The Presence of English Loanwords in Iraqi Spoken Language between Superstition and Confusion: A Sociolinguistic Investigation Asst. Lect. Noor Kadhoum Jawad (M.A. in English Language/Literature) The General Directorate of Education in Al-Qadisiyah Province, Ministry of Education, IRAQ. Abstract Many attempts are made to record loanwords that Iraqis use in their colloquial speech. Being conducted by specialists, these attempts result in many highly respected books and articles which encompass hundreds of words borrowed from Western and Eastern languages respectively. Writers of all categories who have conducted etymological investigations on English loanwords in Iraqi colloquial tongue come up with excellent and fantastic works that are highly appreciated. However, some other writers or composers seem to shoot in the dark and their shooting results in superstitions and confusions about the linguistic origin of some words that Iraqis use. This paper comes as an attempt to refute superstitions and clarify confusions about alleged English loanwords in Iraqi Spoken Language. Keywords: Iraqi, language, English, loanwords, superstition, confusion. 1. Abbreviations and Notes ISL stands for Iraqi Spoken Language. Iraqis nowadays speak a language whose words belong to Sumerian, Akkadian, Aramaic, Arabic in addition to Western and Eastern languages. Whatever between square brackets [ …] is the pronunciation of the word that precedes. Words in italic are Iraqi colloquial ones. 2. Problem Statement The presence of a malignant group of superstations about alleged English loanwords in ISL. These superstitions are mere fabrications of, euphemistically put, some amateur or general practitioners. They provide readers of etymological interests with false information. The presence of a confounding group of confusions about alleged English loanwords in ISL which are in the academic products of some authors. These confusions provide readers of etymological interests with misleading information. 3. Importance This paper stands as a call for readers of etymological interests to take their knowledge and information from authentic sources. a plea for etymology writers of all categories to be confined with the boundaries of their specializations and not throw inaccurate information which may mislead or confuse readers. 4. Purpose This papers comes as an attempt to: refute some superstitions spread among Iraqis and even Arab world about alleged English loanwords in ISL. clarify some confusions that authors fall in while performing etymological investigations about English loanwords in ISL. 5. Approach This paper adopts the contrastive approach whereas every Iraqi word of alleged English root is put against its correct origin so that superstitions are refuted and confusions are clarified. 6. Assumptions This paper assumes: There are superstitions about alleged English loanwords in ISL which should be refuted. There are confusions about alleged English loanwords in ISL which should be clarified. 7. Limitations This paper is limited to the alleged English loanwords in ISL which are present in publications, internet pages and folklore anecdotes. 8. Previous studies Academically speaking, researcher believes that this paper is pioneer in this field as it diagnoses an etymological deficiency and tries to find a scientific cure for it. The researcher’s hand could not be laid upon a previous similar attempt in spite of the hectic and attentive search in books, periodicals and websites he conducts. 9. Introduction English loanwords represent a remarkable portion of ISL. These words intervene in a lot of areas in the life of Iraqis; in industry, electronics, medicine, food/drinks, clothes, sports, crafts, economy, cosmetics, travel, tourism, arts, celebrations, police, army, college, infrastructures, shopping, politics, journalism and many others. Some words become the demarcation features of ISL; words such as pla-yis (pliers), water-pum (water pump), pencher (puncture), azbery (ice berry), aflam kartoon ( cartoon films), egzoz (exhaust), chips (chips) pee-kum (pick-up) and many others. The presence of these words may be attributed to: The globality of the English language which might come from its relevant simplicity as compared to other languages or from the worldwide dominance of nations whose