haji mart

n. among American military in Iraq and Afghanistan, a flea market, bazaar, or roadside vendor. Subjects: Arabic, English, Military, Retail

Editorial Note: Often capitalized as if it is a proper noun, probably by comparison to American retail chains “Wal-Mart” and “K-Mart.” Usually derisive or jocular. Etymological Note: haji ‘an Iraqi or Afghani local; a Muslim’ + mart ‘market.’

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Citations: 2003 Zaheera Wahid Orange County Register (California) (Dec. 13) “Wounded soldier Diane Gilliam will cherish time with her family in O.C.” p. 1: She arrived with two black footlockers packed with her belongings and Christmas presents she’d bought at the Hajji Mart, an Afghan bazaar. 2003 Charles Clover, Peter Spiegel Financial Times (U.K. ) (Dec. 22) “Name game” p. 18: A “Hadjimart” is a roadside kiosk; a “Hadjimobile” is a minibus. 2004 John Koopman @ Ramadi, Iraq San Francisco Chronicle (July 9) “Trolling for bombs” p. A1: “We should just clear out all these haji marts,” one said. “Bring in a bulldozer.” 2004 Edmund Sanders @ Baghdad, Iraq Los Angeles Times (Oct. 15) “Suicide Blasts Kill 6 Inside Iraq Safe Area” p. A1: After the bomb was found last week in the restaurant, the U.S. Embassy issued a security advisory to Green Zone residents, urging them to avoid the restaurant and the bazaar, known in the compound as Haji Mart. 2004 Brita Brundage Fairfield County Weekly (Conn.) (Dec. 2) “Commando Correspondents”: Outside the base, soldiers freely shopped at a marketplace set up by Iraqis (derisively called “Haji Marts” by soldiers) that sold everything from alcohol to bootleg DVDs to bayonets.

Posted 2 Dec 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend