11 English Words That Have A Completely Different Meaning In India

Sonali Walia

Indians are total geniuses. Not only they have an opinion on anything & everything but the way they see & perceive things is also quite unique. For starters, certain words that globally is known for something takes a whole new meaning for Indians. Don’t believe us? This list will tell you how certain international words get a desi twist when Indians get to use them.

1. AUTO

What the world understands? Auto (n): Def: Working by itself with little or no direct human control. 

What Indians understand? Auto (n): A rickety ‘threewheeler’ whose driver never agrees to go by meter.

2. CHANGE

What the world understands? Change (v): Make or become different.

What Indians understand? Change (n):  Chillar.

3. RUBBER

What the world understands? Rubber (n): Def: A tough elastic polymeric substance or eraser.

What Indians understand? Rubber (n): Scented pieces of eraser rubbad’ lost & bought on daily basis in school.

4. HORN

What the world understands? Horn (n): A hard permanent outgrowth, often curved and pointed, found in pairs on the heads of cattle, sheep, goats, giraffes, etc.

What Indians understand? Horn (v) : “Gaadi hata b*****d”.

5. LINE

What the world understands? Line (n): A straight or curved continuous extent of length without breadth.

What Indians understand? Line (v) : A way to approach girls, mostly in a cheesy way, Line maarna.

6. SHOW

What the world understands? Show (v): Be, allow, or cause to be visible              (n): stage performance.

What Indians understand? Show (v): An act imposed on you while a game of ‘Teen patti.’

7. NACHO

What the world understands? Nacho (n): Triangular snacks typically topped with melted cheese & spices.

What Indians understand? Nacho (v): Weird movements of hands & legs or any part, also termed as ‘Indi-dance.’

8. TAPE

What the world understands? Tape (n): A narrow strip of material, typically used to hold or fasten something.

What Indians understand? Tape (v) : An act usually performed by Indian students during exams, be it in school or universities, “Fatafat tape le, maam nahi hai abhi.”

9. PICTURE

What the world understands? Picture (n): A painting or drawing.

What Indians understand? Picture (v): An act of 3 hour entertainment in a cinema hall, pronounced as ‘picchur.’

10. PASTE

What the world understands? Paste (n): A thick, soft, moist substance/ often used as an adhesive especially for sticking papers.

What Indians understand? Paste (v): The thing you try to put on your brush in the morning while you are half asleep.

11. ENJOY

What the world understands? Enjoy (v): Take delight or pleasure in (an activity or occasion)

What Indians understand? Enjoy (v): The joy you experience often termed as ‘Rang raliyan manana or Gulcharey udaana.’

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