Greek

Noun

αράπης • ‎(arápis) m ‎(plural αράπηδες, feminine αραπίνα)

1. (colloquial, ethnic slur) nigger (black person)

   Ήταν ένας αράπης στην παραλία που πούλαγε CDs.‎ ― Ítan énas arápis stin paralía pou poúlage CDs. ― There was a nigger selling CDs on the beach.

2. (colloquial, archaic, ethnic slur) Arab
3. (folklore) A type of supernatural boogeyman-type being that appears in several forms: as a guardian of households who enriches the owner (but eats greedy persons); as a dark guardian of hidden treasures; or as a brawny opponent to the hero of the story, whom Αράπης serves after he is defeated by him. Often used in previous times to scare small children:

   Φάε το φαϊ σου, γιατί θα φωνάξω τον αράπη!‎ ― Fáe to faï sou, giatí tha fonáxo ton arápi! ― Eat your food or I'll call Arapis!

Declension

Synonyms

• μαύρος m ‎(mávros) (neutral term for Black person)

Related terms

• καπνίζω σαν αράπης ‎(kapnízo san arápis)