Definition of petrol bunk

The term "petrol bunk" is a popular colloquial expression used in some parts of South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, to refer to a petrol station or gasoline filling station. The term has both historical and linguistic origins. During British colonial rule in India, the British government established a system for regulating petroleum products, including petrol or gasoline. The government established several depots known as "petrol depots" to store and distribute these products. These depots were initially called "bunks," which is a naval term used to refer to supply depots on board ships. As the new fuel depots were located on land, they came to be called "petrol bunks" or simply "bunks." The term "bunk" has further linguistic roots in Hindi and Urdu, which are closely related languages spoken in India and Pakistan. In these languages, "bunk" is commonly used to refer to a small store or makeshift shop that sells various items, including snacks, cigarettes, and phone credit. Thus, the term "petrol bunk" has also come to describe a small store or shed that sells petrol/gasoline, as well as related products like auto accessories and lubricants. In summary, the origin of the term "petrol bunk" can be traced back to the British colonial period when the first petrol depots were established to store and distribute petrol. The naval term "bunk" was adopted to describe these depots, and the term has since evolved to include small shops selling petroleum products in the South Asian context.