Hindi Diwas 2018: Shampoo, Punch and Other English Words That You Didn't Know Are Derived From Hindi

Hindi is inarguably the most-recognised of all Indian languages and probably the one that is most-associated with India. Every year on September 14, the country celebrates the language through Hindi Diwas, to mark the day when it was accepted as the official language of the Republic of India. Although younger than its mother language Sanskrit, Hindi also has the distinction of inspiring many words in English.

Some of these words have been so anglicised that inveterate English speaks don't suspect the Hindi origins of these words. Many of these words entered the English language during the British colonial rule in the subcontinent where both the eastern and westerns intermingled. Hindi Diwas 2018: GIF Images, WhatsApp Messages, Facebook Status & SMS to Celebrate The Language's Importance. Here's a short list of words in English that have been derived from Hindi.

Charpoy

Charpoy is a piece of furniture similar to a cot (also derived from Hindi) made of woven ropes. The word is derived from the Hindi word charpai and can be literally translated as "char" meaning four and "pai" meaning legs. Is Hindi Losing Its Relevance to English Today?

Chit

Chit refers to a short piece of paper. The online etymology website Etymonline.com says that the word means "a short letter, note," which is short for "chitty" in Hindi. Best Heart Touching Lines on Matrabhasha Hindi to Celebrate the Day.

Cot

Cot refers to a small bed with high barred sides for a baby or a toddler. According to Etymonline.com, the word cot is derived from the Hindi word "khaat", which means n"couch, hammock."

Cushy

Cushy according to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary means "very easy and pleasant; needing little or no effort." (To lead a cushy life)The word is derived from the Hindi word "khushi" or happiness.

Dekko

"To have a dekko" means to take a sneak peak. And as you've guessed it, the word is derived from the Hindi word Dekho or to see.

Juggernaut

The word Juggernaut means a powerful force that cannot be stopped. The word is derived from Jagannath, which according to Etymonline.com refers to a "huge wagon bearing an image of the god Krishna... drawn annually in procession during which (apocryphally) devotees allowed themselves to be crushed under its wheels in sacrifice."

Jungle

The word is derived from the Hindi word "jangal", which (no points for guessing) means forest.

Loot

The Hindi word "loot" literally means to rob. Even in English, the word retains its original meaning.

Punch

Fruit punch is an alcoholic beverage that contains fruit or fruit juice. The word punch is derived from the Hindi word "paanch", which points to the five traditional ingredients -- alcohol, sugar, lemon, water and tea or spices -- that went into the drink.

Pyjamas

The word pyjamas are derived from the Hindi word "pajama", which refers to loose trousers worn by the local men.

Shampoo

Perhaps the biggest shocker is the word shampoo. According to Etymonline.com, the word means "'to massage,' from Anglo-Indian shampoo, from Hindi champo, imperative of champna 'to press, knead the muscles.'"

Thug

The origin of the word thug, a violent person, is from the Hindi word "thag", referring to a group of dacoits who robbed and murdered their victims during the British period.

Amazing isn't it? A lot of other English words such as bangles, bungalow, candy, bandana, dacoit, karma, khaki, mantra, mogul, toddy and verandah have been derived from Hindi. This Hindi Diwas, revel in the glorious history of this rich language. Tickle your funny bone, read some of the hilarious Hindi translations of English words

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2018 08:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).