Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9053

c10.9053

1497.—“And he sent 20 cruzados in gold, and 20 testoons in silver for the Malemos, who were the pilots, for of these coins he would give each month whatever he (the Sheikh) should direct.”—*Correa*, i. 38 (E.T. by Ld. Stanley of Alderley, 88). On this passage the Translator says: “The word is perhaps the Arabic for an instructor, a word in general use all over Africa.” It is curious that his varied experience should have failed to recognise the habitual marine use of the term.