Dari/Farsi: Zahr ee Maar

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Benyameen

Member
The mountains of Pennsylvania, USA
English-American
Salaam!

Am I correct that the phrase "zahr ee maar" would roughly translate into the English slang "hogwash" or "baloney?" Would it be used when someone is trying to give you a hard time, or tell you something that's outrageous or untrue?

Is it only used in anger, frustration or as an insult? Can it be used in in a light-hearted friendly way as well?

On a side note, does "maar" mean cobra, any venomous snake, or all snakes whether venomous or non-venomous?
 
    • Hi,

    "Zahr e maar" has different meanings and usages. As far as I know (in Persian), as an exclamation it is only used in anger and frustration in response to words perceived as outrageous. It's English translation is a combination of "bullshit" and     "shut the f*** up". It is addressed directly towards a person rather than the words of the person.

    "Maar" is a the generic term for snakes. For cobra, we (in Iranian Persian) say "maar e kobraa" and for venomous snakes we use "maar e sammi".
     
    Treaty said:
    (...)"Zahr e maar" has different meanings and usages. As far as I know (in Persian), as an exclamation it is only used in anger and frustration in response to words perceived as outrageous. It's English translation is a combination of "bullshit" and "shut the f*** up". It is addressed directly towards a person rather than the words of the person.(...)
    Click to expand...
    As you mentioned, زهرمار in your meaning is when you use زهرمار as an exclamation and a deterrent order. In this meaning, زهرمار is used just for a "malapropos laugh" (as far as I can remember). For example:

    اوّلي با خنده: اين چه لباسيه پوشيدي. مثل دلقك‌ها شدي!
    دوّمي: زهرمار! نيشتو ببند! دلقك جدّ و آبادته


    But if we use زهرمار for describing a taste, that mean "so bitter" that we can suppose it as "hogwash" or "baloney. For example:


    يك پرتقال خوردم، مثل زهرمار بود
    انقدر بداخلاق است كه با او بودن، دنيا را به كامت زهرمار مي‌كند
     
    Treaty and searcher123,

    Thanks to you both. Hopefully I will never find myself in a situation where I need to use it!

    For your information, hogwash and baloney are (or can be) American slang/colloquial words (perhaps a bit dated) that forcefully question the truthfulness or accuracy of another speaker's statement, with a sense of humor, mild derision or exasperation. They are similar to the British "poppycock" and "balderdash," and basically mean "nonsense" or "absurd."

    For what it's worth, hogwash apparently evolved from the word for the slop (food) given to pigs; baloney apparently evolved from another slang expression used for foolish individuals, which was in turn derived from the name of a kind of inexpensive, low-grade meat made from the leftover scraps of pork.
     
    Hello Benyameen,
    I use it a lot. Anyone can use it here in Iran.

    1. It's offensive if you use it towards a person who is not your friend. I mean face to face to a stranger.
    2. It's funny and a joke if you use it towards your brother, sister or friends while laughing.

    It depends on what context you want to use it. I usually use it myself when I'm joking with my friends, sister or brother or cousins, etc. I will never use it towards my uncle or aunt.
     
    Kheylee mamnoonam, sb70012,

    I'm very glad that this phrase can be used among friends. It is, of course, a very colorful one.

    A few questions, if you'll pardon my ignorance...

    Does it mean: Your words and/or actions are like the venom of a snake?

    Or does it mean: May you suffer or die from the venom of a snakebite? If this is correct, would the same apply in general to "Maraz?"

    Is it used in response to another's outrageous or untrue words, or can it be used to express exasperation at another's actions?

    Thanks to you all for your kindness and patience.
     
    Just to make it clear, it doesn't mean you can just use it among friends. As I said it is somehow like milder swear words in English. Some friend groups may use them amongst each others, but some may prefer not to use such words. It depends on several factors, not just degree of friendship. This applies to other expressions like maraz, kūft, xonnāq, xafe-xūn, etc. I personally prefer not to use them at all.

    For their origin, I prefer your second explanation but it's just my speculation.
     
    Is it used in response to another's outrageous or untrue words, or can it be used to express exasperation at another's actions?
    Click to expand...

    I would say both. It can be also used for someone who makes a lot of noise or talks so loudly. And, of course, you can't say it to someone who is older than you or higher in status. I mean you can but you might get in trouble for it – Unless, of course, you say it under your breath, which is mostly the case.
     
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