Neologisms in Indian Social Media

© A. Avtans
Last updated: 19 March 2026

A regularly updated database of neologisms found in Indian social media.
A neologism is a newly coined word or expression which has emerged into common usage overtime. In this process some neologisms are assimilated into the mainstream language, and some do not gain wider acceptance. Some examples of neologisms in English are:

• A completely new word (e.g. blutter: to give a long, rambling speech about uncertainty)
• A new combination of existing words (e.g. digital detox)
• A new meaning for an existing word (e.g. mouse : a computer mouse )

In yesteryears, literary writings, newspapers, TV and films, used to be the primary sources of neologisms in languages. But with the arrival of social media, a large number of neologisms is being created and used by the people over world wide web. In this short piece, I will discuss some contemporary neologisms related to socio-politics in languages like Hindi/Urdu, English, Kannada, Malayalam etc. To my surprise most of these neologisms are hateful or distasteful terms stereotyping people and communities. But nevertheless people (trolls or not) on the Indian social media are voraciously using them in their discourse. Here are some popular Indian neologisms from social media (X (earlier Twitter), Facebook, Instagram etc.). The entries are organized alphabetically. There are a total of 44 entries on this page.:

A

AAPtard (आपटार्ड) = a derogatory reference to a blind supporter of AAP {Aam Aadmi Party} (AAP + Retard)
Amittadi (അമിട്ടടി) = a derogatory reference to the BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party) president Amit Shah in Malayalam {state language of Kerala, India} (coined from Amittadi = fireworks, as someone who chickens out on commitments or runs away in the middle of something.

Andhabhakta (अंधभक्त) = is a derogratory term used against a blind supporter of BJP. It is a Hindi word meanig ‘blind devotee’.

B

Bhakta (भक्त) = a derogatory term for a die hard supporter of right wing Bhartiya Janata Party ‘BJP’ (coined from Hindi bhakta = a religious devotee in Hinduism).

Bhajmulla (भाजमुल्ला) = a derogatory term for the followers of BJP who indulge in alleged appeasement politics of Pasmanda Muslims, attend their religious gatherings e.g. Ifatar parties during Ramadan. It is a blend word formed of भाजपा (bhājapā = Hindi acronym for bhāratīya janatā pārṭī) and मुल्ला mullā (a Muslim priest).

Bhajpilla (भाजपिल्ला) = a derogatory term for the followers of BJP, who blindly follow the party’s policy and its government decesions. It is a blend word formed of भाजपा (bhājapā = Hindi acronym for bhāratīya janatā pārṭī) and पिल्ला pillā (a puppy).

Bheemta (भीमटा) = a derogatory term for a supporter of B.R Ambedkar (an Indian social reformer and political leader of Dalit community). A slur used against Dalit activists and ideologues.

Bulldozer raj (बुलडोज़र राज) = a term used to describe a style of governance in India in which authorities carry out demolition drives, often using large earth movers (commonly referred to as bulldozers), as a form of swift punitive action, typically targeting properties linked to alleged offenders. The term implies a form of “instant justice” that may bypass due process and legal safeguards, and is often used critically in discussions about selective enforcement and its impact on certain (minority) communities.

C

Chrislamcommie = a derogatory term created from a portmanteau of Christian + Islamic + Communist (noun / adjective).
Congi (कॉङ्गी) = a supporter of Indian National congress (noun).

D

Dalitistan (दलितिस्तान) = an imagined land of Dalits i.e. ex-untouchable people carved out of Indian nation (Derived on the lines of Hindustan, Pakistan etc.). Conspiracy theorists’ imagination.
Double Engine kī Sarkār (डबल इंजन की सरकार) = a term meaning ‘double engine government’ was first used by BJP during 2014 Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections for conveying that the same party governments (i.e. engines) at both centre and state would work better with more power/strength.

G

Gobarchand (गोबरचंद) = a derogatory term for a supporter of Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha {RSS} (Coined from Hindi gobar = cow-dung + chand {a Hindu last name}.

Gobarbhakta (गोबरभक्त) = a derogatory slur for a supporter of Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha {RSS} (Coined from Hindi gobar = cow-dung + bhakta {a devotee}.
Godi Media (गोदी मीडिया) = a derogatory reference to pro-government media houses (coined from Hindi godi {गोदी} = lap + media = media sitting on laps) which support the BJP led government.
Gomutra Drinker (गोमुत्र ड्रिंकर) = a derogatory term for a die hard supporter of right wing Bhartiya Janata Party ‘BJP’ (coined from Hindi gaumutra {गौमुत्र} = cow urine + Drinker.) Increasingly it had turned into a Hinduphobic slur used for Indians in general and north Indians in particular.

