titushky

Etymology

Attested in 2014, borrowed from either Ukrainian тіту́шки pl (titúšky), тіту́шка sg (titúška), or Russian титу́шки pl (titúški), титу́шка sg (titúška), from the surname of mixed martial artist Vadym Titushko, Russian Вади́м Титу́шко (Vadím Titúško), Ukrainian Вади́м Тіту́шко (Vadým Titúško).

noun

  1. Hired thugs used for violence and intimidation against protestors by the Ukrainian government during the Euromaidan revolution; (by extension) pro-government vigilantes attacking picketers, protesters in the ex-USSR“They were titushky, mercenary agents who supported the Ukrainian police during President Yanukovych’s administration, who were now in desperate need of a paycheck, one Guimond had arranged.”