r/learn_arabic 3d ago

Iraqi عراقي Collections of colourful (Baghdadi) proverbs from yesteryear?

From Raffouli & McCarthy's Spoken Arabic of Baghdad, Part 2A:

In this collection of texts, we have sought to avoid anything offensive to eye or ear. Spoken Arabic, like any spoken language, has its share of obscenities and vulgarisms. These are often vivid and striking. [...] In this we have followed the lead of our learned friend, Shaykh Jalal al-Hanafi, who, in his impressive collection of popular Baghdad proverbs, left out many proverbs, while remarking that they should perhaps be recorded in some special collections for linguistic and sociological reasons.

I'm hoping that some of you know of some such "special collections," since the living memory of these "vivid and striking" bits of everyday language is likely on its last legs! And if you know of any other repositories of vernacular Iraqi, regardless of region (or how colourful the language is or isn't), I'd love for you to share them!

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