babus

Noun

babu (plural babus)

1. (Hinglish, India, North) A Hindu title of respect, equivalent to Mr., usually appended to the surname of a Hindu man.
   • I could see Kana-babu’s sweet-shop at the end of their lane with absolute clarity.1989, Amitav Ghosh, Shadow Lines
2. (India, historical) Originally, a Hindu gentleman employed to work as a clerk for the colonial administration; now, a clerk or low-ranking government official.
   • The Babu put on his cap and quietly dropped out of the window1888, Rudyard Kipling, “His Chance in Life”, in Plain Tales from the Hills, Folio, published 2005, page 57
3. (India, derogatory, chiefly social media) an archetypical Indian bureaucrat, perceived as being corrupt, lazy or arrogant.
   • BBMP doesn’t have any elected representatives right now. So a babu has floated this tender to benefit his favourite businessmen.2025 July 10, @MehHarshil, X (Formerly Twitter)

See all 4 meanings of babu