The slang meaning "pawnbroker" is by 1756, "in humorous allusion to the financial favors expected and sometimes received from rich uncles" [Century Dictionary]. Dutch uncle(and his blunt, stern, benevolent advice) is attested from 1838;Welsh uncle(1747) was the male first cousin of one's ...
both meaning ‘nursemaid’.3One of the features of colonial life most enjoyed by the British in India from the early days of their presence there was the ready availability of cheap workers. From within that enormous labour pool, specialization of servants’ activities soon emerged. Anayahwas a...