blat

To cry, as a calf or sheep; bleat.

To make a senseless noise.

A moment later the engine roared into life. Exhaust blatted through the straight-pipes; people stopped on the street to look.

To talk inconsiderately; blab.

To produce an overrich or overblown sound on a brass instrument such as a trumpet, trombone, or tuba.

To utter loudly or foolishly; blurt.

The Soviet system of connections and social relationships; one's social or business network (in Russian or Soviet society).

To open a new business in Russia you need blat.

Alena Ledeneva's book is the first to analyse blat in all its historical, socio-economic and cultural aspects, and to explore its implications for post-Soviet society. In a socialist distribution system which resulted in constant shortages, blat developed into an 'economy of favours' which shadowed an overcontrolling centre and represented the reaction of ordinary people to the social constraints they faced.

Initialism of bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato: a sandwich made with these main ingredients.