Madras Tamil or Madras bashai (Tamil: ), Madras Tamil or Madras bashai (Tamil: (Tamil: ), is a type of mixed language spoken spok en I the city of Chennai, India I ndia (previously known as Madras). It is a loose polyglot blend of Tamil and English, with loanwords from Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Urdu. The term therefore is Tamil for Madras language Recently it has become known as Tanglish, as opposed to Hinglish, of which it is sometimes referred to as a dialect. However, while Hinglish an d Tanglish are both dialects of English, Tanglish cannot be considered a dialect of Hinglish because, unlike Punglish (Punjabi-English) the Indian parts of these dialects are not related - Tamil, unlike Hindi, is not in the Indo-European language group. After Madras Bashai became somewhat common in Madras, it became a source of satire for early Kollywood movies from the 1950s, in the form for m of puns and double entendres. Subsequent generations in Chennai identified with it and absorbed English constructs into the dialect, making it what it is today. Madras bashai favours Tamil syntactic structures, with heavy use of English words.. The following examples illustrates the heavy use of English words, even for basic concepts: English
Tamil
Madras bashai
Go fast!
Viraivāga Sel!
feeda-ā feeda-ā pō!
Go straight!
Nerāga Sel! (Adverb Sel! (Adverb Verb)
Staita po! (Adverb Verb) (also Steittaa po! )
1
Code-switching also plays a very important role in Madras Madr as bashai. For instance, a person aggrieved with the English in this article art icle may plaintively wail: Inta mātiri fullmātiri full-ā ā English speak- paa people like me eppa i understand i understand pa paartu? How are people like me to understand this sort of full English speech? Or a person may sadly shake one's head at a t the poor grasp of real Tamil among college students in the city, and say: Future generation ellām full-ā full-ā English-tān English-tān pēcuvānka. pēcuvānka. Future generations will all only speak completely in English. It is important to note that if this were expressed fully in Tamil: Va a talaimu ai ai ellām mulukka ānkilamtān pēcuvānka, pēcuvānka, even in a colloquial form (as evidenced by the verb, pēcuvānka verb, pēcuvānka,, as opposed to pēcuvārka to pēcuvārka ), ), the word choice itself would make the sentence sound lofty and formal; words such astalaimu astalaimu ai are ai are associated with literature, not everyday speech.
2
Code-switching also plays a very important role in Madras Madr as bashai. For instance, a person aggrieved with the English in this article art icle may plaintively wail: Inta mātiri fullmātiri full-ā ā English speak- paa people like me eppa i understand i understand pa paartu? How are people like me to understand this sort of full English speech? Or a person may sadly shake one's head at a t the poor grasp of real Tamil among college students in the city, and say: Future generation ellām full-ā full-ā English-tān English-tān pēcuvānka. pēcuvānka. Future generations will all only speak completely in English. It is important to note that if this were expressed fully in Tamil: Va a talaimu ai ai ellām mulukka ānkilamtān pēcuvānka, pēcuvānka, even in a colloquial form (as evidenced by the verb, pēcuvānka verb, pēcuvānka,, as opposed to pēcuvārka to pēcuvārka ), ), the word choice itself would make the sentence sound lofty and formal; words such astalaimu astalaimu ai are ai are associated with literature, not everyday speech.
2
Standard Tamil
Madras bashai
Meaning
irukki āy () ki āy ( ē ()
You are there. there.
irukki atu () kītu () atu
it is there. there.
iluttukko u(
istukinu( istukinu()
Dragged with (participle of Izhukkiradhu Izhukkiradhu (
i ukinu () ukinu
Bring along
) kū ikko ikko u(
)
- to drag)
3
appuram ()
kilittuvi uvēn (
)
appālikā,appāllē,appa(
, ,) uvēn() kīci
I'll tear [you] apart .
inkē u kārunka ( inka kuntu,inke park pannika ( ) )
ki al pa ē (
) anka ()
Then
Please Sit Here.
kalāykka ē()
You are kidding me.
annan a()
There
Thamatham Lettaagum( ) aagum ( )
4
It would take a while to carry out your service. Some of the service providers use this phrase to dissuade the customers that they are not willing to carry out the request now. Typically small eateries in Chennai say this when the restaurant is yet to commence its operation for business for the day. Autorickshaw and
Share Auto drivers use this word when they want to express a view to the customers that they are unwilling to ply the specified route requested by the customer/commuter.
Readers can understand immediately that this was done to save time, so that in the same period of time a Madras Tamilar can convey 1.5 times that of a Madurai Tamilar and 5 times that of a Coimbatore Tamilar (depending on the length of the drawl, like 'yaeeeeeeenunga?') One anomaly to this shortening rule is, some words get suffixed with the syllable 'ka'. So, summa = summaka, dhoora = dhooraka.
Alternative pronunciation Some Tamil words are pronounced differently from Madurai Tamil (considered the standard dialect). This practice is very similar to other dialects of Tamil. The pronunciation differences are usually accounted for by morphed and/or deleted vowels.
Questions with binary answers Questions with yes/no answers are framed by saying the statement whose trut h is to be verified (using the participle if necessary) and then saying aa at the end with a rising inflexion like a 5
question. The meaning of the aa is roughly analogous to Is it? . If the statement already ends in an aa or other interfering vowel sound, then the questioning aa can be made vaa in the interest of euphonics. Some speakers tend to carry the -aa even into full English conversations from force of habit. e.g.: U finished it aa? and also sometimes shortened to Finished-aa?
Standard Tamil
Enna Rajasekaran? (
Madras bashai
Inaa Rajasekaraa? (
Meaning
What Rajasekaran?
?)
?)
Gudisai ()
Gudse, Gudchae ()
Hut
Veedu ( )
Voodu, Oodu ()
House
Pazham ()
Payam ()
Fruit
Sappidu ()
Thunnu ()
Eat
6
Ematrukiraya () Dabaikeeriya () Cheating, Dodging, Evading
Nagarigamaga ()
deegenta, regenta (,
)
Decent , Decency
naiyandi' ( )
Kalaikuriya () Joke
Valikkalai' ( )
Nogalai' ( )
English
Madras bashai (
)
Are you ready?
