The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 (of 10)
General
The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night — Volume 01 (of 10)
Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Folklore -- Arab countries
Arab. "Dinár," from the Latin denarius (a silver coin worth ten
ounces of brass) through the Greek δηνάριον: it is a Koranic word
(chapt. iii.) though its Arab equivalent is "Miskál." It also occurs
in the Kathá before quoted, clearly showing the derivation. In the
"Book of Kalilah and Dimnah" it is represented by the Daric or
Persian Dinár, δαρεικός, from Dárá=a King (whence Darius). The Dinar,
sequin or ducat, contained at different times from 10 and 12 (Abu
Hanifah's day) to 20 and even 25 dirhams or drachmas; and, as a
weight, represented a drachma and a half. Its value greatly varied,
but we may assume it here at nine shillings or ten francs to half a
sovereign. For an elaborate article on the Dinar see Yule's "Cathay
and the Way Thither" (ii., pp. 439-443).
Footnote 53:
The formula used in refusing alms to an "asker" or in rejecting an
insufficient offer: "Allah will open to thee!" (some door of gain—not
mine)! Another favourite ejaculation is "Allah Karim" (which Turks
pronounce "Kyereem")=Allah is All-beneficent: meaning Ask Him, not
me.
Footnote 54:
The public bath. London knows the word through "The Hummums."
Footnote 55:
Arab. "Dirham" (Plur. diráhim, also used in the sense of money,
"siller"), the Gr. δραχμή and the drachuma of Plautus (Trin. 2, 4,
23). The word occurs in the Panchatantra also showing the derivation;
and in the Syriac Kalilah wa Dimnah it is "Zúz." This silver piece
was=6 obols (9¾d.) and as a weight=66½ grains. The Dirham of The
Nights was worth six "Dánik," each of these being a fraction over a
penny. The modern Greek Drachma is=one franc.
Footnote 56:
In Arabic the speaker always puts himself first, even if he address
the King, without intending incivility.
Footnote 57:
A she-Ifrit, not necessarily an evil spirit.
Footnote 58:
Arab. "Kullah" (in Egypt pron. "gulleh"), the wide-mouthed jug,
called in the Hijaz "baradiyah;" "daurak" being the narrow. They are
used either for water or sherbet and, being made of porous clay,
"sweat," and keep the contents cool; hence all old Anglo-Egyptians
drink from them, not from bottles. Sometimes they are perfumed with
smoke of incense, mastich or Kafal (Amyris Kafal). For their graceful
shapes See Lane's "Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern
Egyptians" (chapt. v). I quote, here and elsewhere, from the fifth
edition, London, Murray, 1860.
Footnote 59:
"And what is?" etc. A popular way of expressing great difference. So
in India:—"Where is Rajah Bhoj (the great King) and where is Gangá
the oilman?"
THE FISHERMAN AND THE JINNI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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