Arabic-L:LING:Mafia etymology query

[Dilworth Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Wed 09 Jan 2008
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject:Mafia etymology query

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Date: 09 Jan 2008
From:ZAKIA DEEB <zakiadeeb at hotmail.com>
Subject:Mafia etymology query

Does any body know whether the word 'Mafia' has any linguistic Arabic  
connection? I was asked this question by French friend. The only  
similar word in sound in Arabic is "ma'ffi" (masculine) or  
"ma'ffia" (feminine) meaning EXEMPTED but this does not necessarily  
mean the words are related.
Many thanks,
Zakia Deeb

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