What bad word or phrase does “Unique” sound like in Arabic?
June 14, 2019 9:44 AM Subscribe
Earlier today, I was teaching some vocabulary to a few Arabic-speaking students, and they cracked up incredulously over the word “unique.” Can someone please let me know why it’s funny? I’m so curious! I’m pretty sure they speak the Levant dialect, if that factors in.
Response by poster: Ohhhhhh! Yep, that makes sense. Thank you!
posted by to recite so charmingly at 10:29 AM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by to recite so charmingly at 10:29 AM on June 14, 2019 [1 favorite]
(Not sure if it’s relevant but many Arabic speaking places are also Francophone. “niquer” is “to fuck” in French... the name “Nicky” is not popular.
posted by raccoon409 at 11:46 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 11:46 AM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
The French niquer (probably) comes from the Arabic word: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/niquer
posted by Awkward Philip at 6:43 PM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Awkward Philip at 6:43 PM on June 14, 2019 [2 favorites]
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Edit: a friend clarified that it sounds like the imperative "(you) fuck" said to a man.
posted by Penguin48 at 10:27 AM on June 14, 2019 [13 favorites]