Oxford Dictionary marks the entry of 650 new words including an Indian word for underpants

• Oxford English Dictionary included ‘Chuddies’ in its quarterly update released this week.
  
• The word became popular after it was used as a part of a catchphrase in a BBC television series in mid-1990s.
  
• The Oxford English Dictionary included 650 new words on March 18.

The Indian English word for underpants, Chuddies, is among the 650 new words recently added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

The etymology of ‘Chuddies’ in the Oxford English Dictionary states: ‘Short trousers, shorts. Now usually: underwear; underpants. British colloquial.

Although the word was used in several gazettes and publications during the British rule it gained much traction when it was used in a popular comedy series ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ aired on BBC television, reported Hindustan Times.

Jonathan Dent, OED Senior Assistant Editor told the Times of India, the dismissive ‘kiss my chuddies' was popularised as a catchphrase by actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar, who played one half of the teenage duo known as the Bhangra Muffins in the 1990s BBC comedy sketch show ‘Goodness Gracious Me'.

Over the centuries, many Indian words have been recognised in English and are used in day-to-day language. In fact, a glossary published in 1886 named ‘Hobson-Jobson’ figured as many as 2000 Indian words. Some other words of Indian etymology used commonly are: loot, bungalow, avatar, mantra, chutney, cot, dacoit, dungaree, juggernaut, guru, pundit, khaki, jungle, nirvana, pukka, pyjamas, veranda, maharajah and punch.

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