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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

None the less he held himself wary and alert, and was instant to halt the babu when he, with the air of a dog cringing to his master's feet for punishment, would have drawn nearer.

From The Bronze Bell by Vance, Louis Joseph

He and the babu discussed ethics and metaphysical philosophy for three solid hours.

From African Camp Fires by White, Stewart Edward

What was more, the crowd began to take its cue from the babu, and a roof-tile broke at our feet as a gentle reminder that we had the town's permission to depart.

From Caves of Terror by Mundy, Talbot