Talk:Harem (household)

Root of the word?
I believe "harem" is derived from the arabic word "mahrem", which means private. By definition - and unlike traditional believe, in practice(!) - it served as the sultans household or private residence. *Arabic speakers, please comment*


 * Mahram means relative whom one is forbidden to mary. For some brief discussion of related words, see Haram. AnonMoos 17:57, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

A bit on pronunciation would be useful. It seems British pronounce it 'hareem', and being closer to the arab countries i'd imagine their pronunciation was more correct than ours.