mother tongue is English such as The United Kingdom and The United States of America. The fact that English is the language of technology and media especially from the turn of the twentieth century to the present time. The availability of technological and electronic sources which fundamentally use English such as radios, televisions, the Internet, and the ability of the Iraqis to reach these sources. Occupying Iraq militarily by The United Kingdom and The United States of America which put the Iraqis face to face with English speakers. Trade, tourism and some other minor factors. Writers, authors, journalists and bloggers have started a backbreaking job to document English loanwords in ISL in addition to loanwords from other languages. However, this etymological domain brings into existence two categories of authors: those who tend to fabricate fictional folk anecdotes about the origins of alleged English loanwords in ISL. those who tend to conduct academic studies but are inaccurate about the origins of alleged English loanwords in ISL. The first category produces superstitions while the second produces confusions. 10. Superstitions There is an observable number of superstitious anecdotes about alleged English loanwords in ISL. People who fabricate, populate and circulate such superstitions depend heavily on two factors to make their lies successful: the phonological, semantic and pragmatic resemblance between the alleged English root-word and the word used in colloquial speech. the lack of basic knowledge that the receivers (readers or hearers) have. This whole linguistic phenomenon is called “folk etymology” whereas popular but mistaken accounts are given about the linguistic origin of a word or phrase (Stevenson,2010:679). The reasons that make people practice folk etymology vary from ignorance to attempts of personal prominence. At any rate, here are some of the most popular superstitions that the researcher comes across: 10.1 hit-li (a wanderer who has no ethics and sentimentality) It is rumored that the word hit-li stems from the English word “hotel” because a hit-li roams cities for lecherous aims and stays at hotels (Al-Saeed,2015:172). In fact, hit-li is related to Ottoman army forces called “hayta”. These uncontrolled tyrannical forces inflicted on the Iraqis all kinds of ignominy, oppression and imposition during the Ottoman occupation to Iraq. Therefore, Iraqis tend to call any person who lacks ethics and mercy as hit-li and it is pluralized as hit-liya (Al-Babili,2012). 10.2 istikan (eastern tea cup) It is rumored that the word istikan comes from the English phrase “east tea can,” whereas the English, during the British occupation of Iraq, called the Iraqi tea cup as “east tea can”. The germ of this supposed name is a superstition related to a British archeologist. It is said that this Londoner served tea to his guests in tea cups which he brought from India and they, dazzled by the beauty and oddness of these cups, asked, “what are these?” To this he answered, “east tea cans.” Thus, this name circulated among the British and they transferred it to Iraqis who received it as istikan (Yousuf,2016:275). In fact, istikan stems from a Russian word; it comes from стакан [stakan] which means a cup (Krasnovsky and Sherpatov,1992:476). 10.3 klawchi (trickster) It is rumored that the word klawchi comes from the English word “clown” because both the klawchi and the clown perform tricks (Hassan,2008:372). In fact, klaw is a Persian word which literally means a hat but figuratively means a trick (Kasraai,2014:396; Ghafrani and Shirazi, 1995:101; Hassanein,1982:542). Iraqis say klawat to refer to tricks. As for chi, it is a Turkish suffix used to refer to a profession or craftsmanship (Mahfoodh,1964:4). 10.4 looti (trickster) It is rumored that Iraqis borrow looti from the English during the British occupation. Superstition circulates that some Iraqis tended to deal with the British occupiers insinuatingly and smartly to gain contracts, privileges, possessions and lands. Therefore, the English, knowing the greed of these Iraqis, called the one of them “looter.” Since the English do not pronounce final (r), it comes out from their mouths as [looti]. Iraqis, then, took this word and it entered into circulation (Shanon,2013). In fact, looti is an Arabic word. It comes from the base verb “لات” [lat] which means he lies and does not tell the truth. Therefore, looti is the person who lies when asked and does not tell the truth (Al-Zubaidi,1969,V5:81-2). Obviously enough, Iraqis take it from Arabic. 