Bliny

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Russian pancake made from buckwheat or wheat flour, often served with various toppings and fillings
2. A type of thin, crepe-like bread traditional in Eastern European cuisine, commonly eaten with sour cream or caviar
3. A savory or sweet flatbread originating from Russia, typically cooked on a hot griddle and enjoyed during meals or celebrations

Etymology: The Russian "блины́" (bliný) is the plural of "блин" (blin), a flat, thin pancake, and English took the plural form as its own singular-sounding noun. The English word thus borrows a Russian plural, so speakers who use "bliny" are, strictly speaking, asking for a stack of them rather than one. Russian "блин" is a word of Slavic origin, and its shape reflects the way the food is made: a thin batter poured onto a hot griddle. Russian bliny have long been tied to festivities, most famously the spring festival of Maslenitsa, which is why the pancake is so closely associated with Russian celebration.