zarf

American  

[zahrf] / zɑrf /

noun

1. (in the Levant) a holder, usually of ornamental metal, for a coffee cup without a handle.

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zarf British  

/ zɑːf /

noun

1. (esp in the Middle East) a holder, usually ornamental, for a hot coffee cup

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Usage

What is a zarf? Zarf is an informal term for a sleeve, usually made of cardboard, to put on a hot paper cup, like you might get in a coffee shop. The zarf keeps you from burning your hand on the hot cup.Originally a Levant term, a zarf is traditionally an ornamental metal holder for a coffee cup that doesn’t have a handle. Because coffee drinking became highly ritualized in the Mediterranean area, many zarf were decorated or designed very ornately and would often be expensive items only the rich could afford.Example: The coffee shop didn’t give me a zarf this morning, and I really burnt my hands on the way to the car.

Etymology

Origin of zarf

First recorded in 1830–40, zarf is from the Arabic word ẓarf vessel, sheath

Example Sentences

Fun fact: that little cardboard thing one slips around a cup of coffee to keep it from burning one’s hand is known as a zarf.

From Time

In some places, Ms. Hall noted, a “zarf.”

From New York Times

A sleeve, a collar, a wrap—or for those who use the technical term, a zarf?

From Time

The Pasha, lifting his little cup by its silver zarf, realized that he would not sip his coffee quite so noisily had his French wife been sitting with him under the horse-chestnuts.

From Project Gutenberg

One word he became enchanted with was “zarf,” which is a metal, cup-shaped holder for a hot coffee cup.

From New York Times