Icicle is a Russianism: how to properly name ice formations.

According to ТСН: Many people describe the ice drops hanging from roofs with the term 'icicle'. However, linguists note that this word is a typical Russianism and a calque that has no place in the Ukrainian language.

How to properly translate the word 'icicle' into Ukrainian

To denote the icy growth that appears as a result of dripping liquid, the Ukrainian language has a melodious word burulka. It comes from the Turkic language and has its roots in the word 'boru', which means 'pipe'. Researchers also associate this word with the terms 'burian' and 'burav'.

According to the Academic Explanatory Dictionary (SUM), burulka is an ice piece that has the shape of a pointed stick downward. Scientifically, this phenomenon is called an ice stalactite. Burulky form on the edges of overhanging objects, rocks, tree branches, or wires during slow dripping or the dropping of water in the freezing process.

The word 'burulka' can be found in the works of classical literature. Yevhen Grebinka wrote about how 'the burulky, which jingled around, had completely fallen off', while Yurii Yanovskyi used this image in a comparison, noting that the character's heart 'melted like an ice burulka'.

Dialectal diversity: how else can you name a burulka

The Ukrainian language is rich in dialects. Besides the generally accepted term 'burulka', in different regions of Ukraine, you can hear the following variants:

• merzlyak;

• visulya or visulka;

• kopen.

These varieties only emphasize how multifaceted the Ukrainian language is. The use of the term 'burulka' has become not only correct but also rich in terms of cultural associations. Moreover, well-known writers have used this word, which indicates its deep-rootedness in Ukrainian tradition.