Glossary
A bu – Name for father in Bengali.
Ahluwalia – Fashion label that combines elements from the designer’s dual Indian-Nigerian heritage and London roots.
Allah – Arabic word for God, and is the name used by Muslims to refer to the one and only God.
Ammu – Name for mother in Bengali.
Arraaayyy – Bengali word meaning “C’mon.”
Assalum Alaikum – Islamic greeting meaning “Peace be upon you,” commonly used when greeting fellow Muslims.
Bangladesh – In 1971, West and East Pakistan fought in the Bangladesh Liberation War. This led to the creation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971. Today, the death toll remains highly politicized. Estimates range from 200,000 to 3 million.
Bhavya Ramesh – Indian jewelry designer specializing in high-concept design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of jewelry and body accessories.
Carino – Spanish phrase for “dear,” a term of affection.
Chana Chur – A mixture of spicy dried ingredients, including fried chana, peanuts, chickpea flour noodles, corn, vegetable oil, and rolled rice. This is all flavored with salt and a blend of spices that may include coriander and mustard seed.
Chou-Chou – Haitian/French endearment that translates to “sweetie pie” or “darling.”
Chutney – A spicy condiment made of fruits or vegetables with vinegar, spices, and sugar, originating in India.
Deposition – A deposition is an opportunity for parties in a civil lawsuit to obtain testimony from a witness under oath prior to trial. It’s part of the discovery process by which parties gather facts and information to be better prepared for trial.
Esto es una mierda – Spanish phrase for “this is shit.”
Fajr Prayer – Muslim ritual prayer that takes place in the early morning. It’s the first of five daily prayers. Fajr is Arabic for “dawn.”
Huda Kattan – Iraqi-American makeup artist, beauty blogger, and entrepreneur. Founder of the cosmetics line Huda Beauty.
Kajol – Celebrated Bollywood actress who has won six Filmfare Awards, including a record-tying five Best Actress awards.
Kishore Kumar – Indian playback singer, musician, and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential, and dynamic singers in the history of modern Indian music.
LaQuan Smith – American fashion designer and founder of the womenswear clothing brand LaQuan Smith, LLC.
Lo siento por como te hice sentir – Spanish phrase that translates to “I’m sorry for how I made you feel.”
Mi Rey – Spanish phrase for “My King,” a term of affection.
Monarch Butterfly Migration : The annual journey undertaken by monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) from their breeding grounds in North America (Canada and the United States) to the high-altitude forests of Michoacán, Mexico. This migration covers up to 3,000 miles and is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena. Monarch butterflies cluster in the mountainous regions of central Mexico to overwinter, where the cooler temperatures help them survive the winter months. This migration is a symbol of perseverance, homecoming, and the cyclical nature of life.
Paan – A chewing mixture of betel leaves, areca nuts, and slaked lime that originated in India. The mixture has stimulant and narcotic effects. The primary psychoactive compound is arecoline. Chewing paan produces a peppery taste, a warm feeling, and alertness.
Perdóneme – Spanish phrase for “Excuse me.”
Preciosa – In Spanish translates to “precious” in English and is commonly used as a term of endearment meaning “darling” or “sweetheart” when addressing a woman.
Rajasthani Paintings – A traditional art form that depicts the culture, history, and mythology of Rajasthan, India. Known for vibrant colors, intricate designs, and rich symbolism.
Roti – Indian flatbread made from wheat flour, sometimes called Chapati. Tortillas are similar but made from corn flour.
Shah Rukh Khan – Indian actor, megastar, and producer who has appeared in over 100 Hindi films. Born in 1965 to a middle-class Delhi family.
Shorshe Ilish – Classic Bangladeshi recipe made with mustard paste, green chilies, mustard oil, and Hilsa fish. It holds a very special place in every Bengali’s heart. There is no other fish in the world that even comes close to its taste, flavor, or aroma.
Sabyasachi – Sabyasachi Mukherjee is an Indian fashion designer, jewelry designer, retailer, and couturier from Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Samosas – A small triangular pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables and fried.
Walaikam Salam – Islamic response to “Assalum Alaikum,” meaning “and upon you be peace.” This greeting is commonly used in Muslim communities.