Блин!

[mister-mist.livejournal.com]

What is the exact meaning of the expression "блин!" that some people use to decorate their language? I suppose it is vulgar, but is it also offending? And what is the relation to the small delicious Russian food speciality with that name?

I hope that I can get a precise answer here. I have asked the question directly to a few Russian people, but they seem reluctant to answering and try to move the conversation away from the subject.

Спасибо всем! Thank you, everybody!
You have certainly given an elaborate explanation and improved my understanding.

Comments

[sombreadm.livejournal.com]

damn!

[pigmeich.livejournal.com]

Emmmm..

Hasn't 'damn' good meaning?

I'm not excellent in English nor Russian, of course.

[fiachasorcha.livejournal.com]

it's officially vulgar in one usage (i.e. damn! they ran out of muffins!) although it's on the low end

there is also the polite version (i.e. you've been damned to hell)

or as an emphatic (Damn! that's good coffee!)

but it isn't exactly something that should be used in a job interview