Word Meaning
बद-ज़बाँ
bad-zabaan
Meaning
Foul-mouthed, abusive, or scurrilous; one who speaks harsh and insulting words.
Detailed Meaning
Literally meaning 'evil-tongued', it describes a person who uses foul, scurrilous, or abusive language. In classical Urdu poetry, it is frequently employed with a mix of lament and fascination for the beloved, whose bitter curses and stinging rebukes are perversely relished by the devoted lover. In this couplet, it directly contrasts the beloved's alluring eyes ('khush-chashm') with their abusive tongue.
Etymology
Persian compound formed from 'bad' (evil, bad) and 'zabān' (tongue, speech).
Usage
In classical ghazal tradition, the beloved's 'bad-zabaani' (harsh, abusive tongue) is stylized as a sweet torment and a token of attention toward the lover.
Examples
enduring the abuses of the foul-mouthed beloved
harsh speech of a scurrilous rival