The Kuwaiti Dialect: Its Ability to Create Meaning (56)

Maligh: In the term “maligh,” meaning heavy-witted, foolish, and brazen, it is akin to “thiqil al-tinah” (clay-heavy). The feminine form is “maligha,” and one may be called “shalmaligha.” Muteh: Fat. Mudhadhidh: A short, stout, and plump fat person. Madmagh: Incompetent, described as stupid and lacking cunning. Madwudah: Confused, scattered-minded. Madwakir: Distracted, absent-minded. Maswudan: Arrogant and foolish, with poor judgment. Mushfuh: Greedy and rapacious, as if he has never found anything good. He is also called “shufah.” Masraqa’: A person with intense anger and recklessness. Maqruud: “Al-qarad” is a blood-sucking insect that clings to the body; “maqruud” refers to the wretched, unlucky person. One may say “qarad” or “shalqarad.” It may also be said to someone, “Habtak al-qarad” (May the ticks bite you) to someone who flatters insincerely. Kalak or “aklak al-dud”: The worm referred to is the grave worm; this is an expression of reprimand and scolding. Maqoof: The annoying busybody who meddles in matters that do not concern him. The feminine form is “laqifa.” Mliq, also pronounced “maligh”: The ridiculous, heavy-witted person. One described by this trait is called “shalmalaqah” or “shalmu’akhah.” Mankar hasanahu: One who denies favors and kindness. Muhamil: One who is careless about his clothing, or whose clothing is mismatched. Mawnoon: Mad. It is applied to the insane or the misbehaving. One may say “Mawnoon mashdakh,” meaning inherently insane. Nam bi-mirdanahu: “Al-mirdan” refers to the intestines; it means to strike severely or to reprimand harshly. It may also be said, “Das bi-mirdanahu” (Trampled on his intestines). Najari: Argumentative; the argument may be futile or in defense of falsehood. In such cases, one says “Shal-najarah” if the matter involves two or more people. Nahis: Derived from “nahs” (bad luck); a “nahis” person is selfish. One may say “nahisah,” “manhous,” or “Shal-nahisah,” the meaning being clear. Nashibh: The annoying persistent one. Hafah atlaymik: Said by elderly women, meaning a wish that misfortunes and calamities gather upon you. Hawlah: An ugly, disheveled appearance, mostly said by women. One may say, “Tali’ hawlah al-yawm” (You look hawlah today), with the same meaning. Heys Arbad: “Heys” is a weak, old lion; it is used as a simile for weakness and loss of strength. Warina ‘ard akhaffak: An expression meaning dismissal and rejection; it means “Go away and show me your back as you leave.” Sakh: From “ittisaakh” (filth); he is unclean in appearance, conduct, and character. Al-kubah: A wish for regret, disappointment, disaster, bitterness, or the sorrow that befalls a person. Yahh ‘aridh: Shameless, thick-skinned. It is also said, “Amra’ yahh” (Turn your face away). Yah manjab: The intrusive person, shameless and unashamed. Yah wadr: A person from whom no good comes, bitter-tempered. Ya ‘alla ma yirbah: A wish for failure. Ya mal al-mahi: Said by women, it is a wish for death and annihilation. It may also be said, “Ya ‘alak al-mahi,” with the same meaning. It is also said, “Al-mahi al-yamhihak” (The eraser that will erase you), with the same meaning. Yaba wahitbah: Said by a father to reprimand when called upon. Ya‘lak al-darbah: A wish for reprimand through beating, or for bad consequences. Yamma wasmah: Said by mothers when called upon; it is a wish for deafness. Yahd: Said by women; I believe it means a wish for exhausting bodily fatigue and weakness. Dr. Saud Muhammad Al-Asfour