Originated from Kosovo war in 1999. Russian peacekeeping force soldiers called
American soldiers pindos or pendos because they looked funny and
fat, like penguins, in full combat ammunition.
Later, the word carried over to whole
American citizens as pejorative. Also, USA = Pendostan or Pindostan (country of Pindos)
Russian
army general to the officers of peacekeeping
force in Kosovo:
-Dear officers. I'm politely asking you to
stop calling pindos by "pindos". They are very offended by this