The quirks of Indian English

I've never actually heard this in conversation, but I like the use of "bamboozlement" used in "Life of Pi".

I think it is an example of how the Indians 'make up' words some times, rather than a usage that is common.

Nope, sorry , the Random House Unabridged Dictionary lists it as a noun under "bamboozle", for trickery or deceit. Of uncertain origins according to them, 1695-1705.
I was looking to see if the wonderful World Wide Words http://www.worldwidewords.org/ had anything on this but he doesn't; he does have a verb "bangalored" though which might interest people here: http://www.worldwidewords.org/turnsofphrase/tp-ban1.htm : "It refers to people who have been laid off from a multinational because their job has been moved to India—a business practice designed to save money that is arousing passions in some countries, especially Britain and the United States."

No kidding! Thank you for pointing out. I wonder if History-Sheeter has something to do with 'Charge-sheeting' or 'Chargesheeting'. Also, the word becomes 'charsheet' in the vernacular.

This one I learnt from this very thread

saloon ( that is where you get a haircut.. )

mofussil bus stand

‘Rubber’ is what is used to erase pencil sketches

‘Fancy Store’ is where you can buy miscellaneous stationeries.

‘Goodwill’ is the advance money you pay when renting houses or shops.

‘Beauty Palace’ is where you can buy cosmetics.


Cho cheweet

That one's actually 'Proper' English (if such a thing exists). A rubber is an eraser in Britain, too. It's a common mix-up between American English and ours.

Ask someone for a rubber when you're writing a letter in New York and you're gonna get funny looks.

Here's a fantastic description of a robbery that's quoted in the Rough Guide:

One of my friends in India has never left the country, but has such good English that I often do not know the meanings of the words he uses (ie: He accrued fabulous wealth). Then there are the idioms. I find it amazing that he knows not to use the progressive tense (as in "He is having a nice car") but will say things out of the blue like "wait on plzzzzzzz."

However, I've learned that most Indian idioms in English are just direct translations. I am like this only makes perfect sense in Hindi! (main aisa hi hoon).

My knee is paining me.
The function has been preponed.
The trains ply between ___ and ___.

Sounds funny to me! although it may be perfectly correct, I don't always use my dictionary.

My mum claims that her colleague came into the room and said, "Here and all it is somehow"...the colleague meant that something felt strange and translated it literally from Tamil into English.
Needless to say, this has become my family's favourite thing to say and is trotted out every chance they get.

I guess, she was trying to say ' In this place/country...' which in Tamil starts of as ' Inda edathila...' or 'Inga ellam'. which got translated as 'here and all'

Inga -'here'
ellam -' all/everything/everywhere'

You are right, I think what was said in English was a direct translation of 'inga ellam oru madri" or some similar statement in Tamil...sounded cute because the lady said it in English, "Here and all it is somehow."!
So Digital Drifter, you appear to know some Tamil? I can think of one more literal translation...I've heard people say "head-going business" when they mean "a successful business" (fromTamil "thalai pora karyam").

That's quite an u'statement! :-)

Kumbakonam->Tirunelveli->Madurai->Bangalore are the places of my life...so far.

Do I know Tamil? you bet! & when I get steamed up , I write stuf like this!

All about TamilNadu; A partisan look!