What’s in a word?

Bangla has taken strange and comical turns over the years

February is the month when we celebrate the right to speak, write, and communicate in Bangla, though I personally feel that this love for the mother tongue should be a round-the-year habit and not confined only to one month. Times change, and so do the social habits of a community. Bangla of the early and the mid-80s may appear a bit dated now. In TV dramas then, only perfect Bangla was used. Today, that sort of formal language may appear slightly out of place for a program aimed to entertain the masses. The language, with its innovative use by young people, has seen many words’ meanings totally change. Back in the 80s, “ostheer” meant restless and was used often with political conditions: “ostheer rajneeti” was a common term to mean a volatile political condition.

The other day, I asked a young girl about a recent Bengali movie which she had gone to watch with her friends and, in expressing her reaction, she exclaimed: “Sheraam ostheer!” — which cannot be taken literally because here, the word “ostheer” is used to denote brilliance or exceptional quality.

Therefore, today when someone tells me: “Bhai, try the kebab here, purai ostheer” — I understand that the dish served in a particular place is simply spectacular.

“Ostheer chele,” today, will not mean a restless teenager but a cool bloke.

“Pera deya” is another recent addition, which actually means to torment or pester. In the past, this was “jalaton kora.” So, today one can use “pera” in a lot of situations.

If the office boss is fastidious and never satisfied, then he is a “pera-master,” if the mother-in-law is constantly keeping a hawk’s eye on the new bride then she is “pera-in-law” or “pera-shuri” — a blend between “pera” and “shashuri” (mother-in-law).

If an electronic gadget is a source of relentless technical problems, then it’s a “pera.” Also, the lover who is calling every hour to keep an eye is “purai pera” (total pest).   

“Sheirokom,” the exact English translation would be “like that” with the “that” here referring to something ethereal or spectacular.

If you say, this dress is “sheirokom” then, it has to be top of the range. “Sheirokom” has seen some evolution, of late becoming “sheraam.”

In the 80s, the word that dominated the conversation was “josh” or “joss,” meaning superb or magnificent.

Times change, and so do the social habits of a community. Bangla of the early and the mid-80s may appear a bit dated now. In TV dramas then, only perfect Bangla was used

That gave way to “kotheen” which, if translated in English means hard but hardly anyone used it for the actual meaning. “Kotheen” became a term to express positive approval. This gave way to “jhakkas” and later, “joteel.”

Now there is a way to use the word “joteel,” which in literal English means complicated. But in real life, the use is totally the opposite.

By the way, in certain cases, when we are too impressed we say “joteeeeeel” — extending the latter portion for the second part.

“Mama” or “mamu” is used as a term of endearment to address people from all social spheres, especially for people who sell tea, street food, or provide invaluable transport services.

In the last few years, one more “m” has been added to mama, making it “mamma,” giving it an imperceptible touch of mischief.

In the 80s, we used “shaala” instead of mama or mamma. “Shaala” actually means brother-in-law though over the years, due to the rather friendly and informal intimate relation in our society with brothers-in-law, the term became a word used to address someone close in an air of levity.

“Arey shaaala” was the predecessor of “ostheer” and hence, long time ago, when we saw someone wearing a new pair of trainers, we inevitably blurted out: “Arey Shaaala, ki juta lagaisoss beta!”

Also in the past, the word “toofan” (meaning storm in English) was used to compliment a woman looking beautiful: “Apne toh ajke purai toofan.”

Translation: “Today, you are a total tempest.”

Kaather choshma (wooden spectacles) is used to refer to someone who is a turncoat or has betrayed you.

Let’s say someone was supposed to support you in a debate/argument and then they changed their mind abruptly, leaving you in the lurch.

Yep, that person wore a “kaather choshma.”

How about someone who is prevaricating in giving an opinion on something or is delaying giving answer to a proposition? In these cases, use “bhokkor chokkor” or “bhong chong.”

I will end here and not waste any more of your time with “alga alaap,” meaning useless talk and hope that all of you have an “ostheer” day.

Published in Dhaka Tribune, Feb 13, 2017

The Link:

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2017/02/12/whats-in-a-word/