Definition of the word wallah

The origin of the word "wallah" can be traced back to the Urdu language, which originated in the Mughal Empire in India during the 16th century. In Urdu, "wallah" is a suffix attached to a noun to indicate that the individual is a professional in that particular field. For example, "panditwallah" means a learned Brahmin scholar, "hazariwallah" signifies a group of bodyguards, and "boorahwallah" refers to a cloth seller. The word "wallah" has since spread beyond Urdu and is commonly used in Hindi, Punjabi, and other languages spoken in India and Pakistan. Its usage highlights the individual's profession or affiliation, often in a prideful or honorific manner. For instance, "policemanwallah" and "teacherwallah" denote people working in those professions. The use of "wallah" has also made its way into the English language among South Asians as a way to describe a person's ethnic or religious heritage. Examples of this include "Sikhwallah" for a Sikh individual or "Muslimwallah" for a Muslim person. In summary, the suffix "wallah" in Urdu has expanded through its usage in other languages in South Asia to indicate someone's professional or social identity. It has taken on new meanings, from representing occupation and heritage to serving as a term of endearment or respect.