There are many expressions for idleness in the Russian language. “Бить баклуши” (“bit baklushi”), or “beating a dummy” is one of those expressions. Laziness is said to be one of the main Russian character traits. Most often, such expressions as 'bit baklushi' are used in colloquial speech and in a negative way. A ‘baklusha’ or ‘dummy’ is a piece of wood, a blank for making a wooden spoon.