Pukka sahib

Pukka sahib

Pukka sahib (pronEng|ˈpʌkə ˈsɑːɪb or IPA|/ˈsɑːb/ [OED] "PUCK-uh SAH-ib" or "SAHB") was a slang term taken from Hindi words for "cooked" (but meaning "first class", "absolutely genuine" for English users) and "master", but meaning "true gentleman" or "excellent fellow". Used in the British Empire to describe Europeans; more usually to describe an attitude which British administrators affected, that of an "aloof, impartial, incorruptiblearbiter of the political fate of a large part of the earth's surface" [ "Race against Time"M. Freedman, "Phylon", 1953.] . Orwell in his anti-Empire novel "Burmese Days" refers to it as a 'pose', and one of his characters talks of the difficulty that goes into maintaining it. The term is also frequently referenced in Forster's "Passage to India".

The word "Pukka" is still used colloquially in 21st century English to describe something as "first class" or "absolutely genuine".

References

ee also

*Sahib


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  • Pukka sahib — est une expression du langage courant britannique dérivée de l hindi sahib signifiant monsieur, maître ou seigneur et de pukka , c est à dire absolu, authentique. L usage de ce terme était courant dans l Empire britannique pour désigner les… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • pukka sahib — (in British India) a term of respectful address used to British colonial authorities. Cf. pukka, sahib. [1935 40] * * * pukka sahib noun A gentleman • • • Main Entry: ↑pukka * * * pukka sahib, Anglo Indian. a good man; real gentleman: »His father …   Useful english dictionary

  • pukka sahib — (in British India) a term of respectful address used to British colonial authorities. Cf. pukka, sahib. [1935 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • pukka sahib —    (PUK kah SAH heeb) [Hindi: good master] A form of polite address used by a Hindu when speaking to a colonial authority during the time of British rule in India …   Dictionary of foreign words and phrases

  • pukka sahib —  Perfect gentleman. (Now usu. facet.) …   A concise dictionary of English slang

  • Sahib — For the city in Iran, see Sahib, Iran. For the Royal Navy submarine, see HMS Sahib (P212). Sahib (  /səˈ …   Wikipedia

  • Pukka — TOC Pukka may refer to:*Pukka Orchestra, a Canadian New Wave band *Pukka Pies, a United Kingdom foods manufacturer *Pukka Electric MiniBike, a small, battery powered vehicle *Pukka Herbs Ltd, an Ayurvedic herbal remedies company *Pukka, a… …   Wikipedia

  • pukka — /ˈpʌkə/ (say pukuh) adjective 1. correct in behaviour, appearance or attitude; corresponding to the regulations or best form. –phrase 2. pukka sahib, (especially formerly, during the colonial period in India) a white gentleman who is correct in… …  

  • sahib — n. 1 hist. (in India) a form of address, often placed after the name, to European men. 2 colloq. a gentleman (pukka sahib). Etymology: Urdu f. Arab. sahib friend, lord …   Useful english dictionary

  • sahib —  See pukka …   A concise dictionary of English slang

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