| ABCD |
Indians |
Means American Born Confused Desi (pronounced day-see). Used by Indians to describe American-born Indians who are confused about their culture. (Desi is slang for an ‘countryman’). Also BBCD – British Born Confused Desi. |
| Apna |
Indians |
Hindi/Punjabi slang meaning “our guy,” and referring to a male of their own race. “Apni” refers to Indian females. Used in areas of Punjabi immigrants. |
| Apu |
Indians |
Hindu character from The Simpsons. Before that, one of the most famous films out of India was the “Apu Trilogy.” |
| Babar |
Indians |
From the character Babar the Elephant. First appeared in the book “Babar the King” published in 1963 and made into a popular animated HBO show in the early 90’s. It’s about an Indian elephant character growing up. |
| Babu |
Indians |
Means “child” in Hindi.Getting multiple “definitions” for this word. |
| Bhindu |
Indians |
Similar to “hillbilly” or simpleton. Bindu is a Sanskrit word meaning drop. The word bindi, which is the typical “red dot” worn on the forehead of Indian men and women, comes from this word. |
| Bhrempti |
Indians |
Their pronunciation of the number 20. |
| Binder |
Indians |
slang for turbin |
| Bindi |
Indians |
From the dot that Hindu women wear on their foreheads. |
| Bipty |
Indians |
When an Indian gives you change at 7-11, they sound like they’re saying, “Here is one dollar and bipty cents.” |
| Boojie |
Indians |
Pronounced ‘boo-jee’; refers to all the 7-11 workers of the world. |
| Buttonhead |
Indians |
Due to the red dot on many Hindu’s foreheads. |
| Chara |
Indians |
A South African term for Indians. Not as derogatory as coolie |
| Cow-Kisser |
Indians |
For the worship of cows in India. |
| Curry |
Indians |
Derivative of Curry Muncher etc. |
| Curry-Muncher |
Indians |
They eat Curry. |
| D.I.P. |
Indians |
Dumb Idiotic Punjab |
| Dot Knot |
Indians |
Dot (red dot on forehead) Knot (turbins on Punjabs) |
| Dot/Dot-Head |
Indians |
Refers to the “bindi” (dot) on their foreheads. The dot’s significance relates to the marital status of an indian female. Red dot: married; Black dot: single. |
| Dottie |
Indians |
Indians are the smart ones that put the “dot” in “.com” |
| Elephant Jockey |
Indians |
Elephants were a popular mode of transport in Victorian and Pre-Victorian Asia |
| Etch |
Indians |
Some say their music sounds like etch-a-sketch. |
| Gandhi |
Indians |
Famous Indian. |
| Ganesh |
Indians |
A hindu god. |
| Gas Pumper |
Indians |
Most gas station are owned and operated by Indians |
| Ghinder |
Indians |
Origins are unknown. The generally accepted derivative is from the ultimate ghinder, Mahatma Gandhi. |
| Gupta |
Indians |
A former Hindu dynasty. |
| Habib |
Indians |
Indian name. Used in the TV show Married With Children where a gas attendant was an Indian. |
| Hadji |
Indians |
Reference to a youthful East Indian side-kick character named Hadji from the ’70s Saturday-morning cartoon, “Johnny Quest” |
| Halee Halaa |
Indians |
Manner in which they speak used by Latin Americans |
| Hamilton |
Indians |
Rhyming slang in Scotland from a Scottish soccer team called Hamilton Academicals. This is shortened to Hamilton Accies (Akkies) a derogatory name for Indians. |
| Higger |
Indians |
Hindus who act Black. |
| Indonigger |
Indians |
Indian who tries to be black, or is darker in skin. |
| Jab |
Indians |
Short for Punjab, a region of India. |
| Julab |
Indians |
Means “wet shit” in Hindi/Punjabi |
| Kaek |
Indians |
Thais, living in Thailand, refer to the Indians (who have been in Thailand for at least 200 years, I think) as Kaeks, which means “guest” in Thai. Take a hint, already, guys! The word may also be spelled “kak” or any other way you like, since Thais use a different “alphabet.” However, “kaek” is pronounced to rhyme with “crack.” |
| Kaliali |
Indians |
Malu is actually short for “Maliali” which is spelled Malayalee. Specifically South Indians from the state of Kerala in India |
| Kalu |
Indians |
Indian acting like a black person |
| Kumar |
Indians |
From the movie ‘Harlad and Kumar go to White Castle’, Kumar is the Indian character |
| Kuthi |
Indians |
Means ‘Bitch’ In Punjabi |
| Macaca |
Indians |
Derived from the word “monkey.” Famously used by Republican U.S. Senator George Allen during his 2006 re-election campaign. |
| Madrasis |
Indians |
The biggest city in South India used to be called Madras(now Chennai). |
| Mahout |
Indians |
Literally means “Elephant Driver” but was turned into a popular racial slur around 1997 when a lot of Indains began to move onto Long Island. |
| Mangosteen |
Indians |
The mangosteen is a fruit that grows in the East Indies and is black on the outside but white on the inside. Refers to Indians who have forgotten their heritage. |
| My Friend! |
Indians |
Started by the constant greetings of the clerks of a deli as they greet customers. |
| Napkin Nigger |
Indians |
Obvious reasons. |
| Paki |
Indians |
Short for Pakistani. Often not derogatory when used. In The UK many Indians and Pakistanis have been lumped under the same term. It’s *much* more of a slur to Indians |
| Patel |
Indians |
Means “Innkeeper” or “Motel Owner”. Pal is a name of rich, land owning Indians. It means landowner. It’s a slur because only the rich Indians would come to western countries years ago, a flood of patels. |
| Pindunderjip |
Indians |
From the joke; What is an East Indian that got hit by a truck called? Answer; Pindunbderjip or Pinned under jeep. |
| Pull-Start |
Indians |
Reference to pulling their turbans off their heads. |
| Punjab |
Indians |
Punjab is the Indian character from “Little Orphan Annie.” Also represents the Punjab region of India (near the Punjab river). When the British took over India, they used it as a derogatory term for the natives there. |
| Push-Button |
Indians |
Refers to the caste-mark (dot) on their foreheads. Push-Start also. |
| Reset |
Indians |
Comes from the common red dot on an Indian’s forehead, resembling the reset button on many electronics |
| Sanjay |
Indians |
Apu’s co-worker on the Simpsons is named Sanjay |
| Slurpee Jockey |
Indians |
Reference to convenience store franchises |
| Spice Rubber |
Indians |
Because they use massive spices in their cuisine and they rub them on their bodies. |
| Swami |
Indians |
A Hindu religious teacher. |
| Target |
Indians |
The dot on their head looks like a laser sight. |
| Taxi Driver |
Indians |
The famous New York taxi drivers |
| Thank You Come Again |
Indians |
A phrase made popular by stereotypical Indian convenience store owner Apu on The Simpsons. |
| Turbinator |
Indians |
Seekh Indians wear turbans because their religion dictates that they may not cut hair |
