Hobson-Jobson, a glossary of Anglo-Indian words or phrases, originally published more than a hundred years ago, remains the indispensable lexicon for the innumerable words which entered into the language of the British expatriates during the Raj. There words came from the Indian languages. Hobson-Jobson, originally published a hundred years ago, remains the indispensable lexicon for the innumerable words which entered into the language of the British expatriates during the Raj. There words came from the Indian languages of the provinces, and from Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Portuguese, Burmese and a host of other tongues – all subjected to the peculiar phonetic distortion that was the privilege of the sahibs. The word ‘Hobson-Jobson’ perhaps illustrates this phonetic journey best, derived originally as it was from ‘Ya Hasan! Ya Hosain!’Although ‘Hobson-Jobson’ has been a familiar title among the scholars and lay readers, not many have been fortunate enough to possess a copy, the reason being its non-availability at a reasonable price. This Centenary Edition is meant to satisfy that need.
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