[245]. Arab. “Yá Ustá” (for “Ustáz.”) The Pers. term is Ustád = a craft-master, an artisan and especially a barber. Here it is merely a polite address.
[246]. In common parlance Arabs answer a question (like the classics of Europe who rarely used Yes and No, Yea and Nay), by repeating its last words. They have, however, many affirmative particles e.g. Ni’am which answers a negative “Dost thou not go?”—Ni’am (Yes!); and Ajal, a stronger form following a command, e.g. Sir (go)—Ajal, Yes verily. The popular form is Aywá (’lláhi) = Yes, by Allah. The chief negatives are Má and Lá, both often used in the sense of “There is not.”
[247]. Arab. “Khalbús,” prop. the servant of the Almah-girls who acts buffoon as well as pimp. The “Maskharah” (whence our “mask”) corresponds with the fool or jester of mediæval Europe: amongst the Arnauts he is called “Suttari” and is known by his fox’s tails: he mounts a mare, tom-toms on the kettle-drum and is generally one of the bravest of the corps. These buffoons are noted for extreme indecency: they generally appear in the ring provided with an enormous phallus of whip-cord and with this they charge man, woman and child, to the infinite delight of the public.
[248]. Arab. “Shúbash” pronounced in Egypt Shobash: it is the Persian Sháh-básh lit. = be a King, equivalent to our bravo. Here, however, the allusion is to the buffoon’s cry at an Egyptian feast, “Shohbash ’alayk, yá Sáhib al-faraj,” = a present is due from thee, “O giver of the fête!” See Lane M. E. xxvii.
[249]. Arab. “Ka’ak al-I’d:” the former is the Arab form of the Persian “Kahk” (still retained in Egypt) whence I would derive our word “cake.” It alludes to the sweet cakes which are served up with dates, the quatre mendiants and sherbets during visits of the Lesser (not the greater) Festival, at the end of the Ramazan fast. (Lane M.E. xxv).
[250]. Arab. “Tásúmah,” a rare word for a peculiar slipper. Dozy (s.v.) says only, espèce de chaussure, sandale, pantoufle, soulier.
[251]. Arab. “Ijtilá” = the displaying of the bride on her wedding night so often alluded to in The Nights.
[252]. Arab. Khiskhánah; a mixed word from Khaysh = canvass or stuffs generally and Pers. Khánah = house room. Dozy (s.v.) says armoire, buffet.
[253]. The Bresl. Edit. “Kamaríyah” = Moon-like (fem.) for Moon.
[254]. Every traveller describes the manners and customs of dogs in Eastern cities where they furiously attack all canine intruders. I have noticed the subject in writing of Al-Medinah where the beasts are confined to the suburbs (Pilgrimage ii. 52–54).