Things you’ll hear only in Chennai
So, on Independence Day we celebrated freedom and our unity in diversity. But you’ve got to agree it’s our diversity that makes us what we are – from food to fashion and phrases we use. Here are things only Chennaiites say.
Peter Pesran: Refers to someone speaking or attempting to speak in English. A vernacular put down of attempted snobbery.
Kadala Podurathu: Flirting with a girl. It literary means dropping channa. What the connection with wooing a girl is, only Chennaiites know.
Super figure: Used when refers to a hot girl/ babe. Usually accompanied by thumb-to-forefinger gesture which means ‘Super’.
Major Sundar: In common lingo it refers to a person who’s very formal and totally ‘60s. Comes from Major Sundarrajan, the yesteryear actor.
Aapu Vachukiradhu: Aapu is, literally, a wooden wedge. Aapu vachukiradhu is to invite trouble and get yourself into a mess. Made famous by Vadivelu who said ‘ Maapu, vachittandanda aapu.’
Bulb Vaangurathu: Literally, getting a bulb. Means to be left red-faced or embarrassed.

OMG-inducing, share-compelling, like-attracting, clutter-breaking, thought-provoking, myth-busting content from the country’s leading content curators. read on...