E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Giaour (jow’-er).
An unbeliever, one who disbelieves the Mahometan faith. A corruption of the Arabic Kiafir. It has now become so common that it scarcely implies insult, but has about the force of the word “Gentile,” meaning “not a Jew.” Byron has a poetical tale so called, but he has not given the giaour a name.
