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Word Watch: WOONERF

noun: Dutch word meaning "living street" -- where the needs of motorists have been subordinated to the needs of all other users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders. Typically, a woonerf has no traffic signals or signs, low curbs, a very low speed limit, and an abundance of traffic-calming features designed to prevent cars from driving in straight lines -- like large planters, parking spaces on alternating sides of the street, and curving road designs. With no traffic signals, the thinking goes, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are forced to make eye contact and negotiate their passage. Data show lower accident rates and improved traffic flow on the living streets, as well as increased business for shops near them.

Word Watch: Soldier Slang

From a U.S. Army captain stationed in Iraq, who wishes to remain anonymous

Haji: any of the locals (basically, a Middle Easterner). This includes Kurds, Turks, and Kuwaitis, too. Derived from haji, meaning a Muslim who has made the journey to Mecca.

Ali Baba: an insurgent, or enemy fighter. Derived from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves under the mistaken assumption that Ali Baba was one of the bad guys. Locals use this term a lot when they're telling U.S. soldiers about insurgents.

Fobbit: a derogatory term for a U.S. soldier who just hangs out on base and doesn't leave the post. Derived from the acronym for Forward Operating Base (FOB) and crossed with hobbit. Also known as "wire-huggers" (they hug the barbed wire that surrounds the base so you can't drag them away).

Area 51: a compound located on some bases used to separate Americans from locally contracted drivers. Turkish drivers who bring supplies to American bases stay in Area 51 and are not allowed to use facilities intended for U.S. soldiers.

Dad: short for Baghdad. Used, for example, like this: "Dad is angry today" or "Dad is going to kill me."

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