, , , or (Hindi: ; fem. ), is a suffix used in a number of Indo-Aryan languages, like Hindi/Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali or Marathi. Originating from Sanskrit () + Middle Indo-Aryan (), it forms an adjectival compound from a noun or an agent noun from a verb. For example; it may indicate a person involved in some kind of activity, where they come from, or what they wear (), i.e., habitué.
Example uses Examples of such uses include:
Dabbawala (), lunch box deliverer Dhobiwallah (), laundry worker Chaiwala (), a boy or young man who serves tea
In British military jargon of the first half of the 20th century, a "base wallah" is someone employed at a military base, or with a job far behind the front lines.Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London, p.18. There were a number of other words of this type, such as "camel wallah" and "machine-gun wallah", and more.Notes and Queries, 1922, p. 378 "Base wallah" had a derogatory reference for a person who is seldom seen at the front lines during major attacks, pretending to be sick.Notes and Queries, 1922, p. 343
There is a short story "Sanjeev and Robotwallah", by Ian McDonald. There is a character named General Robotwallah in the 2010 novel For the Win by Cory Doctorow. "Robotwallah" refers to the pilot of a mecha.
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