Babuska

Babuska, commonly written as babushka, is a Slavic word that means grandmother. In English usage, it often refers to an elderly woman of Russian or Eastern European origin, and can be used affectionately or descriptively. The term derives from the Russian бабушка (babushka), itself formed from baba, meaning old woman or grandmother, with a diminutive suffix.

In addition to referring to a person, babushka also denotes a traditional head covering worn by older women in parts of Eastern Europe. This is typically a square or triangular scarf that is folded and tied under the chin. The babushka scarf has become a recognizable cultural symbol, frequently associated with rural or traditional dress in Russia and surrounding regions, and it has appeared in many depictions of Eastern European life in media and literature.

Cultural context and usage vary by region and era. In some contexts, the term is a respectful reference to a grandmother and family matriarch, while in others it may be used more broadly to describe an elderly woman or to evoke a stereotype of Eastern European grandmothers. The image of the babushka—both as a person and as a type of garment—appears in art, film, and popular culture, contributing to its enduring place in the lexicon.