'Please do the needful'

dowie · 14 May 2011 at 15:03

I'm wondering how familiar this phrase is to people on here? Who else has to occasionally deal with our quirky friends on the subcontinent?

Edrof · 14 May 2011 at 15:04

I've never heard of that phrase in my life.

PhillyDee · 14 May 2011 at 15:06

Its a nonsense phrase I am afraid.

Forde said:
I've never heard of that phrase in my life.

EDIT:

Needful according to the dictionary is "needy"

So "please do the needy. "

Do the is slang for have sex with.

So "Please have sex with the needy"

Still haven't heard of it.

dowie · 14 May 2011 at 15:09

PhillyDee said:
Its a nonsense phrase I am afraid.

No it isn't, though isn't used over here any more...

Jingo... · 14 May 2011 at 15:10

Is it comparable to 'Do what's necessary'?

Hatter The Mad · 14 May 2011 at 15:11

It's Indian English. It has a story behind it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_the_needful

And yes, I do!

kiteloopy · 14 May 2011 at 15:11

popular with the indian guys at work.

Cosimo · 14 May 2011 at 15:11

I'm not familiar with it.

dowie · 14 May 2011 at 15:11

Jingo... said:
Is it comparable to 'Do what's necessary'?

Yes, and seems to be used rather frequently by every Indian working in IT.

MonkeyNews · 14 May 2011 at 15:12

Im with the OP on this one, our Indian Call Centre use it nearly every email and phone call.

It must be taught during English lessons over there as a commonplace phrase to use over here.

PhillyDee · 14 May 2011 at 15:15

dowie said:
No it isn't, though isn't used over here any more...

Don't get 'irony' then?

I have never heard it, but does sound like engrish to me.

Wicksta · 14 May 2011 at 15:16

Hear this one at work all the time! Always makes me chuckle, I like it.

.Lethal · 14 May 2011 at 15:18

kiteloopy said:
popular with the indian guys at work.

Perhaps this is why I've never heard the phrase before.

Lopéz · 14 May 2011 at 15:24

No, but I do see "thanks to check" and "thanks to do the necessary" along with "please revert soonest" which always makes me laugh.

Destination · 14 May 2011 at 15:26

Jingo... said:
Is it comparable to 'Do what's necessary'?

I would have assumed so, especially when it comes to removing a body, or torching a place that hasn't paid.....

BDEE · 14 May 2011 at 15:48

Yes I have this phrase every day with my colleagues in Channi.

SourChipmunk · 14 May 2011 at 15:49

Yup, every day all the time. To the point where we joking say the same thing to eachother.

LOL Indians.

Master_X · 14 May 2011 at 15:50

kiteloopy said:
popular with the indian guys at work.

This is a running joke in our office, So yes i hear it everyday.

[TW]Sponge · 14 May 2011 at 16:12

Not heard it before.

celliott · 14 May 2011 at 16:18

Yep, I hear it reguarly then again I have some night-shift staff in India.