Etymology
The origin of the term is from Arabic word ''Arts'' ( ar, عرص, ') – which means shepherd, and is used colloquially to refer to pimps (who "shepherd" prostitutes).History
While ''ars'' originated as a derogatory term for Mizrahim, it is also used for members of other ethnicities in Israeli society, such as Russian-speaking immigrants or young men of Ethiopian origin. In 2013, an Israeli labor court ruled that a prospective employer discriminated against a Mizrahi applicant by calling him an ''ars''. This case set the precedent for recognizing the term ''ars'' as a racial epithet. In 2014, a documentary series called ''Arsim uFrekhot'' (frekha is a feminine equivalent epithet aimed at Mizrahi women) was broadcast on Israeli television. The series examines the history of discrimination against Mizrahim and the social norms of white privilege versus Mizrahi marginalization as they appear in Israeli society. The mannerisms associated with pimps in the early days of the State of Israel, which formed the basis of the stereotypical ars: lack of education, associating with criminals, being prone to violence, hailing from low class neighborhoods, dressing in loud clothing, wearing gold chain necklaces or bracelets and using vulgar speech. Related terms used by the Ashkenazi majority were "pushtak" (vacuous) and "tchakh-chakh" (riffraff). Sometimes the word ars is "feminized" by adding a feminine suffix (''arsit''), although it is not commonly used for women. The word frekha is the closest feminine epithet that is applied to Mizrahi women. A "''frekha''" is the implied partner, neighbor, or relative of the ''ars'', but the characteristics ascribed to her are different – the ''frekha'' is low-class, dresses gaudily, wears too much makeup, has long and brightly colored nails; she is flighty, shallow, a slave to fashion, and uneducated.See also
*References
{{reflist Arabic words and phrases Class-related slurs Hebrew slang Mizrahi Jewish culture in Israel Ethnic and religious slurs Racism in Israel Slang terms for men Stereotypes of working-class men Working class in Asia