Ready-aa? (ready-?)
Am I late?
Late-aa? (late-?)
Is it OK?
OK-vaa? (ok-?)
7
Is it not paining?
However, phrases like Late-aa? and Ready-aa? are usually used by the younger generation, and phrases of Madras Bashai in the above column are never used in polite form, and are usually used as street Tamil.
Vocabulary Madras bashai combines words, suffixes and grammar rules of several languages to make new words. The most common sources are English, French, Dutch, Telugu, Hindi, andKannad a. When it comes to borrowing words from other languages 'Madrassukku nigar Madrasse' (No one can beat Madras in this). English words can be used in any context without feeling alien. 'wrongu,' 'rightu,' 'yechuse me,' 'adjist,' 'abase,' 'abscond,' 'beetiful,' 'super,' 'fruitu,' 'pilim,' 'figureu,' 'escaaape,' 'akkisdu'(accused) and so on. Hindi has its contributions like 'bejaar' (), 'naastha' ( ), etc. Telugu: 'naina' (), 'baava' (), 'eppudu' (), 'cheppu', dabbu, duddu(Money) etc. Examples
Word/phrase
Meaning in context
Aapu adchichu ( To result in failure. )
Origin, usage
il aapu () is a thin triangular wedge (usually made of l) used in carpentry to split wood or hold half-split d. adchichu() means to hit. So this phrase literally
8
ns hit/split by a wedge implying a failure
AaaKoa ()
Adan kokka makka(
) Aaf-Paayil (
) Aleka ()
Over enthusiastic. Tamil aarva kolaaru (
- over enthusiasm).
your sister's son or daughter .
Tamil Ada un akka magan / magal
Half-boiled egg. Vendhum vegathathu.
English Half boiled
Smoothly
Tamil Aazhaga () (beautifully)
Aalinaal Alaguraaja( Jack of all arts. )
English All in all
Aathaadi ()
Tamil Aatha referring to mother;'di'is a suffix that is always added when referring to female while 'da' is used for males.
Oh my Lady!!.
9
Aattaya poadrathu(
)
...To steal. Usage Avan Aattaya potutan meaning Madurai Tamil Madurai local slang. He Stole. Similar to Abase panradhu (
)
Abase panradhu
To steal.
English abase and Tamil panradhu (to do). Also used as English loot and Tamiludradhu (), sudradhu (
) and amukardhu ().
Adho paaru kaaka
annty
Akkisht ()
A very intelligent way to trick This was the method adopted by the great GB for getting people and make a paani pooris. fool of them.
Older woman who is really hot.
rogue, Accused, criminal
English Accused
10
A-haan ()
yes
English A-Haa. (When one has just discovered or remembered something)
Meaning a weaker person who lives in the shadow of a stronger person or one who has no got no guts to saywrong about a stronger one. AlLakai actually Allakai' ( ) Use Less Fellow Tamil valathu kai came from the word Alra kai meaning the person will even clean any shit of a stronger person. Typically meaning aweaselly acquaintance
Allu illa'
Alva kudukradhu'
Shit Scared!
No idea.
Act of English Leaving someone who believed in you helpless, in deceiving,chicaner the hour of need. y or cheating 11
done very smartly.Dialogue made famous by Tamil actor Sathyaraaj.
Allo ()
Hey, there...
English hello. Used to draw attention. Pure Tamil does not have the sound'Ha'
Annthanda po' ( )
Go There (go that side)
Tamil Athan andai po. (
Annaathe(
)
) Apeetu (
)
Elder brother. Often referred to a respectable person. Also used when one wants Tamil Annan () to surrender unconditionally.an nathe utturu meaning, Oh Lord please give me life.
To exit quickly/Vanish
Language English [abate-die away], rhyme/antonym of repeatu, as in 'mudhala apeetu apparam repeatu'(First
12
from the spot.
apeetu, then repeat)
Appalae' ( )
Afterwards, later
Tamil appuram ()
Asalta ( )
To do something very easily.
Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Hindi/Urdu 'Aasaan' easy or from English(assault).
Ashtan
To hit someone, or to steal From Tamil 'Adi'. Example: Parsa ashatu ottan! , or as something, or in Sarakku ashtu parthunindhaba consume something
Attu
Synonym of Dochhu, Waste
Ayye
Saying So? in a derogatory way.
Aani Pudunga Vendaam- Do not try to play around.
As is Attu Figaru, Attu Padam Tamilasattai.
From English 'Hey! , as in Ayye, eppo innandre? Tamil Iyo, Iyako
13
Baamaayilu
Palm oil.
English Palm + English oil .
Bondy
Unrecoverable failure
Etymology uncertain.
Bucketu
refers to the female who engages in refers to the bucket used by vendors to sell the ground nuts 'kadalai'(flirting/r in beaches to couples. andom talk with opposite sex)
Bagilu
Hip and region around it.
Hindi bagal (underarm).
Bajaari
A loud, unruly woman, like a fish-seller.
Urdu bazaar (market).
Bandha/Peteru
Stylish
Possibly from the style statements of James Bond. (Bond = Bandha)/ TAlking too much english
Derogatory term
English From bottle. A reference to a
Batli
14
for a woman.
woman's hourglass shape. Used as Batli maadiri oru figure
Bejaar
Nuisance or Boring English language From Badger (Often irrirated)
Belaak
Experience the akula
English language From Bela Belaak (Often used as akula)
Bigilu
Whistle.
English Language From Bugle - taken most probably from the music of the army.
Baeku
Imbecile.
Urdu bevkoof (stupid).
