Funny Inglish Pictures – Amusing Indian English Signs

Indian English dialects evolved when the subcontinent was part of the British Empire. Today it provides a rich seam of funny Inglish signs.

• Tiffin Available
• Pictures of Ingrish on Restaurant Menus
• 'Entry From Backside Only'
• Funny Inglish Pictures
• The Origin of Inglish Humor

Funny Inglish Pictures

Amusing Inglish Picture

Inglish Examples

• Teachress - a female teacher.
• Timepass - a trivial activity that passes the time.
• Your lyrical missive has enveloped me in the sweet fragrance of our love - from a book advising lovers on how to write to girlfriends.
• Premesh Patel has left for his heavenly above - a death notice.

Tiffin Available

Tiffin is a common word in India for afternoon tea, or even brunch. Perhaps the most endearing aspect of Indian English is the way it has preserved forms now regarded as highly old-fashioned in Britain. Addresses such as "Good sir" and questions like "May I know your good name?"

Fancy a Snake Snack?

More Pictures of Ingrish on Restaurant Menus

Fancy leeches?

Call for reinforcements?

More alcoholics available!

Funny Examples of Indian English Sign

'Entry From Backside Only', is a funny Ingrish sign that refers to a phrase commonly used on signposts in India to indicate the rear entrance of a building.

Ingrish Heard After an English Exam

Devyani; Hey, I wanted to confirm one of my answers. Can you help Anil: Sure, which one was it? Devyani: Well, we were supposed to add a suitable preposition in the blank. The question was, 'Bear ____ me for a while.' Naturally, the answer was "Bear with me for a while." This means that the speaker requests the person to be patient for a while. Devyani, however, changed the meaning completely with her answer by writing: "Bear chased me for a while."

More Funny Inglish Pictures And Indian English Examples

1. Indians may say: I am liking it very much. Instead of saying: I like it very much.
2. They might say: She performs many charities. Instead of: She gives away a lot to charity.
3. They might say: My all closets are empty. Instead of: My closets are all empty.
4. A question: 'Didn't you take Rita to school?' May be answered with: Yes, I didn't. Instead of: No, I didn't.
5. They might say: Let's go out for some ice-cream-vice-cream. They mean: Let us go out for some ice-cream.
6. They might say: What is your good name? Instead of: What is your name?
7. Will's Mother, who is from Sri Lanka used to say such things as: They did it, no? / He is here, isn't it?/ She closed the door, did she? Instead of: They did it, didn't they? / He is here, isn't he?/ She closed the door, didn't she?

Compiled by Will with the help of Dr Roopa Nishi Viswanathan

The Origin of Inglish Signs

English has been with India since the early 1600's, when the East India Company started trading and English missionaries first began their efforts. The English which is spoken in India is different from that spoken in other regions of the world, and it is regarded as the unique variety which is called Indian English or Inglish. Indians also shorten many words to create commonly used terms. Enthusiasm is called enthu; as such, it can be used in new ways. One can say, 'That guy has a lot of enthu.' While this is simply an abbreviation, enthu can also be used as an adjective where enthusiasm cannot, as in 'He's a real enthu guy.' The same applies for fundamentals, which is shortened as fundas. 'She knows her fundas.' What is interesting about fundas is that when the -as ending is dropped and -u is added, it takes on a new meaning and can be used in a new way. Fundu basically means wonderful or brilliant. One can say 'He is a fundu person' or even 'He is fundu.'

More Funny Inglish Pictures

Finally These Indian Signs Had Us Stumped

Will and Guy did not know if we were coming or going when we saw this pair of Indian signs. Footnote Please send us your funny Inglish pictures and amusing Indian English signs.