Sulla

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Roman general and dictator known for his role in the late Roman Republic and his conflict with Marius
2. An influential figure in ancient Roman history, recognized for his reforms and dictatorship during the civil wars
3. Celebrated for his military prowess and political maneuvers, shaping the trajectory of Roman governance in his time

Etymology: In Punjabi, "ਸੁੱਲਾ" (sullā) is a derogatory term for Muslims. It is probably a mispronunciation of "ਮੁੱਲਾ" (mullā), the title for an Islamic religious leader, which came into Punjabi from Classical Persian "mullā" and ultimately from Arabic. It may instead be a contraction of "muslamān" ("Muslim") or of "muslā", a prayer mat that also gives rise to a separate slur meaning "carpet kisser." In English, the plant term "sulla" (a forage legume, also called sweetvetch) comes from the genus name Sulla. The same spelling belongs to Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the Roman general and dictator, but the Latin name and the Punjabi slur are not connected.