The word <dreyfovat'>, like most Russian nautical terminology, is probably derived directly from a Dutch word, in this case <drijven>, meaning <to float>. Dutch nautical terminology entered the Russian language after Tsar Peter's visit to Holland in the late 1600s.
The Dutch verb's stem is <drijf> which is pronounced like the stem <dreyf> in the Russian word.
Ivo Romein
-----Original Message-----
From: On all aspects of Russia and the FSU [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Dunn
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 4:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RUSSIAN-STUDIES] FW: "Dreyfovat'": Senior Administration Officials on Obama's Meeting with Medvedev (White House)
Apparently the verb drejfovat' has been recorded in Russian dictionaries since 1803, which presumably makes the word almost as old as U.S.– Russian relations themselves. Perhaps the State Department should consider updating their reference works.
John Dunn.
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