''Ars'' ( '), or ''Arsim'' (the plural in Hebrew) is an Israeli
subculture
A subculture is a group of people within a culture, cultural society that differentiates itself from the values of the conservative, standard or dominant culture to which it belongs, often maintaining some of its founding principles. Subcultures ...
, and a slang term in
Hebrew
Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...
. Originally used as an
ethnic slur
The following is a list of ethnic slurs, ethnophaulisms, or ethnic epithets that are, or have been, used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given ethnic, national, or racial group or to refer to them in a derogatory, pej ...
referring to
Mizrachi Jews, the term has evolved and is now more broadly applied to describe anyone part of a perceived thuggish subculture of machismo. An ''ars'' is often depicted as loud and brash.
The stereotype of an ''ars'' typically includes being crude, using vulgar language, hanging out with criminal types, seeking fights, and wearing flashy clothing (e.g. tank tops) and jewelry.
The term derives from the Arabic word for pimp.
Those who attempt to be an ''ars'' but are perceived as lacking the confidence of a typical ''ars'' are referred to by the slang term "''Ars TzaAtzua''" (''Toy ars'').
Etymology
The term derives its origin from the Arabic word ''Ars'' (, ') – which means shepherd, and is used colloquially to refer to pimps (who "shepherd" prostitutes). The term has no connection to the British English slang word 'arse.'
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
Ethiopians are the native inhabitants of Ethiopia, as well as the global diaspora of Ethiopia. Ethiopians constitute several component ethnic groups, many of which are closely related to ethnic groups in neighboring Eritrea and other parts of ...
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.
Dudu Faruk is a comedic character and musician based on the "ars" stereotype. His songs include "Arak Arak Arak" and ״Tik Tok".
See also
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Maroco sakin
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Jojo Khalastra
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Chav
"Chav" (), also "charver", "scally" and "roadman" in parts of England, is a British term, usually used in a pejorative way. The term is used to describe an anti-social lower-class youth dressed in sportswear.
*
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* Julie Burchill descri ...
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Gopnik
A gopnik is a member of a Juvenile delinquency, delinquent subculture in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and in other Post-Soviet states, former Soviet republics—a young man (or a woman, a gopnitsa) of urban working-class background.
The collectiv ...
*
Guido (slang)
''Guido'' (, ) is a North American subculture, slang term, and ethnic slur referring to working-class urban Italian-Americans. The guido stereotype is multi-faceted. More recently, it has come to refer to working-class urban Italian-Americans w ...
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Greaser
References
{{reflist
Anti-Mizrahi sentiment
Arabic words and phrases
Class-related slurs
Hebrew slang
Mizrahi Jewish culture in Israel
Ethnic and religious slurs
Racism in Israel
Pejorative terms for men
Stereotypes of working-class men
Working class in Israel
Antisemitic slurs