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Between 1917 and 1932, Iraq was occupied by the UK – and by the time they left, the British administrators who ran the country had left their mark on the local dialect. Linguist Ahmed F Khaleel tracks the often strange ways Iraqis adopted and adapted all manner of English words.
And in other stories from The Conversation this week, our experts investigate the rise of Buddhist extremism, the illegal trade in timber, and the importance of maternal happiness.
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Ahmed F Khaleel, University of York
British colonial rule of Iraq led to some intriguing language swaps.
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Arts + Culture
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Louise Pryke, Macquarie University
Sex was central to life in ancient Mesopotamia. And the authors of Sumerian love poetry, depicting the exploits of divine couples, showed a wealth of practical knowledge about the stages of female sexual arousal.
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Environment + Energy
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Kenneth E. Wallen, University of Arkansas
The illegal timber trade is a huge global business worth up to US$150 billion yearly. One way to curb it is by convincing consumers in wealthy countries that buying contraband wood products is wrong.
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Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor, University of Guelph; Binyam Afewerk Demena, International Institute of Social Studies
Some experts argue globalization has been bad for the environment. But moving away from globalization could have other consequences that could be even more devastating for the environment.
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Health + Medicine
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Endang Surjaningrum, Universitas Airlangga
Making mothers happy is important for the wellbeing of the babies. How can we do that?
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Rees Kassen, University of Ottawa
As a post-antibiotic future beckons, how can humanity protect itself against the proliferation of superbugs? Research suggests 'drug sanctuaries' in hospitals could be a promising solution.
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Politics + Society
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Andreas Johansson, Lund University
Fed by colonialism, civil war and online hate speech, Buddhist extremism in Sri Lanka has been on the march for decades.
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Iselin Gambert, Lund University; Tobias Linné, Lund University
From #SoyBoy to #MilkTwitter, there's a sinister side to milk.
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Science + Technology
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Matt Gibbs, University of Winnipeg
Beer is the most consumed beverages in the world with a long history. What does the ancient art of brewing tell us about culture and tastes?
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Nikk Effingham, University of Birmingham
All the proofs in the world won't change a convinced flat earther's mind.
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