Iraqis revive ancient word `ulooj' to insult, greet U.S. troops

[rumguy]

"College students whisper the word when they spot U.S. troops in Baghdad streets. Vandals scrawl the word across military vehicles. Sneering taxi drivers mutter it when convoys block their cabs.

"Ulooj," they say, and while some use it with disdain and others more lightheartedly, it's unmistakably not a nice reference - though what precisely the ancient term from Arabic literature means depends on whom you ask. Among the translations offered: pigs of the desert, foreign infidels, little donkeys, medieval crusaders, bloodsuckers and horned creatures.

While no one can quite pin down the original definition, Iraqis agree on the modern definition: "It's the American military," said Maria Hassan, a 23-year-old history major at a university in Baghdad. "We use this word from the past for our occupiers of the present."

The revival of "ulooj" (pronounced oo-LOOZH) is the handiwork of Mohammed Saeed al Sahaf, the alternately comical and caustic information minister from the former Iraqi regime."

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/7638729.htm

[papau]

1. information minister from the former Iraqi regime-I thought Fox hired him!

:-)

[mobuto]

2. No, he's deputy White House Communications Director

which means he reports to a different division of NewsCorp than Fox News.

[benfranklin1776]

3. ROFLMAO!

There is undeniable truth in that witticism!

[wryter2000]

4. OMG

Has anyone told http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com?

[readmylips]

5. ULOOJ to Boosh....

and kiss my little a$$.

[KansDem]

7. "ULOOJ, ULOOJ...!!!"

"Ulooj, Boosh!!"

Iraqi: "Hey, Boosh, your diminished perspicacity is appalling!"
Boosh: "Say, are you trying to insult me?!"

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. Ulooj (derogatory reference to the medieval bloody crusaders)

.
.
. . " interviewing ordinary Iraqis, and the word Ulooj ( derogatory reference to the medieval bloody crusaders) can be heard many a times."

This is from an article (specifically - "Iraq’s Occupation Is About Oil And Other Things" )

way back on September 8, 2003

took them awhile to catch on !

Our speedy, reliable Western News Media at work !!

[King Coal]

8. If I remember right, Bahgdad Bob penned the moniker