babbie-shop, noun
- Forms:
- Also babi-shop, bobby-shop, and with initial capital.
- Origin:
- Hindi, EnglishShow more Etymology unknown; perhaps adaptation of Hindi babu clerk + English shop.
An offensive name for an Indian trader’s store or business.
1976 H. Lawrence in Sunday Times 21 Nov. (Extra) 2Indian businessmen in Cape Town are up in arms...In his interview, Mr M— used the term ‘babbie-shop’ which is regarded by Indian people in the same manner as Coloured people regard the term ‘hotnot’.
1987 P. Jooste in Fair Lady 25 Nov. 142The group of Gus-Seep’s acquaintances, known to us as the Rough Element, took up their loud game of dominoes on the pavement outside the bobbyshop.
An offensive name for an Indian trader’s store or business.
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