Keling (pronounced [kəliŋ]) or Kling is an exonym to denote a Tamilian or someone deemed to have originated from South India.
Originally a neutral term, since the mid-20th century it has been considered derogatory and an ethnic slur,[1] and it is sometimes euphemistically referred to as the K-word.
[2] The term is used in parts of Southeast Asia, particularly the Malay Archipelago where there are a significant Tamil diaspora – specifically Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei – but cognates exist in neighbouring countries as well.
Although the early definition was neutral and linked to the historical Kalinga kingdom,[3] it is now generally considered offensive by Indians in Southeast Asia.
In Brunei, the word Kaling was not considered to be pejorative, but due to media influence from Malaysia, the majority of Bruneians now tend to avoid using it.
According to political scientist Sudama Misra, the Kalinga janapada originally comprised the area covered by the Puri and Ganjam districts.
In its early usage Keling was a neutral term for people of Indian Muslim origin,[11] but was perceived negatively beginning in the 20th century due to various socio-political factors.
[11] It was used in 2005 by Members of Parliament in Malaysia because of misconception about Indian Muslim ethnics, which resulted in an uproar accusing the MPs of racism.
[16] In Cambodia, the slang term for Indian people is Kleng (ក្លិង្គ),[17] also derived from the kingdom of Kalinga and cognate with the Malay Keling or Kling.
The phrases Keling-a (Hokkien; 吉寧仔; POJ: Ki-lêng-á[19]), Keling-yan (Cantonese; 吉寧人; Yale: gat-lìhng-yan),(Hakka; 吉靈仔 git-lin-zai); and Keling-kia (Teochew) are frequently used within the Chinese community in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.
The Hokkien and Teochew suffixes -a and -kia are diminutives that are generally used to refer to non-Chinese ethnic groups, while the Cantonese "-yan" means "people".