L — LONG-SHORE WIND to LOOTY (Part 3 of 3)

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!”