m3lsh (m-A-lish).....

Here's your Arabic word for the day -- m-A-lish. there's no word in the english alphabet that resembles the 'A'.....so, when writing arabic w/the english alphabet, we use 3. it's like a deep A sound that comes from the bottom of your mouth and the back of your throat.

anyway, this word transcends language into culture. my language teacher told me that language and culture are closely tied together here, and this is the a great example of this truth. what does it mean? well, let me tell you what i know and have observed.

someone drops a plate full of food on the ground - m3lish!
someone arrives an hour late -- m3lish!
someone goes out of their way to help you -- m3lish!

3la = on
mish - not
put them together - m 3la ish

essentially, this means, "it's not on your head" or "it's not on you"

"no problem," "don't worry about it," "forget it," etc. meshie? (ok?)

this is the technical term used when speaking; however, in order to demonstrate the transcendence of this word into reality and it's obvious obviousness in the Egyptian culture, i'm going to use the tern m3lishishness....meshie? m3lish-ish-ness......fantastic.

in the midst of crazy cairo traffic, horns honk, drivers weave in, out, through, or any other way they can move quickly......and then some silly person cuts him/her off. perhaps a few words and then coh-loss (finish!). if you dropped a street full of unsuspecting, western drivers in the middle of traffic here, apocalypse would ensue.........i guess, m3lish is like patience, forgiveness, and laid-back-ness incorporated into one word.

well, remember that i've only been here for about six weeks and with more time, i will learn more aspects to this word and cultural concept..........until then!