Factsheet

• Word Type: Noun & Adjective
• Pronunciation:
  • British English: /ˈɪn.dəʊ/
  • U.S. English: /ˈɪn.doʊ/
  • Rhyming Words: window, shadow, meadow
• Field: Slang, Australian English, Drug Culture
• First Known Use: 1954 (noun: person from Indonesia), 1991 (noun: marijuana), 1978 (adjective: Indonesian)

Etymology

The term Indo is derived from:

1. Indonesia: Shortened form used informally in Australian English to refer to people or things from Indonesia.
2. Indica Marijuana: In drug culture, Indo specifically refers to cannabis strains derived from Cannabis indica.

Meaning & Use

As a Noun

1. Person from Indonesia(Australian English, 1954–):
   Refers to a person of Indonesian origin or nationality.
   • Example: “The Indos in the market were selling spices and textiles.”
2. Marijuana(Drug Slang, 1991–):
   Refers to cannabis, particularly Cannabis indica strains, known for their relaxing effects.
   • Example: “He rolled a joint with some premium Indo.”

As an Adjective

• Indonesian(Australian English, 1978–):
  Describes anything related to Indonesia, such as culture, language, or goods.
  • Example: “The Indo market has a wide variety of fresh produce and spices.”

Quotations in Context

Noun: Person from Indonesia

1. 1954:
   “She dressed herself quickly and went off with it to the Indos in Hut 11.”
   — B. Jeffrey, White Coolies
2. 2013:
   “The Indos are massive importers of Australian goods and services.”
   — Advertiser (Adelaide)

Noun: Marijuana

1. 1991:
   “Nigga I’m loc’ed, when I smoke, from the Indo.”
   — 2Pac, Tha’ Lunatic
2. 2019:
   “So you down with smoking some Indo & drinking an Olde English 40oz?”
   — @reaper9396 on Twitter

Adjective: Indonesian

1. 1978:
   “The Indo newspapers are always running articles on the white men’s vice den here.”
   — C.J. Koch, Year of Living Dangerously
2. 2014:
   “If it came to a choice between an Indo or an Aussie prison, I know which one I’d choose.”
   — Townsville Bulletin

Pronunciation

• Phonetic: /ˈɪn.dəʊ/ (British) or /ˈɪn.doʊ/ (U.S.)
• Rhyming Words: window, shadow, meadow

The stress falls on the first syllable (IN), with a clear and short second syllable (do).

Examples in Everyday Use

1. Referring to a Person:
   • “The Indos we met on our trip were incredibly hospitable.”
2. Referring to Marijuana:
   • “They smoked Indo all night at the party.”
3. As an Adjective:
   • “I tried a delicious Indo dish with sambal and rice.”

Synonyms

For Noun (Person)

• Indonesian (formal)
• Indo-national

For Noun (Marijuana)

• Weed
• Ganja
• Indica

For Adjective (Indonesian)

• Indonesian

Cultural and Social Context

• Australian English: Indo as a colloquial term for Indonesians reflects Australia’s close geographic and trade ties with Indonesia.
• Drug Culture: The use of Indo to describe marijuana highlights its popularity in 1990s hip-hop culture, notably referenced in music by artists like 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.
• Global Usage: While rooted in specific contexts, the term Indo is now recognized in broader cultural discussions, particularly in slang and informal settings.

Conclusion

Indo is a versatile term with distinct meanings across different contexts. Whether referring to a person from Indonesia, a strain of marijuana, or something Indonesian in nature, its usage reflects cultural, linguistic, and social nuances. From Australian English to hip-hop lyrics, Indo continues to be a relevant and dynamic slang term in modern language.

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