Words adopted from URDU: Part-1

There are many common English words adopted from other languages, but they are so embedded into our everyday speech that we don’t even realize that they weren’t English originally.

Some are much more surprising, so here are some URDU words used in English language.

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[Urdu = English]

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Bangla = Bungalow. literally, "(house) in the Bengal style". Originated from Urdu

Vilayati = Blighty. "Blighty" is a British English slang term for Britain or often specifically England. Though it was used throughout the 1800s in India to mean an English, British or European visitor- Originated from Urdu/Hindi.

Kamarband = Cummerbund . A wide piece of cloth that a man wears around his waist as part of a special suit worn on very formal occasions- Ultimately from Urdu /Persian

Bangrdi = Bangle. A solid band of gold, silver etc that you wear loosely around your wrist as jewellery – Originated from Urdu

Baramdaa = Veranda / Verandah. An open area with a floor and a roof that is attached to the side of a house at ground level. From Urdu, but ultimately probably from Portuguese or Spanish

Shawl = Shawl. A piece of cloth, in a square or triangular shape, that is worn around the shoulders or head, especially by women or a baby. From Urdu and Persian ‘sal’, probably from ’Shaliat’, the name of a town in India.

Sharbat =Sorbet. A sweet syrup made of fruit juice, sugar, and water. Derived from the Urdu which originally comes from Arabic; meaning juice.

Chaampo = Shampoo. The word shampoo in English is derived from Hindustani. (It dates back to 1762). The Hindustani word referred to head massage, usually with some form of hair oil. Similar words also occur in other North Indian languages including Urdu. The word and the service of head massage were introduced to Britain by a Urdu speaking businessman Shaik Deen Mahomed from Bengal.

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-Collected and edited by S.A.Jabbar