With a new political life come new expressions. Mai Samih explores the post-revolutionary lexicon After years of stagnant political life, the January Revolution turned the country upside down, bringing a new political vocabulary in its wake. Since 25 January last year, the country's media and public have had to use all their ingenuity to frame new expressions to describe the events they have been witnessing, some of these expressions passing out of the language as quickly as they have come and others establishing themselves as official vocabulary or the vernacular of everyday conversation. Among such expressions, the following stand out: - Shabab khamsa wa eshreen Yanayer or shabab Al-Facebook or al-thawrageya ("25 January Youth", "Facebook Youth, "revolutionaries"). Describes key young players taking part in political events or in media coverage and talk shows. - Eatelaf shabab al-thawra (Coalition of the Youth of the Revolution). - Al-Masriyeen al-shurafaa (Honourable Egyptians). These are those who supported the revolution, organising the Millioneya or "million-citizen march" and the al-Barlaman al-shaabi, or "people's parliament." - Hizb al-kanaba. People who did not participate in the demonstrations were called the "sofa party", meaning that they stayed at home and watched TV. - Scenario al-fawda or Moamaret al-fawda (chaos scenario or chaos conspiracy). This is one explanation for the disappearance of the police from the country's towns and cities after 28 January after which was created al-faragh al-amni (security vacuum). - Qowa siyasiya (political forces). Term used by the former regime to describe those who were from its point of view trying to manipulate events in Tahrir Square for their own benefit. - Legan shaabiya (popular committees). This term entered the lexicon when people set up vigilante groups to guard their homes after 28 January. - Baltageya (thugs). Term used to describe trouble-makers, bullies and outlaws believed to be behind the wave of thefts, banditry and crime that took place after the revolution, as well as the Mawqeat al-gamal, or "Battle of the Camel", that took place on 2 February. - Fulul (leftovers). The remnants of the former regime believed to have paid thugs to attack Tahrir Square demonstrators. - Mawqeat al-sandouq (battle of the ballots). It was given the name by the Salafis during the constitutional amendments referendum. - Aydi khafiya, anasser mondassa or al-taraf al-thaleth and al-Lahw al-khafi (infiltrators). All synonyms for the same idea, of those paid to ruin the revolution, whether from the perspective of the revolutionaries or of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. - Al-mowaten al-asfar (the "Yellow Citizen"). These are people who behave like tabloid journalists, using the Internet to spread rumours and posting videos and blogs to incite turmoil in the country. - Al-legan al-electroneya (electronic committees). These are people who attack activists online and are believed to be part of the security apparatus. - Hukumat tayseer al-aamal: government that rules in the interests of the nation. - Entekal selmi lel-solta: peaceful transition of power. - Abnaa Mubarak: Mubarak's sons, meaning his supporters, not biological sons Alaa and Gamal.
