Unique Indian English

Here are a few words from Indian English and culture that sometimes have a meaning different from that in the West, and sometimes do not even exist there. However, most of these have their roots from the British, who had colonized India.


1. Petrol bunk: Gas station

2. Out of station: Out of town

3. Auto: A three-wheeled cab – Unique to India

4. Nappy: Diaper

5. Lorry: Truck

6. Native place: Hometown – Unique to India

7. Mixie: A food blender – Unique to India

8. Tick off: Check off

9. Geyser: A water-heating appliance

10. Overtake: Pass a vehicle on the road

11. Interval: Intermission during a movie or Snack break at school

12. Rubber: Eraser

13. Odomos: Mosquito repellant lotion (actually a brand name) – Unique to India

14. Tuition: Tutoring classes

15. Prepone: Reschedule an event ahead of the originally planned time

16. Bollywood: The Hindi movie industry

17. STD/ISD: Abbreviations for: Long-distance dialing

18. Peon: An office handyman

19. Stepney: A spare tire – Unique to India

20. Lady’s finger: Green vegetable

21. Saloon: Barber shop

22. Iron box: An appliance to press clothes

23. Xerox: Photocopy

24. Landline: Home phone – Unique to India

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