As I've been traveling, I've been writing down words and phrases that I can use later on in my novel, as well as for future reference, like a dictionary. Here's a snippet. After this, you'll be able to speak like an Indian...that is, if you can do a good accent:
Cum - Oh, gross...that's not what it means here! You see cum written everywhere, most often as exhibition-cum-sale. The word simply indicates a combination. It's an exhibition and a sale, not one or the other.
Finger Chips - You'll see this in every restaurant serving Continental (Western) food. These are french fries (or Freedom Fries, if you're George W. Bush).
Tension - This word is exceptionally popular, and it simply means stress.
P.J. - You're a great Mumbai-ite if you know this. It's not pajamas. Nope, it's a Poor Joke, as in one that's so stupid you moan after it ends (if you have an engineer in your family, you know exactly what I'm talking about).
Bisquits - In America, these tend to be like flaky bread rolls. In India, they have a dual meaning. They are snack items, and can be sweet or salty: Cookies and crackers are both called bisquits.
Bunk school - This simply means to skip school. So, then do students here have Senior Bunk Day?
Of course, there are many more words, but these are some of the most interesting. Now you can speak just like an Indian!
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