Xerxes's blog

The story behind our character “Vasya”

By Xerxes, 12 years ago, In English

I have been participating in Codeforces from its' beginning. One of the most popular character here is "Vasya". I have been wondering for long time about "Vasya". Who is our "Vasya"? It's obvious that he should be someone very popular/well-known in Russia. Can someone provide me some link, so then I can read more about him.

Thanks.

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12 years ago, # |
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as well as Mirko, Ivana for COCI, Bessie for USACO!!!

who are they!!!

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
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    In Croatia Ivana is just very common female name. While Mirko, I believe, is connected to character Mirko, from old movie "Mirko and Slavko", that portraits children in war against fascism. There is very funny line in that movie where Slavko warns Mirko of incoming bullet, saying "Mirko dodge the bullet!", while Mirko responds "Thank you Slavko, you saved my life." :)

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
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    and limak for errichto

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12 years ago, # |
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It's just male Russian name. Not very popular, but it's one of 'classic' Russian exemplification names. For example, Petya is the another one (you can meet him in some statements too).

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12 years ago, # |
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i have found one link: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Vasya%20Pupkin&defid=2340817

it seems Vasya is the Chuck Noris or Rajnikanth of Russia!!

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
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    Wow, it's the first time I see such definition :) Anyway, I'd prefer using 'Chuck Norris' instead of 'Vasya Pupkin', because he's concrete character and Vasya is not.

    'Pupkin', as you can guess, is exemplification surname.

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12 years ago, # |
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I think one of the most famous "Vasyas" is Vasyl Biletskyy, leader of the first Ukrainian team which managed to win the golden medal in ACM/ICPC (it was in 2008). Though he lives in Ukraine, not in Russia, a lot of Russian programmers could also have heard about him:)

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
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    IOI? R'ly?

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
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    Also 4 and 7 are considered lucky number, because that team (Scorpions) was founded on 7th of April.

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12 years ago, # |
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Also note that "Vasia", though it is diminutive from "Vasiliy" (the same meaning as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_(name)) in short narratives or jokes may give an image of a simpleton.

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    12 years ago, # ^ |
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    Nice, it's good to know the source of this names, I'm curious to know from where come Fox Jiro, the rabbits Taro and Hanako and Danklek from some Topcoder Statements.

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12 years ago, # |
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other than Vasya,Little elephant is also very famous in the contest questions of Codeforces... may be someone can give me that link too :)

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12 years ago, # |
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According to google translator, Vasya Pupkin is John Doe in engish. http://translate.google.com/#ru/en/%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%8F%20%D0%BF%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BD

It is not someone very popular and often used when we don't want to specify or don't know the real name. But be careful with using it, sometimes, when you know the person's name but call him "Vasya", the name may have offensive context (something like narrow-minded). The name is also often used as a cat's moniker. (But, interestingly, it is almost never used as a dog's moniker).

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