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Hobson-Jobson / A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive

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Gutenberg ID
58529
Title
Hobson-Jobson / A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive
Language
en
Book source
Project Gutenberg
Description max 80 words
A comprehensive glossary of Anglo-Indian colloquial words, phrases, and kindred terms compiled by Sir Henry Yule and A. C. Burnell. This unique volume blends etymological research with historical, geographical, and discursive notes, offering readers a rich exploration of the linguistic fusion that defined colonial India.
Summary up to 500 words
Hobson-Jobson, formally titled *A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms*, stands as a monumental linguistic record of the cultural and military fusion between Europe and India from the late 16th century onward. Compiled by Sir Henry Yule and his collaborator A. C. Burnell, the work meticulously traces the origins of vocabulary developed by Europeans in India, bridging the gap between English and local languages such as Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and various Indian dialects. The text serves not merely as a dictionary but as a historical archive, offering detailed etymologies for terms like 'teak,' 'sepoy,' and 'bungalow' while citing rare manuscripts, travelogues, and classical texts to provide deep historical context. It explores trade routes, military history, and the profound cultural exchanges that shaped the British Empire in Asia. Edited by William Crooke for a second edition, the book remains a seminal resource that combines scholarly rigor with engaging anecdotes about the people and places that shaped these terms. The authors emphasize that words of Indian origin had been insinuating themselves into English since the reign of Elizabeth, growing in frequency as the numbers of Englishmen in Indian services expanded. The work supplements linguistic data with geographical and discursive insights, acknowledging contributions from distinguished friends and scholars who assisted in verifying references and correcting errors. Ultimately, Hobson-Jobson captures the unique linguistic legacy of the Anglo-Indian experience, illustrating how language evolves through contact and how nations adopt idiomatic expressions that defy perfect translation, preserving the memory of a complex era of imperial interaction.
LLM editorial rating
4.5/5
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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/58529.epub.noimages
Local file path
data/epubs/pg58529.epub
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People

Authors

  • Sir Henry Yule
  • A. C. Burnell
  • Sir Henry Yule and A. C. Burnell
Classification

Categories

  • Dictionaries
  • India