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Hobson-Jobson The Definitive Glossary of British India (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – 11 Jun. 2015

by Henry Yule (Author), A. C. Burnell (Author), Kate Teltscher (Editor)
4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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'A glossary of colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases, and of kindred terms, etymological, historical, geographical and discursive.'

Hobson-Jobson is a unique work of maverick scholarship. Compiled in 1886 by two India enthusiasts, it documents the words and phrases that entered English from Arabic, Persian, Indian, and Chinese sources - and vice versa. Described by Salman Rushdie as 'the legendary dictionary of British India' it shows how words of Indian origin were absorbed into the English language and records not only the vocabulary but the culture of the Raj. Illustrative quotations from a wide range of travel texts, histories, memoirs, and novels create a canon of English writing about India. The definitions frequently slip into anecdote, reminiscence, and digression, and they offer intriguing insights into Victorian attitudes to India and its people and customs.

With its delight in language, etymology, and puns, Hobson-Jobson has fascinated generations of writers from Rudyard Kipling to Tom Stoppard and Amitav Ghosh. This selected edition retains the range and idiosyncrasy of the original, and includes fascinating information on the glossary's creation and its significance for the English language.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0198718004
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0198718000
  3. Publisher
    OUP Oxford
  4. Publication date
    11 Jun. 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    19.84 x 2.24 x 12.42 cm
  7. Print length
    624 pages
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From the Publisher

oxford world's classics, literature, novels, myths, celebrated writing
oxford world's classics, literature, novels, myths, celebrated writing

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'Everyone interested in British India should have a copy.' ― Andrew Robinson, The Independent

'Hobson-Jobson is a rare dictionary that can be read for pleasure' ― Christopher Howse, Sunday Telegraph

'Teltscher's introduction to this new abridged edition is a model of scholarship and readability.' ― Neel Mukherjee, Financial Times

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ OUP Oxford
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 11 Jun. 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 624 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0198718004
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0198718000
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.84 x 2.24 x 12.42 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 96,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

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A. C. Burnell

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4.4 out of 5 stars
99 global ratings

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Customers find the book full of fascinating information and appreciate it as a great reference source. They praise its vocabulary, with one customer describing it as a linguistic treasure trove.

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Information valueVocabulary
12 customers mention ‘Information value’12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book full of fascinating information and appreciate it as a great reference, with one customer noting how the critical apparatus enhances understanding.

"...Overall it’s very interesting" Read more

"just as described ...a great reference book and one to get friends discussing 'words'." Read more

"A highly informative and scholarly blast from the past, which I looked at years back, but have only just bought...." Read more

"A book full of fascinating information, immaculate condition, amazing value, breathtaking delivery. Could not be more pleased. Thank you." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Vocabulary’4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's extensive vocabulary, with one describing it as a linguistic treasure trove and another noting it's a splendid source of information about word meanings.

"Hobson-Jobson is a splendid source of information concerning the meanings and use of historical oriental language terms and phrases...." Read more

"Supplementing a much-loved Wordsworth edition (this is a reduction of the 1903 edition), the text (re-keyed?)..." Read more

"Treasure trove of words!..." Read more

"a great reference book and one to get friends discussing 'words'..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • MR A T MORTLOCK
    5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid source of information concerning oriental words and phrases
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 October 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Hobson-Jobson is a splendid source of information concerning the meanings and use of historical oriental language terms and phrases. For more modern terms I formerly used The Waverly Childrens' Illustrated Dictionary in 8 volumes edited by Arthur Mee. Unfortunately I no longer have it.
    My use of it is for personal interest only.
    The addition of an alphabetical index would be of great help.
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  • Foster's Old Boy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating for pedants!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone who wonders WHY we say what we do, and how our language came in to being will love this book.
    Many (if not most) of the words contained herein are no longer in circulation, but it is amazing how many of our commonly used words emanate from our soldiers being in India for so many years.
    What is more interesting is that many of these words have also made it into American English, so there is reason to believe that they predate the American War of Independence. What would they think?

