Re: Abdul Alhazred: Let's retroconlang the Mad Arab!

Kit wrote:
<<
i've seen it suggested that the name "should" be Abd al-Azrad, "slave
of the devourer", from zarada, to devour.  not speaking any arabic, i
cannot vouch for this in any way, but i've seen it suggested, at least.
 >>

I looked it up, and there doesn't seem to be any form /azrad/.
/zarad/ is "chain mail, coat of mail" (interesting: /Himaar az-zarad/
is "zebra" (i.e., "donkey of chain mail").  The only form that has
VzrVd is /mazrad/, which means "throat".  Close enough, though,
I suppose.

And, what others have said was right: the "ul" in "Abdul" is the
definite article, so Abdul Alhazred is kind of like say "the the
stork".  And, of course, without the other name, it leaves one
wondering.  Like when I see Paula Abdul's name.  I'm always
left wondering, "Abd al what?"

-David
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"sunly eleSkarez ygralleryf ydZZixelje je ox2mejze."
"No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn."

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