Wolf ticket (Russia)
Encyclopedia
Wolf ticket is a literal translation of the Russian language
term волчий билет (volchiy bilet), a colloquial expression to denote a version of a document with restrictive clauses in comparison to the full document. Figuratively, the term remains in use in many of the countries of the former communist bloc, usually to denote any kind of document that negatively affects one's career.
Originally the term was used in Imperial Russia to denote a document issued in lieu of the passport
to persons who were given a half-year postponement of katorga
or exile
for settling personal affairs. Later, it denoted a limited certificate for completion of studies. Unlike a regular diploma, it merely stated that the studies were completed, but the student was not allowed to take exams for reasons of poor study or improper behavior.
A "wolf ticket" was a serious impediment to one's career. Still later this term was applied to a document issued in place of a passport
to persons released from imprisonment ("certificate of release"). Usually this kind of document restricted the rights of a citizen in terms of place of residence (the 101st kilometre
rule), occupation, and so on.
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
term волчий билет (volchiy bilet), a colloquial expression to denote a version of a document with restrictive clauses in comparison to the full document. Figuratively, the term remains in use in many of the countries of the former communist bloc, usually to denote any kind of document that negatively affects one's career.
Originally the term was used in Imperial Russia to denote a document issued in lieu of the passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
to persons who were given a half-year postponement of katorga
Katorga
Katorga was a system of penal servitude of the prison farm type in Tsarist Russia...
or exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
for settling personal affairs. Later, it denoted a limited certificate for completion of studies. Unlike a regular diploma, it merely stated that the studies were completed, but the student was not allowed to take exams for reasons of poor study or improper behavior.
A "wolf ticket" was a serious impediment to one's career. Still later this term was applied to a document issued in place of a passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
to persons released from imprisonment ("certificate of release"). Usually this kind of document restricted the rights of a citizen in terms of place of residence (the 101st kilometre
101st kilometre
101st kilometre is a colloquial name for the law restricting freedom of movement in the Soviet Union.In the Soviet Union, the rights of an inmate released from the prison would typically still be restricted for a long period of time...
rule), occupation, and so on.