Pronunciation: [lˈaskɑːz] (IPA) 
The word "lascars" has an interesting spelling due to its origin. Originally from the Portuguese word "lascado," meaning a man who is down on his luck, the word was introduced to the English language in the 17th century as a term for Asian sailors. The spelling of the word uses a combination of sounds from various languages, representing the way it has evolved over time. The IPA phonetic transcription for "lascars" would be /ˈlɑːskɑːz/.
Lascars is a noun that refers to a specific group of people, specifically sailors or seamen originating from South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. The term predominantly arose during the era of maritime trade and exploration, particularly from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Historically, lascars were predominantly hired as crew members on European merchant ships, as they were known for their skills as sailors and their willingness to work under tough conditions. They played a crucial role in the development and expansion of global trade networks during the colonial era.
Lascars often faced challenging circumstances, enduring long voyages, working in demanding conditions, and encountering various dangers while at sea. Many lascars faced exploitation and discrimination, enduring harsh treatment by ship captains and crew members, and receiving low wages.
The word "lascar" has become synonymous with South Asian sailors, and its usage is now mostly historical. However, it is still employed occasionally to describe the historical role and contributions of South Asian seafarers in the maritime industry.
In contemporary contexts, "lascar" may also be used more broadly to refer to a person of South Asian descent who is associated with seafaring or maritime activities.
The word "lascar" originated from the Persian word "lāshkar" (لاشکر), which means "army" or "military camp". In Persian, it referred to soldiers or camp followers, specifically from the Indian subcontinent, who served in various armies in the region. This term was then borrowed into Arabic, retaining the same meaning.
During the era of British colonialism, European sailors frequently encountered these sailors from the Indian subcontinent on merchant ships sailing through the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. They referred to them using the term "lascar", which eventually evolved to refer specifically to these Indian sailors.
Over time, the term "lascar" became widely used in English to describe the sailors of Indian, Southeast Asian, and African origin who served on European ships during the 18th and 19th centuries.