10.5 natour (watchman) It is rumored that Iraqis borrowed the word natour from the British, specifically from the English phrase “night tour” which they, allegedly, during the British occupation to refer to a watchman (Zaman,2019). In fact, natour is an Arabized word with Aramaic origin (Al-Lami,2012:151); Arabized as “ناطور” [natour]. According to Arabic dictionaries natour means a watchman (Ibn-Manthur,1300h,V10:215; AAL,2002:2228; Omar and et al,2008:930). 10.6 qoori (teapot) It is rumored that qoori comes from the English adjective “Korean” because teapots are typically made in Korea (Al-Qaisi,1990,249). In fact, qoori has a Persian root. It comes from the Persian word "غوري" [guri] which means teapot (Kasraai,2014,356). 10.7 temmen (rice) Iraq is the only Arab country who called rice as temmen. It is rumored that this temmen comes from an incident during the World War I. The patriotic merchants of Basrah, as the superstition circulates, refused to provide the British army, which was in Basrah, with enough amounts of rice which resulted in shortage of food on the British side. Thus, the British wrote to the British ministry of defense asking to be provided with rice. Accordingly, tanks loaded with excellent rice were sent. The rice was filled in jute bags on which a cartoon of ten men holding hands was drawn on each one of them. Beneath the drawing the phrase “Ten Men” was written. Iraqi porters are brought to download the cargo. So, the British soldiers ordered them, “Come on bring Ten Men”. The language of the soldiers was not so obvious so the porters thought that Ten Men means rice and they passed it to Iraqis and, subsequently, temmen circulated on the tongues of Iraqis (Al-Thekir,2016). This superstition is the most famous and most widespread among its peers. In fact, temmen is older than the British occupation of Iraq. Abo al-temmen (father of rice) is the surname of the famous Iraqi politician Ja’ffar Abo al-temmen (1881-1941) whose grandfather Dawood Abo al-temmen was a well-known merchant of rice. (Al-Talib,2015,117). This means that the surname “abo al-temmen” was in circulation two generations before the birth of Ja’ffar Abo al-temmen in 1881; tens of years before the presence of the British in Iraq. Some authors believe that temmen has a Chinese or Aramaic origin (Al-Baghdadi,1982:114-5). 10.8 Tuwairij (a city in the province of Karbala, Iraq) It is rumored that the city of Tuwairij has taken its name from the English phrase “two way reach;” a phrase that the English, during their occupation to Iraq, used to describe this city because of its geographical location which links the city of Karbala to the city of Hilla in Babylon. Therefore, Iraqis caught this phrase from the English and use it to refer this city frequently (qt. in Al-Ta’i,2019). In fact, the English called Tuwairij by its name and not “two way reach.” The evidence is available in one of the letters of Gertrude Bell (1868-1926), known as Miss Bell; an archeologist who worked as an advisor to the British High Commissioner in Iraq and the Arab Gulf Sir Percy Cox (1864-1937) whereas she used the word Tuwairij and not any other word or phrase. On Sunday, 17 October, 1920, she wrote to Cox: “I must tell you in the morning important news had come in from the Euphrates saying that we had occupied Tuwairij …” (emphasis added) (Bell,1927:564). 11. Confusions Words of the languages that stem from the same linguistic sources may resemble each other phonologically, pragmatically and semantically. European languages, such as French, English, Italian, Spanish, etc., borrow their words from Latin and Greek and borrowed words from each other, which resulted in phonological, pragmatic and semantic resemblance among their words (Ali,1942:23-4). In addition to this, languages worldwide borrow from each other and this borrowing process is customary and normal because it is one of the processes of word formation (Fromkin and et al,2014:35). Some authors, with good intentions, attribute some of the loanwords that Iraqis use excessively to English while they do not have English