மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை - ஒரு இலக்கண பார்வை
இன்று சென்னையில் இருக்கும் மக்களில் பெரும்பான்மையோர், மற்ற ஊர்களில் இருந்து வந்து குடியேறியோர். அதனால், சென்னையின் ஏற்கனவே இருந்த(!) இயல்பான தமிழ்(!) வழக்கொழிந்து போய், எல்லாம் கலந்த சாக்கடை... ம்ஹூம்...பஞ்சாமிர்தமாகி விட்டது. ஆனாலும், வந்து குடியேறுவோரின் எண்ணிக்கை மட்டும் குறைந்தபாடில்லை.
'மெட்ராஸ்' என்பது சென்னையின் பழைய பெயர். எப்போ அரசாங்கம் Madras-ஐ சென்னை-னு மாத்திடுச்சோ, அப்பவே நாமெல்லாம் அந்த பெயரை மறந்திட்டோம். அதான் நியாபகப்படுத்தவேண்டியுள்ளது.
'பாஷை' - சமஸ்கிருத பாஷையிலிருந்து...மன்னிக்க...சமஸ்கிருத மொழியிலிருந்து 'பாஷா' (பாட்ஷா அல்ல) என்ற வார்த்தையை ஸ்வீகரித்துக் கொண்டு, அது மருவி 'பாஷை' ஆனது. அன்று முதல் 'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' எங்களின் மொழியானது.
'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' - ஒரு வரலாற்று பார்வை
மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையின் இலக்கணத்தில் முக்கிய பங்காற்றுவது, ஆங்கிலம் என்னும் மொழி. இந்த ஆங்கில மொழியானது இன்று குழந்தைகள் முதல் பெரியவர் வரை அனைவரும் விரும்பி ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஒரு மொழி. எம்.ஆர்.ராதா முதல் 'சின்ன(புத்தி) கலைவானர்' விவேக் வரை ஆங்கிலத்தை தமிழில் கலந்து பேசாதவர் என்று யாரும் இல்லை. சுமார் 100 வருட செம்மையானது எங்கள் மொழி. தமிழுக்கு எப்படி வீரமாமுனிவரோ, அது போல மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையை அடுத்த கட்டத்துக்கு கொண்டு சென்றவர்கள் சந்திரபாபுவும், 'தேங்காய்' சீனிவாசனும், 'லூஸ்' மோகனும்.
'மம்மி' என்றால் "a corpse whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or incidental exposure to chemicals, extreme coldness, very low humidity, or lack of air when bodies are submerged in bogs". இங்கே corpse என்றால் செத்த பிணம் (அதுசரி! செத்தா தானே அது பிணம்).
ஸோ, மம்மி என்றால் பத்தப்படுத்திவைக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு செத்த உடம்பு. எங்களவர்களோ ஈன்றெடுத்த தாயை அவ்வாறே 'மம்மி' என்று பெருமையாக அழைப்போம். இதில் எந்த வெட்கமும் படத்தேவையில்லை. காரணம், அந்த ஈன்றெடுத்த தாய், தன் மகன் தன்னை மம்மி என்றழைப்பதை பெருமையாக எண்ணும் குணமுடையவள். இப்படித்தான், புறநானூற்றில் கூட...சரி! வேண்டாம் விட்டுவிடுவோம்.
'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' - ஒரு இலக்கணப்பார்வை
மேலே, மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் ஆங்கிலம் கலக்குவது இன்றியமையாதது/தவிர்க்கமுடியாதது என்று பார்த்தோம். ஆங்கிலம் கலக்குவது என்பது ஒரு கலை. கலக்குவது என்பதே ஒரு கலை தானே? அதை, தாமரை இலை மேல் ஒடியும் ஒட்டாத தண்ணீர் போல, 'நேக்'காக கலக்கவேண்டும். இங்கே, 'நேக்' என்பது ஒரு மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் உள்ள ஒரு வார்த்தை. 'நேக்' என்றால் 'அலேக்'. 'அலேக்' என்றால் 'ஸ்மூத்தா'. 'ஸ்மூத்தா' என்றால் 'நேக்'காக. இப்படி ஒன்றை ஒன்று சார்ந்து, ஒரு வடத்துக்குள், வந்து விழும் வார்த்தைகள் தான் மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் இலக்கணம்.
சில உதாரணங்களை பார்ப்போம்.
ஸ்பீடா போ - இதில் ஸ்பீடு என்பது ஆங்கில வார்த்தையான Speed-ஐ குறிக்கிறது. போ என்பது (சதா உபயோகிக்கும்) ஒரு தமிழ் வார்த்தை. இப்படி இரு வேறு மொழிகளில் இருந்து சில வார்த்தைகளை எடுத்து, உங்களுக்கு தேவையான படி போட்டுக்கொண்டு அதையே கொஞ்சம் 'ஸ்டைலா' பேசினால், மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை ரெடி. இங்கே ஸ்பீடா போ என்பது 'விரைவாக செல்' என்ற பழந்தமிழ்(!) வார்த்தையை குறிக்கும்.
ஸ்ட்ரெய்ட்டா போ - இதுவும் அடுத்த ஒரு அழகான வாக்கியம். ஸ்ட்ரெய்ட்டா என்பது Straight என்ற ஆங்கில வார்த்தை மருவி வந்துள்ளது. பழந்தமிழில் இதன் அர்த்தம் 'நேராக செல்'
அடுத்து, முக்கியமான ஒரு வாக்கியம், கவணமாக கவணியுங்கள்.
கானா பாட்டு - Hindi gaana (song) + Tamilpaattu (song). Used for songs with fast rhythmic beats. சில குறுக்கு புத்திக்காரர்கள் கேட்பார்கள், கானா என்றாலே ஹிந்தியில் அர்த்தம் பாட்டு தானே, அப்புறம் ஏன் கானா பாட்டு என்று. அவர்களுக்கு தெரியவில்லை, "பழ்மொழிய சொன்னா அனுபவிக்கனும். ஆராயக்கூடாது".
இதில் Code-switching என்று ஒரு கலை இருக்கிறது. அது, பல மொழிகளை கோர்த்து பேசுவது. உதா, இந்த மாதிரி full-ஆ English ஸ்பீக் பன்னா, people like me எப்படி understand பன்றது? இது ஒரு தேர்ந்த புலவர் ஒருவரால் தான் இப்படி பேச முடியும்.
அப்புறம் கேள்விகளை சுலபமாக்கும் எங்கள் மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை. "நீ தயாரா?" என்று நீட்டி முழக்கி கேட்கப்படும் கேள்வியை, சிம்பிளா, "ரெடியா?" என்ற வார்த்தையில் அடக்கி விடலாம். இதெல்லாம், நேரத்தை சேமிக்கும் பழக்கம்.
சில வார்த்தைகளை கையாளும் போது சற்றே உண்ணிப்பாக கவனிக்க வேண்டும். காரணம், ஒரு வார்த்தை மாறினாலும், அதன் அர்த்தமே மாறிவிடுகின்றது.
உதா, istukinu மற்றும் ittukinu. இங்கே இரண்டும் ஒன்று போல தோன்றினாலும், அதன் அர்த்தம் வேறானது.
இட்டுகினு - கூட்டிக்கொண்டு - Bring along
இஸ்துகினு - இழுத்துக்கொண்டு - Dragged with
பார்த்தீர்களா, எவ்வளவு sensitive-வான மொழி என்று?
சென்னைக்கு வந்து இறங்கியதும், முதலில் நீங்கள் கத்துக் கொள்ளவேண்டியது இந்த பாஷையை. கற்றுக் கொண்டால் கண்ணம்மாபேட்டை ஸ்டாப்பிங் வரை, அதாவது கடைசி வரை உங்கள் கூடவே இருந்து உங்களுக்கு உதவும்.
