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A Conversation for Gismos, Whatsits and Thingummys

Completely doolally tap

Post 1

PedanticBarSteward

Started conversation Oct 18, 2010

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

Posted Oct 18, 2010

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

Posted Oct 18, 2010

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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