Baemani .(Beimaan in Urdu means a person who has no ethics/ Urdu bae + scruples/ integrity imani (without + and Beimaani means shame). the trait of dishonesty)
Bigjang
Someone who wearsWesternized Probably from the Hollywood westernDjango popular in the clothes and/or 1970s in Madras. accessories, even sunglasses. 15
Derogatory.
Bikki ()
Illustrates the whimsical way girls dump Chennai guys. Guys never do that!
From Britannia Milk Bikis biscuit (hand the guy a Milk Bikis that you'd normally give a kid)
Biscothu
bigwig, usually sarcastically meant.
as in 'mama biscothu'(Tamil movie : Oora Therinjukitten (1998))! Just as they say biskut for biscuit in Hindi. See also: paruppu
Bhel , Piila
Telling Lies.
Unknown
Blaydu
Boring, worthless or useless
English blade.Example usage: Dey, blaydu padam da meaning The film was a drag or A boring film
Buddi
Someone who wears thick glasses. Derogatory.
From soda buddi (soft drink bottle). Analogous to Coke bottom glasses.
Balubu
Jovial insult.
English Bulb. Example usage: Balubu vangniya meaning Got
16
an insult?
Chinna Veedu
Brothel
Tamil for small house. Usually the concubines/prostitutes used to stay in a small house which would have just enough room for their business activities.
Chanse illai
Nothing exists more than this.
---
Comedy piece/Dummy piece
Derived from Tamil Cinema comedies,referring to a weakling acting too smart and gets fooled.
Cycle Gapla
Derived from the Tamil for trying to get things done without anyone noticing English word Cycle it and Gap
Daar
Torn
English 'Tear'. Example usage: Mavane, Daaraiyiduve
17
---
Dakaalte also pronounced To cheat as Takaalti or Dakaite e
English 'Dacoit' (which is itself derived from the Hindi dakaiti). Example usage: Intha dakaalte velai yellam or Avan oru bayangaram-aana dakaitee party Made popular by Tamil comedian, Goundamani.
Darr
Afraid, tensed
Hindi 'Fear'. Example usage: Darr aayittan
Dabba
Junk.
Dabbu
Money.
Telugu dabbu (money). See Also: Dabbu
Dabu
Occasion.
Hindi/Urdu dafe (times). Do dafe doonga - Meaning I'll give two times. in Madras Slang its "Rendu Daba kuduppen"
Dada
Hindi dada (literally paternal grandfather , used as a term of Kingpin, ganglord, respect among underworld crime families). **More apt don. would be Bengali dada (meaning big brother who lays the rules or dictates terms.
Dhanks
Refers to Thanks.
Hindi dabba (box). Used in colloquial speech such as Dabba padam ( junk movie).
Romba Dhanks Ba
18
similar to ravunudu and Damathoondu. Popularized by Rajni Kanth in the movie Annamalai, when he sees Kushbhu naked in the washroom. Dhamathoondu thuni kooda illa baa meaning Not even a small bit of cloth in her body.
Dhavlundu
Refers to less.
Domaru
Used with prefix 'Poda' to say Poda Word of insult, usually said in a humorous way. Domar .
Dum
Stamina, strength, Urdu dum breath. Also used for referring to smoking.
Dumeel
Untrue, false.
Dummy piece
An insignificant fool pretending to be a genuine something(rowdy, rhug,rich person)
Dhanda Soru
Similar to Allakai
Unknown. Could refer to the sound made by an explosion that leaves nothing behind, as does a false statement. See also: Reel
useless Fellow
19
Dharma adi
Merciless beating, Tamil dharma adi meaning just (as in justice) or destined usually by a beating. dharmam = charity/to donate. Dharma adi means group. free beating.
Dhoda
Synonym of 'Ayye',saying 'So?' in a belittling manner
Dhool
Likely from Hindi dhool (dust), referring to the dust cloud A superlative, as after a good ass-kicking. 'Dhool' is also used as 'Dhool in well kalappitai' where kalappitai refers to the action of starting done! or kick ass! . or kicking up (dust).
Dil
Ditchu
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.
Chutzpah, guts, as in Do you have the guts to step Urdu dil (heart), metaphorically indicatescourage. outside and fight like a man?! .
Drainage derived from English Ditch and spoken asKawa
20
Dokku
Unattractive Woman
as in Dokku Figaru. Antonym of Figaru
Dubaakour
Consummate liar
(Popularized by comedians Chinni Jayanth and Veeniraadai Moorthy)
Dumil udradhu
Acting Too Smart
Dhuddu
Money.
Kannada duddu (money).
DingDong
Egg mixed with gravy.
Famous and delicious food item name in Triplicane. Sourced from South part of Tamil Nadu.
Dommai
Glutton. Carefree.
Origin uncertain (Gourmet?). Used mostly by college students.
Doen
Used to refer to the word DOWN. Eg. DSN Doen
Origin some BPO guy, who misspelled the word. Used mostly by tech support.
Eguru
Run fast, Run Telugu Eguru, as in Macha, mama varaan, away, Scold, Jump eguru or Sarkkadichi voottukku pona, engappa emmele (Depends on the egiritaruda orEgiri bus-le erittanda aven. egiRuthal in 21
Es agurudhu
context)
normal Tamil means to jump, bounce.
To escape
English From first syllable of the English word 'escape'
sadness. Also means love Feelingu/Pheeling/Fe (usually used in a elings 'mushy-mushy' sense)
English Feelings, as in Emotions.
Figaru
English figure, as in Oru semma figaru varathu meaning An Attractive woman. attractive woman is approaching. Note: Used in neuter gender.
Free-a-Vidu
Literally let it free. Figuratively, let bygones be English free. bygones. Pronounced as Pree-a-vudu.
Fublic
Public! Famous in puthupettai and the surroundings
English Public .
22
Gabbu
Stink, foul odour. Often used figuratively to describe situations, personalities etc.
Telugu gabbu (stink, foul odor).
Gaajju
Sleazy, dirty.
For example a Gaajju joke.
Gaali
Finished, as in He's finished! .
Urdu khali meaning empty or finished . Originally from Arabic.
