sahib
Sir, in India
Sahib is an honorific title used in South Asia, originally meaning master or lord.
Under British colonial rule, Indians used it when addressing European men, especially officials: Yes, sahib.
It follows names as a mark of respect: Smith Sahib.
The feminine equivalent is memsahib.
Outside historical or South Asian contexts, sahib can sound colonial or ironic.
Formal male address
- misterFine spray device
- lordNobleman or ruler
- gentlemanCourteous, honorable man
- bwanaAfrican term of address
effendi · begum · excellency · highness · madam · don · senhor · señor
Imperial rule over India
- rajColonial period in India
- viceroyRoyal colonial governor
- East India CompanyBritish colonial trading corporation
- pukkaGenuinely excellent, Anglo-Indian
wallah · ayah · bearer · bungalow · cantonment · pith helmet · tiffin · imperialism
Regard with honor
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
- obeisanceGesture of reverence
courtesy · politeness · formality · subservience · servility · homage · honor · recognition
sir
Formal male address
bwana · effendi · begum · excellency · highness · madam · don · senhor · señor · monsieur
British Raj
Imperial rule over India
- rajColonial period in India
- viceroyRoyal colonial governor
- East India CompanyBritish colonial trading corporation
pukka · wallah · ayah · bearer · bungalow · cantonment · pith helmet · tiffin · imperialism · expatriate
respect
Regard with honor
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
obeisance · courtesy · politeness · formality · subservience · servility · homage · honor · recognition · salutation
master
Authority or controller
- employerOne who employs others
- bossWorkplace superior
- proprietorBusiness holder
landlord · overseer · manager · household · servant · domestic · staff · retinue · estate · command
- titlesMr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Miss
- Anglo-Indianwallah, pukka, raj, ayah, bearer
- British IndiaBritish Raj, East India Company, viceroy, Raj, governor-general
- British RajBritish Raj, British India, East India Company, viceroys, governors
- Desi Wordsdesi, namaste, salaam, bhai, beta
- Indianismsbhai, namaste, chai, daal, dal
- Guru Granth SahibSikh sacred scripture