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On The Reef Of Norman’s Woe
by
“Why those tears?” said Dicky to Fielding afterwards; “I wasn’t eloquent.”
GLOSSARY
Aiwa, effendi—-Yea, noble sir. Allah—-God. Allah-haly ‘m alla-haly—-A singsong of river-workers. Allah Kerim—-God is bountiful. Allshu Akbar—-God is most Great. A’l’meh—-Female professional singers Antichi—-Antiquities.
Backsheesh—-Tip, douceur, bribe. Balass—-Earthen vessel for carrying water. Basha—-Pasha. Bersim—-Grass. Bimbashi—-Major. Bishareen—-A native tribe. Bismillah—-In the name of God. Bowab—-A doorkeeper.
Corvee—-Forced labour.
Dahabeah—-A Nile houseboat with large lateen sails.
Darabukkeh—-A drum made of a skin stretched over an earthenware funnel. Doash—-(Literally) Treading. A ceremony performed on the return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.
Dourha—-Maize.
Effendina—-Highness. El aadah—-The ordinary. El Azhar—-The Arab University at Cairo. Fantasia—-Celebration with music, dancing, and processions. Farshoot—-The name of a native tribe. Fatihah—-The opening chapter of the Koran, recited at weddings, etc.
Feddan—-The most common measure of land–a little less than an acre. Also dried hay. Fellah (plu. fellaheen)—-The Egyptian peasant. Felucca—-A small boat, propelled by oars or sails. Fessikh—-Salted fish. Ghaffirs—-Humble village officials.
Ghawdzee—-The tribe of public dancing-girls. A female of this tribe is called “Ghazeeyeh,” and a man “Ghazee,” but the plural Ghawazee is generally understood as applying to the female.
Ghimah—-The Mahommedan Sunday.
Gippy—-Colloquial name for an Egyptian soldier.
Goolah—-Porous water-jar of Nile mud.
Hakim—-Doctor.
Hanouti—-Funeral attendants. Hari-kari—-An Oriental form of suicide. Hashish—-Leaves of hemp. Inshallah—-God willing. Jibbeh—-Long coat or smock, worn by dervishes. Kavass—-An orderly. Kemengeh—-A cocoanut fiddle. Khamsin—-A hot wind of Egypt and the Soudan.
Khedive—-The title granted in 1867 by the Sultan of Turkey to the ruler of Egypt. Khiassa—-Small boat. Khowagah—-Gentleman. Koran—-The Scriptures of the Mahommedans. Kourbash—-A stick, a whip.
La ilaha illa-llah—-There is no God but God. Mafish—-Nothing. Magnoon—-Fool. Malaish—-No matter. Mamour—-A magistrate. Mankalah—-A game. Mastaba—-A bench. Mejidieh—-A Turkish Order. Mirkaz—-District. Moghassils—-Washers of the dead. Moufetish—-High steward. Mudir—-A Governor of a Mudirieh or province. Muezzin—-The sheikh of the mosque who calls to prayer. Mushrabieh—-Lattice window.
Naboot—-Quarter staff. Narghileh—-The Oriental tobacco-pipe. Nehar-ak koom said—-Greeting to you. Omdah—-The head of a village.
Ooster—-One of the best sort.
Ramadan—-The Mahommedan season of fasting. Reis—-Pilot.
Saadat el basha—-Excellency.
Sais—-Groom.
Sakkia—-Persian water-wheel.
Salaam—-A salutation of the East; an obeisance, performed by bowing very low and placing the right palm on the forehead and on the breast.
Sarraf—-An accountant.
Shadoof—-Bucket and pole used by natives for lifting water.
Sha’er—-A reciter. (The singular of Sho’ara, properly signifying a poet.)
Sheikh-el-beled—-Head of a village.
Shintiyan—-Very wide trousers, worn by the women of the middle and higher orders.
Sitt—-“The Lady.”
Tarboosh—-Fez or native turban. Tarah—-A veil for the head.
Ulema—-Learned men.
Waled—-A boy. Wekeel—-A deputy. Welee—-A favourite of Heaven; colloquially a saint.
Yashmak—-A veil for the lower part of the face. Yelek—-A long vest or smock, worn over the shirt and shintiyan.
Zeriba—-A palisade