If Egyptian Sayings Were Translated to English

Have you ever met an Egyptian?

They are what I believe to be; the kindest, most generous, and most humble people ever. They smile carelessly, and appreciate all that life has to offer. And above all, they are incredibly faithful.

Egyptians (to me) seem to come up with the most ingenious ideas for any and all situations.

Aside from everyday situations, the Egyptian language on its own is quite an impressive and creative piece of literary work. 

It should come as no surprise to any Egyptian, that our Arabic is a real work of art. Not only because the word choices that we use are so unique, but also because even when we are upset, we use statements that are so well-mannered and sophisticated, one would only assume that we really are a classy bunch.

So to prove my point, let's begin. Here I have combined 12 of the most common Egyptian phrases (in my opinion) that literally make absolutely no sense in English, and probably in any other language, but somehow, make perfect sense to the average Egyptian.

1.  Enta lesanek taweel

English Translation: Your tongue is long

Actual Definition: You are rude

2. Ana 7akhreb betak

English Translation: I will mess up your house

Actual Definition: no actual definition, more of a threat of physical abuse.. I think.

3. e7na akalna 3esh w mal7 sawa

 English Translation: We ate bread and salt together

Actual Definition: We grew up together

4. bint/ibn nas

English Translation: She/he is a daughter/son of humans

Actual Definition: She/he comes from a good home - usually referred to admirers for marital purposes

5. shaklaha zay el ammar

English Translation:She looks like the moon

Actual Definition: She is beautiful

6. 3agbak 3agbak mesh 3agbak eshrab men el ba7r

English Translation: If you like it, then like it, if you don't like it then go and drink sea water

Actual Definition: If you like my plan, great. If you don't like it, too bad. 

7. ana mesh 3arfa rassy men reglaya

English Translation: I don't know my head from my legs

Actual Definition: I am so lost - usually referring to cleaning a mess and not knowing where to begin

8. 7atrou7i ya3ni 7atrou7i w reglek fo2 re2abtek

English Translation: You will go means, you will go, with your head over your neck.

Actual Definition: You will go, no questions asked. 

9. law mesh 3agbak ekhbat rasak fel 7eit

English Translation: If you don't like it, go and ht your head on the wall

Actual Definition: If you don't like it, too bad. 

10. mate2ta3sh 3eishy

English Translation: don't cut my bread

Actual Definition: Don't destroy my source of financial income

11. ya set el kol

English Translation: woman of all

Actual Definition: a strong woman who is capable of anything - not often used, but referred to mothers and wives

12. 7a2ablak fel cafe, ishta?

English Translation: I will meet you at the cafe, full cream?

Actual Definition: I will meet you at the cafe, cool?


But we can't only be credited for our literary work. We have a lot to be proud of. After all, our ancestors did discover wifi;

binscorner.com

I challenge anyone to tell me that Egyptians are not an assortment of cool, funny and dramatic put together. Any takers, please step to the comment podium below.

I would just like to point out that Egyptians are a pretty cool bunch, and so are our traffic police.

All jokes aside though, we really do have a lot to be proud of. We may not be where we want to be, but we are a step closer today than we were yesterday. History will rewrite itself and Egypt will prevail once again with pride and dignity.

26 feelings travelers know all too well.

After my annual 12 hour flight from Dubai to Toronto, I realized that the struggle of long flights is all too real.

I am about to take you through a whirlwind feelings and emotions all airline travelers know to be true. Enjoy your flight!

1. As you board the plane, you have carefully planned your sleeping pattern on the airplane to avoid jet lag when you arrive to your final destination.

2. Once the plane takes off, you search through the entertainment system and find a good movie, and try to find your comfy spot, in high hopes of falling asleep with your high-definition companion.

3. LOL.. comfy spot.

4. You get momentarily agitated as the person seated in front of you reclines their seat backwards, although, you have your seat maximally reclined backwards as well.

5. After a few more attempts of finding comfort in the tiny seating space that you have, you accept the fact that comfort is a nonexistent part of the economy class.



6. You fall asleep for 10 minutes, only to be woken up by the flight attendant, who is offering you your first airline meal. Chicken or beef?



7. After indulging in your bland and somewhat tasteless meal, you try to get comfy once again. Only to realize there is absolutely no possible comfort with a tray filled with trash, taking up roughly 50% of your sitting space.

8. What seems to be decades later, the flight attendant finally comes to take away your tray.

9. Now, time for some shut eye. At this point, the internal plane lights are off, all windows are closed and the majority of the passengers are asleep.

10. You sleep for a good hour or two if you are lucky.

11. Remember that kid that slept as soon as the flight took off? The one who got comfortable after take off, and used his seat and his parent's seats to stretch his body for a good night rest? That kid is awake. Enjoy.



12. Somehow, the majority of the passengers are still asleep, except you, you are awaken by the sound of a bored, confined, well-rested, highly energized child.

