Wednesday 7 November 2012

Blessed, Handsome and Crooked Presidents


As some sort of event has just happened in the United States of America, I should remind you that Barack is Swahili for blessed, that Hussein is Arabic for handsome, and that Obama is Dholuo for crooked. This means that, etymologically speaking, Barack Hussein Obama is Blessed, Handsome and Crooked. Mind you, as my first name means God of War (from Mars), I'm not sure you can read too much into a name.

Anyway, these days he's addressed as Mr President. So here, though I've posted it before, is me doing a Ted Talk on the word president.

I should point out that I said 1771 instead of 1789. The perils of speaking without notes.

1 comment:

  1. Barack is also an Arabic word with the same meaning. Comes from the word 'baraka' which means blessing. And is included in the Islamic greeting "assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu" (peace be upon you, and the mercy of God, and His blessings)

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