கீழே உள்ளவை, ஆங்காங்கே கட் + காபி செய்து இங்கே பேஸ்ட் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. படித்து பயனுற்று, அடுத்தவர்க்கும் வழங்குங்கள்.
படிச்சு முடிச்சாச்சா? உங்களுக்கு சில பயிற்சி வகுப்புகள். எங்கே, கீழே உள்ளவற்றை தமிழ்படுத்துங்கள் பார்க்கலாம்?
Naina! Vootle solltiya? Saavugraaki! (நைனா! வூட்ல சொல்லிட்டியா? சாவு கிராக்கி): By calling the other person "naina" and asking him whether he has taken leave of his loved ones, the speaker indicates that his interlocutor is driving in a very unsafe manner. The speaker uses "saavugraaki" to emphasise the point, thus asserting his superior driving skills in the situation.
Yaru theaterla yaru padam ootra...keenjidum screenu....bemani! (யாரு தேட்டர்ல யாரு படம் ஓட்ரா...கியிஞ்சிடும் ஸ்கிரீனு...பேமானி): It is used to indicate that other person is trying to show off at a place he does not belong to.
Bajarlai ushara illaina nijara kalatidu vaanga (பஜார்ல உஜாரா இல்லைனா நிஜார கலட்டிடுவாங்க): Have to be careful in public place or you will lose your underpants. Basically, this is to indicate that we have to be careful with our belongings in public places since pocket picking menace is very common and widely prevalent in Chennai and neighborhood.
Bikki kuduthutta (பிக்கி குடுத்துட்டா): Usually used in the context when a girl ditches a guy whimsically
Sevulu avul aiyidum (செவுலு அவுல் ஆயிடும்) or Sevulu keenjidum (செவுலு கீய்ஞ்சிடும்): Used to indicate that a slap will reduce one's cheeks to powder.
Illatha kadaiyila tea aathathe (இல்லாத கடயில டீ ஆத்தாத): Acting smart to impress a figure (implies a woman with good figure). (Literally, "Don't make tea in a store that's not there.")
Bulb adichaan da (பல்ப் அடிச்சான் டா): Goofed up and caught red-handed.
Nee Saavarthukku En Vandidhan Kadichidha??? (நீ சாவறதுக்கு என் வண்டி தான் கடச்சிதா?): Didn't you find any other vehicle other than mine to die. Often told by lorry, bus and car drivers to the person who crosses their path.
Un moonchile en peechang kaiye vaikka (உன் மூஞ்சியில என் பீச்சாங் கைய வெக்க): I'll put my left hand on your face. A threat, as a person's left hand is regarded as unclean. (This is due to the historic lack of toilet paper in rural areas.)
Aiyya monjiya paru (அய்யே! மூஞ்சிய பாரு): Literally meaning "Look at that face" implying that it is unsightly to behold. Commonly used, especially by females to insult males.
Po da badu (போடா பாடு): A common slur used to insult someone
Egurriya ille udata? (எகுற்றியா இல்ல உடட்டா?)
Enna Machi, Nalla Keeriya (இன்னா மச்சி, நல்லா கீறியா?): Machi technically means Brother-in-law, but it is very commonly used to address friends. In present day English, this might translate to - "Hey Dude, Whassup?"
Enna Friend-ae. Romba naala kandukkavae illayae? (இன்னா ப்ரண்டெ, ரொம்ப நாளா கடுக்கவே இல்லயே?): Note the interesting usage of the word Friend in its literal sense. The sentence translates to - "Hello Mate, Haven't heard from you in a while?"
Figura paathu frienda cut panradhu (ஃபிகர பாத்து ஃப்ரென்ட கட் பன்றது): Used to refer to a friend who chooses his girlfriend as a higher priority than his friend
Vaailey vada suda tha (வாயிலேயே வட சுடாத): Used to refer somebody who talks a lot but in reality they can never make a step towards what they have said (or) asking some one to avoid false commitments.
Machi naa eggurren (மச்சி, நா எகுற்றேன்): Meaning "Dude i'm leaving home".
Uttalakkadi goanya uzunthu ezunthu vaaya (உட்டாலக்கடி ங்கோயா, உழ்ந்து எழ்ந்து வாயா): Used to refer some one who took a wrong way and struggling to find the right way.
Daavukku kannu dokku (டாவுக்கு கண்ணு டொக்கு): Meaning "Love is blind" here daavu refers to love, kannu refers to eye and dokku refers to blindness.
Quotar adiccha korangu (குவாட்டர் அடிச்ச கொரங்கு): Used to refer crazy or maniacs who likes to annoy others. here Quotar refers to (250 ml or quarter of alcohol) and korangu refers to monkey.
Laadu labbaku dhas (லாடு லபக்கு தாஸு):
Laadu langotta (லாடு லங்கோட்டு): Used to refer some who thinks that they are always right. Here Laadu refers to 'Lord'.
Judgeju jamakkaalam (ஜட்ஜு ஜமக்காளம்): Used to refer some who confidently criticize others and they tend to do things always wrong. Here Judgeu refers to 'Judge'.
'மெட்ராஸ்' என்பது சென்னையின் பழைய பெயர். எப்போ அரசாங்கம் Madras-ஐ சென்னை-னு மாத்திடுச்சோ, அப்பவே நாமெல்லாம் அந்த பெயரை மறந்திட்டோம். அதான் நியாபகப்படுத்தவேண்டியுள்ளது.
'பாஷை' - சமஸ்கிருத பாஷையிலிருந்து...மன்னிக்க...சமஸ்கிருத மொழியிலிருந்து 'பாஷா' (பாட்ஷா அல்ல) என்ற வார்த்தையை ஸ்வீகரித்துக் கொண்டு, அது மருவி 'பாஷை' ஆனது. அன்று முதல் 'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' எங்களின் மொழியானது.
'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' - ஒரு வரலாற்று பார்வை
மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையின் இலக்கணத்தில் முக்கிய பங்காற்றுவது, ஆங்கிலம் என்னும் மொழி. இந்த ஆங்கில மொழியானது இன்று குழந்தைகள் முதல் பெரியவர் வரை அனைவரும் விரும்பி ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளப்பட்ட ஒரு மொழி. எம்.ஆர்.ராதா முதல் 'சின்ன(புத்தி) கலைவானர்' விவேக் வரை ஆங்கிலத்தை தமிழில் கலந்து பேசாதவர் என்று யாரும் இல்லை. சுமார் 100 வருட செம்மையானது எங்கள் மொழி. தமிழுக்கு எப்படி வீரமாமுனிவரோ, அது போல மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையை அடுத்த கட்டத்துக்கு கொண்டு சென்றவர்கள் சந்திரபாபுவும், 'தேங்காய்' சீனிவாசனும், 'லூஸ்' மோகனும்.
'மம்மி' என்றால் "a corpse whose skin and organs have been preserved by either intentional or incidental exposure to chemicals, extreme coldness, very low humidity, or lack of air when bodies are submerged in bogs". இங்கே corpse என்றால் செத்த பிணம் (அதுசரி! செத்தா தானே அது பிணம்).
ஸோ, மம்மி என்றால் பத்தப்படுத்திவைக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு செத்த உடம்பு. எங்களவர்களோ ஈன்றெடுத்த தாயை அவ்வாறே 'மம்மி' என்று பெருமையாக அழைப்போம். இதில் எந்த வெட்கமும் படத்தேவையில்லை. காரணம், அந்த ஈன்றெடுத்த தாய், தன் மகன் தன்னை மம்மி என்றழைப்பதை பெருமையாக எண்ணும் குணமுடையவள். இப்படித்தான், புறநானூற்றில் கூட...சரி! வேண்டாம் விட்டுவிடுவோம்.
'மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை' - ஒரு இலக்கணப்பார்வை
மேலே, மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் ஆங்கிலம் கலக்குவது இன்றியமையாதது/தவிர்க்கமுடியாதது என்று பார்த்தோம். ஆங்கிலம் கலக்குவது என்பது ஒரு கலை. கலக்குவது என்பதே ஒரு கலை தானே? அதை, தாமரை இலை மேல் ஒடியும் ஒட்டாத தண்ணீர் போல, 'நேக்'காக கலக்கவேண்டும். இங்கே, 'நேக்' என்பது ஒரு மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் உள்ள ஒரு வார்த்தை. 'நேக்' என்றால் 'அலேக்'. 'அலேக்' என்றால் 'ஸ்மூத்தா'. 'ஸ்மூத்தா' என்றால் 'நேக்'காக. இப்படி ஒன்றை ஒன்று சார்ந்து, ஒரு வடத்துக்குள், வந்து விழும் வார்த்தைகள் தான் மெட்ராஸ் பாஷையில் இலக்கணம்.
சில உதாரணங்களை பார்ப்போம்.
ஸ்பீடா போ - இதில் ஸ்பீடு என்பது ஆங்கில வார்த்தையான Speed-ஐ குறிக்கிறது. போ என்பது (சதா உபயோகிக்கும்) ஒரு தமிழ் வார்த்தை. இப்படி இரு வேறு மொழிகளில் இருந்து சில வார்த்தைகளை எடுத்து, உங்களுக்கு தேவையான படி போட்டுக்கொண்டு அதையே கொஞ்சம் 'ஸ்டைலா' பேசினால், மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை ரெடி. இங்கே ஸ்பீடா போ என்பது 'விரைவாக செல்' என்ற பழந்தமிழ்(!) வார்த்தையை குறிக்கும்.
ஸ்ட்ரெய்ட்டா போ - இதுவும் அடுத்த ஒரு அழகான வாக்கியம். ஸ்ட்ரெய்ட்டா என்பது Straight என்ற ஆங்கில வார்த்தை மருவி வந்துள்ளது. பழந்தமிழில் இதன் அர்த்தம் 'நேராக செல்'
அடுத்து, முக்கியமான ஒரு வாக்கியம், கவணமாக கவணியுங்கள்.
கானா பாட்டு - Hindi gaana (song) + Tamilpaattu (song). Used for songs with fast rhythmic beats. சில குறுக்கு புத்திக்காரர்கள் கேட்பார்கள், கானா என்றாலே ஹிந்தியில் அர்த்தம் பாட்டு தானே, அப்புறம் ஏன் கானா பாட்டு என்று. அவர்களுக்கு தெரியவில்லை, "பழ்மொழிய சொன்னா அனுபவிக்கனும். ஆராயக்கூடாது".
இதில் Code-switching என்று ஒரு கலை இருக்கிறது. அது, பல மொழிகளை கோர்த்து பேசுவது. உதா, இந்த மாதிரி full-ஆ English ஸ்பீக் பன்னா, people like me எப்படி understand பன்றது? இது ஒரு தேர்ந்த புலவர் ஒருவரால் தான் இப்படி பேச முடியும்.
அப்புறம் கேள்விகளை சுலபமாக்கும் எங்கள் மெட்ராஸ் பாஷை. "நீ தயாரா?" என்று நீட்டி முழக்கி கேட்கப்படும் கேள்வியை, சிம்பிளா, "ரெடியா?" என்ற வார்த்தையில் அடக்கி விடலாம். இதெல்லாம், நேரத்தை சேமிக்கும் பழக்கம்.
சில வார்த்தைகளை கையாளும் போது சற்றே உண்ணிப்பாக கவனிக்க வேண்டும். காரணம், ஒரு வார்த்தை மாறினாலும், அதன் அர்த்தமே மாறிவிடுகின்றது.
உதா, istukinu மற்றும் ittukinu. இங்கே இரண்டும் ஒன்று போல தோன்றினாலும், அதன் அர்த்தம் வேறானது.
இட்டுகினு - கூட்டிக்கொண்டு - Bring along
இஸ்துகினு - இழுத்துக்கொண்டு - Dragged with
பார்த்தீர்களா, எவ்வளவு sensitive-வான மொழி என்று?
சென்னைக்கு வந்து இறங்கியதும், முதலில் நீங்கள் கத்துக் கொள்ளவேண்டியது இந்த பாஷையை. கற்றுக் கொண்டால் கண்ணம்மாபேட்டை ஸ்டாப்பிங் வரை, அதாவது கடைசி வரை உங்கள் கூடவே இருந்து உங்களுக்கு உதவும்.
கீழே உள்ளவை, ஆங்காங்கே கட் + காபி செய்து இங்கே பேஸ்ட் செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. படித்து பயனுற்று, அடுத்தவர்க்கும் வழங்குங்கள்.
| Word/phrase | Meaning in context | Origin, usage |
| Aapu adchichu (ஆப்பு அடிச்சு) | To result in failure. | Tamil aapu (ஆப்பு) is a thin triangular wedge (usually made of metal) used in carpentry to split wood or hold half-split wood. adchichu(அடிச்சு) means to hit. So this phrase literally means "hit/split by a wedge" implying a failure |
| AaaKoa (ஆக்கோ) | Over enthusiastic. | Tamil aarva kolaaru (ஆர்வக் கோளாறு - over enthusiasm). |
| Adan kokka makka(அடாங் கொக்க மக்கா) | "your sister's son or daughter". | Tamil Ada un akka magan / magal |
| Aaf-Paayil (ஆஃப் பாயில்) | Half-boiled egg. Vendhum vegathathu. | English Half boiled |
| Aaleka (அலெகா) | Smoothly | Tamil Aazhaga (அழகா) (beautifully) |
| Aalinaal Alaguraaja(ஆலின்ஆல் அழகுராஜா) | Jack of all arts. | English All in all |
| Aathaadi (ஆத்தாடி) | Oh my Lady!!. | Tamil Aatha referring to mother;'di'is a suffix that is always added when referring to female while 'da' is used for males. |
| Aattaya poadrathu(ஆட்டய போடறது) | ...To steal. Usage "Avan Aattaya potutan" meaning "He Stole". Similar toAbase panradhu(அபேஸ் பண்றது) | Tamil Madurai local slang. |
| Abase panradhu (அபேஸ் பன்றது) | To steal. | English abase and Tamilpanradhu (to do). Also used asEnglish loot and Tamil udradhu (உட்றது), sudradhu (சுடுறது) and amukardhu (அமுக்குறது). |
| Akkisht (அக்கிஸ்ட்) | rogue, Accused, criminal | English Accused |
| A-haan (ஆஹாங்) | yes | English A-Haa. (When one has just discovered or remembered something) |
| Ajakku (அஜக்கு) | Eunuch. | |
| Allakai' (அல்லக்கை) | Similar To "Dhanda Soru" (தெண்ட சோறு) | Use Less Fellow Tamil valathu kai |
| Alva kudukradhu' (அவுல் குடுக்குறது) | Act of deceiving,chicanery or cheating - done very smartly.Dialogue made famous by Tamil actor Sathyaraaj. | English Leaving someone who believed in you helpless, in the hour of need. |
| Allo (அலோ) | Hey, there... | English hello. Used to draw attention. Original Tamil does not have the sound'Ha' |
| Annthanda po' (அந்தாண்ட போ) | Go There (go that side) | Tamil Athan andai po. (அதன் அண்டை போ) |
| Annaathe(அண்ணாத்தே) | Elder brother. | Tamil Annan (அண்ணன்) |
| Apeetu (அபீடு) | To exit quickly/Vanish from the spot. | Language English [abate-die away] |
| Appalae' (அப்பாலே) | Afterwards, later | Tamil appuram (அப்புறம்) |
| Asalta (அசால்டா) | To do something very easily. | Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Hindi'Aasaan' easy or from English(assault). |
| Ashtan (அஸ்டான்) | To hit someone, or to steal something, or consume something | From Tamil 'Aadi'. Example: "Parsa ashatu ottan!", or as in "Sarakku ashtu parthunindhaba" |
| Attu (அட்டு) | Synonym of "Dochhu", Waste | As is "Attu Figaru", "Attu Padam" Tamil asattai. |
| Attapodardu | Vulgar word for having sex with a girl or having intimate relation. | |
| Ayye (அய்யே) | Saying "So?" in a derogatory way. | From English 'Hey!", as in "Ayye, eppo innandre?" TamilIyo, Iyako |
| Baadu (ஃபாடு) | Breast/pimp/ PS : Often a "baeku" would mistake it to be a person who holds the lamp when the king and queen are having intimate sexual intercourse during the time of pregnancy. | English 'Baadu' a corruption of Body. Possible English origin 'Baud' meaning pimp. Possible origin Telugu - 'Baadukov' pimpHindi - 'Badwaa' pimp |
| Baamaayilu (பாமாயிலு) | Palm oil. | English Palm + English oil. |
| Balbuvututan (பல்புவுட்டுட்டான்) | Death / Died. | |
| Bucketu (பக்கெட்டு) | refers to the female who engages in 'kadalai' | refers to the bucket used by vendors to sell the ground nuts in beaches to couples. |
| Bagilu (பகிலு) | Hip and region around it. | Hindi bagal (underarm). |
| Bajaari (பஜாரி) | A loud, unruly woman, like a fish-seller. | Urdu bazaar (market). |
| Bandha (பந்தா) | Stylish | |
| Batli (பட்லி) | Derogatory term for a woman. | English From "bottle". A reference to a woman'shourglass shape. Used as "Batli maadi our figure" |
| Bejaar (பேஜார்) | Nuisance or Boring | English language From "Badger" (Often irrirated) |
| Bigilu (பிகிலு) | Whistle. | English Language From "Bugle" - taken most probably from the music of the army. |
| Baeku (பேக்கு) | Imbecile. | Urdu bevkoof (stupid). |