13. Falling asleep now becomes a difficult task, that can only be challenged by a rare few.



14. Time to put on another movie to help pass the time by.

15. What seems to be your new permanent residence, has only been an airplane ride of a few hours.

16. The internal airplane lights are now on, and most passengers are starting to awaken, the remaining few will be woken up by the airplane turbulence, that is sure to blend your organs together for a moment.

17. Breakfast is served. Is this scrambled eggs or mashed potato? I have never been more confused in my life, and no amount of salt and pepper can change the way I feel.

16. After the food tray has been taken away, time for a bathroom break. Why is the line to the bathroom so long?

17. You finally reach the front of the bathroom line and you cannot hold it in any longer.Once you enter the bathroom stall, a feeling of freedom and liberation hits you hard.



18. The toilet flush - rumour has it, that if you stand too close to the toilet as it flushes, it can suck in your soul along with your excrement.

19. Only 2 hours left for your flight, you start to feel optimistic. 2 hours, that's roughly equivalent to 1 more movie.

20. The airplane starts to descend, and the seat belt sign is on.

21. You start putting your seat up-right, and pack your belongings, the moment is finally here.

22. You bend down to put your shoes on, but they are no where to be found. After some panic and anxiety, you find one pair under the seat beside you, and the other pair, under the seat across from your neighbor's seat, 2 chairs down. How did it get there?

23. You have finally landed, you take out your carry-on, and you are waiting in line to exit the airplane.

24. The line is similar to what you would see in a crowded buffet, crammed, no space to stand, and everyone breathing your air. Personal space is not something that is common in such line ups.



25. After what seems like forever, the line finally starts to move, and you couldn't be happier to have landed at your destination.

26. We hope you enjoyed your flight, see you again soon, the flight attendant says with a friendly smile on her face; and that smile gets me every time!

The Middle East’s first cat café opens its doors in Dubai

Guests enjoying coffee, cakes and cuddles by the cats in
Ailuromania Café – Photo Credit: Gulf News

Combining Dubai’s love for coffee and animals, Saudi sisters Eman, Aliaa and Omnia Al Aulaqi launched the first ever cat café in the Middle East on April 2, 2015. Located on Jumeirah Beach Road, Ailuromania Café is a coffee shop, which is home to 20 different rescue cats of a diverse breeds and ages.

“It all started 4 years ago, when Eman received a kitten as a gift, she has been rescuing and adopting cats ever since,” said café co-owner Omnia. “She was always keen on starting her own business someday. When she heard about these cat cafes that opened in London and Japan, and it was like a lightbulb moment for her,” she added. 

The idea originally started in Taiwan, and has become a big hit, as many furry feline lovers stand in line, waiting for their cup of coffee and quality time with the cuddly cats. “The concept of the café is unique, not many places have this sort of café, and here in Dubai there is a need for it,” explains Omnia. “There are so many people who love cats, but they can’t own one for whatever reason, so we make it easier for cat lovers to connect with cats on a personal level, by allowing them to have a bite and a cup of coffee in the company of our cats” she said.

Ailuromania is the first cafe featuring animals in the UAE, therefore, the process for opening the café was not an easy one. “This is the first café of its kind in the UAE, there were no rules or laws for it, so in order to get a permit and license the business, the municipality had to actually create rules and laws that the café would abide by, this process alone took us about 1 year,” Omnia explains.

Aside from the permit and licensing issues from the municipality, a strict concern from the Dubai Health and Safety Department gave the sisters many obstacles on how the café should serve food in a sanitary manner.

The idea of animals being in a café where food is served can be daunting; therefore, a separate extension was made with its own private entrance for the kitchen, where the food is made. “Nothing is cooked in the café, due to obvious health regulations, we cook our food in the kitchen which is separate from the café, and we only use the café to heat the food before serving it,” says Omnia.

The prestigious look and feel of the café comes at a minimum charge of 50 AED per person. “I find that the minimum charge is a bit excessive, but I guess that this figure is justifiable for the owners, considering that these cats need food, litter, vaccinations and regular grooming. I am not sure who would be willing to pay 50 AED just to see some cats, but I for one will be back,” said Elizabeth Bailey, a customer at Ailuromania café, and a self-proclaimed cat lover. 

“We have a lot of cats at home, which we hope to bring into the café permanently, but we do select the cats that are the most sociable. If any of the cats in the café are sick, we bring them home until they feel better. We do our best to make sure that both our customers and our cats are well taken care of,” said Omnia.

The cats, which are chosen to stay at the café, are based on their health and behaviour. They require grooming every 3 months, and annual vaccination check-ups to ensure that the cats are healthy and up to date and that the cafe upholds the highest standards of sanitation. “I’ve heard of these types of cafes, but I never imagined that I would see one in Dubai! The cats are so cuddly and beautiful. I hope that this business becomes a big hit; we need these kinds of open-minded ideas in the region, so that the idea of animals and humans living harmoniously together doesn’t seem so far-fetched.