Gaana paattu
A subgenre of Tamil film music.
Hindi gaana (song) + Tamil paattu (song). Used for songs with fast rhythmic beats.
Gaandu
to irritate a person
Usage gaanda kelappathe. Gaand refers to butttocks in Hindi. See Also: Kaduppu
Galatta
1. Fracas, Etymology not known for certain. Possibly brouhaha 2. Chaos from Turkey (Galata was asuburb of Istanbul known for 3. Celebration. its nightlife) or from English gala.
Galiju
Dirty, Can be used Kannada, meaning dirty. in any context. 23
Widely used to refer to bit(matter)
Gandhi kannakku
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
Disinformation, lies.
Connotes deliberate disinformation, as opposed to genuine misinformation. Usually refers to fundamental falsehoods, as opposed to lame excuses. Comparereel , peela. Most probably related to gabbu (stink), somparable to stinking lies.
Gelichan
He won.
Telugu gelupu (victory).
Gethu
Super, Better than Origin unknown normal.
24
adang goyyangoo
(Figuratively eq of) My goodness! , Holy cow! , etc
Gilfans
(This word is of recent origin) Gilfans,Silfans etc have their A person with a etymological roots in comedian Chinni Jayanth's repository shady background of words.
Tamil Unga akka (your sister's) + makka(magan - son)
Gujal
Fun
Ore gujala irundichi machi
Gilma
Strange stuff
One more from Chinni Jayanth
Gilli
Talented Person.
Also called Ghilli, from a street game played with wooden sticks. Highly became famous after Vijay's blockbuster movie Ghilli
Godavula Gudhi
Jump into the fray
Root - Goda from the Hindi word for a wrestling pit, Gudhi from Tamil meaning Jump
Goiya,Goyyala
A form of address similar toMachi . But it can be interpreted as
Possibly from Tamil for 'guava'.
25
dumb or useless person also.
Golti
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
Crowd
Used in the context of 'Gumbaloda Govinda' 'Gumbala porom'
GumbalOda gOvinda
Usually refers to situations like peer-pressure, or societal norms, where individual Tamil gumbal (crowd), Sanskrit gOvinda(name of Vishnu). beliefs/actions are Derived from the large crowds of pilgrims at Tirupati. Play overridden by on words gOvinda and the English go or gone. mass reaction. Also refers to insignificant individual contributions overlooked in a
26
group.
Gumbalukku Porandavane
Someone born to a crowd. Probably to a victim of gang rape.
Gujjaals
Petting, making out.
Gujili
Young girl, usually invented when there was a heavy influx of Gujaratis into attractive and Madras: Gujju + Kili = Gujili easily available
Gum Paapa
Young girl, usually invented when Indians went to the west and saw large attractive (large breasted white skin females: Gum + Paapa = Gum Paapa breasted) and also referred to as Gumthaax easily available
Goinda
Unexpected failure.
Inglipeesu
The language 'English', usually
Tamil konjal (petting, excess affection) .This behavior is often shown by Srihari Shankar and Varun Vaitheeswaran
Also called Ingleesu or Engleesu.
27
in ridicule.
Ippidikaa
This way.
Origin Tamil from the word Ippadi
Iskool
Probably in use due to ease for typical Tamil tongue to literal meaning of pronounce iskool . Similar words are Institute is pronounced School asinstoot , Excuse is pronounced as esoosor echoos
Isthukunu po
literal meaning taking away
Telling someone to take it away or carrying it away (See also 'Vali')
Itta/ Ittinnuva/ Isthu nuva
Fetch (someone)
Tamil izhuthu-kondu-vaa (Pull him over here). Also pronounced as Ista
Something similar to bandha- show Jaburu or Jabaradast from zabardast - Urdu meaning grand, extra ordinary, off , acting pricey, u forceful like in innaadaa jabardastu paNRE?
Jagaa vaangaradhu
To escape from the scene.
Hindi jagah (space, room) and Tamilvaangaradhu (to buy, to get). Literally means to get room [to escape].
28
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 meantto 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
Hindispeaker, North Indianperson. Derogatory.
Hindi jhatkaa (cart, also sudden shock). Play of words Jat and Jhatkaa.
Joadreppai
Cobbler.
Possibly from Hindi joota (shoe) andEnglish repair or from Tamil jodi (pair[of slippers]) and English repair .
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.
29
Joot
To Abbreviation of Just out of time; often used in kid's games of escape/hide/run/ Catch, or Hide and Seek - Waitees for pause, and Jooties for give the slip. resume.
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)
Jujube/jujupee
Small, unimportant, easy or minuscule. Origin possible from a type of candy that could have been
available during the British era. Jujube now freely available in many countries for very small change. Kaava Vidradhu
Misfielding an easy chance in cricket
Kabodhi
Blind. used in a derogative sense
Kaboor
Anyone of north Indian origin, whose native language is Hindi.
Derived from Kapoor, a common north Indian surname.
Kanpiece
Refers to the English wordconfuse.
Example : Don't Kanpiece me.., Machi romba kanpiece panadha da..
KD
1. Petty crook. 2. An unusually intelligent
English. Old Chennai police abbreviation for either known delinquent , known depredator or known defaulter or Known Denotified person.
30
criminal.3;Cunning person
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 kalaisiduvanunge!
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!!
Kakkoos
Lavatory.
origin from the Dutch kakhuis (shit house)
Kacheri
Possibly from Sanskrit kash malam is Sanskrit word with meaning ' ' or kash mailam (black dirt).
Kasmaalam
Synonymous with idiot (the idiot Comparing someone with hair is considered rude in Tamil culture. Maalamis also a slang word for shit. Some say ' being a litote). kasmalam' (one word) in Sanskrit means a dirty thing worthy of discarding. 31
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 fromKazhudai (donkey) in chaste Tamil
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 fromKizhavi 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!!!)
