Bhajia

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of deep-fried snack made from spiced batter and various vegetables, particularly popular in South Asian cuisine
2. Often consisting of chickpea flour, these fritters are frequently enjoyed with chutney
3. They serve as a savory treat, commonly found at street food stalls and during festive occasions

Etymology: "Bhajia" is the plural of "bhaji," a dish whose name comes from Hindi "bhājī," meaning "fried vegetables." The word is a loanword: English took it directly from Hindi, where it refers to vegetables cooked in a dish or fried as a side, rather than to a specific fritter. In English usage the plural "bhajia" is the form most people use when talking about several of the snacks, as in "a plate of bhajia." Because the singular "bhaji" was borrowed first, the plural has been carried over with it, so the two forms travel together as a pair. Anyone ordering a handful at a street stall is therefore using the Hindi word for vegetables, now applied to the battered, deep-fried morsels themselves.