Dahabeahs

/dɑːhəˈbiːəz/ noun

Definition

Plural: large, flat-bottomed sailing boats or houseboats traditionally used on the Nile River in Egypt.

Etymology

From Arabic 'دهبية' (dahhabīya), literally meaning 'golden' (from 'dhahab,' gold), named for their once-luxurious gilded decorations popular with wealthy travelers.

Kelly Says

These boats were basically luxury vacation homes on water—wealthy Europeans and Egyptians lived on dahabeahs while floating down the Nile, treating the river like an ancient cruise ship!

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