In British times people were given different coloured caps based on their status in work. The guy who changes the cap (mathurdu in Tamil) is a traitor/thief hence the word kepmaari (cap-maari).
Ko Ma Po
An abbreviation for the word Kora Maasathula Piranthavan meaning a person of premature birth. Used against a person as a
Tamil Kora Maasathula Piranthavan(Person of premature birth). Piranthavan is pronounced Poranthavan in local slang. So the abbreviation came to be Ko Ma Po instead of Ko Ma Pi.
32
slight swear word saying that his brain and other associated parts have not grown to their actual capacity because of his premature birth. Tamil kozha adi sandai (water pump fight). Connotes fighting over who gets how much water and in what order.
Kozha adi sandai
Major catfight.
Kiichae
Sarcasm about accomplishment Tamil kizhithai (You've torn it). i.e. fat lot you have accomplished
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
33
(or) 'Krishayil' a colloquial probably due to saying KeRoSeNe oil quickly.due to its blue colour..krishna oil ,lord krishna's blue colour..
Kishnayil
Kerosene oil.
Kondhivudu
To mix up the things in improper Common usage in games like carroms, to spread the coins, fashion or not use coinsa kondhivudu aligned.
Koral kudukaradhu
Unnecessarily showing off by using loud voice(koral).kudu karadhu literally meansto give
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 to Kannada kuLithukoLLi ( please sit down), ,Telugu koochandi
Kuthu
RevelryTamil
Tamil kuthu paattu (literally a song with punch!), as in dappaankuthu.
Kutti
Synonymous with figaru.
Possibly from Malayalam kutti (young girl).
Kotikiniye
Synonymous with thunutiye.
Kotikiniye (had food).
Laard Labakdass
A person who
English lord 34
thinks very highly of himself (without any solid basis for that assumption). 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 English look and Tamil vudaradhu (to let off, to flash). out, especially if Implies a much shorter duration and less intensity than jollu it's an attractive vittufication or sight adichification. person.
Loosu
Crazy.
English loose as in screw-loose or nut-job. Also see arailoosu.
Loosule Vudu
Let it go.
English lose as in Lose it or leave it be/ignore it.
Lowe
Puppy Love.
English pronounced like love but with a w replacing the v . It plays on the accent used in Tamil movies where a protagonist expresses their affection for someone, usually in a Romeo and Juliet-style situation. It is used to show contempt for someone who has superficial romantic feelings for another but over-dramatises it.
Lumpaa
Lump sum.
English Lump sum. Popularized by comedians Goundamani and Senthil.
Maal / Maalu
Any kind of commission paid to middle men, 35
also used to mean bribes/money. Usually followed vettu (maalu vettu - give commission/bribe ). Urdu maalsaamaanmaterial. Maamool
Bribe paid to police man
Machi
Synonymous Tamil machinan, colloquial machan (wife's brother). Implies with dude, used in familiarity, cannot be used with strangers. See also maams. a positive sense.
Majaa
Fun
Mama or Mamey
refers to either a policeman or pimp Tamil mama = uncle. Not to be confused with maams. depending on the context.
Mama Veedu
Brothel, bar
Mami
refers to either a brahmin girl/woman, or a middle-aged Tamil for aunt. woman in general, depending on the context.
(Urdu-Hindi)Maamool = money.
(Hindi-Urdu) Mazaa = 'fun'.
Tamil for uncle's house. Usually the uncle's house was the main centre for a group of people to have a good time.
36
Mamiyaar veedu
refers to jail, police lock-up
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- Refers to the Queen of spades. (literal Tamil origin Mangal + Veliye' (In-Out) Aatha = dark complexioned woman) refers to the sleight of hand that the card dealer uses to move the cards around
Maanja
refers to an additive added to make the kites string (also called Noolu) stronger, the additive is The glass powdered based chemical used in kite strings used apparently a in deal fights in kite flying usage mamey deala innika banava concotion of tar, ashcitunga. glass pieces, dogs shit and battery covers. This additive when applied on the string makes the
Tamil maamiyaar = mother-in-law; veedu = house;.
37
string strong for kite (called Banas) fights commonly referred to as Deal.
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.
Mattai
To become flat due to excessive intake of alcoholic Example: paiyan over a sarakku adichitu mattai aayitanba!!. tuff. Also used for Cricket bat.
Massa massa
Refers to a sooper figure whose body English Full of mass mass index is a little high and
Tamil origin Maram + Mandai = Tree head.
38
moves lazily.
Mayiru / Mayiraandi
Literally refers to hair, but used to Mayir - Ancient Tamil for 'hair', Poda Mayiru or Poda abuse a person 'as Mayiraandi (Poda-Off Mayiraandi (Poda-Off you go, Mayir-hair, Aandi-loser) worthless as a hair-strand'.
Meteru
Bribe (used as a question mostly/surprise)
Meyaaluma
Really? (used as an exclamation of Tamil Mey = Truth. disbelief/surprise)
Mokkai group
Superlative usage of blaydu of blaydu
Mokkai
A person who cracks really bad jokes or a bad joke.
Tamil --
This is a derivative of the wordMokkaiyappar wordMokkaiyappar who who was a king, famous for his blaydu jokes. (Poor Jokes - PJ) This is a derivative of the wordMokkaiyappar wordMokkaiyappar who who was a king, famous for his blaydu jokes. (Poor Jokes - PJ) Sometimes MUCHA is referred asUCCHA asUCCHA Probably from CHITTOOR SLANG.
Mucha
Referring to urine
Muniyammaa
Refers to a woman belonging to the lower economic Antonym of Mary of Mary . Possibly (Sanskrit)Muni + Amma = ascetic strata - usually a lady. slum dweller in urban Chennai.
Mudchavikee
Literally means a For meaning refer to molla maari person who unties 39
knots. Military hotel
Restaurant that serves nonvegetarian food.
The armed forces are thought to have fewer vegetarians than the general population.
Naina
A secondary version of dude 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 From the Tamil word Neettum meaning long. Probably 'Appadiya neeataa because of the association of length with straigthness weld pannu.' especially in machine shops.
