What is the response to ‘How do you do?’

It depends on which side of the Atlantic you are from. In British English, the standard response to ‘How do you do?’ is ‘How do you do?’ In India, when someone says ‘namaste’, we respond by saying ‘namaste’. The same is the case with ‘How do you do?’ This is an expression that is normally used when you are introduced to someone; once you have been introduced, you never use the expression with that individual again. The British make a distinction between ‘How do you do?’ and ‘How are you?’ The Americans, on the other hand, do not always maintain this distinction. It is common for Americans to say, ‘Fine, thank you’ in response to ‘How do you do?’ In India, you will be better off doing what the British do.

Source: “The Hindu”   – Know Your English  Column –  Feb 19, 2008

Is it ok to say, ‘I have a head-bath every Saturday’?

This is an expression that is commonly heard in India; not many dictionaries include ‘head-bath’ – the few that do, state that the word is mainly used in South Asia. Native speakers of English don’t use this word, and probably won’t understand what you mean by it. When a native speaker of English talks about taking a ‘bubble bath’, what he means is that he is going to get into a bathtub which is full of water and soap bubbles.

So when you tell him that you are going to have a head-bath, he might get the impression that you are going to get into a tub which is full of heads! Just kidding! Native speakers wouldn’t say ‘I have a head-bath every Saturday’; instead, they would say, ‘I wash my hair every Saturday.’

 Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 25, 2007 

Is it OK to use `ranker’ to mean `top rank in an examination’?

This is a word one frequently encounters in the months of May and June in India. A student who does well in an entrance exam and gets a decent rank is immediately labelled a `ranker’. Proud parents distribute sweets claiming that their child is a `ranker’, and tutorial institutions take out ads claiming that they had X number of `rankers’ in this year’s exam. This use of the word `ranker’ to mean `top in the examination’ is Indian. Native speakers of English do not use the word in this manner. Dictionaries define the word “ranker” as a commissioned officer who has been promoted from the enlisted status. It has nothing to do with performing well in an exam.

Source: ‘Know Your English’ ( The Hindu) – June 12, 2006

‘timings’ is Indian English.

Indians talk about `Office timings’ all the time. In fact the word doesn’t exist  in native English.

Native speakers would say, `working hours’ or `office hours’.

Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, January 9, 2006

 

Is it OK to say, `On the lights, please!’

This is an expression which is commonly heard in India. We ask people to `on the lights’, `on the TV’, `on the tap’ and `on the heater’. Native speakers of English will not ask you to `on’ any of these things. Instead they will ask you to `switch’ or `turn something on’.

For example: *Could you turn on the TV, please! *Would you like me to turn on/switch on the fan?

By the way, you do not say, `switch on/turn on the tap’. It’s always `open/close the tap’.

Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, November 28, 2005.

Which is correct `Petrol station’ or `petrol bunk’?

The term `petrol bunk’ is mostly used by Indians. Native speakers of English do not use it. An Englishman would take his car to the `petrol pump’ or the `petrol station’ to get it filled. An American, on the other hand, would take his vehicle to the `gas station’ in order to `fill her up’.

 Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, November 7, 2005.

What is the meaning of “co-son-in-law”?

This is a word that most native speakers of English do not understand. “Co-son-in-law” is a term that we Indians have contributed to the English language. It is not found in many dictionaries. When you refer to a man as a “co-son-in-law” what you mean is that the two of you have the same in-laws. In other words, this other individual is married to your wife’s sister. Native speakers of English would refer to the other individual as a “brother in law”. Most Indian languages have a term for such a relationship, and I guess that’s the reason why we felt compelled to come up with “co-son-in-law”.

S. UPENDRAN, The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, May 16, 2005

Which is correct? “Clinic timings/timing”?

 I guess in the Indian context, “timings” would be the appropriate word. After all, everyone in our country talks about “school timings”, “bus timings” and “train timings”. A native speaker of English, however, would find both “timing” and “timings” unacceptable. He would prefer to say “Clinic hours”. The word “timing” has nothing to do with duration, and as for the word “timings”, well, you won’t find it listed in most dictionaries. It is a word that we Indians have coined.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, Jan 03, 2005

“cope up with” or “cope with”?

In India a lot of people say, “cope up with”. It is wrong to do so. Avoid the use of “up” after cope.

*Kasturi was unable to cope with the pressure. *How Om manages to cope with all the problems is beyond me.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 20, 2004

“Day scholar”

 In India, an individual who goes to school/college during the daytime, and returns home in the evening is called a “day scholar”. He is a person who doesn’t stay in the hostel. 

Native speakers of English do not use the term “day scholar”. Instead of using the term “day scholar”, native speakers would probably say something like, “He lives off campus”.

The Hindu- ‘Know Your English’ Series, September 13, 2004