gorboġ

Maltese

Alternative forms

• girbeġ

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɔr.bɔt͡ʃ/

Noun

gorboġ m (plural griebeġ, diminutive grejbeġ)

1. sty, pigsty (an enclosure where pigs are kept)
2. hutch (an enclosure where rabbits are kept)
3. (figurative) hovel (a poor cottage)
   • 1949, Anton Buttigieg, “Ir-Riħ u l-Bnazzi”, in Mill-Gallerija ta’ Żgħożiti:

     Ħarbat, mewwet dawk id-dwieli,
     wild il-għaraq tal-ħaddiem,
     żomm il-fqir ġol-gorboġ waħdu,
     u bla ħobż, bla dawl, bla sliem!

     Destroy, kill those vines,
     the offspring of the worker’s sweat,
     keep the poor man in the hovel alone,
     without bread, without light, without peace!

   • 1949-1952, Anton Buttigieg, “Jien u l-Ħanina”, in Qasba mar-Riħ, published 1977:

     Ngħidlek, jien u l-ħanina
     ġewwa l-gorboġ mudlam
     henjin daqs re u reġina
     ġewwa palazz tar-rħam!

     I tell you, me and my darling
     inside the dark hovel
     happy as a king and queen
     inside a marble palace!