| Baemani.(Beimaan in Urdu means a person who has no ethics/ scruples/ integrity and Beimaani means the trait of dishonesty) (பேமானி) | Urdu bae + imani(without + shame). | |
| Bigjang | Someone who wearsWesternized cl | Probably from the Hollywoodwestern Django popular in the1970s in Madras. |
| Biscothu (பிஸ்கோத்து) | bigwig, usually sarcastically meant. Just as they say biskut for biscuit in Hindi. | |
| Bittu (பிட்டு) | A small strip of pornographic/sexually suggestive scene that is run during the screening of a legitimate movie. Also refers to a strip of paper especially used for copying in exams. | English bit |
| Bhel, Piila (பீலா) | Telling Lies. | Unknown |
| Blaydu (ப்ளேய்டு) | Boring, worthless or useless | English "blade".Example usage: "Dey, blaydu padam da" meaning "The film was a drag" or "A boring film" |
| Bongu (போங்கு) | The slang word used if a tea | |
| Buddi (புட்டி) | Someone who wears thick glasses. Derogatory. | From soda buddi (soft drink bottle). Analogous to Coke bottom glasses. |
| Chinna Veedu (சின்ன வீடு) | Concubine | |
| Certigaatu (சர்டிகேட்டு) | Refers to certificate | Derived from the English word certificate. |
| Daar (டாரு) | Torn | English 'Tear'. Example usage: "Mavane, Daaraiyiduve" |
| Darr (டர்) | Afraid, tensed | Hindi 'Fear'. Example usage: "Darr aayittan" |
| Dabba (டப்பா) | Junk. | Hindi dabba (box). Used in colloquial speech such asDabba padam ("junk movie"). |
| Dabbu (டப்பு) | Money. | Telugu dabbu (money). See Also: Dabbu |
| Dada (தாதா) | Kingpin, ganglord, don. | Hindi dada (literally "paternal grandfather", used as a term of respect among underworld crime families). **More apt would be Bengali "dada" (meaning "big brother" who lays the rules or dictates terms. |
| Dhanks (டாங்க்ஸ்) | Refers to Thanks. | Common reply from autorickshaw and taxi drivers. "Romba Dhanks Ba" |
| Dum (தம்) | Stamina, strength, | Urdu dum breath. Also used for referring to smoking. |
| Dumeel (டுமீல்) | Untrue, false. | Unknown. Could refer to the sound made by an explosion that leaves nothing behind, as does a false statement. See also: Reel |
| Dhanda Soru (தண்ட சோறு) | Similar to "Allakai" | useless Fellow |
| Dharma adi (தர்ம அடி) | Merciless beating, usually by a group. | Tamil dharma adi meaning just (as in justice) or destined beating. dharmam = charity/to donate. Dharma adi means free beating. |
| Dhamathundu (தம்மாதூண்டு) | Tiny. | Tamil thundu means a 'part'.Dhama - Origins unknown- Very likely from idhO immaathhooNdu (idhO immattE in chaste Tamil) meaning ' Look here , only this small' with a gesture of hand |
| Dhoda (தோடா) | Synonym of 'Ayye',saying 'So?' in a belittling manner | Likely from Tamil idho da (here da), could be used effectively in humiliating manner in the midst of a conversation to ascertain authority over the counterpart in debate/conversation. |
| Dhool (தூளு) | A superlative, as in "well done!" or "kick ass!". | Likely from Hindi dhool (dust), referring to the dust cloud after a good ass-kicking. 'Dhool' is also used as 'Dhool kalappitai' where kalappitai refers to the action of starting or kicking up (dust). |
| Dillu (தில்லு) | Chutzpah, guts, as in "Do you have the guts to step outside and fight like a man?!". | Urdu dil (heart), metaphorically indicates "courage". |
| Ditchu (டிச்சு) | Drainage derived from English Ditch and spoken as Kawa | |
| Dochhu (டொச்சு) | Unattractive Woman | as in "Dochhu Figaru". Antonym of "Figaru" |
| Dokku (டொக்கு) | A derogatory term for a defensive shot. | |
| Dubaakour (டுபாக்கூர்) | Consummate liar | (Popularized by comedians Chinni Jayanth and Veeniraadai Moorthy) |
| Dumil udradhu (டுமீல் உட்றது) | Acting Too Smart | |
| Dhuddu (துட்டு) | Money. | Kannada duddu (money). |
| DingDong (டிங் டாங்) | Egg mixed with gravy. | Famous and delicious food item name in Triplicane. Sourced from South part of Tamil Nadu. |
| Dommai (டொம்ம) | Glutton. Carefree. | Origin uncertain (Gourmet?). Used mostly by college students. |
| Eguru (எகிரு) | Run fast, Run away, Scold, Jump (Depends on the context) | Telugu Eguru, as in "Macha, mama varaan, eguru" or "Sarkkadichi voottukku pona, engappa emmele egiritaruda" or "Egiri bus-le erittanda aven". egiRuthal in normal Tamil means to jump, bounce. |
| Es agurudhu (எஸ் ஆகுறது) | To escape | English From first syllable of the English word 'escape' |
| Feelingu/Pheeling (ஃபீலிங்கு) | sadness. Also means love (usually used in a 'mushy-mushy' sense) | English "Feelings", as in Emotions. |
| Figaru (ஃபிகரு) | Attractive woman. | English "figure", as in "Oru semma figaru varathu" meaning "An attractive woman is approaching." Note: Used in neuter gender. |
| Free-a-Vidu (ஃப்ரீயா விடு) | Literally "let it free". Figuratively, "let bygones be bygones". Pronounced as Pree-a-vudu. | English "free". |
| Gabbu (கப்பு) | Stink, foul odour. Often used figuratively to describe situations, personalities etc. | Telugu gabbu (stink, foul odor). |
| Gaaji (காஜி) | Comes from 'Taking guard'. | Gaaji mannan |
| Gaajju (காஜு) | Sleazy, dirty. | For example a Gaajju joke. |
| Gaali (காலி) | Finished, as in "He's finished!". | Urdu khali meaning "empty" or "finished". Originally fromArabic. |
| Gaana paattu (கானா பாட்டு) | A subgenre of Tamil film music. | Hindi gaana (song) + Tamilpaattu (song). Used for songs with fast rhythmic beats. |
| Gaandu (காண்டு) | to irritate a person | Usage "gaanda kelappathe". Gaand refers to butttocks inHindi. See Also: Kaduppu |
| Galatta (கலாட்டா) | 1. Fracas, brouhaha 2. Chaos 3. Celebration. | Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Turkey(Galata was a suburb ofIstanbul known for its nightlife) or from English gala. |
| Galiju (கலீஜு) | Dirty, Can be used in any context. Widely used to refer to bit(matter) | Kannada, meaning dirty. |
| Gandhi kannakku (காந்தி கணக்கு) | Fraudulent accounting. | Before 1947, when India was fighting against British occupation, companies and individuals often included "Contribution to Freedom movement" as an item in accounting statements. Most often accounting statements would not tally because management funneled money out. "Contribution to Gandhi's freedom movement" provided an excellent means to account for the "missing" money. Hence the term "Gandhi Kanakku". One should apologise to Mahatma Gandhi as this term brings a small amount of disrepute to him, for no fault of his!!! |
| Gapsaa (கப்ஸா) | Disinformation, lies. | Connotes deliberate disinformation, as opposed to genuine misinformation. Usually refers to fundamental falsehoods, as opposed to lame excuses. Compare "reel", "peela". Most probably related to gabbu (stink), somparable to stinking lies. |
| Gelichan (கெலிச்சான்) | He won. | Telugu gelupu (victory). |
| Gethu (கெத்து) | Super, Better than normal. | Origin unknown |