Ngoiyaaley'
Useless fellow . Probably invented and popularised by Comedy Hero Vadivelu (Viagai Puyal)
Nijaar
Knickers or shorts. shorts. As in 'Nijaar From the English word Knickers. Knickers. kaituradhu.' meaning 'fucked'
OB adikaradhu
To waste time.
OB is pronounced as the individual letters let ters O and B. Etymology not known for certain. Possibly from Off Beat , oldBritish military term meaning off duty . Also possibly from Out of Business or from O'l Bhajanai (local Bhajanai (local slang for doing nothing). nothing).
40
OC
Free, at no cost. (Could also mean Old Cask Rum at wine shops)
From OCS , Indian Railways abbreviation meaning On Company Service. Service. Parcels marked OCS travel free.Some say this is an abbreviation for Others' Cost!!
Odacha Kadala
known as "pottu kadalai" in other parts of Tamil Nadu
used in cooking, odachakadala chutney is famous side dish for tiffen items
OLE
the art of lying.Making your lie an obvious one manasakshiye illaama ole udaraan dameaning dameaning he's lying so that others can ruthlessly figure it out very easily.
OLEMARI
A person who lies often.
OLE Okkadha
Don't bluff
Oor Nattan. Nattan.
Referring to a person from rural regions Ooru or Oo r refers refers to villages and Nattanbeing Nattanbeing any person.
Okkanchikka
To sit
Derived from the Tamil word 'Utkarunga'. Rule of madras bashai is that you should not give respect. Example, dei ramesu, appdiye okkachikkada, intha vantten!!
Oru Flow thaan
Making fun of someone/thing
Kalaiee (the one being made fun of): yen machi ippadi kalai'kire?
41
without missing a beat.
Kalaier (the one making fun of the kalaiee): Seri vidu, ellam
Outte
Same as Gaali .
English out , used in the context of cricketor other sports.
Paal mararadhu
To switch camps, to betray a confidence.
Tamil, paal (milk) and mararadhu (to change). Implies a cow unexpectedly changing to a bull as one is milking it, with unwanted consequences.
"Paal Pappali"
Milky white breasts
Tamil Made popular by Vishal in the Tamil film song 'Paal Pappalli'
Panni Gumbal
Vulgar term for person who is born by intercourse with animals.
Root Word: Gumbal...Example:'Poda #REDIRECT Panni Gumbal'.
Parandhu parandhu adikkaradhu
oru flow thaan.
Refers to stunt wired moves made by heroes in local movies To fight by in street-fight scenes which feature impossible kicks and jumping and flying moves defying physics. (Lately the term 'Matrix stunt in the air kudukkardhu' (offerMatrix-style stunts) has come to mean something similar)
Peela
Petty lie/ boast.
Example: Enna peela vudre?
Pee
Aai/ Shit.
Example: Pee porikki means shit gatherer, Pee Thinnu means eat shit.
Pikkaali
Completely dumb / Idiotic
Example: Pikkaali Payale means a dumb person or someone completely useless.
Peter , Mary
Persons of Tamil origin who speak English in preference to
Also Peter party . Also used to label those who consider Tamil infra dig, or those who speak it with a fake Western accent. 42
the Tamil language, especially if his intention is to impress others. Philim
Pirikrom
Show off
From English Film. Similar to Hindi Phillum!!
Motivational word that helps people gain confidence Tamil Pirikkardhu. To open something. Also can be used over whatever as Pirikkanum, meaning we have to come out with flying they are doing. colors. Similar to kalaka porom
Podrathu
Fucking
Porambokku
Unoccupied, usually unusable or fallow land. Mispronunciation of 'Pembroke', as inLord Pembroke, who Derogatively and stated that land belonging to no one would belong to the dismissively, a government. person without identity, a nobody.
Porul
Thing of importance. Origin: Tamil. Porul, which in a pure sense, refers to the Sometimes alluded content or inner meaning of a phrase or word. to a minor weapon (eg:pen knife)
Pottalam
Ganja
[Usage] Machi podra avala
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 43
of a Peter language). Hindi pOtli is equivalent of Tamil pottalam. Pottu Thaaku
same as "Kalakaradhu"
Pista
Local tycoon.
Puttukinaan
He died.
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 English to rouse. others. To arouse attention.
Rowdy
Ruffian.
Rowdy-sheet
The rap sheet of a rowdy known to the police.
Sarakku
Refers to Liquor,
Synonymous to Minor / Zamin(Zamindar) and Durai (Whiteman)
Indian term transliterated to English.
Sarakku: 'goods' in English. 44
in a lesser sense, other illicit goods like drugs, and smuggled items.
Saaman
Refers to either a weapon, most commonly a knife, OR genitals of a man. Could also mean general Hindi Saamaan: thing. luggage, e.g.,Saaman erakki anga vei meaning, unloa d the luggage and stow it there
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'
Sappaaththu
Shoe.
Malaysian/SL Tamil
Saavugraaki
Verbal abuse against bad drivers.
Possibly from Tamil saavu (death) and graaki (spurious buyer or peddler) givingcustomer of Death.
Sallu, Salunnu
Fast, smooth, quick.
Possibly from the blurring sound of something moving fast. Equivalent of English whirr/buzz. 45
Very Easy Thing, Not interesting Sappa Matter or Salpi thing. Sappai/ Chappai in chaste Tamil is flat.
Example Sappa Matter mama
Semma
Very (adj.)
Tamil Semmai or Chemmai
Sevulu
Cheek(adj.)
Tamil Sevilu or Sevulu
Shaat Adikkardhu
Fucking.
From the English word "shot", pronounced "shaat'.
Shuvar
Sure, confirmed.
From the English word "Sure", pronounced with a vernacular flavour.
Sightu Adikkaruthu
Admiring women from a distance, usually without the woman's knowledge.
