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To: visualops

No, those were basically colloquial or common usages. Arab is connected with nomad or wanderer, so, for instance, "street arab" was a common colloquialism for a bum, before political correctness set in.


8 posted on 08/22/2005 4:19:42 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Cicero

I suggest A-rab as a replacement. That's the term i'm hearing out there.


10 posted on 08/22/2005 4:20:22 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Pitchforks and Lanterns..with a smiley face!)
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To: Cicero

Arabs originally denoted someone from the Arabian peninsula. The Bedhouins and other nomads probably contributed to the usage as peddlers and bums, also likely expat Europeans and others in the Middle East and their diescription of Arabs. My mother grew up in Cairo and there were (and likely are still) lots of beggars and I don't doubt the term "arab" was not a compliment. Back in the 70's in Paris I can recall alot of Arab beggars in the subways. I was warned by my mother to "watch out for North Africans, they're pickpockets".


22 posted on 08/22/2005 5:15:14 PM PDT by visualops (www.visualops.com)
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