Chiraq

English

Etymology

Blend of Chicago +‎ Iraq, coined by South Side rappers comparing the frequency of shootings in Chicago and in Iraq.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ʃɪˈɹæk/, /ʃɪˈɹɑk/
• Rhymes: -æk, -ɑːk

Proper noun

Chiraq

1. (US, slang, derogatory) Chicago, especially those parts in the South Side subject to a large amount of violence.
   • 2014, Rumont Tekay, Venom In My Veinz:

     Seeing too much of anything in Chiraq streets could be hazardous to anyone's health

   • 2015, Jimmy Chan, Don't Kill the Messenger 69...The Chronicles of Fo:

     Welcome to Chiraq
     Chitown
     My town

   • 2017, Steve Ventura, Martin Bailkey, Good Food, Strong Communities, page 235:

     When the south and west sides of Chicago are covered in the media, for instance, they are often described using infamous terms such as Chiraq and food deserts. Chiraq, a portmanteau of Chicago and Iraq, is used as code to refer to the violence and poverty of these neighborhoods.

   • 2018, Shatiera Holman, Equality Ain't Equal:

     He met his wife and never thought about moving back to Chiraq.

See also

• Chimpcago
• Shitcago
• Killadelphia