Sight English Adikarrathu Tamil
Somari
Lazy fellow; word originates from Kannada
Tamil Usage: Po da somaari (Go away, you lazy fellow)
Sound udaradhu
Synonymous with Koral udaradhu = literally make too much 'Sound'/voice (Kural)
Tamil udaradhu (release).
Sothai
Rotten.
Usage: Adhu sothai figuru maamu! Literally: decayed/damaged.
Super Star
Originally refers Known for his distinctive style and screen presence. Similar to TamilActor Rajn emulatory names likeShining Star , Little Super Star have 46
ikanth
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 an dformic 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.
Soor Negative
A phrase much used by students after coming out of the exam hall to illustrate poor performance.
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.
Susu
Urine
Unknown. Probably onamatopoeic from the sound of a person urinating. Derived from Hindi (ShuShu- Urinate) 47
Takkaru Tension Aawadhey or No Tensan
Super
Telugu 'Takkari' - As in Takkaru Figure ba. Takkar in Urdu means Collision, confrontation.
Relax
Literally Don't get tensed .
Terror
Sarcastic way of telling a person that he's no threat.
tesan
English, 'station', which due to Tamil As in rayilve tesan (railway station), polis tesan (police pronunciation has station- also refer 'mamiyar veedu' above) morphed into tesan.
Thamaashu
Funny, comical event
Thala
Literally 'head' in Tamil. Used colloquially to From the movie 'Dheena', starring actor Ajith whose address gang character is called as 'Thala' by his friends. This word is now leaders. Now used used by many others in Tamil Nadu. in the same sense as 'dude'.
Tharudhala
Refers to Useless.
Fit for Nothing Sariyana Tharudhala da
Topa
means wig. Often used in a derogatory sense to refer to the
This is derived from the French wordtoupee
Urdu 'Thamaashaa'. ironically this means - is it comical ??
48
unnatural hair of an elderly person.
Tube light
Person absent minded or not that shrewd. Refers to one who is not picking up things easily, or someone, who English Tube light . takes a bit of time to understand (like a tube light that flickers for a few seconds before lighting up).
Udhaaru
To lie. Exaggerate. Also see: reel, gapsaa
Ushaaru
To be extra cautious. Hoshiyaar from Urdu/Ushaaru from Kannada
Ushaaru Panradhu
Derogatory way of implying to Usage: "Ava oru attu figure, ushaar panrathuku unfit." impress and pick up a girl.
Unnu
Guy from Village. Short of Oor Nattan. 49
Devious, sneaky, fraud
Tamil Ulkutthu . Literally inside punchesUnderhanded activity, as in He resorted to Ulkutthu to improve customer experience.
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 Tamil 'Akkaa' older than the speaker, not necessarily his/her sister
Ulkutthu
XXL (Double X L)
Eating at the expense of father, Tamil 'Increasing the size of tummy without doing any work doing no job or leads to increased shirt-size.' work. Similar to Dhanda soru 50
Chauce
Means sause
Tamil 'Madras Tamil for sauce. Tomato, Chilli.. whatever..'
Sokka
Commonly used with other words to say good. eg, like looks good Sokka keethu
Tamil 'NanragaTakkara' Other usage.
Yechakale
A person with no shame
From the Tamil word for echchil kalai or echchil ilai, a banana leaf containing leftovers!
Eglapichu/Ducklipickl Synonymous to y Dokapuli
ok pannittan"
To say that person was able to induce Also known as "Madichittan". love from his girlfriend.
Thanni Kaataradhu
To cheat someone or escape from a Example : Police kitta thanni Kaateetu escape aaitan ba person right under their nose
Zee Tv
dappaan kuthu
N. 1.Person of North Indian Example : Ponnu kaboor family daa! Ore Zee TV daa! origin 2.Any North Indian Language Dappan kuthu is the dance used to give a happy send off to the person who died. This is very famous as
51
well as special in chennai with the unique music. Sandhu la sindhu paadardhu
same as cycle gap la auto ottardhu.
Examples of Madras Bashai in cricket Like in the rest of India, the game of cricket is akin to religion in Madras too, and has its own vocabulary, many adapted from English in extremely unique, sometimes funny ways: Sodukku bowler Used to refer the bowler who bowls caroom ball Word/phrase
Ayil Bongu or ayuvuni bongu
Meaning in context
Origin, usage
Person who cheats in spite of a clean out. Often referred to a person who umpires the match. Being from the batting team, the umpire usually denies a clear run out or no balls the bowler after a catch is taken. Technically, the 52
person cheats by crying.
Baby Over
Bolden
Echoosme ball please
Common Fielding
G2 or 2G
Half an over. A bowler bowls only 3 balls in an over instead of normal 6.
This is normally used when an unskilled bowler (novice or a new comer)bowls and he is too erratic in bowling; so the captain signals a babyover after 3 balls and sends the person back.
Bowled, as in when a batsman is out Bowled.
English language Bowled - A colloquialization of Bowled Him! , which is a common way of expressing delight, on the part of the bowler himself, fielders, or commentators, at getting a batsman out.
Asking for the ball which Tamil - Fielder having not willingness to fetch has gone out of reach while the ball that has gone out of reach in a ground playing in the ground. normally says this.
The same set of fielders field for both the teams.
A common scenario when there are fewer player in both the sides, so the same players get to field for both the sides, irrespective of whichever team is batting
Kind of like Bye's in cricket; This happens 2 runs are granted without typically when the ground is small and the ball the batsman/ runner runs to a place in the ground that take a long 53
running it.
time to recover; so 2 runs are granted free, as the batsman/ runner might run more if they actually wait for the ball to be returned.
Gaajee
Take a turn at batting.
English language from Gauge. Meaning corrupted to mean 'turn' or 'chance'.
Gappae or Kava
Failing to hold on to, or dropping, aneasy catch.
Tamil - The word could be used to describe an incident of a person dropping a sitter of a catch, or, if he deserves such a reputation, could refer to the person himself.
