The hau and the lau of it

He doesn’t know Hau from Lau (the precise signification of “Hau” and “Lau” is doubtful, some interpreting it as “Yes” and “No”, and others as “Urging” and “Stopping” a camel.)

-Arabic Proverbs, Sigmar Hillelson, Sudan Notes and Records, No.2, 1921

I learned how to make a camel go and stop from hearing Peter O’Toole say Hut! and Ikh! in 70 mm. But when KhairAllah crossed trails with a Darfuri Dabouka and its Khabīr couched his camel with a Shh!, I rethought everything I’d learned about talking out loud at the movies.