The word Nargileh is a common Middle Eastern word for a water pipe used for smoking flavored tobacco. Its spelling often causes confusion due to the various transliterations used, such as narghile, argileh, and shisha. The correct spelling, however, is often written as nargileh, with the IPA phonetic transcription /nɑːrɡɪlə/. This spelling accurately represents the pronunciation of the word, with the stress on the second syllable and a glottal stop at the end.
Nargileh, also commonly known as a hookah or shisha, is a traditional Middle Eastern smoking apparatus that is used to smoke flavored tobacco called "mu'assel." The word "nargileh" is derived from the Persian word "nārgil," which means coconut. It refers to the original practice of using a hollowed-out coconut shell as the smoking bowl for this contraption.
A nargileh typically consists of a water-filled base, a tube with a mouthpiece, a clay bowl, and a heating element. The tobacco is placed in the bowl, which is covered with perforated aluminum foil or a metal screen. Charcoal is then placed on top of the foil, igniting the tobacco and producing smoke that is drawn through the water in the base and inhaled through the tube.
Nargileh smoking is a social activity that has been ingrained in Middle Eastern culture for centuries. It is often enjoyed in cafes or at home, where people gather to relax, chat, and share the experience. The flavored tobacco used in nargileh comes in a variety of fruity flavors, such as apple, cherry, or grape, adding to the overall sensory experience.
While nargileh smoking is often seen as a cultural tradition and a form of social bonding, it is important to note that it carries health risks similar to other forms of smoking. The smoke that is inhaled contains toxic substances and carcinogens, which can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems when consumed excessively or over a long period of time.
The word "Nargileh" (also spelled as "narghile" or "nargile") originates from the Persian language. It is derived from the Persian words "nār" meaning "fire" and "gīleh" meaning "pot" or "vessel". When combined, these words formed "nārgīleh", which refers to a device used for smoking flavored tobacco. The term spread through the Ottoman Empire and later influenced various languages, resulting in different names for the same device, such as "hookah" in English and "shisha" in Arabic.