Chiraq

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• 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