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Out of the blue

  • 04-11-2015 6:28pm
    #1
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Does anyone know what the expression "baldy arab" means?

    It was used as some manner of insult when I went to school. It just popped into my head - out of the blue - earlier today. I have no idea what triggered the memory and no recollection of whether I ever knew the meaning.

    It was Limerick in the 1980's.

    Cheers.


Comments

  • #2
    The_Valeyard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,452 ✭✭✭✭The_Valeyard


    Spon Farmer wrote: »
    Hi,

    Does anyone know what the expression "baldy arab" means?

    It was used as some manner of insult when I went to school. It just popped into my head - out of the blue - earlier today. I have no idea what triggered the memory and no recollection of whether I ever knew the meaning.

    It was Limerick in the 1980's.

    Cheers.

    Perhaps a person of Arabian origin who was bald or balding?


  • #3
    Dr.Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 465 ✭✭Dr.Internet


    A person of middle eastern descent with no hair.


    The whole hair growing religious thing

    You do the math


  • #4
    Mesrine65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,969 ✭✭✭Mesrine65


    Something to do with this dude...

    http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/438/808/Sheik1_crop_north.jpg?w=541&h=361&q=75


  • #5
    Hammer89
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭Hammer89


    I've never once heard that phrase. I suspect the only person who has is Omid Djalili.


  • #6
    PandaPoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,977 ✭✭✭PandaPoo


    My doctor told me I'm colour-blind.

    Well that came completely out of the yellow!

    (nothing to do with the thread but it made me laugh) :o


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  • #7
    Los Lobos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 728 ✭✭✭Los Lobos


    Out of the blue, classic album, all killer no filler


  • #8
    JONJO THE MISER
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 12,333 ✭✭✭✭JONJO THE MISER


    one of the best ufo docs out there.


  • #9
    Fleawuss
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭Fleawuss


    It's a reference to a local character who served with TE Lawrence. Lawrence of Arabia. He wasn't Arab but the war and the heat got to him and he suffered flashbacks so would stop traffic usually at the Treaty Stone area wearing Arab headdress and shouting Arabic phrases at people. He might have been demanding fresh goatskins for his water for all anyone knew. Limerick people of the Twenties and Thirties steered clear of him. He was totally bald hence the name. I can't remember his name.


  • #10
    Fleawuss
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭Fleawuss


    Fleawuss wrote: »
    It's a reference to a local character who served with TE Lawrence. Lawrence of Arabia. He wasn't Arab but the war and the heat got to him and he suffered flashbacks so would stop traffic usually at the Treaty Stone area wearing Arab headdress and shouting Arabic phrases at people. He might have been demanding fresh goatskins for his water for all anyone knew. Limerick people of the Twenties and Thirties steered clear of him. He was totally bald hence the name. I can't remember his name.

    Actually his surname was Baracus.


  • #11
    whatismyname
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,707 ✭✭✭whatismyname


    Oh feck sake.

    Why, oh why, did I not predict that googling 'baldy arab' would bring some questionable results...


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  • #12
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    The_Valeyard wrote: »
    Perhaps a person of Arabian origin who was bald or balding?

    Should I have specified that the phrase was not directed at individuals of Arabian descent, bald or otherwise?

    It was an insult of some nature and used frequently and directed at many.


  • #13
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    Dr.Internet wrote: »
    A person of middle eastern descent with no hair.


    The whole hair growing religious thing

    You do the math

    No "math" necessary just reading - I'm asking if anyone knows what the phrase "baldy arab" means. Common sense should tell you that it obviously isn't that straight forward.:rolleyes:


  • #14
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    Mesrine65 wrote: »
    Something to do with this dude...

    http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/438/808/Sheik1_crop_north.jpg?w=541&h=361&q=75

    Was he around in the '80s?

    Being compared to that fella doesn't seem like much of an insult. :)


  • #15
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    Hammer89 wrote: »
    I've never once heard that phrase. I suspect the only person who has is Omid Djalili.

    I have and I'm not Omid Djaili ;)

    Plus, surely he can't be the only bald Arab man?


  • #16
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Only thing I can come up with is that it's another euphemism for penis. All hairy at the bottom with a smooth and round top.

    Dunno.


  • #17
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    Fleawuss wrote: »
    It's a reference to a local character who served with TE Lawrence. Lawrence of Arabia. He wasn't Arab but the war and the heat got to him and he suffered flashbacks so would stop traffic usually at the Treaty Stone area wearing Arab headdress and shouting Arabic phrases at people. He might have been demanding fresh goatskins for his water for all anyone knew. Limerick people of the Twenties and Thirties steered clear of him. He was totally bald hence the name. I can't remember his name.

    I don't know if there is any truth to that but it is an awesome story.

    If no explanation presents itself, then I will accept this as the answer.

    Good man.:)


  • #18
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    whatismyname wrote: »
    Oh feck sake.

    Why, oh why, did I not predict that googling 'baldy arab' would bring some questionable results...

    Sorry, I Googled it too before asking here and I should have included a warning about that.

    :o


  • #19
    Spon Farmer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,262 ✭✭✭Spon Farmer


    seamus wrote: »
    Only thing I can come up with is that it's another euphemism for penis. All hairy at the bottom with a smooth and round top.

    Dunno.

    That could be the one. Another way of calling someone a "prick" or "dickhead".

    I believe that is answer.

    Cheers.


  • #20
    PARlance
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,510 ✭✭✭✭PARlance


    Spon Farmer wrote: »
    Hi,

    Does anyone know what the expression "baldy arab" means?

    It was used as some manner of insult when I went to school. It just popped into my head - out of the blue - earlier today. I have no idea what triggered the memory and no recollection of whether I ever knew the meaning.

    It was Limerick in the 1980's.

    Cheers.

    I would guess that it was an insinuation that someone was untrustworthy (or possibly a disappointment).
    Reason: They wear their keffiyeh (headdress) and you can't tell if they have a full head of hair or not underneath it.

    A baldy arab would be hard to tell.


  • #21
    Dr.Internet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 465 ✭✭Dr.Internet


    Spon Farmer wrote: »
    No "math" necessary just reading - I'm asking if anyone knows what the phrase "baldy arab" means. Common sense should tell you that it obviously isn't that straight forward.:rolleyes:

    Ok then sorry for replying :rolleyes:

    Have you heard of Google because this is obviously not straight forward to some, it's rocket science


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  • #22
    pappyodaniel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,803 ✭✭✭pappyodaniel


    I remember the term "Dozy Arab" being used back in the 80s but no idea of the origins.


  • #23
    Satts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 818 ✭✭✭Satts


    I remember someone being called a Dirty Arab in the 90's.


  • #24
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Spon Farmer wrote: »
    That could be the one. Another way of calling someone a "prick" or "dickhead".

    I believe that is answer.

    Cheers.
    Internet Rule #160: "If in doubt, penis".


  • #25
    crazygeryy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭crazygeryy


    Is it anything to do when the phrase she's as dry as an arabs tackie?


  • #26
    EoghanIRL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,080 ✭✭✭EoghanIRL


    Not a Neil Young thread. Thread disappoints.


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