Saudi Arabic: وش/اش نوحك

[Hemza]

Hello,

In some dialects of Northern Saudi Arabia (Jordan/Syria/Iraq as well?), اش/وش نوحك is used to ask someone why he/she is doing something or behaving in a certain way (if I got it correctly, something along "what's with you?") What is its etymology?

Thank you.

 

[WannaBFluent]

It just comes from MSA نوح 'wailing, lamentation'. It seems pretty straightforward to me.

 

[Hemza]

I think it is more tricky than we expect though I wouldn't be able to explain in which way. Nevertheless I can't see how ناح ينوح came to mean "what's with you". But I cannot oppose you any other theory, I am thoughtless.

 

[elroy]

Is it نَوَّحَك, as in "What made you wail?"?

 

[Hemza]

I think it's said with no تشديد. That's said, I didn't hear it (I read it but never with a شدة though I know many people skip it when writing).

Ps: I wrote "Saudi Arabia" in the title because I don't think this expression is used in the whole country, it is specific to Northern Najdi dialects (perhaps Northern Hijaz as well).

 

[WadiH]

Is it نَوَّحَك, as in "What made you wail?"?

No, it's nooHak (a maSdar form).

I can't think of a better explanation than what @WannaBFluent said ("what's your complaint" > "what's the matter with you").

 

[elroy]

Yeah, that makes sense!