| Gokka-Makka (ங்கொக்கா மக்கா) | (Figuratively eq of)My goodness!, Holy cow!, etc | Tamil Unga akka (your sister's) + makka (magan - son) |
| Gilfans (கில்ஃபான்ஸ்) | A person with a shady background | (This word is of recent origin)Gilfans, Silfans etc have their etymological roots in comedian Chinni Jayanth's repository of words. |
| Gilma (கில்மா) | Strange stuff | One more from Chinni Jayanth |
| Gilli (கில்லி) | Talented Person. | Also called Ghilli, from a street game played with wooden sticks. |
| Godavula Gudhi (கோதாவுல குதி) | Jump into the fray | Root - "Goda" from the Hindi word for a wrestling pit, "Gudhi" from Tamil meaning Jump |
| Goiya (ங்கொய்யா) | A form of address similar to "Machi". But it can be interpreted as dumb or useless person also. | Possibly from Tamil for 'guava'. |
| Golti (கொல்டி) | Telugu speaker. Can be derogatory. | By reversing the consonants in "te-lu-gu" to give "gulti" or "golti" |
| Goodhal | Trickery, fraud | Tamil goodhal (error, mistake). Usually derogatory, as in "He resorted to trickery to win that business deal". |
| Gumbal (கும்பல்) | Bastard | Used in the context of 'Gumbaluku Porandhavane' |
| GumbalOda gOvinda (கும்பலோட கோயிந்தா) | Usually refers to situations like peer-pressure, or societal norms, where individual beliefs/actions are overridden by mass reaction. Also refers to insignificant individual contributions overlooked in a group. | Tamil gumbal (crowd), SanskritgOvinda (name of Vishnu). Derived from the large crowds of pilgrims at Tirupati. Play on words gOvinda and the English go or gone. |
| Gujjaals (குஜால்ஸ்) | Petting, making out. | Tamil konjal (petting, excess affection). |
| Gujili (குஜிலி) | Young girl, usually attractive and easily available | invented when there was a heavy influx of Gujaratis into Madras: Gujju + Kili = Gujili |
| Gum Paapa (கும் பாப்பா) | Young girl, usually attractive (large breasted) and easily available | invented when Indians went to the west and saw large breasted white skin females: Gum + Paapa = Gum Paapa also referred to as "Gumthaax" |
| Goinda (கோயிந்தா) | Unexpected failure. | |
| inka kuntu,inke park pannika (இங்க குந்து) | inkē uṭkārunkaḷ (இங்கே உட்காருங்கள்) | Please Sit Here. |
| Inglipeesu (இங்கிலிபீஸு) | The language 'English', usually in ridicule. | Also called Ingleesu or Engleesu. |
| Ippidikaa(இப்பிடிக்கா) | This way. | Origin Tamil from the word "Ippadi" |
| Iskool (ஸ்கூலு) | literal meaning of School | Probably in use due to ease for typical Tamil tongue to pronounce iskool. Similar words are Institute is pronounced asinstoot, Excuse is pronounced as esoos or echoos |
| Isthukunu po (இஸ்துகுனு போ) | literal meaning taking away | Telling some one to take it away or carrying it away. See also 'Vali' |
| Itta/Ittinnuva/Isthunuva (இட்டா/இட்டினு வா/இஸ்தாந்து வா) | Fetch (someone) | Tamil izhuthu-kondu-vaa (Pull him over here). Also pronounced as "Ista" |
| iṭṭukinu (இட்டுகினு) | kūṭṭikkoṇṭu(கூட்டிக்கொண்டு) | Bring along |
| Jaburu or Jabaradastu - Something similar tobandha - show off , acting pricey, like in " innaadaa jabardastu paNRE?" | from zabardast - Urdu meaning grand, extra ordinary, forceful | |
| Jagaa vaangaradhu | To escape from the scene. | Hindi jagah (space, room) andTamil vaangaradhu (to buy, to get). Literally means "to get room [to escape]". |
| Jalaai | To have a bowel movement | Hindi Widely believed that a Hindi ignorant Tamil guy read the word written in Hindi, near the compartment toilet and misunderstood that "Jalaai" in Hindi meant "to shit". Apparently, the person had read "Inflammable objects not allowed" written as "Jalaaishi padaarth mana hai" |
| Jalpu | To catch cold. | Tamil jaladosham" saLippu" (N, common cold) |
| Jalsa | Enjoy | probably from Salsa, with its suggestive fast moves and close contact in life. Or from Urdu Jalsa which means something like a carnival. |
| Jatkaa | Hindi-speaker, North Indian person. Derogatory. | Hindi jhatkaa (cart, also sudden shock). Play of words Jat and Jhatkaa. |
| Joadreppai | Cobbler. | Possibly from Hindi joota (shoe) and English repair or from TamiljodiEnglish repair. (pair[of slippers]) and |
| Jollu Vidurathu | To ogle at a girl. | Literally means to drool. To look at a girl with open mouth that one does not realise the saliva dripping. |
| Joot | To escape/hide/run/give the slip. | Derived from the signal given in kid's games of Catch, or Hide and Seek - "Waitees" for pause, and "Jooties" for resume. |
| Jujube/jujupee | Small, unimportant, easy or minuscule. | Examples:1)"Ithu ellam jujupee velai"="This is such an easy (or unimportant) job. 2)"Ivan oru jujubee da"="He's just small fry (he can't do anything) |
| Kaava Vidradhu | Misfielding an easy chance in cricket | |
| Kabodhi | Blind. used in a derogative sense | |
| Kaamati | Dumb fellow. | unknown |
| Kanji | Used in good meaning for 'gruel' and also used in referring ' Semen' | |
| Kanpiece | Refers to the English word confuse. | Example : Don't Kanpiece me.., Machi romba kanpiece panadha da.. |
| KD | 1. Petty crook. 2. An unusually intelligent criminal.3;Cunning person | English. Old Chennai policeabbreviation for either "known delinquent", "known depredator" or "known defaulter" or "Known Denotified person". |
| Kacheri | Drinking party. | Tamil kutcheri which is a traditional Tamil music concert. Derived as the party 'play' the mouth of the bottles with both hands like a naadaswaram(South Indian instrument like a saxophone) |
| Kadalai | Verbal flirting. | Tamil kadalai, verkadalai (nut,groundnut). Possibly from groundnut vendors who provided snack food to couples on the beach, or in trains. Connotes flirting without serious intentions. See Also: Batting |
| Kalakaradhu | To impress with one's performance. | Tamil, (to mix, to stir). |
| Kalaaikkaradhu | To make fun of someone, or to belittle someone | Also used as 'Kalasi', Example: "College pasanga kalasiduvanunge!" |
| Kamnatti | A clown or a jerk. | An interesting off-shoot of classical Tamil, kamnatti derives from "KaimpeNdaati paiyan" which stands for a young widow's son, who is expected to grow up without parental guidance and hence a "kamnatti". Some say, it originated from English sahibs in TN addressing their kids as Come, naughty boy!! |
| Kasmaalam | Synonymous with "idiot"(the idiot being a litote). | Possibly from Sanskrit kash malam (black hair) or kash mailam (black dirt). Comparing someone with hair is considered rude in Tamil culture. Maalam is also a slang word for shit. Some say ' kasmalam' (one word) in Sanskrit means a dirty thing worthy of discarding. |
| Kattai | Referring to a hot female. | Tamil,Kattai (literally log of wood) - the sturdier higher quality wood can easily be distinguished by their distinctive curvy grain pattern. |
| Kattai | Referring to some one who does not respond. Inert. | Tamil,Kattai refers to wood. Comparable to sleeping/lying like a log. |
