Shroff

First published: 23^rd October 2010

Shroff is a word that exists only on signs in Hong Kong. It is not derived from a Chinese word, some sources claim it came from a Hindi word meaning to to examine coins to separate the genuine from the counterfeit, or money-changer. It's meaning in Hong Kong today is the office to pay for the car park. Actually, the usage varies. Some signs say "Shroff", or "To the Shroff", others say, "Shroff's Office". So, is a Shroff the car-park cashier, or the office he sits in?