Idea Bowling
Sarcastic reference to bad bowler.
Tamil - Teasing a bowler as if he had bowled a great delivery.
Joker
Person who bats or bowls and fields for both the teams.
This happens when there is one player extra and cannot be taken into either team. Usually he is a person who cannot play the game properly.
LaaBaal
Uttered before the last ball of an over is to be bowled.
English Last Ball - A direct shortening and colloquializing of an English term. Maybe be said out loud by the bowler (if he wants to get his over done with quickly) or the umpire (drawing attention to the impending end of an
54
over)
Uttered when two balls remain in an over.
English Last Two - A direct shortening and colloquializing of an English term. Not to be confused with 'Ladd-hoo' (below).
Ladd-hoo
A ball that sits up waiting to be hit by the batsman.
Tamil Laddu - The Laddu is a round, soft sweet dish popular in Tamil Nadu. To characterize a bowler's delivery as a 'Ladd-hoo' is to imply that it is going to be enjoyed in a similar manner, leading to a free hit.
Last man- Gajee
A type of game wherein even after the one player in the final batting pair is out, the last player gets to bat until he is made out
This is again a variation in the game, so that everyone gets fair chance to play & even when a weak player is paired up with a last strong batsman, he still gets to complete his entire game (until made out) & not unnecessarily penalised
Local Sixer
A lofted shot by the batsman that looks to be This happens when the ball travels higher heading for a sixer but rather than farther. lands well inside the boundary for an easy catch.
Laa-Too
55
This could also be used when a non-regular batsman swings the bat with all fury and no focus and the ball by chance hits the meat of the bat and goes for a six or a boundary
Maatikichu
A heavy dose of fluke whereby a fielder take a blinder of a catch.
Lotta
a Left Hander. Often used to describe a batsman or a bowler who is lefthanded. lotta kaiyala adchi win panlam Also means that we can play with our left hand win over the opponent. Often meant to describe the weakest opponent.
Not a bowled
Tamil - Possible origin from Bowled Out.. Batsman claiming that he is opposite is Not Bowled out.. easier way to say not bowled out. being Not a Bowled..
OB Bandhu
Typically a half-volley which allows a batsman to go for a huge shot.
Tamil - Easy delivery. Possible origin from other madras Tamil word - OB.. meaning easy going..
a variation in the game wherein even, if the ball
English - Typically, to quicken the pace of the game so that everyone in the team gets to
One pitch catch
56
pitches once and the fielder play. a batsman is made out even if the fielder catches it. It still is catches a ball after one pitch considered a legal dismissal of the batsman.
One pitch catch one hand
a variation of one pitch catch where the ball needs English - Typically, to quicken the pace of the to be caught with one hand game so that everyone in the team gets to after the first pitch in order play. to be able to legally dismiss the batsman.
One side fielding
An scenario wherin only one side of the field is available for play (ie either the leg side or the offside).
This typically happens when ground is small and one of field is unusable/impossible to play, such as a brick wall on the side, road obstacle etc.
Pazhama Podu
A ball tossed up waiting to be hit
Tamil - the phrase literally means to put a fruit, like a fruit ready to be plucked.
Potta bongu
Same as ayil bongu. But here the cheater behaves like a bitch by not being brave enough to face the opponents like a man and always seeks to win by cheating. Potta literally 57
means bitch.
Poo
Literally meaning being flower,in cricket it is used to describe the ball being bowled by a bowler, which is so easy to hit.
Putting bat
When after the toss, the winning team asks the other team to bat first (which btw proves that the toss winner is a professional team)
English Putting and Bat - shortened from Putting-the other team-to Bat . This is widely used in Somasundaram ground, T.Nagar
Tan
Used to refer to the turn (or spin) that a spin bowler generates.
Tamil - Corruption of the English word Turn
Tip
Stands for edge.
Used alternatively to say the ball took the edge of the bat,and hence not as productive as meant.Also used to refer to the bottom edge of the bat.
Trials
Stands for the ball usually bowled before the innings 58
"officially" begins. A batsman usually opts for this in order to gauge the bowler's method of bowling the ball..
Tree catch/Wall catch
Taking a catch after a ball hits a tree or a wall while playing street cricket.
When a batsman cannot Utteetail or Additail continue batting due to an injury and has to retire.
Yes Ball
Denotes that the ball bowled is not an incorrect one - basically not a wide or a no-ball.
Tamil - To describe a catch taken after the ball hit a tree or a wall.
English Hurt, Retired - Extreme corruption of this word is a matter of amusement and curiosity.
English Initially there used to be fights between teams regarding no-balls and the height of the ball when it passes the batsman especially when a batsman is out hitting the ball. So when the umpire, who is mostly part of the batting team in local club matches pronounces it as a No ball the bowling team, to show its opposition to the decision shouts Yes ball in chorus. This became a vogue and nowadays all correct deliveries are referred to as Yes ball . You can see the term frequently used in pre-game captains meets as No-ball adicha Yes Ball pa.Out undu innaa.
59
Dokku
Doubles
Tamil . Possibly from dok , the muffled sound While batting, it denotes a made when the wooden bat hits the playing defensive stroke with a low surface when a defensive shot is played. It can or zero scoring potential. also mean a dead end in Chennai slang.
player batting for a second time in the same innings even after getting out.
This typically happens, when there are an extra person in one team vs the other team, so the opposing team gets to field a player bat a second time to compensate for the missing player in their team.
Used when the wicket keeper or bowler has the ball. The batsman uses this The batsman uses this usually when he has to phrase meaning that he Wait for the crease discuss team strategies with the batsman at retains the crease and the other end. denies the wicket keeper or the bowler of running him out.
Yellbee or L.B.
over gaaje
L.B.W., or Leg Before Wicket, a way of getting a batsman out in cricket.
English L.B.W. - An abbreviation of the acronym, spoken with the intonations (Yell for the letter L) that characterize Tamil.
Playing last ball in the previous over and taking 1 60
