The thread about the commonness of “Mohammed” reminded me of this…
There are a number of male North African, particularly Algerian, pop singers who live and work in France. All of them seem to be named “Cheb”; i.e. Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, etc. Does anyone know, is Cheb a name, or perhaps a sort of title, like, “singer whose material got him in trouble in his own country and he had to move to France”?
Well according to World Music Index
…Cheb meaning “kid,” a term adopted by several Arabic singers to mock the term Cheikh which refers to a respected elder in Algerian society…
Yep, from what I found (titled “Eyes Open”, halfway down the page) on Google, therealblaze is on the money.
Not bad, thirteen minutes from question to answer.
That’s why I love this place so much (sniff)…
(wipes single tear from eye)