Glossary of Slang Words

Glossary of Slang Words
Glossary of Slang Words
Word | Meaning |
---|---|
Adab |
Water closet or toilet. It is Al Kaneef in standard Arabic. |
Ajjar |
It is originally Persian and means pickled vegetables. |
Al Hayrat |
It is the plural of “Hayer”, pearl fishery, which is a shallow area in the middle of deep water. |
Al Hor |
A big rectangular-shaped hole in the ground, which was often used in the irrigation ditch (Al Yazrah) to draw water from wells by using bulls. “A bull in a Hor” is said of a person who lacks experience in life. |
Al Mahmal |
A wooden ship used for carrying passengers and transporting luggage and animals. |
Al Manameh |
A high bench made of palm fronds or wood, used to sit or sleep on in summer. |
Al Maqeedh |
Relaxation and spending hot summers in oases, mountains or agricultural areas. |
Al Matareh |
Its singular is “Matrah”, which means cotton filled cover. Al Tarha is a cloth used to cover the shoulders such as the bridal veil (used for head and shoulders) |
Al Mathehab |
Morals. |
Al Medani/ Al Medni |
The goat that is about to give birth. |
Al Mehmas |
Coffee roaster: a metal long-handled roasting spatula for stirring coffee beans or spices while roasting. It is derived from the standard Arabic word “Hammas”, which means roasting over fire for a little while. |
Al Meer |
The foodstuff in each house such as rice, flour, sugar, coffee, oil, etc. It is a standard Arabic word. Al Meera: the food that is prepared for travel, etc. |
Al Mesmar |
Clove |
Al Misam |
A multi-form and size metal piece used in cauterization (branding). Al Misam is derived from the standard Arabic word “wasam” as in animal branding or marking. |
Al Mishkak or Al Mishak |
A palm frond or rope inserted into the fish gills to be carried when sold since no bags were available. |
Al Mukawekh |
The person who builds Al Kuwkha, a hole in the sand for hiding to trap birds. |
Al Nadba |
A gift or anything sent from one person to another. |
Al Naghar |
The squid: a sea animal, which is also called “Al Khathaq” |
Al Nayemma |
A type of adornment worn on woman’s nose. It is called Al Khazama. |
Al Nedba |
The support call of Al Shuhoh tribes, i.e. a shout of or call for honor, gallantry, war and elation. |
Al Nefei’a |
A mixture of food leftovers fed to livestock. |
Al Yafra |
A hole and its plural is Yafer. The standard Arabic is “Al Jafra”, which is the wide round hole and the plural is Jufr. UAE Locals normally pronounce “J” as “Y”. |
Al Yahd |
Sickness. A sick person is “mayhood”. |
Al Yaqet |
Hard dried yoghurt in various types. It is “Al Aqt” in the standard Arabic. |
Al Yeima or Al Yeim |
The bait that is placed on the hook, “Al Meidar”, when fishing with a string. |
Ambona |
A term that means the origin or beginning of something. |
Aneer |
It is of an English origin “anchor” and it is said that it is originally Persian. It is a piece of metal with three or five flukes used as a ship anchor where one side is attached to the ship and the flukes side is anchored in the seabed. |
Anna |
An Indian coin. It is a unit of the Indian Rupee, which was used in the UAE before the foundation of the Union. The Indian Rupee equals 16 annas. An anna equals 4 paisas or currently half Dirham and 6 fils (56 fils). |
Atmasah |
I perform ablution. |
Badha |
Silver or golden strings used in decorating women’s clothes in the past. They might be made of Talli (embroidered cotton threads). |
Baraha/ Al Baraha |
An expanse of land with no trees and houses. It is a standard Arabic word that means an open space. |
Barmeet |
A type of candies. |
Barmeety |
Pink. |
Barnous |
Blanket or wool quilt |
Barra’/ Khari |
Outside. Opposite of inside. |
Bawara |
It is an anchor used to keep a vessel in place. It is a metal piece with flukes tied with a thick rope and anchored in seabed. |
Bayah |
A foreign word that is originally Urdu and it means the foolish or the empty-headed. |
Emwayem |
Its root is “wajem” in standard Arabic and said of a person who is sorrowful and worried. |
Endahab |
Overinflated sense of pride. It is said of the arrogant and boastful person who acts in imprudent manner. |
Enhadar |
Go down. It is a standard Arabic word. |
Um Kent |
Owl |