Cyprus-Forum.com

[magikthrill]

hey guys,

putting politics aside... i was wondering if someone can tell me the origin of the term GCs use to described Greeks "kalamaras"

someone told me that it is used sarcatically because supposedly the mainland Greeks are "smarter" and use their "kalamari" (pen) . it this true?

[metecyp]

We're (TCs and GCs) really similar, arent' we?

TCs use a term, "karasakal" to describe Turks. I don't particularly like the term, I think it's degrading. But I'm interested in the origins of the word, does anyone know?

[magikthrill]

metecyp,

that is interesting. now im kinda more curious to find out what your term means

[brother]

karasakal means blackbeard, which the tc use to describe mainland turks.

[brother]

or blackwhiskers might interprete a little better.

[metecyp]

karasakal means blackbeard, which the tc use to describe mainland turks.

Yes, but do you know why particularly blackbeard? Where did it come from? When was it first used?

[michalis5354]

I used to hear the term " Kalamaras" to distinquish a Greek from a Greekcypriot but I do not know exactly the origins of the word! I think it has to do with the accent of the language that they speak their attitude etc but I am not sure!

[turkcyp]

I do not necessarily like the term Karasakal,

It is very derogatory. It comes from the fact that TCs think that Turks are not that clean because they do not shave that much. The reason for that because majority of the Turks they met in Cyprus are settlers and illegal workers who are very poor and also poorly educated, and come from a very poor regions of Turkey to earn some money in Cyprus. Majority of the initial settlers have adopted themselves to the TC society and improved their conditions but the derogatory terms stuck with them.

Also the usage if the term is getting less and less everyday in Cyprus because a lot of people find it very offensive.

[insan]

TCs use a term, "karasakal" to describe Turks. I don't particularly like the term, I think it's degrading. But I'm interested in the origins of the word, does anyone know?

"karasakal", with TC accent "garasakal"; once was used widely by TCs. I really don't know the origin of the term but I think it is invented by older aged TCs(gocagarı lafı). TCs used this term to describe the "Turks" that came to Cyprus. Though, it is questionable how much Turkish were the ones who came to North. In my chidhood(1976-80), the ones I had realations were mostly Laz and Kurdish origin. Let alone speaking Turkish with a different accent; they usually were speaking their own ethnic language. They were very alien to us. We used to hardly cand communicate with them. Their behaviours and traditions were completely unfamiliar and pestifrous to us. We were looking for their weaknesses to hurt them. Our hurtful attitudes towards usually caused wrangle. When we "touched" one of them, he used to go and return with his complete family to give us a browbeat.


In a few years time we learned how to better communicate with them and became good friends. When I go to Cyprus, I visit the village which I lived for four years in my childhood. When I meet with them we talk about those old days. Everytime we meet and talk about those days, I admit some of my childish behaviours that was intended to hurt them. We laugh.


The term garasakal is not used anymore as it was used to be.. For the new comer settlers a new term was derived by TCs. TCs call them "gaco"(dame, cow)

I think those new comers should be compensated by Turkey and repatriated.

[magikthrill]

I do not necessarily like the term Karasakal,

It is very derogatory. It comes from the fact that TCs think that Turks are not that clean because they do not shave that much. The reason for that because majority of the Turks they met in Cyprus are settlers and illegal workers who are very poor and also poorly educated, and come from a very poor regions of Turkey to earn some money in Cyprus. Majority of the initial settlers have adopted themselves to the TC society and improved their conditions but the derogatory terms stuck with them.

Also the usage if the term is getting less and less everyday in Cyprus because a lot of people find it very offensive.

hehe this is quite funny because i think that the GC term "kalamaras" is also supposed to be used deragtorily. im not sure though how often it is used in Cyprus anymore though but whenever people would ask me where i was from id say "eimai kalamaras" (i am a kalmaras) and they would give me a weird look like trying to figure out if i was being sarcastic or not. quite funny.