Kaltak: From Middle FR rufian, from IT ruffiano (“pimp”) roffia (“dirt”), from Old High GE hrŭf (“eschar, crust”). Cognate with Icelandic hrufla (“to scratch”), ruffle, a female ruffian EN[1] .MidTR kaltak “1. eyer köselesi, 2. ahlaksız adam, deyyus”
Kıpçakça: [Codex Cumanicus, 1303] rofian [pezevenk] - Fa: guidi [gidi] - Tr: kaltak (...) rofiana [fahişe] - Tr: χaltakÇağatayca: [Pavet de Courteille, Dictionnaire Turc Oriental, 1500 yılından önce]
kaltak: cuir de la selle, la selle elle-même [eyer köselesi ve eyerin kendisi]
[Anonim Tevarih- Al-i Osman, 1555] Kaltak eyerlü ve yırtmac kürklü, örmec kuşaklı ve kabalak dülbendlü at oğrılarını dévşürüb göndermiş. Türkiye Türkçesi: [Şemseddin Sami, Kamus-ı Türki, 1900]
KALTAKLIK i. 1. Kaltak olan kadının durumu. 2. Kaltak bir kadına yakışır hal ve davranış: “Bu kaltaklığı ondan beklerdim.”
[1] ruffian (n.) 1530s, "a boisterous, brutal fellow, one ready to commit any crime," from French rufian "a pimp" (15c.), from Italian ruffiano "a pander, pimp," of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Germanic source related to rough (adj.), but Dutch roffiaan, German Ruffian are said to be from French. Whatever its ultimate source, the English meaning of the word might have been influenced by the similarity of the sound to rough.
The Romanic words (such as Medieval Latin ruffianus, Provençal rufian, Catalan rufia, Spanish rufian) preserve the sense of "protector or owner of whores," a sense occasionally met in English in 17c. For sense evolution in English, compare bully (n.). Related: Ruffianage; ruffianhood; ruffianism.
ruffian (plural ruffians) A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.
|Synonyms: rogue, scamp;
(obsolete) A pimp; a pander.
(obsolete) A lover; a paramour.
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Medardo Rosso
(Italian, 1858–1928) | La ruffiana
La Ruffiana is an older female character of the Commedia dell'Arte with a shady past or who used to be a prostitute. She is used most often in relationship to the vecchi of which group she is a nominal member. Ruffiana is most often romantically involved with Pantalone, though his love may easily be unrequited if it suits the plot. She is generally described as being talkative/gossipy, sneaky, and mischievous, but deep down is actually kind. She has been described as an "outsider" that always mixes things up and causes trouble for the rest of the characters. "Her quips reek of garlic" (Pierre Louis Duchartre, The Italian Comedy p. 285)
Typically la Ruffiana is a former prostitute. While she is long retired, she still knows everything there is to know about the business. Because of this sometimes she is a counsel to some of the younger characters when it comes to romance. As a retired older character, she can fill the role of other shady characters in scenarios, such as a peasant or a woman who pursues younger men. When performed in the northern parts of Italy, specifically around Venice, she is portrayed as the gossipy townsperson. Whereas when we venture down south around Naples, she makes appearances as a midwife, or the older herb woman.
Another common role for la Ruffiana is a mysterious magical woman or gypsy. Most of the other characters in Commedia are not trusting or scared of sorceresses and gypsies because they are typically mischievous thieves. La Ruffiana is known to have spells, potions, and a vast amount of knowledge. She is also found to use her powers to see the future and to meddle in the younger characters love lives. While she is good at heart, she is still known to be a thief and should not be messed with.