root and they in fact belong to other language than English. The reasons behind such alleged attribution, or confusions, on the authors’ side are: the phonological, pragmatic and semantic resemblance that these words have in common. the scarce knowledge that these authors have about worldwide languages. At any rate, here are some of the mistaken loanwords that the researcher comes across: 11.1 amper (ampere) It is alleged that amper stems from the English word “ampere” (Al-Bazargan,2000:14). However, amper is an Arabized word; Arabized as “أمبير” [amper] and it is taken from French word “ampere” with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:44). Basically, “ampere” is named after the French physicist Andrd-Marie Ampere (1775-1836) (Klein,1971:31). Iraqis take amper from Arabic. 11.2 aristkratiya (aristocracy) It is alleged that aristkratiya comes from the English word “aristocracy” (Al-Qaisi,1990:20; Al-Qaisi,2013:63). It is actually Arabized word; Arabized as “أرستقراطية” [aristkratiya] (AAL,2002:13). Arabic takes it from the Greek word “αριστοκρατία” [aristkratiya] with the same meaning, i.e. the rule of the best-born (Liddell and Scott,1983:218), and Iraqis may take it from Arabic. 11.3 arsheef (archive) It is alleged that arsheef comes from the English word “archive” (Al-Qaisi,1990:20) though the difference in their pronunciations is very clear. It is actually an Arabized word; Arabized as “آرشيف” [arsheef] (Omar and et al,2008:84). Arabic takes from the French “archives” [ arsheef] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:65). Iraqis may take it from French or Arabic. 11.4 artwazi (artesian well) It is alleged that artwazi comes from the English phrase “artesian well” (Al-Qaisi,1990:20; Al-Qaisi,2013:63). In fact, artwazi is an Arabized word; Arabized as “أرتوازي” [artwazi] (Omar and et al,2008:81). It is borrowed from the French word “artésienne” [arizyen]. “Artésienne” almost always comes with the word “puits” which means “well” (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:71). It is worth mentioning that this kind of wells is called artesian because the first kind of them was first made in the province of Artois in France during the eighteenth century (Klein). Obviously enough, Iraqis take artwazi from Arabic. 11.5 baloon (balloon) It is alleged that baloon is borrowed from the English word “balloon” (Al-Qaisi,1990:52; Al-Qaisi,2013:97). However, baloon is an Arabized word; Arabized as “بالون” [baloon] (Masood,1992:163) and is borrowed from the Italian word “pallone” [paloni] with the same meaning (Al-Eneesi,1932:7; Garglia,1937:171). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.6 banzeen (benzene) It is alleged that banzeen is borrowed from the English word “benzene”(Al-Qaisi,1990:54; Al-Qaisi,2013:99). In fact, banzeen is an Arabized word; Arabized as “بنزين” [benzeen] (AAL,2002:71) and it seems to be taken from the German word “benzin” [benzeen] with the same meaning (Schregle and et al,1977:70). It is worth mentioning that the German chemist Eilhardt Mitscherlich (1794-1863) coined the word “benzin” in 1833; so named by him for he got it throughout the distillation of benzoic acid with lime (Klein,1971:78). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.7 belgam (phlegm) It is alleged that belgam stems from the English word “phlegm” (Al-Bazargan,2000,27) in spite the obvious different pronunciation they have. However, belgam is an Arabized word, Arabized as “بلغم” [belgam] (AAL,2002:70; Ibn-Manthur,1300h,V12:56; Masood,1992:181) which Arabic takes from the Greek noun “φλέγμα” [flegma] after little alternation (Al-Eneesi,1932:12) and Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.8 berra (beer) It is alleged that berra is borrowed from the English word “beer” (Al-Qaisi,1990:93; Al-Qaisi,2013:139). However, berra is an Arabized word; Arabized as “بيره” [berra] (Masood,1992:185) and it is called in Italian “birra” [birra] (Paquin,1927:7). Thus, Iraqis may take it from Arabic or Italian. 11.9 borsa (stock exchange) It is alleged that borsa comes from the English word “purse” because “purse” is related to money and fortune (Abdul-Raheem,2011:53). In fact, borsa is an Arabized word; Arabized as “بورصة” [borsa] (Masood,1992:183-4; Omar and et al,2008:262). Arabic borrows it from the Italian word “borsa” [borsa] which means stock exchange (Garglia,1937:342, Al-Eneesi,1932:14). Iraqis may take it from Arabic. 