Tundla Junction

Our resident etymologist, Tarakanath Di Stefano, introduces his weekly column on new words, phrases and terms not found in dictionary yet.

The first day of the year is a good time to reflect on what we learnt in the year gone by. Why, you ask? I have no idea but that’s what they all say. So, toeing the line on this great tradition of reflection, let’s take a look at the best new additions to the lexicon in the year gone by.

Rajus

n The collective noun for family values (alt.: sometimes used to refer to best practices in corporate governance)

Nach Baliye 4, Dancing Queen and Roadies 5 are my favorite TV programs these days. They’re fun, they’re real and what’s more, they’re a timely reminder of our Rajus.

Size Zero

n A mathematical anomaly when zero isn’t zero

As President of Pakistan, let me reiterate, we have Size Zero non-state actors in my part of the country.

Bhaiyya

n A colloquial term used by Jaya Bachchan for Amar Singh and other North Indians in Mumbai; a red rag for Raj Thackeray

Mukesh, in a counter defamation suit worth $10 Billion, has accused Anil of calling him a Bhaiyya. Dhirubhai must be turning in his grave.

Face it like ShivrajPatil

phrase To maintain one’s coiffure in the face of extreme adversity. (origin: old Hindustani adage “koi mera baal bhi baanka nahin kar sakta”)

Don’t buckle down. Don’t be afraid. Subhash Ghai will make more films. But you have to face them like ShivrajPatil like you did with Yuuvraj.