In British India, babu often referred to a native Indian clerk. The word was originally used as a term of respect attached to a proper name, the equivalent of "mister", and "babuji" was used in many parts to mean "sir"; but when used alone without the suffix, it was a derogatory word signifying a semi-literate native, with a mere veneer of modern education.[1][2] In the early 20th century the term babu was frequently used to refer to bureaucrats and other government officials, especially by the Indian media;[3] in this sense the word hints at corrupt or lazy work practices.
