Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.9263

c10.9263

MASCABAR, s. This is given by C. P. Brown (MS. notes) as an Indo-Portuguese word for ‘the last day of the month,’ quoting *Calcutta Review*, viii. 345. He suggests as its etymon Hind. *mās-ke-ba’ad*, ‘after a month.’ [In N. Indian public offices the *māskabār* is well known as the monthly statement of cases decided during the month. It has been suggested that it represents the Port. *mes-acabar*, ‘end of the month’; but according to Platts, it is more probably a corruption of Hind. *māsik-wār* or *mās-kā-wār*.]