babu

American  

[bah-boo] / ˈbɑ bu /

Also baboo

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.

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babu British  

/ 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

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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.

Etymology

Origin of babu

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

Example Sentences

Refinements upon the art of gentle descent began at least five centuries ago when a quaint babu hugely diverted the court of Siam by jumping off the roof with two umbrellas hooked in his girdle.

From Time Magazine Archive

The national leadership, from Nehru down to the lowliest babu, seems more tired than inspired.

From Time Magazine Archive

Amber made a careful note of this information; he was curious about that babu.

From The Bronze Bell by Vance, Louis Joseph

So that night we took a freight train southward to Voi, leaving the babu and his prayer-bell, and his green battle-axe and his conscience alone in the wilderness.

From African Camp Fires by White, Stewart Edward

Of course I shall not carry the matter further," he told us, "but having known the babu, you must see that once he had reported to me I was compelled to order you down here.

From African Camp Fires by White, Stewart Edward