"Hummer" has entered Iraqi dialect as the word for the armored jeeps known as Humvees, as has the Arabic-inflected plural, Hummer-at. Not only has "Hummer" entered the Iraqi dialect, it is now listed as a word in the Arabic and Kurdish language dictionaries and defined as 1. A military vehicle capable of navigating extreme terrain, 2. Any ruggedly built several wheels drive vehicle, 3. Any vehicle of a rugged character. The second and last definitions loose a little in the translation.
Not in the dictionary yet, but a new part of the Arabic dialect is the word "Buffalo" for MRAPs, the hulking Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. Hummers are in high demand in Iraq as the local people have found their ability to navigate rugged and sandy terrain and their reputation for reliability. H2s and H3s are now selling off the lots as fast as they arrive.
There has become a blackmarket demand among the wealthy Iraqis for restored Humvees that were considered "totaled" by the military, but being restored in small local garages at great expense. The fact that military Humvees do not have a VIN number is not a problem in licensing them in Iraq and one small garage in Baghdad is in contact with Lynch Hummer through his supplier in Germany on a regular basis for parts, since most H1 parts are interchangeable with military Humvees. What's the going rate for a tricked out civilian Humvee in Iraq? Sources say $175,000 US will get you a nice one!
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