Discussion Forum | A Way with Words

johng423 on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:39:25 +0000

Not trying to stir up any more trouble in that region, but…
I once asked, "What's the difference between an Israeli and an Israelite?"
One wag told me, "One-third less calories."

Ron Draney on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:23:50 +0000

And then you've got "gum arabic" and "Arabian horses".

EmmettRedd on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:34:18 +0000

What about "arabica" or "Arabica"? It is applied to coffee beans/plants and several other things.

Emmett

crestmere on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:15:33 +0000

Arabic can also be an adjective referred to the language.

We might need to get Grant and Martha to make a ruling on this.

torpeau on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:29:31 +0000

I'd think Arab would be the noun for the person and Arabic would be the adjective. Arabic would also be the noun for the language.

I lost a bet when I said Egyptians were Arabs. The Arabs arrived in Egypt in 730 AD, and before that they had been a mixture of Persians, Greeks, Romans and various other groups -- as explained to me by an Egyptian. Egypt is an Arab-speaking country.

ColleenK on Use of "Arabic" vs "Arab"

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:07:07 +0000

I have been told that the word "Arabic" should pertain only to the language or literature (e.g., "He spoke Arabic") while "Arab" should pertain to a person or country (e.g., "Egypt is an Arab country"). In common usage, however, it appears these words are often used interchangeably (e.g., "an Arabic woman"). Are there some usage rules about these two words or is it merely a matter of personal preference?