    A well bound volume for the "Reference Section"
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Ben Trovato
    5.0 out of 5 stars Blast from the past
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A highly informative and scholarly blast from the past, which I looked at years back, but have only just bought. Recommended to me 50 years ago by an old and distinguished FO hand.
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  • Ian jenkinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very authoritative book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This an excellent resource and fascinating to dip into. The print is quite small though which makes it hard to read for more than a few minutes- at least for me! Overall it’s very interesting
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  • Fix
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great reference to all things India
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Rather a lot of introduction about the history/reasons for this book, before getting to the nitty-gritty; overall very interesting and a must for people interested in all things to do with India.
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  • Dr David E. Ward
    5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure trove of words!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    What a great discovery from reading Sathnam Sangera’s articles in the Times about his new book “Empire”
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  • wolf
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but Dry History of English Words from India
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2013
    Amazon Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
    Publishers used to think that etymology was a dry dusty and academic subject until books by writers such as Michael Quinion showed that there was a real appetite for finding the true origins of the words and phrases we used - unthinkingly - everyday. Doubtless inspired by the success of his books and others of a similar ilk, 'Hobson Jobson' is the republication of a Victorian dictionary of words from India, Asia and the East.

    The book is densely packed with words and their meanings and how these have changed over time. Some are fascinating. The phrase 'a muck' (as in "to run amok") has a convoluted history: it is traced to Malaya and to Malabar. It appears to derive either from a bizarre form of suicidal rage or refer to a caste of shaven headed berserk warriors. The entry gives lengthy quotations showing the history of the use of the word in English (and at times other european languages); these themselves take up a few pages of closely typed text.

    Its use of very extensive quotations to trace the use of a word make this a very comprehensive guide. On the other hand, it also tends to make the book less attractive to the general reader and more a work for scholars and academics. The joy of a writer such as Quinion is that his books are both entertaining and informative. Here the interest only really lies in the content. Whilst I might find an entry describing a word I know and am interested in enjoyable to read, I did not find myself drawn to read other entries in the way that a more engaging text might lead you to.

    A linked problem is that, whilst some of the words may have been in use in 1886, when first published, they have dropped out of common usage now. In the UK few would use the word 'Hing' to describe the spice Asafoetida. It takes some effort to work out that that is what the entry is even about.

    The title 'Hobson Jobson' comes from another term covered here but now sadly out of use - the name of "a native festal excitement". It comes from the misheard rendering of the cry 'Ya Hassan! Ya Hosain!', apparently, which would have been accompanied by the chanters beating on their chests and a great procession. It sounds enormous fun. Sadly, this book, whilst not without enjoyment, will not be greeted by many quite so enthusiastically.
    One person found this helpful
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  • EBJones
    5.0 out of 5 stars What's not to like?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2019
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    A book full of fascinating information, immaculate condition, amazing value, breathtaking delivery. Could not be more pleased. Thank you.
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  • Debal Deb
    5.0 out of 5 stars An all time classic
    Reviewed in India on 26 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A profound sourcebook of English words borrowed from Bengali, Hindi, Tamil and other Indian languages, and their etymology. Superb reading.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 14 October 2017
    Verified Purchase
    It is what it says - the 'definitive' glossary.
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  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hobson-Jobson
    Reviewed in Italy on 19 October 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Davvero molto interessante. Da leggere spigolando qua e là o da consultare quando si desidera conoscere l'etimologia di certe parole di origine indiana. Il libro è ben rilegato ed è arrivato prestissimo. In quanto alla dicitura della valutazione, vale ciò che ho scritto per How to be a Victorian.
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  • Dr. Mitchell R. White
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Documentary of India, the British Empire, and Their Interwoven Languages
    Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a fan of words, especially their origins and changing uses and definitions. Yule and Burnell (with modern editing by Teltscher) did an amazing job of compiling words, phrases and uses of the same, at a time when even telegraph communications could be hard. Often a bit chaotic in approach, this volume still documents the collision of cultures through the murky window of language.Without this volume, delightful additions to our colorful speech and writing would likely be much poorer, including the use of the term "Hobson-Jobson" itself.

    I especially enjoyed the early material, including epigrams from the most abtruse references and ancient sources. The Prefaces provide historical insight as well.

    If you ever wanted to know where words as diverse as gingham, calico, cheroot, toddy and shawl came from (and thousands more), you simply can't pass this volume up on your way to enlightenment.
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  • Jelly Roll
    4.0 out of 5 stars A bit like a mini version of the full Oxford Dictionary with ...
    Reviewed in Australia on 1 February 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A delightful mid-nineteenth century snapshot through language of a British India, even then beginning to decay.

    The etymological explanations are often very long and interesting.

    A bit like a mini version of the full Oxford Dictionary with occasionally humorous editor comments
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