Today is Arabic Language Day. I'm not sure who celebrates it but I certainly appreciate it's contributions to our English. The words Cotton, Mascara, Admiral, Racquet, Safari, Coffee, Check, Candy, Caliber, Alcove, and Adobe all are from the Arabic or have their origins from that language. The Arabs were great mathematicians so we got from them Algebra, Alchemy, Cipher, Algorithm, and the all important Zero. I learned some general words since stars names are usually Arabic or a Latinized version of it. For example: the star denoting the tail in the constellation of Cygnus the Swan is named Deneb and the star at the end of Leo the Lion's tail is Denebola. Both come from the word for 'tail' in Arabic. Similarly, Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali are the Northern 'claw' and Southern 'claw' of the constellation of Libra (a hold-over from when those stars were considered part of Scorpio). So I know how to say 'north' and 'south' - at least enough to get my meaning across. I can also say some body parts because of star names: Marfak (elbow), Ashfar (eyebrow), and Betelgeuse translates to 'armpit of the giant'. Never know when that might come in handy.
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