| Kaidhe | Donkey. | Derogatory word and derived from Kazhudai(donkey) in chaste Tamil |
| kaindikeeran | Escaping from bored meeting | |
| Kandukunu Varen | I Will Meet Him And Come. | Tamil Avarai sandhikiren |
| Kenai | Fool. | Malayalam kenai (mad). |
| Keivi | An old Woman. | Refers to an old woman. Derived from "Kizhavi" in chaste Tamil. Mostly used in a derogatory sense. |
| KepmaaRi | Invariably goes with 'moLLa maaRi' and ' mudichchavikki' (this term literally means one who unties knots!!!) | |
| Kozha adi sandai | Major catfight. | Tamil kozha adi sandai (water pump fight). Connotes fighting over who gets how much water and in what order. |
| kīciṭuvēn(கீசிடுவேன்) | kilittuviṭuvēn (கிழித்துவிடுன்) | I'll tear [you] apart. |
| Kiithaa | Is it there? used for objects, things etc eg: dabbu kiithaa? - is there any money?- irukkiRathaa? in chaste Tamil | |
| Kiiraana/Kiiraala | Is he/she there? used for people. eg: kabali kiiraana? - is kabali there? irukkiRanaa ? in chaste Tamil | |
| Kiṛē (கிறே) | irukkiṛāy (இருக்கிறாய்) | You are there. |
| kītu (கீது) | irukkiṛatu (இருக்கிறது) | it is there. |
| Kishnayil | Kerosene oil. | (or) 'Krishayil' a colloquial probably due to saying "KeRoSeNe oil" quickly. |
| Kondhivudu | To mix up the things in improper fashion or not aligned. | Common usage in games like carroms, to spread the coins, use coinsa kondhivudu |
| Kottikaradhu | To eat shamelessly, especially if the food is free (OC food). | Tamil kotta To pour/dump. Literally means to dump for oneself. |
| Kundhu | "Sit down!" | The reuse of an ancient Tamil word. In contemporary formal Tamil, utkaaral. Related toKannada kuLithukoLLi (please sit down), ,Telugukoochandi |
| Kuthu | RevelryTamil | Tamil kuthu paattu (literally a song with punch!), as in dappaankuthu. |
| Kutti | Synonymous with "figaru". | Possibly from Malayalam kutti(young girl). |
| Laard Labakdass | A person who thinks very highly of himself (without any solid basis for that assumption). | English "lord" |
| Lavadingobal | Derogatory term. | From the Hindi, Lavde Ka Baal, meaning pubic hair |
| Leevu | Holiday. | From English "leave", as in "leave of absence". Also used in formal business English as 'leave' (shortened form of leave of absence) |
| Lollu | Bantering. Fussing. | Tamil for the sound made by a dog (analogous to "bow wow" in English). |
| Lookku vudaradhu | To check someone out, especially if it's an attractive person. | English "look" and Tamilvudaradhu (to let off, to flash). Implies a much shorter duration and less intensity than jollu vittufication or sight adichification. |
| Loosu | Crazy. | English "loose" as in screw-loose or nut-job. Also see "arai-loosu". |
| Loosule Vudu | Let it go. | English "lose" as in Lose it or leave it be/ignore it". |
| Lumpaa | Lump sum. | English "Lump sum". Popularized by comedians Goundamani and Senthil. |
| Maal / Maalu | Any kind of commission paid to middle men, also used to mean bribes/money. Usually followed vettu (maalu vettu - give commission/bribe). Urdu maal- saamaan- material. | |
| Maamool | Bribe paid to police man | (Urdu-Hindi)Maamool = money. |
| Machi | Synonymous with "dude", used in a positive sense. | Tamil machinan, colloquialmachan (wife's brother). Implies familiarity, cannot be used with strangers. See alsomaams. |
| Majaa | Fun | (Hindi-Urdu) Mazaa = 'fun'. |
| Mama or Mamey | refers to either a policeman, pimp or a brahmin boy/man, depending on the context. | Tamil mama = uncle. Not to be confused with maams. |
| Mama Veedu | Brothel, bar | Tamil for uncle's house. Usually the uncle's house was the main centre for a group of people to have a good time. |
| Mami | refers to either a brahmin girl/woman, or a middle-aged woman in general, depending on the context. | Tamil for aunt. |
| Mamiyaar veedu | refers to jail, police lock-up | Tamil maamiyaar = mother-in-law; veedu = house;. |
| Mangaattha | refers to a 3-card game played on street by con-men to lure a passer-by to steal their money. Related phrases are 'Ulle-Veliye' (In-Out) refers to the sleight of hand that the card dealer uses to move the cards around | Refers to the Queen of spades. (literal Tamil origin Mangal + Aatha = dark complexioned woman) |
| Maanja | refers to an additive added to make the kites string (also called Noolu) stronger, the additive is apparently a concotion of tar, glass pieces, dogs shit and battery covers. This additive when applied on the string makes the string strong for kite (called Banas) fights commonly referred to as Deal. | The glass powdered based chemical used in kite strings used in deal fights in kite flying usage mamey deala innika banava ashcitunga. |
| Manjaa Soru | refers to a bravery of Men. Related phrases are 'Nenjula Manjaa soru irukaaa maaamu?? meaning i will beat the crap out of you so that i will bring your bile out of you. (which is yellow in colour hence Manja Soru - meaning Yellow rice - Bile) | |
| Maramandai | Wooden head. | Tamil origin Maram + Mandai = Tree head. |
| Mattai | To become flat due to excessive intake of alcoholic tuff. Also used for Cricket bat. | Example: paiyan over a sarakku adichitu mattai aayitanba!!. |
| Matteru | Refers to an important happening/incident, eulogically referring to sex or Matter film or Blue Film. | English Matter, as in "Enna matteru?" (What's the matter?), or "Enna machi, mattera?" |
| Massa massa | Refers to a sooper figure whose body mass index is a little high and moves lazily. | English "Full of mass" |
| Mayiru / Mayiraandi | Literally refers to hair, but used to abuse a person 'as worthless as a hair-strand'. | Mayir - Ancient Tamil for 'hair', "Poda Mayiru" or "Poda Mayiraandi" (Poda-Off you go, Mayir-hair, Aandi-loser) |
| Meteru | Bribe (used as a question mostly/surprise) | Tamil -- |
| Meyaaluma | Really? (used as an exclamation of disbelief/surprise) | Tamil Mey = Truth. |
| Mokkai | Superlative usage of "blaydu" | This is a derivative of the word "Mokkaiyappar" who was a king, famous for his "blaydu" jokes. |
| Munimmaa | Refers to a woman belonging to the lower economic strata - usually a slum dweller in urban Chennai. | Antonym of Mary. Possibly (Sanskrit)Muni + Amma = ascetic lady. |
| Military hotel | Restaurant that serves non-vegetarian food. | The armed forces are thought to have fewer vegetarians than the general population. |
| Naina | A secondary version of "dude", used to imply criticism. | Telugu nana (father). Some Tamilians with Telegu ancestry use this term in their homes to address the father. |
| Nashta | "Breakfast". | Urdu nashta (light snacks). Also referred as 'Tiffin'. However tiffin could also mean evening snacks or any light meal. |
| Neataa | "Straight". As in 'Appadiya neeataa weld pannu.' | From the Tamil word "Neettum" meaning long. Probably because of the association of length with straigthness especially in machine shops. |
