αράπης

Greek (Cypriot)

/aˈɾapis/

noun
Definitions
  • (colloquial) nigger black person
  • (colloquial) Arab
  • (folklore) A type of supernatural boogeyman-type being that appears in several forms: as a guardian of households who enriches the owner (but eats greedy persons); as a dark guardian of hidden treasures; or as a brawny opponent to the hero of the story, whom Αράπης serves after he is defeated by him. Often used in previous times to scare small children:

Etymology

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish عرب (Arap, tr) derived from Arabic عَرَب (Arabs).

Origin

Arabic

عَرَب

Gloss

Arabs

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms