rifle is fine
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From the phrase "the rifle is fine" with the definite article removed, imitative of the stereotypical mistakes in English speech that a native speaker of a Slavic language, many of which do not have or do not frequently use articles, may make.
Originally an internet meme, popularized in a series of copypastas, posted in 2010 on the 4chan board /k/ (Weapons) by a user under the name "Ivan Chesnokov," facetiously decrying other users for wishing to add aftermarket accessories to their Kalashnikov rifles.[1][note 1] The original Ivan Chesnokov spawned a number of imitators and humorous derivatives that helped popularize the term on 4chan and on other firearm and military-focused communities on the internet.
Phrase
[edit]- (Internet slang, humorous) Expresses the belief that something, particularly a firearm, is sufficient for its given purpose, and that any suggested improvements would be unnecessary or a detriment.
- You don't want a new handguard for that? ― Of course not. Rifle is fine.
- (Internet slang, humorous, sarcastic) Used to mock the belief that something, particularly a firearm, is sufficient, when it is perceived by the speaker to be obviously obsolete or ineffective in the face of better alternatives offered.
Usage notes
[edit]As in its original usage, the phrase is most commonly used in reference to Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons of Russian or Soviet origin, although it often appears in many other firearm-related contexts and is sometimes found outside of firearms entirely.
References
[edit]- ^ Due to the nature of 4chan as a platform, an extant link to the original post no longer exists, since threads eventually expire and are deleted, and the thread was posted before it could be preserved on an archive. However, many screenshots of the posts survive, and one is included in the citation below.