ISBN Hobson-Jobson ( The Definitive Glossary of British India ) book English Hardcover 624 pages

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.