Thursday, March 1, 2012

Etymology of Great Indian slangs: Part I - "Behnchod!!"

The idea had been cooking in my head for about as long as I remember, So I thought I might as well kick off with my research on the etymology of some of the most celebrated slangs from the Indian subcontinent, and find out what makes them the 'pride of the East' and 'Envy of the west.'
So the first in line is one of the most effective, powerful and yet innocuous enough slangs, "Behnchod!!" Anybody who has ever in their living breath, uttered this slang in its proper regional eccentricity and authentic demeanor, knows that nothing else would have done it..!! The sense and intensity with which one uses this slang, usually varies across the vast demographics of the Indian sub-continent and also depends on factors like the urgency, or the sheer lack of it, of a certain situation.
A search for the word "Behnchod" on google, leaves you with a plethora of information, both trivial and non-trivial, regarding the origin and the usage of the slang. Almost all of them however, point towards the one common and axiomatic fact, that this wonderful slang has been providing the much needed vent to our distressed impulses for ages now, and is on its way to colonize the western civilisation in the time to come, for simply put, there's hardly a match for this slang, not merely in english language, but in any other language.
What, you don't concur with my opinion?? Well, take a moment and say the damn word if you will...and as if you mean it...Don't think very differently, do you now??!!
Alryt, so what exactly does the damn word mean...right, there are no prizes for guessing that it means 'Sister Fucker' or one who fucks his sister, in the literal sense of the word, however anyone who's ever used the slang knows that it stands for a lot more than a mere sister fucker...and honestly speaking, most of the times it doesn't have anything to do with the sister, both of the abuser and the abused. A look into the origins of the slang, reveals that the word was used even as early as the 1800s. If you read Lawrence James' book, the 'RAJ', you will find that Bhenchod was used as a common slang even then.The slang is still used across India and Pakistan, more so in villages and by comparatively less urbane population, by men and women alike. The pronounciation may change with the region( Baheenchod in UP & Bihar or Panchod in Punjab,  bhaindchod in northern India(Delhi, Haryana) and Pakistan, Bhainnchodd in maharashtra and so on...)
Some credit the Origin of the words to regions of punjab located in modern day pakistan. One such article suggests, "originally from Pakistan, this word is now extremely popular within the sub-continent. Pakistanis use it very often as compared to the Indians. For instance, if a bunch of Pakistanis are sitting with a couple of Indians, they will definitely use it way more than the Indians would - in fact, the Indians would probably be a little startled at how frequently Pakistanis use it. This explains precisely where the word originated from."
As far as its usage is concerned, it can be used on pretty flexible terms to suit varying moods and occasions...For instance, to describe someone who's a real cunt, e.g."kris is a real behenchod." 
To express sheer disgust or disbelief, e.g. "Panchod, what the fuck are you doing?"
To express fear or remorse, e.g. "bhenchod, I forgot my wallet"
To reprimand someone, e.g. "bhenchod, kaam nai karna?"
or it can also be used in the middle of a normal and healthy conversation to simply ascribe or describe a sorry state of affairs, e.g. Juggy: Wat up J! i heard your new song in a club, is the album out?
J: Nawh man some bhenchod ripped it off ma my-space page!
These are only a few of the vast array of senses in which this glorious slang is used across our sub-continent.
One thing is absolutely clear though, when it comes to cuss words and slangs, we're definitely way ahead of the curve, and the west has some serious catchin' up to do.They do have their share of multi-utility slangs such as 'Fuck' and 'shit' which are a decent run on the money, but they're way overused and have started to lose their sheath and sheen. We on the other hand, are overtly well-supplied with clourful and culturally rich and radiant slangs, used to suit just the right occassion, from cracking a laugh riot, to puttin the fear of god in someone...This will be further evident when we anatomize a few more of the
commonplace slangs in the next edition of this piece...and of course, any suggestions and/or contributions are always welcome.
Till then, keep cussin'!! ;-)
 

 

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