Khlestakovs

Khlestakovs refers to a term derived from the character Ivan Alexandrovich Khlestakov in Nikolai Gogol's 1836 satirical play "The Government Inspector" (Revizor). Khlestakov is a penniless, dissolute young man who, through a series of misunderstandings and the extreme fear and corruption of provincial officials, is mistaken for an important government inspector. He exploits this mistaken identity for personal gain, enjoying lavish treatment and bribes before eventually fleeing.

The term "Khlestakovs" or "Khlestakovism" is used to describe individuals who exhibit traits similar to the character. This includes a tendency towards boastfulness, lying, and creating a false impression of importance or authority, often without any substance to back it up. A Khlestakov is someone who lives a life of pretense, relying on charm and deception to navigate social situations and avoid responsibility. They may be seen as charming but ultimately unreliable, skilled at appearing knowledgeable or influential while being superficial and self-serving. The enduring popularity of Gogol's play has cemented Khlestakov as a archetype in Russian literature and culture, representing a specific type of social charlatan.