Gau Mutra States = a derogatory term first used by member of Parliament from Tamilnadu S. Senthilkumar for describing Hindi speaking states of India. Derived from the Hinduphobic slur Gau Mutra drinker.
Gau Rakshak (गौ रक्षक) = cow vigilante (from Hindi gau {गौ} = cow + rakshak {रक्षक} (protector).

H

Honda Sherni (होंडा शेरनी) = Honda Sherni is a demeaning neologism on Indian social media coined by right-wing influencers and it is used against Hindu women who portray themselves as deeply religious, spiritual, regular visitors of temples, and even subtly islamophobic on one hand, and on the other hand are secular in real life and do not shy from making interfaith relationships especially with Muslim men. The first element of this phrase is a word play on the word Hindu, by replacing it with Japanese car maker Honda, while the second element is a Hindi word sherni शेरनी meaning lioness. This naming probably stems from the common phrase “Hindu Sherni” i.e. Hindu lioness used by some of these women in their social media bios. Sometimes words like 100 CC or 1000 CC are also used with the phrase Honda Sherni. Cubic capacity or CC of the car or bike is the power output of the engine. There is a group of right-wing social media accounts who regularly indulge in doxing these individuals by scraping their postings from Instagram or elsewhere, and sharing it on Twitter/X and other forums such as reddit. A common discussion on these doxing posts uses words such as hypocrite, suitcase, love jihad, mahadev ki diwani etc.

K

Khangressi (ख़ांग्रेसी) = an Indian national congress supporter (portmanteau of Khan {a common Muslim last name in India & Pakistan} + Congress).
Khujliwaal (खुजलीवाल) = a derogatory nickname of Aam Aadmi Patry leader Arvind Kejriwal ( from Hindi khujli {खुजली} = itch + waal (वाल) i.e. a person who constantly rants against anybody who doesn’t agree with him.)
Kummanadi (കുമ്മനടി) = a derogatory reference to BJP Kerala State President Kummanam Rajasekharan in Malayalam {state language of Kerala, India} (coined from Kummanadi = a gate-crasher, or an unsolicited guest.

L

Liberandu (लिबरेन्डु) = a derogatory reference to a person propagating liberal / left ideologies (coined from Liberal + Gāndu (गांडु) {a sodomite / male homosexual in Hindi}.
Love Jihad (लव जिहाद) = Love + Jihad (Arabic ‘ a struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam’). The compound word means when one causes the other to convert to Islam through a false hope of love and marriage. Widely used to describe the process in which Muslim men pretend to be in love with non-Muslim women with an intention of converting them. Several compound words with Jihad were later described by Zee news anchor Sudhir Chaudhary in his report on 11th March 2020. The news report carried terms like Media Jihad, Land Jihad, Education Jihad, History Jihad, Population Jihad etc.

M

Modi Bhakta (मोदी भक्त) = a slur used against person who idolizes Narendra Modi (current prime minister of India).
Modiyaapaa (मोदीयापा) = a term signifying propaganda by Hindu nationalist supporters of Narendra Modi. (derived from chutiyapa {चुतियापा}= Silliness, blunder, commit a faux pas; to goof up up; derived from the Hindi slang chut {चूत) for vagina.)
Mr. Tadipaar (मिस्टर तड़ीपार) = a reference to BJP leader Mr. Amit Shah (coined from Hindi word tadipaar { तड़ीपार } an externed person i.e. a person banished from a region or an area by court of law.)
Musanghi (मुसंघी) = Muslim zealots believing in Taliban style society (coined on the pattern of sanghi).

O

Olata (ಓಲಾಟ olāṭa ओलाट): Olata is a pejorative term used in Karnataka (India) by right-leaning groups against pro-Kannada individuals. It refers to those who view Muslims fluent in Kannada as integrated, yet consider Marwaris and Jains of North Indian origin as outsiders despite their fluency in Kannada. The term is also used for people who oppose Hindu gods such as Rama and Krishna but do not oppose the celebrations of other religions. Additionally, “Olata” is applied to Kannada language revisionists who seek to cleanse the language of Sanskrit influence.

