you don't say

It is probably time for an update on the latest running jokes at the Swingin' Linguist Pad. We discussed the expression "do the needful" the other day; here are some other linguistic divertissements:

1. For some reason I do not recall, even though it only happened last night, we have decided henceforth to refer to Ganesh as "Knish." I lobbied to go all the way and just refer to him as "Rugelach," but Alex argued that you could never expect to actually slip that by anyone without them noticing, even if they were very, very drunk. So, Knish it shall be. Which is nice because it sounds like Krrish, I guess. Hey, wait, what's that in Ganesh's left hand?! I think we can all guess. (Hint: it rhymes with gefilte fish.)

2. Just now as I was writing #1, I realized that if we are going to call Ganesh "Knish," we need to start calling Hanuman "Hamantasch." Alex and Robin approve.

3. On account of a particularly ridiculous musical number in Dhoom II, we no longer say "Excuse me?" but rather "Excuse me to please?" (Usually when what we really mean is "WTF?")

4. Here the way you write "three hundred rupees" is "Rs 300." The fun part is that they also say it in that order. Things don't cost three hundred rupees, they cost rupees three hundred. So Robin has got us all saying it the local way, as well as asking not "How many rupees?" but rather "Rupees how many?" You know, to be consistent and all.

5. I bet you didn't realize that all your life, the thing you have been referring to as a "grilled cheese sandwich" was actually a "cheese grilled sandwich." Really, it is. Look on any menu.


6. Damn, I just realized we'd better start calling Laxmi "Latke."