11.10 bug (bug) It is alleged that bug comes from the English word “bug” (Saeed,2015:37). However, bug is an Arabic word spelled as “بق” [buq] (Ibn-Manthur,1300h,V10:23). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.11 bukla (boucle) It is alleged that bukla is borrowed from the English word “boucle” (Al-Saeed,2015:37). However, bukla is taken from the French word “boucle” [bookle] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:129). 11.12 estabel (stable of horses) It is alleged that estabel is taken from the English noun “stable” (Al-Qaisi,1990:23). If fact, estabel is an Arabized word; Arabized as “أسطبل” [estabel] (AAL,2002:17). It is borrowed from the Latin noun “stabulum” [establoom] which means a resting place for horses (Al-Eneesi,1932:3). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.13 estampa (stamping pad) It is alleged that estampa comes from the English phrase “stamping pad” (Al-Qaisi,1990:24; Al-Qaisi,2013:67). However, estampa is taken from the Italian word “stampa” [estampa] which means a stamp (Garglia,1937:279). 11.14 fabriqa (factory) It is alleged that fabrica is taken from the English word “fabric” (Al-Turjman,2012:155). However, fabrica is borrowed from the Italian word “fabbrica” [fabrica] which means a factory (Garglia,1937:111). 11.15 fita (measuring tape) It is alleged that fita comes from the English word “feet” (Al-Qaisi,1990:239; Al-Qaisi,2013:311). However, fita is taken from the Portuguese word “fita” [fita] which means a tape (Taylor,1958:298). 11.16 forma (form) It is alleged that forma comes from the English word “form” (Al-Qaisi,1990:237). In fact, forma is borrowed from the Italian word “forma” with the same meaning (Garglia,1937:119) 11.17 jendrma (armed police) It is alleged that jendrma comes from the English word “gendarme” (Al-Turjman,2012:149). However, jendrma is taken from the Turkish word “jandarma” [jendarma] with the same meaning (Aksan and et al,2017:125). It is worth mentioning that the French “gensd’armes,” [junsdarm] which means armed men, is the original word borrowed by English (Klein,1971:307) in addition to Turkish and ISL. 11.18 jigrafiya (geography) It is alleged that jigrafiya is borrowed from the English word “geography” (Al-Qaisi,1990:129; Al-Qaisi,2013:177). However, jigrafiya is an Arabized word; Arabized as “جغرافية” [jigrafiya] (AAL,2002:126). It is taken from the Greek word “γεωγραφία” [jiyografiya] with the same meaning (Liddell and Scott,1983:307). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.19 kadir (staff) It is alleged that kadir is borrowed from the English word “cadre” (Al-Qaisi,1990:251) though “cadre” means in English frame or framework of a regiment (Klein,1971:104). However, kadir is taken from the French word “cadre” [kadir] which means a staff (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:152). 11.20 kariketer (caricature) It is alleged that kariketer comes from the English word “caricature” (Al-Qaisi,1990:254) in spite of the obvious different pronunciation they have. In fact, kariketer is an Arabized word; Arabized as “كاريكاتير” [karicater] (Omar and et al,2008:1890). It is borrowed from the French word “caricature” [kariketor] with the same meaning (ASR,2004:131). Iraqis may take it from French or Arabic. 11.21 kostem (costume) It is alleged that kostem comes from the English word “costume” (Al-Qaisi,1990:278; Al-Qaisi,2013:355). However, kostem is borrowed from the French word “costume” [kostem] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983: 257). 11.22 la(m)pa (primitive lamp) It is alleged that la(m)pa stems from the English word “lamp” (Al-Turjman,2012:158). However, la(m)pa is taken from the Persian word “لامـﭘـا” [lampa] with the same meaning (Hassanein,1982:588). It is worth mentioning that most European languages has a word similar to la(m)pa in pronunciation and meaning because they take it from Greek through Latin (Klein,1971:409). The Persian “لامـﭘـا” is taken from French (Hassanein,1982:588). 11.23 lesta (list) It is alleged that lesta comes from the English word “list” (Al-Qaisi,1990:289). However, lesta stems from the Italian word “lista” [lista] with the same meaning (Garglia,1937:164). 