| Nijaar | "Knickers or shorts". As in 'Nijaar kaituradhu.' meaning 'fucked' | From the English word "Knickers". |
| (V)Otha | Translates to fuck in English. Highly derogatory. | Tamil |
| OB adikaradhu | To waste time. | OB is pronounced as the individual letters O and B. Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from "Off Beat", old British military term meaning "off duty". Also possibly from "Out of Business" or from "O'l Bhajanai" (local slang for "doing nothing"). |
| OC | Free, at no cost. (Could also mean Old Cask Rum at wine shops) | From OCS, Indian Railwaysabbreviation meaning "On Company Service". Parcels marked OCS travel free.Some say this is an abbreviation for Others' Cost!! |
| Okkanchikka | To sit | Derived from the Tamil word 'Utkarunga'. okkachikkada, intha vantten!! |
| Outte | Same as "Gaali". | English "out", used in the context of cricket or other sports. |
| Ombodu | Vulgar term for 'Shemale' or 'Eunuch' or 'Castrate' also referred by word 'ali'(this word somewhat less vulgaric) | |
| Paal mararadhu | To switch camps, to betray a confidence. | Tamil, paal (milk) andmararadhu (to change). Implies a cow unexpectedly changing to a bull as one ismilking it, with unwanted consequences. |
| Panni Gumbal | Vulgar term for person who is born by intercourse with animals. | Root Word: Gumbal...Example:'Poda #REDIRECT Panni Gumbal' |
| Paradesi | Exact meaning unknown, implies the recipient is a scoundrel. | Hindi, pardesi (foreigner). Example usage, Paradesi naaye.Paradesi in chaste Tamil (from Sanskrit) means a foreigner but used colloquially for a beggar/ mendicant. |
| Parandhu parandhu adikkaradhu | To fight by jumping and flying in the air | Refers to stunt wired moves made by heroes in local movies in street-fight scenes which feature impossible kicks and moves defying physics. (Lately the term 'Matrix stunt kudukkardhu' (offer Matrix-style stunts) has come to mean something similar) |
| Parshtu | first | Root "First" - English |
| Paruppu | Someone who thinks he's a big-shot. | Tamil Paruppu (Dhal). See also 'Pista'. As protein-rich foods, they were costly, and were eaten fried as snack food in only the more well-to-do families. Slang of "clitoris" also. |
| Peela | Petty lie/ boast. | Example: "Enna peela vudre?" |
| Peter, Mary | Persons of Tamil origin who speak English in preference to the Tamil language, especially if his intention is to impress others. | Also Peter party. Also used to label those who consider Tamilinfra dig, or those who speak it with a fake Western accent. |
| Philim | Show off | From English "Film". Similar to Hindi Phillum!! |
| Pirikrom | Motivational word that helps people gain confidence over whatever they are doing. Similar to "kalaka porom" | Tamil "Pirikkardhu". To open something. Also can be used as "Pirikkanum", meaning we have to come out with flying colors. |
| Porambokku | Unoccupied, usually unusable or fallow land. Derogatively and dismissively, a person without identity, a nobody. | Mispronunciation of 'Pembroke', as in Lord Pembroke, who stated that land belonging to no one would belong to the government. |
| Porul | Thing of importance. Sometimes alluded to a minor weapon (eg:pen knife) | Origin: Tamil. Porul, which in a pure sense, refers to the content or inner meaning of a phrase or word. |
| Pottalam | Ganja | Origin: Tamil. A 'packet' made using, usually, news paper. Cheap Marijuana is usually sold in a news paper wrapped packet and is called 'pottalam' or 'potlam' ('potlam' is more of a Peter language). Hindi pOtli is equivalent of Tamil pottalam. |
| Pista | Local tycoon. | Synonymous toMinor/Zamin(Zamindar) andDurai(White-man) |
| Raseedhu | Receipt of sale | English Receipt |
| Ravondu | in small quantity | From "Ravai" - Ground Semolina (Suji in Hindi)which is small in size. |
| Reel | Pitifully lame excuses. | English reel of film from the era of 16 mm projectors. Sometimes an improperly mounted film reel would fall off the projector and run away, causing a garbled or distorted picture to be projected on screen while the operator chased the reel across the room and mounted it back. "Reel" therefore refers to an obviously implausible story. See also: "gapsaa", "peela", "philim" |
| Rousu udardhu | Showing off, probably including challenging others. To arouse attention. | English "to rouse". |
| Rowdy | Ruffian. | Indian term transliterated toEnglish. |
| Rowdy-sheet | The rap sheet of a rowdy known to t | |
| Sarakku | Refers to Liquor, in a lesser sense, other illicit goods like drugs, and smuggled items. | Sarakku: 'goods' in English. |
| Saaman | Refers to either a weapon, most commonly a knife, OR genitals of a man. Could also mean general luggage, e.g., "Saaman erakki anga vei" meaning, "unload the luggage and stow it there" | Hindi Saamaan: thing. |
| Saami padam | Also known as Matter padam, refers to a risque movie | To escape detection, the first few minutes of these movies usually depict devotional scenes. |
| Saathu | Literally slam. | Commonly used by everyone to refer to hitting someone, or making a point as in 'appadi pottu saathu'. Also mostly used in 'Pottu Saathu' |
| Sathalakadi | Literally Whore. | Commonly used by men in a casual chat to refer a girl/women who does prostitution undercover. Similar to Soole. |
| Saavugraaki | Verbal abuse against bad drivers. | Possibly from Tamil saavu(death) and graaki (spurious buyer or peddler) giving "customer of Death". |
| Sallu, Salunnu | Fast, smooth, quick. | Possibly from the blurring sound of something moving fast. Equivalent of English whirr/buzz. |
| Semma | Very (adj.) | Tamil Semmai or Chemmai |
| Sappa Matter | Very Easy Thing, Not interesting thing. Sappai/ Chappai in chaste Tamil is flat. | Example Sappa Matter mama |
| Sightu Adikkaruthu | Admiring women from a distance, usually without the woman's knowledge. | Sight English Adikarrathu Tamil |
| Sound udaradhu' | Synonymous with Koral udaradhu = literally make too much 'Sound'/voice (Kural) | Tamil udaradhu (release). |
| Soole | Prostitute. | Kannada soole=prostitute. |
| Sothai | Bad. | Usage: "Adhu sothai figuru maamu!" Literally: decayed/damaged. |
| Super Star | Originally refers toTamil ActorRajnikanth | Known for his distinctive style and screen presence. Similar emulatory names like "Shining Star", "Little Super Star" have been taken up by other actors in South India |
| Sulphata | Cheap, strong and harmful liquor that may contain poisonous substances including copper Sulphate, methanol,formaldehyde andformic acid. Similar potions include 'chappi' and 'kalakkal.' | Pronounced "sulphate aa" from Copper Sulphate, commonly present in such potions. From banned liquor that the rural poor hastily prepare by boiling (instead of fermenting) basic ingredients like rice gruel, along with a wide variety of organic substances, sometimes, even including tyres and petroleum. |
