Note 232 — ABDULLAH[232] THE FISHERMAN AND ABDULLAH THE MERMAN.

The tale begins upon the model of “Júdar and his Brethren,” vi. 213. Its hero’s full name is Abdu’lláhi = Slave of Allah, which vulgar Egyptians pronounce Abdallah and purer speakers, Badawin and others, Abdullah: either form is therefore admissible. It is more common among Moslems but not unknown to Christians especially Syrians who borrow it from the Syriac Alloh. Mohammed is said to have said, “The names most approved by Allah are Abdu’llah, Abd al-Rahmán (Slave of the Compassionate) and such like” (Pilgrimage i. 20).