11.24 magaza (shop) It is alleged that magaza comes from the English word “magazine” (Al-Saeed,2015:162). In fact, magaza is taken from the Persian word “مغازة” [magaza] which means a shop (Kasraai,2014:456). 11.25 makina (machine) It is alleged that makina comes from the English word “machine” (Al-Turjman,2012:159) in spite of the obvious different pronunciations they have. As a matter of fact, makina is an Arabized word; Arabized as “مكنة” [makana] (AAL,2002:882) or “مكينة” [makina] (Omar and et al,2008:2115). It is taken from the Greek word “μηχανή” [mikani] with the same meaning (Liddell and Scott,1983:964). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.26 mantoo (overcoat) It is alleged that mantoo stems from the English word “manteau” (Al-Qaisi,1990:297). However, mantoo comes from the French word “manteau” [mantoo] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:642). English takes its “manteau” from the French “manteau” (Partridge,2006:1889). 11.27 marka (trade mark) It is alleged that marka comes from the English word “mark” (Al-Qaisi,1990,295). In fact, marka is taken from the Italian word “marcca” [marka] with the same meaning (Garglia,1937:130). 11.28 moosiqa (music) It is alleged that the word moosiqa is taken from the English word “music” (Al-Turjman,2012:159). However, moosiqa is an Arabized word; Arabized as “موسيقى” [moosiqa] (Omar and et al,2008:1239; AAL,2002:893; Masood,1992:781). It is taken from the Greek word “μουσική” [moseeki] with the same meaning (Al-Eneesi,1932:71). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.29 palatiqa (maneuver) It is alleged that palatika comes from the English word “politics” (Al-Qaisi,1990,75). However, palatika is taken from the Italian word “politica” [politika] which means politics (Paquin,1927:53). 11.30 parooka (wig) It is alleged that parooka is taken from the English word “paruke” (Al-Turjman,2012:145). It is right that a wig is sometimes called a peruke in English. However, parooka stems from the Italian word “parrucca” [parooka] with the same meaning (Garglia,1937:193). Iraqis take it from Italian. 11.31 penedol (pendulum) It is alleged that penedol from the English word “pendulum” (Al-Baghdadi,1966:145; Al-Bazargan,2000:29) in spite of the difference in their pronunciation. However, penedol is an Arabized word; Arabized as “بندول” [pendol] (AAL,2002:71). It is borrowed from the French word “pendule” [penedol] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:754). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.32 perlaman (parliament) It is alleged that perlaman is taken from the English word “parliament” (Al-Qaisi,1990:64; Al-Qaisi,2013:111). In fact, perlaman is an Arabized word; Arabized as “برلمان” [perlaman] (Masood,1992:171). It is originally taken from the French word “parliament” [parlemo] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:740). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.33 punka (fan) It is alleged that punka comes from the English word “punka” (Al-Turjman,2012:146). However, punka is taken from the Hindi word पंखा [punka] which means a fan (Giridhar,1986: 94). Iraqis take it probably from Indians who worked in Iraq during and after the British occupation. 11.34 qootiya (a cylinder can) It is alleged that qootiya is borrowed from the English word “can” (Al-Saeed,2015:143) in spite of the obvious difference between the two words in terms of pronunciation. However, qootiya might be borrowed from the Turkish word “kutu” [koto] which means a can (Parker,2008:304). Or, it might be taken from the Persian word “قوطي” [qooti] which is originally borrowed from Turkish with the same meaning (Hassanein,1982:520). 11.35 sala (hall of house) It is alleged that sala is borrowed from the English word “salon” (Al-Qaisi,1990:216; Al-Qaisi,2013:280). However, sala is an Arabized word; Arabized as “صالة” [sala] (Omar and et al,1260). It is borrowed from the Italian word “sala” [sala] with the same meaning (Garglia,1937:245; Al-Eneesi,1932:43). Iraqis may take it from Italian or Arabic. 11.36 sperto (medical alcohol) It is alleged that sperto stems from the English noun “spirit” (Al-Baghdadi,1963:118). However, sperto is taken from the Italian word “spirito” [sperito] which means alcohol (McCulloch,2016:10). 