among many Asiatics, including the people of India, where one constantly hears one’s servants speak
of chauki-auki (for chairs and tables), naukar-chakar (where both are however real words), ‘servants,’
lakriakri, ‘sticks and staves,’ and so forth. Regarding this Mr. Wills tells a story (Modern Persia, p. 239).
The late Minister, Kawam-ud-Daulat, a Shirazi, was asked by the Shah:
“Why is it, Kawam, that you Shirazis always talk of Kabob-mabob and so on? You always add a nonsense-
word; is it for euphony?”
“Oh, Asylum of the Universe, may I be your sacrifice! No respectable person in
Shiraz does so, only the lûti-pûti says it!”
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