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babu

[ bah-boo ]

noun

  1. a Hindu title of address equivalent to Sir, Mr., or Esquire.
  2. a Hindu gentleman.
  3. Older Use. an Indian clerk who can write in English.
  4. Usually Disparaging. any Indian having only a limited knowledge of English.


babu

/ ˈbɑːbuː /

noun

  1. (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
“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


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Sensitive Note

The term babu English is a disparaging name for a florid, overly polite, or unidiomatic variety of English historically associated with Indians who have limited proficiency in English.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of babu1

First recorded in 1875–80, babu is from the Hindi word bābū
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Word History and Origins

Origin of babu1

Hindi, literally: father
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Example Sentences

These partially educated Bengalis form the Babu class, and many are employed in the railways.

Said the Babu when he had talked for an hour and a half, 'I hope some day to enjoy your offeecial acquaintance.

The Babu's famous drug-box proved useless, though Kim had restocked it at Bombay.

Com-plete in every particular,' said Hurree Babu, rolling into the balcony to clean his teeth at a goglet. '

Hurree Babu stepped back a pace or two into the crowd at the entrance of Lucknow station and—was gone.

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