Language Matters | Triads and thugs: where the words come from and why ‘thug life’ philosophy isn’t what you think
- After a mob of men dressed in white T-shirts brutally assaulted protesters and commuters in Hong Kong, the word “thug” has gained currency
- It entered English in the 1800s, assuming a racial subtext in the 20th century
Formed in 17th century China to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore Ming rule, triad societies were known as the Hung Mun, Tien Tei Wei (Heaven and Earth Society) or San Ho Hui (Triple Union Society), the latter referring to the union of heaven, earth and humanity. The English word “triad” is said to have been coined by colonial Hong Kong’s British authorities, referring to the triangular symbol used on the banners and flags of such secret societies.
As for “thug”, its origins lie in another time and tongue. In 14th century India, an organised gang of professional thieves and assassins called Thugs operated on highways, joining caravans, befriending then murdering travellers by strangulation, and stealing their valuables.
The English word traces its roots to the Hindi thaggi and the Marathi thak (“thief”, “swindler”), from the Sanskrit sthaga (“cunning”, “fraudulent”, “to cover”, “conceal”).
First documented by Muslim political thinker Ziauddin Barani (1285-1357), of the Delhi sultanate, the Thuggee system was eradicated by the British in the 19th century. (The Thuggees also featured in popular culture, such as in the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.) However, the word “thug” (meaning “cutthroat”, “ruffian”) survived, entering English via 1800s anthropological and fiction writings.