Kef Dope

[Arpa]

This item is posted in the Culture section because, even though it may qualify as "language" it goes beyond.

 

Kef, Qef, Dope.

 

I received a PM asking me if "kef" is an Arabic or Turkish word.

The answer is both yes and no.

A short time ago there was a heated debate in the printed Armenian media about the word.

Some arguesd that it was a foreign word and that it was inappropriate for us to use it as it is the custom of certain groups to advertise their New Year's celebration as "Armenian Kef" or "Kef-time".

To me it goes beyond its etymolgical origin, its depraved connotaion.

The word is neither Arabic nor Turkish, even if they both use it, just as we do.

Our literature is rife with examples. The most memorable of which is a short story where the king, during a famine, tours the country in disguise. The whole country is dark and in extreme depression, until he spots a dim light at a distance, and as he gets closer he begins to hear the sound of dhol, zurna and singing. The house was alit with song and dance. He knocks on the door and is admitted in. He parakes of the partying, and as he is leaving he is compelled to ask the host as to how when the whole country is in virtual mourning they are still singing and dancing. The host answers; "Kef anoghin kef chi paksi, dard anoghin dard chi paksi".

 

The reason I don't like the word is, even if it has come to mean "party/celebration/glee", from the Persian, even if it has evolved to mean all the above its orginal meaning is "dope'/hashish/opium" and or any intoxicant (Those who know Persian may corroborate this. How about it Iran01?). The inference may be obvious, as Armenian is concerned, just as above, it is freely used yet its foreignness may be evident by the fact that the word cannot be found in any Armenian disctionary worth its ink. Ajarian does not even come close.No. Wait. I lied again. Soukiasian Homanishenri Bararan does treat the word, among several difintions as "khnjuyq/khrakhjabq" it finally cites; "Qefovnal=Harbel"(to bet intoxcated).

 

So! What Armenian word , concise and easily intelligible, palatable to the otar palate would be a substitute?

 

Khnjuyq? Khtakhjanq?

How about "KHIND"? As in "khind ou tsitsagh?

 

:band:

 

Maybe we will write about those two words as well.

 

Btw. The Armenian word for hashish is "kaneb" as in Cannabis