english to english translations

one of the best things about India is the fact that quite a few people are fluent in english. so, even if you don't speak any of the other languages, you can still get by. i have noticed however, that the english here isn't exactly the same one that i'm used to. some differences seem to come from the "british" vs. "american" variations of english, but some words just seem to be unique to modern urban indian culture.

here's a list of words translated from american to indian english:

• trash can = dustbin
• glasses = specs
• elevator = lift
• bathroom/restroom = bathroom/washroom/loo/toilet
• cell phone = mobile or cell
  
• q-tips (what are they supposed to be called?) = earbuds
• cookies = biscuits
• stuffed animals (yes i bought one here) = soft toys
• peanuts = groundnuts
• line (where you stand to wait for something) = queue
• crosswalk = zebra crossing
• shrimp = prawns
• bell peppers = capsicum
• business cards = visiting cards
• flip-flops = slippers
• classes = lectures (well sometimes we call them lectures too)
• grades (as in first through twelfth) = standards
• grades (as in A through F) = marks
• sneakers/tennis shoes = sports shoes
• last name = surname
• soccer = football
• yogurt = curd
• sidewalk = footpath
  
• ketchup = sauce (plus all other sauces)
• pots/pans = vessels
• gas (as in gasoline) = fuel/petrol/diesel
• restaurant = hotel (also used for a hotel where you stay)
• living room = hall
• hall = corridor
• club soda = soda (not all soft drinks)
• bracelet = bangle or a (chain link) bracelet, they are not both bracelets
• okra = lady's fingers
• eggplant = brinjal
• stress/worry = tension (i know we say tension too but not as much as we say worry or stress)
• bike = motorbike (not either a motorbike or a bicycle. a bicycle is a cycle)
  

a few other differences. in the U.S. the ground floor and the first floor are usually the same thing. here there is a ground floor, and then the first floor, second, and so on. so what we usually consider the second floor is the first floor over here. also, people do not say cool as much as americans do. i've heard it a few times but if something is good, it's good, or nice, or great, or even awesome, but not cool so much. taxis/cabs are the same, and also exist here in the cities, but there's also another whole set of "taxi-like transportation" which are rickshaws. in mumbai they only have the autorickshaws - also called autos, three-wheelers, or ricks. in delhi they still have the older rickshaws which is basically a tiny carriage attached to a guy on a bicycle. rickshaw. i'm glad those are not here in mumbai, but the autos are very useful for traveling distances that are too far to walk but not so far you'd want to take a train or a bus. anyway i digress. another difference is that the short form of mathematics is "maths". not "math". i guess the plural makes sense but it sounds weird to me. and another thing unique to this place is calling everybody "boss". your actual boss you'd probably just call "sir" or "madam" (not their first name) but in mumbai at least, any random stranger or guy working in a shop (oh yeah not a store, a shop) could be addressed as "boss". i can't say that's the most respectful way you'd address someone though, so if you're not a native mumbaikar, don't try it.

some of these differences are cool (ha!) or just strange, but one thing i like is the common answer for almost any question you could think of, as to why things are the way they are: "just like that!"