Babu (title)

Babu (title)

The term babu when used in modern-day South Asia is used as a sign of respect towards men, equivalent to the English "Sir". The honorific "ji" is sometimes added as a suffix to create the double honorific Babuji. In northern and eastern parts of India, "babuji" is a term of respect for one's father. It can also be used as a term of respect for any respected elder or man. In some Indian states, "babu" is also used as a generic word of respect to address men, especially unknown ones, "e.g.", "Babu, can you help me ?" In Bengali, "babu" is used as suffix to a person's name to show respect while calling him by name, "e.g.", "Sudarshan-babu, could you please come here!" "Babu" may also be used as a term of endearment, used to affectionately address younger boys. In this context, "babu" or "baba" may mean son.

In British India, "Babu" was a term used to describe a native Indian clerk. The word was originally used as a term of respect attached to a proper name, but later, especially when used alone and not as a suffix, was a derogatory word signifying a semi-literate native, with a mere veneer of modern education. [cite web | title=Kipling's Burden: Representing Colonial Authority and Constructing the Other through Kimball O'Hara and Babu Hurree Chander in Kim | author=Nandi Bhatia | url=http://inic.utexas.edu/asnic/sagar/spring.1994/nandi.bhatia.art.html |accessdate=2008-01-31] In the early 20th century the term Babu was frequently used to refer to bureaucrats and other government officials, especially by the Indian media; in this sense the word hints at corrupt or lazy work practices. It can also mean the pimp or client of a sex worker. The term "babu" has thus fallen out of favour in polite society, since it may be taken as an insult.

In Indian languages, the term "babu" may be suffixed to a person's name, but the term "babuji" is always used by itself.

Babu also means grandfather in Swahili (also known as Kiswahili).

ee also

*Sahib
*Effendi
*Babuji and Babu

References


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  • babu — or baboo [bä′bo͞o΄] n. [Hindi bābū, lit., father] 1. in India, a title equivalent to Mr. or sir used in addressing a man who is a Hindu 2. in India, an indigenous clerk who can write English: used disparagingly, esp. in the phrase Babu English,… …   English World dictionary

  • babu — UK [ˈbɑːbuː] / US [ˈbɑˌbu] noun [countable] Word forms babu : singular babu plural babus Indian English used after someone s name as a title of respect …   English dictionary

  • Babu — Baboo Ba boo, ||Babu Ba bu (b[aum] b[=oo]), n. [Hind. b[=a]b[=u].] A Hindu gentleman; a native clerk who writes English; also, a Hindu title equivalent to the English Mr. or Esquire. Whitworth. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • babu — /bah booh/, n. 1. a Hindu title of address equivalent to Sir, Mr., or Esquire. 2. a Hindu gentleman. 3. a native Indian clerk who writes English. 4. Usually Disparaging. any native Indian having only a limited knowledge of English. Also, baboo.… …   Universalium

  • babu — noun /ˈbɑːbuː/ A Hindu title of respect, equivalent to Mr.; hence, a Hindu gentleman or official. The Babu put on his cap and quietly dropped out of the window …   Wiktionary

  • babu — [ bα:bu:] noun (plural babus) Indian 1》 a respectful title or form of address for a man. 2》 an office worker. Origin from Hindi bābū, lit. father …   English new terms dictionary

  • babu — ba•bu [[t]ˈbɑ bu[/t]] n. (in S Asia, esp. under British rule) 1) raj off (a term used to refer to a native Indian clerical employee with a knowledge of English.) 2) raj usu. disp. (a term used to refer to any culturally Anglicized, English… …   From formal English to slang

  • babu — n. (also baboo) Ind. 1 a title of respect, esp. to Hindus. 2 derog. formerly, an English writing Indian clerk. Etymology: Hindi babu …   Useful english dictionary

  • babu — n. (Hindu) mister, title for a gentleman; Indian person who can write in English; Indian person who has some knowledge of English (Offensive Slang) …   English contemporary dictionary

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