English is a global language with a wide range of colorful accents, slang words, idioms and phrases that adapt to the local culture where it is spoken. Because of this, a term used in one place is either non-existent in another place or used in a completely different way. To help prepare Indians to understand American conversations, the list below has catalogued some words and phrases that differ between US and Indian English as noted in the book Ketchup and Curry. The terms below were collected from the cross-cultural preparatory guide for Indians going to the US, Ketchup & Curry: The Guide to Life and Success in America by Vivek Sreedhar. Find it on Amazon for readers in the US http://tinyurl.com/mxszkb7 and in India http://tinyurl.com/ov9hzmh. To learn more about cross-cultural training for Indians working with US colleagues in offshore or onsite locations, visit www.authenticjourneys.info

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1
Indian & American English Glossary
English is a global language with a wide range of colorful
accents, slang words, idioms and phrases that adapt to the
local culture where it is spoken. Because of this, a term used
in one place is either non-existent or used in a completely
different way in another place. To help prepare Indians to
understand American conversations, the list below has
catalogued some words and phrases that differ between US
and Indian English.
The terms below were collected from the cross-cultural
preparatory guide for Indians going to the US, Ketchup &
Curry: The Guide to Life and Success in America by Vivek Sreedhar. Find it on Amazon for
readers in the US http://tinyurl.com/mxszkb7 and in India http://tinyurl.com/ov9hzmh.
Indian English American English
Bunk (bunk class) Skip
First Bencher Students who sit in the front of the class
Flat Apartment
Head bath Wash my hair/washed my hair
Junction Intersection
Mix (He mixes with
everyone.)
Get along, hangs out with, has a lot of friends, etc. (He gets
along with everyone.)
Mug (mugging for test) Cram (Mugging means to get forcibly robbed)
Petrol Gas
Petrol Pump / Petrol Bunk Gas Station (On major highways, it may be called a ‘truck
stop’.)
Puncture Flat (tire). (“I had a flat today.”)
Senior (elders in the same
college)
Upperclassmen (not used to refer to people directly)
Signal (Traffic) Light
Smart Chap Good looking guy, handsome man (or current slang for “good
looking”)
Tap Faucet
Wash basin Sink (bathroom sink or kitchen sink)
American homes do not have a sink in the dining room area.
Vest Undershirt (In some areas “wife beater.” Use this phrase with
caution.)