Bhojpuri profanity

The profane words used in Bhojpuri language can be divided into several categories.

Profanity related to mythology

Romanized	Kaithi /Devanagari	Definition
Kumbhakarna	𑂍𑂳𑂧𑂹𑂦𑂍𑂩𑂢/ कुंभकरन	It's a mythological character from Ramayana and is used for someone who sleeps too much.
Narada	𑂢𑂰𑂩𑂠 / नारद	used for a double dealer.
Manthara	𑂧𑂢𑂹𑂟𑂩𑂰 / मंथरा	used for a crooked woman.
Maleccha	𑂧𑂪𑂵𑂓𑂹 / मलेछ	Used for Wretched fellow
Ravana	𑂩𑂰𑂫𑂢 / रावन	For a Cruel, Tryant person.

Profanity related to birds and animals

Such profane words are used to imply the quality to the birds and animals in the person the words are being used. Some of such words are:

• giddha : Vulture
• gadaha : Ass
• Sanp : Snake
• Banar : Monkey
• Kutti : Bitch
• Uruwa : Owl
• Suwari : Pig
• Bael : Ox (Used for Dumb person)
• Kukkur : Dog
• Ghora : Horse

Profanity related to bad habits

Bhojpuri	Romanized	English meaning
𑂣𑂩𑂹𑂪𑂰𑂨𑂰	parlāyā	lazy person.
𑂣𑂱𑂨𑂍𑂹𑂍𑂚	piyakkar̤	drunkard

Profanity related to kinship or sex relations

Due to patriarchy in the society women are generally the first target of these words. Abuse to one's mother, sister or daughter sounds more pinching.

• sāra (𑂮𑂰𑂩/सार) : Literally means wife's brother or sibling-in-law. The redundant form saravā is also used.

Bibliography

Mishra, Ram Baksh (2003). "5: Abuses". Sociology of Bhojpuri Language. Varanasi: Swasti Publications.