badmash, n.

Pronunciation:

Brit. /bʌdˈmɑːʃ/

,

U.S. /ˈbədˌmɑʃ/

Forms:  18– badmaash, 18– badmash, 18– budmaash, 18– budmash, 19– badmaas, 19– … (Show More)

Frequency (in current use):  

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Urdu. Partly a borrowing from Persian. Etymons: Urdu badmaʿāš; Persian badmaʿāš.

Etymology: < (i) Urdu badmaʿāš and its etymon (ii) Persian badmaʿāš villain, rascal <bad… 

S. Asian.

  A scoundrel, a rogue;iscreant; a hooligan, a ruffian.

1843   F. Skipwith Magistrate’s Guide 17   Budmash… On written charges or credible information being given to the Darogah..he shall make private enquiries regarding him, and, should he see fit, shall apprehend him.

1855   in Select. Rec. Bengal Govt. No. 21. 58   The Magistrate said I was a badmash, and could not remain at Moyakool unless I gave a ‘mochulka’ for Rupees 100.

1864   G. O. Trevelyan Competition Wallah xii. 428   The sepoys were budmashes, Sahib. They used to take goods worth six annas, and only give four annas in payment.

1907   Times 30 July 4/3   Unruly schoolboys and hired budmashes no longer answer to the Arya’s word of command.

1971   Illustr. Weekly India 11 Apr. 44/3   Bir Singh Deva Bandela, undoubted badmash though he was, certainly had the command of some excellent designers.

2005   Indian Express (Nexis) 8 May   We have not learnt anything from the Metropolitan Magistrate or the government. We maintain that Rafiq was killed by some badmash.