The Hindu Business Line : In the beginning, all chits are clean

SKELETONS seem to tumble from the closet, rather than remain in coffins, with the Centre filing an additional affidavit in the apex court, about two-dozen cases, including the Kargil coffin purchase deal, lined up for probe. A u-turn of sorts because, only a week ago, the Centre had given a `clean chit' to George, by informing the court that no rule was violated or substituted in the defence purchases made during and after the 1999 Kargil war. Reacting to such `exoneration', Pranab's quick sound-byte — that "There is no question of giving a clean chit to any person, much less to Mr Fernandes" — has created doubts not only about Ministers but also about `clean chit'.

And I'm not alone. On www.englishforums.com, Praveen cites a recent news headline, `George Fernandes had been given a clean chit in the Kargil purchases', and asks, "May I know the meaning of the word `Chit'? I couldn't get the exact meaning from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary." However, the site of the online reference on www.m-w.com explains `chit' as a noun, owing its origin to Hindi chitti. "A short letter or note; especially, a signed voucher of a small debt (as for food); a small slip of paper with writing on it."

One wonders if Gorge hasn't been given any such slips; or, is it, as Pranab believes, that George has given the slip? In which case, should we not be talking about `getting chit' rather than `giving' one? Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines the word thus: `Brit. Derogatory. An impudent or arrogant young woman," and traces the origin to Middle English word for child, kitten or cub. An example given is, `A chit of a girl', but it would be impudent to relate this to the chit that Pranab is denying the former Defence Minister.

Chit is from Sanskrit citra, for `spot, mark,' referring to the writing, states Encarta. "The same Sanskrit word `chitra' also gave us `chintz,' originally brightly printed calico cloth from India," says Evan Morris on www.word-detective.com. "British colonists in India routinely called the notes or letters they gave their servants to deliver `chits' or `chitties,' and the term eventually made its way back to England, where it first appeared around 1698. Today we use `chit' to mean any sort of small note or ticket," elaborates Morris. The Chit Funds Act, 1982, defines `chit' as a chit fund, chitty or kury. As verb, `chit' is to induce a potato to sprout, "by placing it in a cool light place." On that, I see a connection: as common people, don't we get the `chit' treatment from our leaders who keep us in the dark about facts, so we all end up only chit-chatting about scandals? Chit-chat is "casual conversation or small talk, or a casual conversation with somebody, says http://encarta.msn.com. "Late 17th century; a playful elaboration of chat."

Chit is `a brownie point', according to http://dictionary.reference.com. It gives an example, "Earned vital chits with his party by making fundraising speeches." Thus, by talking about `no' chit, Pranab may be gaining chits from the HQ. "Thou art greater than the greatest, truth absolute, the very embodiment of existence (sat), intelligence (chit), and bliss (ananda). To thee I bow down with my whole heart," is not only what party workers declare in front of their netas, but also a thought from Sanatkumarasamhita posted on http://theosophy.org.

Responding to Praveen, AnneC writes on www.englishforums.com: "I think the expression `getting a clean chit' means something like `getting a clean bill' in the expression `getting a clean bill of health'," and she speculates that someone who starts with a `clean sheet' has done something wrong, but has been given a second chance, just like starting over with a clean slate. But, "someone gets a clean chit when he or she hasn't done anything wrong (but was suspected of doing something wrong)."

To that, one can give a clean chit, and add that in the beginning, all chits are clean, just as even the worst of cheats should have started life as an innocent chit.

ComingToTerms@TheHindu.co.in

D. Murali

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