Over the centuries, English has shown a remarkable flexibility in borrowing foreign words, which has resulted in a very cosmopolitan vocabulary. This study examines some of the latest Arabic loanwords frequently used in the context of the war in Iraq. The nature of those words, their connotations, and the semantic shifts that some of them have undergone is analyzed. College students' perception of those words is examined through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 102 students. Findings reveal that the borrowings are generally perceived negatively. The variable of amount of time spent following the news on the progress of the war, along with other ideological factors, seems to have an impact on the students' reactions to the loans. (Contains 3 tables and 4 footnotes.)