I just learned a great Arabic saying from a recent episode of A Way with Words podcast. Literally translated, the phrase is “in the apricot” but figuratively it’s the equivalent of “in your dreams.” That’s because apricots have such a short season that saying something will happen in the time of apricots means it’s far-fetched. The phrase is pronounced “bil mish mish”…ب المشمش
Apricot tree in Al-Walaja, Palestine (West Bank). June 2010
So is it a comment that is used with sarcasm or with hope?
Good question–I’m not sure. I’ll try to find out from some Arabic speakers.
Okay just got a reply from my friend Aya in Nablus that it’s used for sarcasm.
That makes sense. So does “in your dreams,” at least for the most part. I just think the phrase is so lovely that I wish it was used to express pure, unadulterated hope!
I agree!
I love it!
Know any good Russian idioms?