Re: mushkin
in reply to a message by clarissa
Mushkin is probably derived from Russian mukha 'fly', the nickname of an annoying, importunate person. Related surnames with the same meaning include Polish Mucha (with many derivatives), Italian Mosca, French Mouche/Lamouche.
Replies
Ahh, well, that would explain the character in the Chekhov story. Thanks.
If you look for Mushkin at http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:cF3eumJ2APoJ:www.sas.upenn.edu/~vzubarev/Class_Readings/WEEK_III.pdf+chekhov+mushkin+unconditional&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca, you'll find an interesting comment to that effect.