridicule. Another question is that this document was adopted during the reign of the previous Secretary General, N.S. Khrushchev, whose achievements could already be humorous beating, however, very delicate (like "Queen of the Fields" in the 1964 film "Welcome, or No Trespassing"). The moral code of the builder of communism (hence the “form of morality”) was studied in all schools and institutes, no one canceled it, so the salt of this joke was clear to everyone then, unlike the current generation.
Humor and restrictions
Any prohibitions and taboos subtle humor, like a blade exposed to a whetstone. Permissiveness and freedom to say anything under any circumstances lead to the exact opposite effect. In 1969 or 1970, in order to successfully beat the forbidden topic and not pay anything for it (and the film could easily be “put on a shelf”), it was necessary to strain the mental possibilities of the cerebral cortex to both the scriptwriter and the director.
Thanks to the popularity of Italian neorealism in the sixties, many foreign words became known to our fellow citizens. The Italian “Russo”, “the form of morality”, consisting of our “appearance” and international “morality” did not need a translation.
Today, the product of this work has become just a common phrase, sounding fun and sonorous, but nothing more. It is still popular, especially since our fellow citizens go abroad more often than at the turn of the seventies. The uncomplicated group “Otpetye scammers” even got a song called “Looks like morality” about funny travelers starting to relax “right at the station”.