We know....So many languages contributed to English. Hindi has given to English many clothing terms ("bangle", "sari"), food words ("samosa", "basmati") and words to do with crime ("loot", "thug"). There are many other words.Here is the small collection. 


Word Meaning Notes
bandanna dyed cloth One of many cloth and clothing terms from Hindi.
bangle   Glass bracelets.
basmati   A type of rice. One of many food terms from Hindi.
Blighty foreign UK soldiers' slang for the homeland.
cheetah    
chintz   Painted cotton cloth.
chutney   A side dish for food.
coolie   Someone who does the hard work.
cot   Place to sleep.
cummerbund close waist  
cushy happiness  
dungaree   A type of coarse cloth.
goolies balls / bullets UK slang for "testicles".
Himalaya abode of snow Mountain range in India, Nepal and Tibet.
jodhpurs   Riding breeches named after their town of origin.
juggernaut   UK word for a large lorry. From "Juganath", the name of an Indian god whose image gets carried around the town in a huge cart once a year.
jungle   Now used as another term for a thick forest.
loot   Stolen goods.
mahout elephant driver  
punch five As in the drink - from the five ingredients used.
pukka ripe Used in the UK to mean "good" or "right".
pundit learned As in a "sporting pundit". Used in the UK.
samosa   A spicy snack popular in the UK.
sari   The distinctive wrap-around cloth worn by many women in India.
shampoo massage  
thug   From a Hindu sect ("Thugees") that would kill people for the goddess, Kali.
toddy    
 

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