
A chort (Russian: чёрт) is an anthropomorphic malign spirit or demon in Slavic folk tradition. Chorts are often depicted identically to Christian devils, with horns, hooves, and a skinny tail. In Slavic mythology, a singular Chort is sometimes identified as a son of the god Chernobog and the goddess Mara. In folk Christianity, they are considered lesser minions of Satan. Compare to Russian sayings (curses) "тысяча чертей" ("tysjača čertej") – meaning thousands of demons, "чёрт побери" ("čort poberi") – meaning as overtaken by the demon, the saying is often used as an acceptable version of cursing in Eastern Europe, "чёрт попутал" ("čort poputal") – meaning mixed up by the demon, "к чертям" ("k čertjam") – meaning to hell, and many others.