Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c6.35

c6.35

It is curious to note that several of our most common adoptions are due to what may be most especially called the Oordoo (Urdū) or ‘Camp’ language, being terms which the hosts of Chinghiz brought from the steppes of North Eastern Asia—*e.g.* “The old *Bukshee* is an awful *bahadur*, but he keeps a first-rate *bobachee*.” That is a sentence which might easily have passed without remark at an Anglo-Indian mess-table thirty years ago—perhaps might be heard still. Each of the outlandish terms embraced in it came from the depths of Mongolia in the thirteenth century. *Chick* (in the sense of a cane-blind), *daroga*, *oordoo* itself, are other examples.