Hey Oxford Dictionary, Here Are Some Fun Indian Words Besides Chuddies To Include

It’s been a long wait. Remember that time when you were chatting to someone who spoke English and had to explain underwear to them? Yeah, that was tough. Or was it? I mean, English does offer you a variety to pick from – underwear, underpants, panties etc. It even offers further room for detailing (and sometimes for imagination) – boxers, briefs, thongs, g string etc. But 2019 will be a landmark year because the word ‘chuddies’ made it to the Oxford English Dictionary. The Hindi word for, you guessed it, underpants.

Now, while it was important that it be included since everyone talks about their underwear to unsuspecting people on the daily, we have a few words we can think of that need to be included urgently. These are all Indian words that need representation.

Firang

To really cut it down to basics, firang means foreigner. Lest you think that we Indians use this word to address people from across the world, allow me to explain that the word is only used for white people. How racist you think. Have you met us Indians?

But really, this word needs to make it to the Oxford Dictionary (OED) asap. Our strong reasoning is that Bollywood backup dancers need to know that they are being addressed when this word is said out loud.

Jugaad

Indians are the kings of jugaad. The word is kind of difficult to explain but think of it like hacking your way through something to make it better or at least make it serve a purpose. Urban Dictionary  (the bible of all things weird) defines it as ‘a small trick that makes a big difference.’

If there was ever a word that aptly describes Indians and the way they make it through life, this would it be it. Maybe we can jugaad our way into the OED.

Baap

Simply put, baap means father. But the meanings and connotations of this word are many. The people of Delhi particularly favour a phrase ‘ Tu jaanta nahi ki mera baap kaun hai!’ which translated means ‘You don’t know my father is!’ While this may make you wonder why you must know who this person’s father is and look warily at their mom, it simply means that this person has connections and could get you into trouble. Also, this makes for a great response for when someone asks who is responsible for a mess or any accident and who is going to pay for the damages. You are allowed to shout ‘Tera baap?’ questioning if their father will pay.

As you can see, this is a word that simply warrants an inclusion.

Maal

There isn’t a word in Hindi that is as versatile as this one. Maal can mean goods as in a warehouse, it can mean hot women when you are being creepy and it can mean a potent substance meant to be smoked. Depending on where you are, this word can acquire different meanings which makes it the kind of word that’s likely to get a lot of attention from other jealous words.

No matter what the meaning is, the word always means good things (spot the pun!) and for that, it needs to find a place in the OED.

Pyaar

A certain Rahul once said, ‘Pyaar dosti hai’ or ‘Love is friendship.’ He was, of course, proved wrong. But that’s not the point. Pyaar which literally translates to love is a word that needs no introduction to anyone who speaks Hindi. It’s a verb, and a noun, and a feeling.

This one needs to get in there asap so everyone trying to woo an Indian girl has some help.

There were a bunch of other words that also made it to the OED. According to the Guardian, these words were added as part of OED’s ‘Words Where You Are’ appeal, launched last year, which invites English speakers from around the world to update the dictionary with regional words.