P

Pappu (पप्पू) = a demeaning nickname of Indian political leader Mr. Rahul Gandhi of Indian National congress (Pappu is a common nickname used for children in Hindi and has the connotation of a ‘naive and an inept male’)

Pidi Media ( पिडी मीडिया) = a derogatory reference to pro-congress media houses (coined after the name of Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s pet dog pidi + media = media sitting acting like a pet)
Pheku / feku (फेकू) = a derogatory nickname for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi (coined from Hindi verb phenknā (फेंकना) = to brag & boast lies)
Presstitute (प्रेस्टिट्यूट) = A derogatory term coined by Gerald Celente and often used by independent journalists and writers in the alternative media in reference to journalists and talking heads in the mainstream media who give biased and predetermined views in favor of the government and corporations, thus neglecting their fundamental duty of reporting news impartially. It is a portmanteau of press + prostitute.

R

Rice bag convert = a demeaning slur used by Hindu nationalists to describe Indian Christians who oppose the policies of BJP led government. The reference is the belief that many Indians were converted to Christianity by missionaries in exchange for a bag of rice or other monetary advantages.

Revdi culture (रेवड़ी कल्चर) = a term used to describe the practice of governments distributing free goods, subsidies, or welfare benefits to the public, often before elections to gain political support. Derived from revdi (a traditional Indian sweet), the term is commonly used in a critical sense to suggest populist or fiscally irresponsible policies aimed at short-term electoral gains rather than long-term development, though supporters may view such measures as legitimate welfare. Revṛī is a small sweet made of sugar or molasses and coated with sesame seeds. Its plural is रेवड़ियाँ (revṛiyā̃), and the expression रेवड़ियाँ बाँटना (revṛiyā̃ bā̃ṭnā) literally means “to distribute sweets/freebies.” The proverb “अंधा बाँटे रेवड़ी, फिर-फिर अपनों को देय” (andhā bā̃ṭe revṛī, phir-phir apnon ko deya) refers to favoritism or nepotism, distributing benefits repeatedly to one’s own people.

S

Sanghi (संघी) = a supporter of Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha {RSS} (sangha = shortened version of RSS + ī = sanghi (one who belongs to RSS)
Sickular (सिकुलर) = a portmanteau of Sick + Secular = Sickular. It refers to a particular kind of Indian liberal who spouts secularism, but is really resorting to tokenism.

T

Tukde Tukde Gang (टुकड़े – टुकड़े गैंग) = a reference to protesting students from Jawaharlal Nehru university , New Delhi and their supporters in the country demanding a referendum on Kashmir (coined from the slogan ‘bharat tere tukde honge’ = India you will break into pieces) [synonymous with Aazaadi Gang {आज़ादी गैंग} ]

Toolkit Gang = A sarcastic and derogatory term used to describe a group of individuals, typically activists, journalists, or political opponents, alleged to be coordinating their actions or messaging using a shared “toolkit” (i.e. a document outlining protest strategies, talking points, or campaign actions), often implying organized or Propaganda or agenda-driven activity. The term gained prominence during the 2020–2021 farmers’ protests in India after a Google document (“toolkit”) outlining suggested protest actions circulated widely online and drew global attention when Greta Thunberg briefly shared it on social media. It is commonly used to dismiss or mock individuals by suggesting their views are not independent but part of a coordinated campaign.

U

Urban Maoist (अरबन माओइस्ट) = a Maoist living in urban areas (as against to the notion that Maoism is primarily based on the peasantry as the vehicle of revolution.) Also refers to Urban Naxals.

Urduwood (उर्दूवुड) = a pejorative reference to Bollywood’s Hindi film industry based in Mumbai by Hindu nationalists favoring FAT (Farsi-Arabic-Turkish) vocabulary free style of language in the films.

Y

Yogi nahin Bhogi (योगी नहीं भोगी) = a derogatory reference to the current chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath (this phrase translates as ‘Not a Yogi { ascetic } but a Bhogi {a materialist})

W

WhatsApp University = a sarcastic term for the informal and unreliable circulation of information, especially misinformation, propaganda, or unverified claims, through WhatsApp forwards, often treated by recipients as credible or authoritative knowledge. It is commonly used to mock individuals for their misinformation or lack of proper education (e.g., “a student of WhatsApp University”).

Wokia वोकिया = a pejorative reference to the American slang term ‘woke‘ used in India and Pakistan.

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