11.37 tanaka (a container made of tin and iron) It is alleged that tanaka comes from the English word “tankcar” (Al-Turjman,2012:148) though “tank car” obviously means something rather than the Iraqi tanaka. However, tanaka is taken from the Turkish word “tanka” [tan-ka] which means a container (Parker,2008:437; Mahfoodh,1964:12, Al-Eneesi,1932:19). 11.38 telvisiyon (television) It is alleged that telvisiyon is taken from the English word television (Al-Qaisi,1990:110; Al-Qaisi,2013:156; Al-Turjman,2012:148) in spite of the obvious different pronunciations they have. In fact, television is a hybrid word which the American inventor Hugo Gernsback coined in 1911 depending on the Greek syllable “τηλε” [ti-le] which means far off, at a distance, and the Latin syllable “vision” [vijion] which means vision. French borrows it as “télévision” [televisiyo] (Klein,1971:750). It is probably Arabized from the French word as “تلفزيون” [televisiyon] (AAL,2002,87) and Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.39 trajidiya (tragedy) It is alleged that trajidiya stems from the English word tragedy (Al-Qaisi,1990:102). However, the origin of trajidiya is the Greek word “τραγωδία” [travovia] and the Latin word “tragoedia” [tragadia] (Klein,1971:775). Arabs Arabized trajidiya from one of these words, or both, as “تراجيديا” [trajidiya] (Omar and et al,2008:286) and Iraqis take it from Arabic. 11.40 twalet (toilet) It is alleged that twalet comes from the English word “toilet” (Al-Qaisi,1990:112; Al-Qaisi,2013:160). However, twalet is borrowed from the French word “toilette” [twalet] with the same meaning (Abdul-Noor and Idrees,1983:1024). 11.41 zalata (salad) It is alleged that zalata comes from the English word “salad” (Al-Qaisi,1990:178). However, zalata is an Arabized word; Arabized as “سَلَطة” [salata] (AAL,2002:443). It is borrowed from the Italian word “insalata” [insalata] (Garglia,1937:151, Al-Eneesi,1932:44). Iraqis take it from Arabic. 12. Data Analysis From the eight superstitions of alleged English loanwords in ISL, four are documented in books. They are hit-li, istikan, klawchi and qoori. The other four, looti, natour, temmen, Tuwairij, are published on websites. From the eight superstitions of alleged English loanwords in ISL, five are related to the British occupation of Iraq. They are istikan, looti, natour, temmen and Tuwairij. The occasions that produce the other three, hit-li, klawchi, qoori, are mysterious. From the forty-one confusions of alleged English loanwords in ISL, twenty are Arabized or Arabic. They are amper, aristkratiya, arsheef, artwazi, baloon, banzeen, belgam, berra, borsa, bug, estabel, jigrafiya, kariketer, makina, penedol, perlaman, sala, telvisiyon, trajidiya and zalata. The other twenty are from European and eastern origins: Eight from Italian: estampa, fabriqa, lesta, forma, marka, palatiqa, parooka, sperto. Five from French: bukla, kadir, kostem, mantoo, twalet. Three from Turkish: jendrma, qootiya, tanaka. Two from Persian: la(m)pa, magaza. One from Portuguese: fita. One from Hindi: punka. 13. Conclusions Folk etymology results in superstations of alleged English loanwords in ISL. These superstitions have begun to be documented in books and webpages which give them some false authenticity on the reader’s side. The germ of these superstations remains anonymous in personality but known in its ignorance of the proper scientific bases of etymology. The eight superstations provided are just examples of alleged English loanwords in ISL. The list is absolutely not close-ended. In the coming of days, readers may encounter new folk conclusions about English loanwords in ISL because of the presence of ongoing folk etymologizing. Mistaken etymology results in confusions whereas some authors confuse readers by providing them with inaccurate information about alleged English loanwords in ISL. These etymological misjudgments are mainly documented in books which are considered as primary sources in ISL loanwords etymology. It is concluded that their authorities are: overwhelmed exaggeratingly by the impact of English on ISL. having little interests in the etymological affinities among worldwide languages especially European ones because the references lists of their books have no etymological dictionaries. not very much in contact with updated Arabic dictionaries. 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