Definitions by Setsuna

legacy 

Applicant admitted to a selective school partially because their parent(s) also went there.

Is legacy admission unfair?

legacy by Setsuna September 14, 2004

NRI

Non-resident Indian.

Banks like to cater to NRIs by offering ways for them to send money to their families in India.

NRI by Setsuna September 14, 2004

Kannon

East Asian goddess of mercy.

The brand name "Canon" is another spelling of this goddess' name.

Kannon by Setsuna September 14, 2004

Heirhead 

A better name for Ms. Hilton's newest book? ^^'

Say "heirhead" once out loud. Got it? Good.

Heirhead by Setsuna September 14, 2004

Namaste 

"Hello" and "goodbye" in India. Like "aloha," but said while clasping both hands (like in prayer, I guess) in front of you.

A slightly more formal variant is "namaskar."

Going in: "Namaste."
Going out: "Namaste."

Namaste by Setsuna September 14, 2004

juggernaut 

Variant of "Jagannath," a name for the Hindu deity Krishna. "Juggernaut" is likely a British mispronunciation.

Today, though, a "juggernaut" is generally a force beyond mortal control.

Hapless mortal: "What hit me?"

juggernaut by Setsuna September 14, 2004

mehndi 

1. Art of painting an herbal henna paste on the body in intricate designs (as the paste sets, it temporarily dyes the skin underneath a shade of orange or red). Sometimes called a "henna tattoo."
2. This guy Daler's last name.

Mehndi on children's hands is a good way to keep them out of trouble, because they can't touch anything as the paste dries.

mehndi by Setsuna September 14, 2004