Achayan
respectful way of addressing an older man; typically used for men of the “in-between” generation between parents and grandparents; sometimes used as the term to call your father

Achen
priest; could also refer to parental father or father-figure; literally means “father”

Alkare enthu vijarikkum?
phrase meaning “what will people think?”

Aunty
respectful way of addressing a woman of the parents’ generation; usually no blood relation

Chaiya
tea; usually refers to black tea with milk and sugar

Cheichi
respectful way of addressing an older woman of the same generation; literally means “sister”

Cherkkan
boy/guy/young man

Chettai
respectful way of addressing an older man of the same generation; literally means “brother”; variations: achachen, chettan

Chettan
respectful way of addressing an older man of the same generation; literally means “brother”; variations: achachen, chettai

Devdas
Hindi movie starring Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. A story of love, loss, and regret.

Eda palli
the family’s church

Fair and Lovely
a skin-lightening cosmetic brand of Hindustan Unilever; known for its bleaching cream; as of 2020 the name changed to Glow and Lovely

In-between Generation
generation that falls between one generation and the next

Indian Circle
term for when Indians gather around, usually in a circle, typically around the time when people are leaving an event

Kallara
refers to a grave

Kochamma
wife of a priest; literally means “younger mother”

Malayalee
a Dravidian ethnic group from the present-day Indian state of Kerala; people belonging to this ethnic group; variation: Malayali, Mallu

Malayalam
language spoken by Malayalees and those from the Indian state of Kerala

Marth Mariam Vanitha Samajam
all-women ministry in the Malankara Orthodox Church; variation: Sree Samajam

Motta-thalla
literally means “egg-head”

Noimbu
refers to fasting/lent

Paarambaryam
tradition; usually familial qualities

Parambil
yard/lawn

Pennukanil
a Malayalee custom where a potential guy and his family visit the potential girl and her family; literally means “seeing the girl”

Running on IST (Indian Standard Time)
phrase meaning “to be late”

Sabha
refers to denominations; literally means “assembly” or “organized group”

Sanctuary
area of the church where mass is held

Shaadi
wedding

Standard
term meaning “grade”

Uncle
respectful way of addressing a man of the parents’ generation; usually no familial relation

Velliammachi
great-grandmother; usually used with familial relations

Vellichachen
great-grandfather; usually used with familial relations; variations: velliappachen

Vettil vilikkuna perru
nickname; literally means “name called at home”

Vishesham vellathum ondo?
euphemism meaning “are you pregnant?”; literally means “is there any news?”