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Memorable Phrases
[September 25, 2006]

Memorable Phrases


(India Today Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Dhoondhte reh jaaoge: A Surf Ultra ad line that became part of everyday terminology.

Jhakaass: Meaning very cool, was first used by Anil Kapoor in Joshilay (1989).

Kitne aadmi the: Probably the most popular line in Bollywood history, mouthed by the menacing Gabbar Singh in Sholay (1975) to his henchmen. Used indiscriminately in ads and promos.

Dho dala: Clinic All Clear's tagline to erase all traces of dandruff, also refers to wiping out an opponent, as in Dhoni ne dho dala.

Bindaas: A word that means blase, popularised by Stardust, and commonly used in conjunction with 'babe'.

Hum do hamare do: Sanjay Gandhi's notorious family planning slogan meant to encourage Indians to limit their family size.

Bad luck hi kharaab hai: Endearing self-deprecatory statement with a unique twist of Indian English, popularised by Aamir Khan in Rangeela (1995).

Vaat lag gayi: The tapori phrase used across regions to indicate trouble. Brought into our homes by the affable gangster played by Sanjay Dutt in the unforgettable Munnabhai MBBS (2003).

Lambi race ka ghoda: First used by Davar Seth for Amitabh Bachchan in the 1975 classic, Deewar, the metaphor has stood the test of time.

Yeh dil maange more: The TV coverage of Captain Vikram Batra's use of this phrase during the 1999 Kargil war catapulted the Pepsi tagline into common parlance.

BTM: Behnji-turned-mod. Campus abbreviation popularised during the 1980s.

Tryst with destiny: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's landmark address to the Constituent Assembly on the midnight of India's Independence in 1947.

Naani yaad dila denge: Immortalised in Rajiv Gandhi's famous tirade against foreign powers, delivered at a rally at the Delhi Boat Club in 1989.

Bheja paka diya: Effectively expresses discomfort, also appeared in a 1999 india today feature.

Hamaara Bajaj: The 1990s Bajaj campaign cashed in on the popularity of the brand. Signifies swadeshi.

Yeh andar ki baat hai: The Rupa underwear ad line that has gone beyond to denote corporate politics, secrecy and even hidden feelings.

Hawa nikal gayi: A 'tyre' specific situation that now stands for deflation of swollen egos.

Futcha: First appearing in a 1988 India Today story, this coloquialism for college first-termers has endured changes in fashions and trends.

Item number: Not just the movie staple, it is now stretched to connote the 'highlight' of the show-be it a guest lecture or even a presentation.

We are like this only: The dosa-chomping south Indian cowboy hero of the Channel V promos, Quick Gun Murugan launched himself, and this line into iconic status.

Made for each other: ITC's 1963 slogan for its Wills brand of cigarettes. Lives on even in these tobacco intolerant times.

Kya swad hai, zindagi mein: The Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate tagline remains deliciously etched in our memories.

Funde mat jhad/Too much gyan: An excessive and irritating display of knowledge.

JLT: Just like that. University parlance of the 1990s that moved outside campuses.

Puppies: First used in a 1989 India Today feature, it is Delhi's desi contribution to the social lexicon and refers to the young prosperous urban Punjabi.

Lage raho: The Indian tribute to carry on with a distinctive tapori touch.

Dobara mat poochhna: A phrase coined to convey an attitude in the Chlor-mint ad. Now used to express a certain kind of emotion, from irritability to unquestionability.

Mera Bharat mahan: Rajiv Gandhi's national integration campaign. Now referred to only in irony.

Yaara da tashan The Thanda matlab Coca-Cola line that even finds favour on the back of trucks.

Yeh Fevicol ka jod hai: Symbolic of a strong bond, just like the super strong adhesive.

Copyright 2006 Syndications Today. Source: Financial Times Information Limited.

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