A Conversation for Gismos, Whatsits and Thingummy Doodahs - A Guide to Vague English

Completely doolally tap

Post 1

PedanticBarSteward

I was stocked and shunned not to find the Indian transit camp at Deolali included in 'Do's and Don'ts'


Completely doolally tap

Post 2

Icy North

smiley - ok

I didn't put it in because doolally isn't a vague word like 'thingummy' or 'doodah', fascinating though the derivation is. Its meaning is quite precise - 'mad'.

Do you know the Indian placename that 'oojah' comes from?


Completely doolally tap

Post 3

PedanticBarSteward

You are right - as ever.

I always thought that 'oojah' was derived from 'hijama' (Arabic blood-letting), quite 'why' had never crossed my mind, but the Indian origin sounds interesting and I shall delve into it.


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