bhangi

or bhun·gi

[ buhng-gee ]

noun

, Indian English.

, plural bhan·gis.

1. Often Disparaging and Offensive. a member of one of the lowest castes of untouchables in India, traditionally relegated to work that included sweeping, handling dead bodies, or cleaning toilets.

Sensitive Note

The use of bhangi to reference the caste status of a person or group is often offensive in and of itself. However, the word is always offensive when used as an insult or as a proxy term for slovenliness, contamination, or poverty. When used loosely to describe an undesirable, poor, or dirty state, bhangi is considered a slur.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bhangi¹

From Hindi bhaṅgī, literally, “user of bhang ”

Example Sentences

When he closed with his signature “bhangi eeeh!” those gathered cheered in response, throwing their fists in the air.

From Washington Post

“Bhangi, bhangi, bhangi,” Wajackoyah shouted — using the Swahili word for marijuana.

From Washington Post

Hundreds of people roared in reply, “Bhangi, bhangi, bhangi.”

From Washington Post

Meanwhile the Sikh power had been asserting itself in the eastern Punjab, and in 1765 the Ghakkar chief was defeated by Sirdar Gujar Singh, chief of the Bhangi confederacy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dholis responded by offering to beat their drums at Bhangi weddings.

From Time Magazine Archive