Black Tulip

English

Alternative forms

• black tulip

Etymology

black+tulip. Calque of Russian Чёрный тюльпан (Čórnyj tjulʹpan). From the use of the aircraft as a means to repatriate corpses of fallen soldiers. From the use of black tulips and other flowers to border obituaries. Originating as a nickname used by Soviet aircrews of the repatriation transport missions during the Afghan War, and popularized by Alexander Rezenbaum in a popular Soviet song, before migrating into English.

Noun

Black Tulip (plural Black Tulips)

1. (military, aviation) Synonym of Antonov An-12 (“Soviet-era turboprop cargoplane”)

   Synonyms: Cub, Flying Shed