| Sheedhi | Blood From Female Clitoris during mensus. | |
| Suthi Vuttiya | A phrase commonly used by call centre employees who avoid taking calls by refreshing their positions in the list of people taking calls. | |
| Takkaru | Super | Telugu 'Takkari' - As in "Takkaru Figure ba" . Takkar in Urdu means Collision, confrontation. |
| Thamaashu | Funny, comical event | Urdu 'Thamaashaa'. ironically this means - is it comical ?? |
| Thala | Literally 'head' in Tamil. Used colloquially to address gang leaders. Now used in the same sense as 'dude'. | From the movie 'Dheena', starring actor Ajith whose character is called as 'Thala' by his friends. This word is now used by many others in Tamil Nadu. |
| Tube light | Person absent minded or not that shrewd. Refers to one who is not picking up things easily, or someone, who takes a bit of time to understand (like a tube light that flickers for a few seconds before lighting up). | English Tube light . |
| Udhaaru | To lie. Exaggerate. | Also see: reel, gapsaa |
| Ushaaru | To be extra cautious. Hoshiyaar from Urdu. | |
| Vali (Verb) as in 'ValchchukkO', 'strongaa vali' | Pull | Interestingly, 'Vali' (Verb) in chaste Tamil itself means the same viz., 'Pull' (as in 'kaakkaay valippu' for epilepsy), though people normally prefer ' izhu' |
| Venna | useless person | synonymous with odavakarai. derived from the Tamil word "vennai" which means butter |
| Vetti | To do nothing. To expend no energy and towards no end or means. | Bayangara Vetti might mean a chronically lazy person. |
| Voodu kattrathu | act of creating a prelude to a fight. to build a house (literal) | Tamil 'veedu'(house) 'kattrathu'(to build). This procedure involves complex body movements and ends with a complete or partial prostration at the feet of the guru seeking his blessings before the duel. |
| Yakkaa | Elder Sister, commonly used in reference to a female who is older than the speaker, not necessarily his/her sister | Tamil 'Akkaa' |
| Sokka | Commonly used with other words to say good. eg, like looks good - Sokka keethu | Tamil 'Nanraga' |
| Yechakale | A person with no shame | From the Tamil word for echchil kalai or echchil ilai, a banana leaf containing leftovers! |
| Dokapuli | huttu fugure meaning ugly girl | Origin Unknown |
| Eglapichu/Ducklipickly | Synonymous to Dokapuli | |
| Pannada | One who takes the bad leaving behind the good | Original Tamil: Pannadai - a layer which filters bad elements from toddy in palm tree |
| Setup pannittan | To say that person was able to induce love from his girlfriend | |
| Thanni Kaataradhu | To cheat someone or escape from a person right under their nose | Example : Police kitta thanni Kaateetu escape aaitan ba |
| Zhu suu | Derived from English 'Juice' | |
Naina! Vootle solltiya? Saavugraaki! (நைனா! வூட்ல சொல்லிட்டியா? சாவு கிராக்கி): By calling the other person "naina" and asking him whether he has taken leave of his loved ones, the speaker indicates that his interlocutor is driving in a very unsafe manner. The speaker uses "saavugraaki" to emphasise the point, thus asserting his superior driving skills in the situation.
Yaru theaterla yaru padam ootra...keenjidum screenu....bemani! (யாரு தேட்டர்ல யாரு படம் ஓட்ரா...கியிஞ்சிடும் ஸ்கிரீனு...பேமானி): It is used to indicate that other person is trying to show off at a place he does not belong to.
Bajarlai ushara illaina nijara kalatidu vaanga (பஜார்ல உஜாரா இல்லைனா நிஜார கலட்டிடுவாங்க): Have to be careful in public place or you will lose your underpants. Basically, this is to indicate that we have to be careful with our belongings in public places since pocket picking menace is very common and widely prevalent in Chennai and neighborhood.
Bikki kuduthutta (பிக்கி குடுத்துட்டா): Usually used in the context when a girl ditches a guy whimsically
Sevulu avul aiyidum (செவுலு அவுல் ஆயிடும்) or Sevulu keenjidum (செவுலு கீய்ஞ்சிடும்): Used to indicate that a slap will reduce one's cheeks to powder.
Illatha kadaiyila tea aathathe (இல்லாத கடயில டீ ஆத்தாத): Acting smart to impress a figure (implies a woman with good figure). (Literally, "Don't make tea in a store that's not there.")
Bulb adichaan da (பல்ப் அடிச்சான் டா): Goofed up and caught red-handed.
Nee Saavarthukku En Vandidhan Kadichidha??? (நீ சாவறதுக்கு என் வண்டி தான் கடச்சிதா?): Didn't you find any other vehicle other than mine to die. Often told by lorry, bus and car drivers to the person who crosses their path.
Un moonchile en peechang kaiye vaikka (உன் மூஞ்சியில என் பீச்சாங் கைய வெக்க): I'll put my left hand on your face. A threat, as a person's left hand is regarded as unclean. (This is due to the historic lack of toilet paper in rural areas.)
Aiyya monjiya paru (அய்யே! மூஞ்சிய பாரு): Literally meaning "Look at that face" implying that it is unsightly to behold. Commonly used, especially by females to insult males.
Po da badu (போடா பாடு): A common slur used to insult someone
Egurriya ille udata? (எகுற்றியா இல்ல உடட்டா?)
Enna Machi, Nalla Keeriya (இன்னா மச்சி, நல்லா கீறியா?): Machi technically means Brother-in-law, but it is very commonly used to address friends. In present day English, this might translate to - "Hey Dude, Whassup?"
Enna Friend-ae. Romba naala kandukkavae illayae? (இன்னா ப்ரண்டெ, ரொம்ப நாளா கடுக்கவே இல்லயே?): Note the interesting usage of the word Friend in its literal sense. The sentence translates to - "Hello Mate, Haven't heard from you in a while?"
Figura paathu frienda cut panradhu (ஃபிகர பாத்து ஃப்ரென்ட கட் பன்றது): Used to refer to a friend who chooses his girlfriend as a higher priority than his friend
Vaailey vada suda tha (வாயிலேயே வட சுடாத): Used to refer somebody who talks a lot but in reality they can never make a step towards what they have said (or) asking some one to avoid false commitments.
Machi naa eggurren (மச்சி, நா எகுற்றேன்): Meaning "Dude i'm leaving home".
Uttalakkadi goanya uzunthu ezunthu vaaya (உட்டாலக்கடி ங்கோயா, உழ்ந்து எழ்ந்து வாயா): Used to refer some one who took a wrong way and struggling to find the right way.
Daavukku kannu dokku (டாவுக்கு கண்ணு டொக்கு): Meaning "Love is blind" here daavu refers to love, kannu refers to eye and dokku refers to blindness.
Quotar adiccha korangu (குவாட்டர் அடிச்ச கொரங்கு): Used to refer crazy or maniacs who likes to annoy others. here Quotar refers to (250 ml or quarter of alcohol) and korangu refers to monkey.
Laadu labbaku dhas (லாடு லபக்கு தாஸு):
Laadu langotta (லாடு லங்கோட்டு): Used to refer some who thinks that they are always right. Here Laadu refers to 'Lord'.
Judgeju jamakkaalam (ஜட்ஜு ஜமக்காளம்): Used to refer some who confidently criticize others and they tend to do things always wrong. Here Judgeu refers to 'Judge'.
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