On Wed, 18 Sep 96 13:44:40 edt Susan Einbinder wrote:
>
> Dogs travel in packs and, undomesticated, were probably quite
> frightening. They're also scavengers and were considered unclean by both
> Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. This isn't much to add, but it's a common
> oath in Arabic to call someone an "ibn kalb" (son of a dog). Good luck.
>
> Susan
May I add that Frederick Forsyth, in his novel _The Fist of
God_, has the Iraqis refer to the Americans as "sons of
dogs" ("beni el kalb"). He also remarks that Arabs do not regard dogs
very highly.
Mark
====
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mark Harris
S-mail: Finance Division, University of London, Room 255, Senate
House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0171-636 8000 x 3488
Fax: 0171-631 1195
*A practical hint for the home*
To extricate a rasher of bacon stuck in the slot of a child's money-
box, use a small shoehorn or glove-stretcher as a lever, holding the
box firmly in the left hand and levering gently with the right hand.
- Beachcomber
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|