being a glossary of Anglo-Indian colloquial words and phrases, and of kindred terms; etymological, historical, geographical, and discursive.
London, John Murray, 1886
The rare first edition, of Hobson-Jobson a notable contribution to lexicography detailing words and terms from Indian languages which came into use during the British rule of India.
In Anglo-Indian English, the term Hobson-Jobson referred to any festival or entertainment, but especially ceremonies of the Mourning of Muharram. In origin the term is a corruption by British soldiers of "Yā asan! Yā osain!" which is repeatedly cried by Shia Muslims as they beat their chests throughout the procession of the Muharram; this was then converted to Hosseen Gosseen, Hossy Gossy, Hossein Jossen, and ultimately Hobson-Jobson. Yule and Burnell were looking for a catchy title for their dictionary and decided upon this since it was a "typical and delightful example" of the type of highly domesticated words in the dictionary and at the same time conveyed "a veiled intimation of dual authorship".
"Yule's reputation rests... on his authorship (with A. C. Burnell) of an extraordinary glossary of Anglo-Indian colloquial words and phrases, published under the felicitous title Hobson-Jobson, in 1886. This encyclopaedic work, which has been reprinted several times since, provides modern historians with a unique view of the everyday language of British officers in colonial India. Yule was fascinated by the complex history of the incorporation of Hindustani, Bengali, and other Indian terms into English usage, and his rendering of this history in the form of an idiosyncratic yet highly engaging glossary has proved, perhaps ironically, to be his most enduring literary contribution" (ODNB).
Burnell died before the work was completed.
First edition. 8vo., xlviii, 870 pp., modern calf-backed cloth boards, morocco label, a very good copy.
In Anglo-Indian English, the term Hobson-Jobson referred to any festival or entertainment, but especially ceremonies of the Mourning of Muharram. In origin the term is a corruption by British soldiers of "Yā asan! Yā osain!" which is repeatedly cried by Shia Muslims as they beat their chests throughout the procession of the Muharram; this was then converted to Hosseen Gosseen, Hossy Gossy, Hossein Jossen, and ultimately Hobson-Jobson. Yule and Burnell were looking for a catchy title for their dictionary and decided upon this since it was a "typical and delightful example" of the type of highly domesticated words in the dictionary and at the same time conveyed "a veiled intimation of dual authorship".
"Yule's reputation rests... on his authorship (with A. C. Burnell) of an extraordinary glossary of Anglo-Indian colloquial words and phrases, published under the felicitous title Hobson-Jobson, in 1886. This encyclopaedic work, which has been reprinted several times since, provides modern historians with a unique view of the everyday language of British officers in colonial India. Yule was fascinated by the complex history of the incorporation of Hindustani, Bengali, and other Indian terms into English usage, and his rendering of this history in the form of an idiosyncratic yet highly engaging glossary has proved, perhaps ironically, to be his most enduring literary contribution" (ODNB).
Burnell died before the work was completed.
First edition. 8vo., xlviii, 870 pp., modern calf-backed cloth boards, morocco label, a very good copy.
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