Job Discussion Forums

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Yes, dammit, as an (almost) honorary Limey, what exactly DOES Zebra mean? Am I misssing something here?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Have you noted the first syllable? I can't believe that you have spent a number of years in the gulf and not picked that one up.

I have had 30-40 year old men fall into uncontrollable fits of the giggles because it was in the reading. I shared the response of the adult females in the class... Rolling Eyes

VS

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

Zeb?

dmb IS dumb. You'll have to explain it teacher teacher VS

Ace Teacher · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Riyadh

Do not attempt to use these words "SOLO" without proper preparation!

Zip, Zebra, Air, Kiss

And in countries such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine... these words will certainly cause an unwanted attention! Nike and Maniac !!

Wonder how far your Arabic knowledge goes VS !!!

Definitely an alert to learn the Surface and Deep culture of the country you are going to be teaching in.

In India, a teacher went to teach there .... the students wanted to know what would he call a very distasteful and bad woman in England? He replied without thinking "a COW" !! Don't ask about the reaction on the faces of his student!!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I hear that 'unique' causes guffaws from those speaking Lebanese dialect.

How far does my knowledge go in Arabic? Not nearly as far as it should but I did spend my first 3 years in Cairo, so you must have a certain level of survival Arabic to get along.

I assume that dmb is playing dumb, but perhaps he really is. Rolling Eyes

So I will include here what was found in my Petra Guide:

... Zibb Farun, which is a free-standing pillar. Use this term with caution as zibb mean phallus, (farun refers to the Pharoah) and it will trigger a fit of giggling from your bedu guide.

VS

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

No, when it comes to knowledge of Arabic I really am dumb.

jmsauer · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject:

The verb naaka/yuneeku means "to f_ck". Unique would be the third person masculine singular in the imperfect tense. I think it's used throughout the arab world. For those of you working on your Arabic, this is a good opportunity to practice your hollow verbs. Rolling Eyes

My first year Arabic students go out of their way to use the word "only" as often as possible. In fusha its "f_ckot".

Mohammad · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 79

It's actually ''faqat''

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

"Fungus" is another one that will reduce them to endless bouts of laughter.

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

In which case, don't tell them the joke about the pregnant fairy.