'Miscreants' on the loose in Pakistan

They say that the most widely spoken language on Earth is English, or to be more precise English spoken by nonnative speakers.

English-speaking travelers often trade tales of nonsensical signs in ‘English.” In China, bad English is often called “Chinglish” because it seems half way between Chinese and English. And while foreigners may laugh at it, this is one sport the Chinese also enjoy. Chinese take great glee at foreign sports stars with tattoos in Chinese characters that are actual gibberish. Check out this website for incredible misuse of Chinese characters.

Actually, even in countries where English is widely spoken, usage is so different that one can stumble on phrasings or words that jar the ear. Often, they aren’t wrong. It’s just that English varies greatly around the world.

Which brings me to the “miscreants” running around Pakistan. Turns out there’s a lot of them. Every day, I hear about them.

“Miscreant” is not an everyday English word. According to this online dictionary, a miscreant is “an evildoer; a villain.” Synonyms include reprobate, wrongdoer, degenerate, wretch and pervert.

Turns out that “miscreant” is a favored term of Pakistan’s military and President Pervez Musharraf. Here’s a brief list of recent usages:

/ "Forty miscreants were captured during operations on late Friday and early Saturday, while 10 dead bodies of miscreants were also recovered," an army statement said over the weekend.

/ "Security forces used artillery, mortars and small-arms fire to engage the miscreants. Reportedly, 50-60 miscreants were killed and [the] rest of them dispersed," the army said in a statement Friday about fighting near the border with Afghanistan.

/ On Saturday, the Daily Times newspaper had a blurb about gas shortages. It said: “Some petrol pumps were opened after three days, but miscreants pressurized owners to close their businesses.” (I wonder if they used air pumps to “pressurize” the owners?)

/ Reuters quotes Musharraf last week telling businessmen in Karachi that authorities would ensure peaceful Feb. 18 elections. "Let me assure you we are going to instruct the rangers and army to shoot miscreants during elections," the official Associated Press of Pakistan quoted him as saying.

So let me know if miscreants run around in your neck of the words. I know some Pakistanis expert at spotting them.

Comments

[A B]

While you are in Pakistan, is there any thought of applying the Pakistani solution to solving China's pork price rise problem?

All they need to do is all convert to Islam and the problem is solved.

Mind you, the Saudis might have something to say about adding 1.5 billion potential pilgrims.

[Shashank]

In Kenya they use the word "touts" with similar abandon, as in, "I was late for work today because some touts held up the minibus."

But "pervert" seems a little harsh, no?

[Tim J]

So could a 'tout' get the better of a 'miscreant' if they go head to head?

Who knows, as long as there are no perverts around...

[BBC]

Check Vocabulary Game at: www.ournique.com