For Indians, English has become almost a second language, as most people use this in their office work daily, most of us converse in English during business talks, and in the cities, most of the children of even middle-class and upper-middle-class families study in the English medium schools. We all use many idioms, phrases, abbreviations, foreign language words, and many more in the English language without realizing their origin and literal meaning. In today’s blog, I am going to explore some of these:
1 IDIOMS-Meanings and Single-Word Equivalents
- Crocodile tears- it means fake or fictitious. Single word equivalent (SWE)- Pretence, Hypocrisy.
- Come out of one’s shell– to become more friendly and SWEs are Socialise, Unfold.
- Cool as a Cucumber– to become worry free and SWEs are Calm, peaceful and Composed.
- Corner the market– to dominate a particular market or business, SWEs are Monopolise, Dominate.
- Curosity killed the cat– getting advice to keep your cool and SWEs are Caution, Restrain.
- Calculated risk– tasks advantages and risks are being evaluated before execution, SWEs are Undertaking, Venture.
- Carve out the niche– do something which sets you apart, SWEs are Specialise, Customise.
- Cash Cow– to evaluate good source of income and money, SWEs are Jackpot, Assets, Goldmine.
- Cut Corner– To take short cuts, SWEs are Compromise, Economise.
- Cry Uncle– to accept defeat or surrender, SWEs are Give up, Surrender.
- Catch red handed- To find someone in act of doing something wrong, SWEs are Apprehend, Catch.
- Cry over spilled milk- to complain for something which has already happened, SWEs are Regret, Lament.
- Join the bandwagon- to do what others are doing, SWEs are Follow, Participate.
- Cause eyebrows to raise- to do something that is surprising and shocking, SWEs are Shock, Surprise.
2 Very Very Rare Words and Their fullforms:
- LOVE– Long Lasting Original Value Emotion.
- NEWS-North East West South.
- DATE– Date and Time Evolution.
- Job-Joining Other Business
- AIM– Ambition in Mind.
- BYE– Be with You Everytime.
- JOKE– Joy of Kids Entertainment.
- SMILE– Sweet Memories in Lips Expression.
3 Latin & French Abbreviations used in English language and their Meanings:
- QED– Quod Erat Demonstradum means ‘That which has to be demonstrated’.
- RIP-Requiescat in pace means ‘Rest in Peace’.
- RSVP– Respondez sil vous plait means ‘Respond please’.
- Eg– Exempli gratia means ‘For example’
- Ie– id set means ‘That is’.
- Et al– et alii means ‘And the rest and others,.
- CV– Curricullam Vitae means ‘Course of life’.
- ETC– et cetra means ‘And so fort and so on’.
- AM– Ante Meridien means ‘Before noon/midday’.
- PM– Post Meridien means ‘After noon/midday’.
- NB– Nota Bene means ‘Noted well’.
Waiting for your feedback/comments on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
6th February 2025