Hobson Jobson in the bungalow

July 17, 2012

In 1872 two men began to compile a lexicon of words that had crossed the divide from their Indian origin into the English language. The book known as Hobson Jobson has never been out of print and now contains over 1000 words. Here’s a list of fifty words that we brought back from India. Probably the first Indian takeaway.

Have a curious day.

50 words from India

• A – atoll, avatar
• B – bandana, bangle, bazaar, Blighty, bungalow
• C – cashmere, catamaran, char, cheroot, cheetah, chintz, chit, chokey, chutney, cot, cummerbund, curry
• D – dinghy, doolally, dungarees
• G – guru, gymkhana
• H – hullabaloo
• J – jodhpur, jungle, juggernaut, jute
• K – khaki, kedgeree
• L – loot
• N – nirvana
• P – pariah, pashmina, polo, pukka, pundit, purdah, pyjamas
• S – sari, shampoo, shawl, swastika
• T – teak, thug, toddy, typhoon
• V – veranda
• Y – yoga