Why do people use the term Chiraq for Chicago?

There's disagreement abuot who coined the term, but it was popularized in right wing media as a way to make Chicago look lawless and dangerous, basically as a way to say that cities with Democratic leadership are hell on earth. read more

“Chiraq” is technically a portemanteau of “Chi” from the idiomatic expression, Chi-town (a word a lot of Chicago gangbangers use to mention their meaning of the hood, especially the ruthless gangs like the Gangster Disciples), and Iraq, a place that was known for the danger of those dreaded roadside bombs and suicide bombs as well as Kalishnikov-style active shooting attacks by terrorists there. read more

Chiraq is a nickname given to Americas third largest city, Chicago. Chicago was given this nickname because there are more murders and violence that occur in Chicago than the war in Iraq. Walking the streets of Chicago is like walking in Iraq with all the murders, robbery, gang bangs, and acts of violence. read more

The term "Chiraq" has been casually tossed around in recent years. We don't know the origin, but we know Urban Dictionary's definition was written in February 2012. Of course it references Chicago's violence epidemic, dubbing it a war zone similar to that of Iraq. The parallels are undeniable, but the term makes us queasy. read more