baboo

[bah-boo]

noun, plural ba·boos.

babu.

Nearby words

babu

or ba·boo

[bah-boo](in India, especially under British rule)

noun

a Hindu title of address equivalent to Sir, Mr., or Esquire.

a Hindu gentleman.

a native Indian clerk who can write English.

Usually Disparaging. any native Indian having only a limited knowledge of English.

Origin of babu

First recorded in 1875–80, babu is from the Hindi word bābū

Usage note

The term babu English refers to florid, overly polite, and unidiomatic English regarded as characteristic of native Indians who have limited proficiency in English.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for baboos

The few resident males are either biological sons or “baboos” (lovers) of the successful madams.
‘Whores’ Glory’: An Interview With Michael Glawogger|Tracy Quan|April 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
In the evening the Maharajah gave a party to all the native notabilities of the city; great attendance of Baboos.
Lord Randolph Churchill|Winston Spencer Churchill
Recognising the Baboos as the immediate cause of their disturbance, they attacked them with indomitable courage.
Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier|James Inglis
Bengali baboos vainly petitioned the British government to pass the bill in all its integrity.
India Under British Rule|James Talboys Wheeler

Karlee had not served the Sahibs, and observed "Young Bengal" baboos, in vain.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 18, No. 110, December, 1866|Various
The great purveyor was right, because the Baboos give large orders and pay regularly for fear of exposure.
The Hindoos as they Are|Shib Chunder Bose

British Dictionary definitions for baboos

babu

noun

(in India) a title or form of address more or less equivalent to Mr, placed before a person's full name or after his first name

Word Origin for babu

Hindi, literally: father

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012