Here was I infront of the freezer taking out what I called prawns from it. I wanted to make a Rechard Stir fry for us and so began to take out packets and place them on the floor. My little four year old American comes running --” Gnama, I can help you.” I said, there it is baby girl, I have found the prawns. I just need to put the rest back. “ Ok she says, you have found your prawns but where are the shrimp? You wanted shrimp, what are prawns? I say, oh oh! The mighty have fallen yet again. You Gnama have called shrimp- prawns, cause thats what we call them in India.

A--- will you help me take the garbage out? Whats that she asks, genuinely puzzled. Then I realise she calls it trash. It’s time I bucked up and said it right for her. I pick up a pebble in the park for her collection and she looks puzzled again? Pebble?? Every size of stone is called a rock! Ha ha! I find this really funny.

Let’s get dressed for school baby girl. Go get me a blouse. No Gnamie we call a blouse a shirt, she says very matter of factly, and goes running into her closet to bring me one. That too is a new word for me -- closet. We dont say closet, normally its cupboard!

Then she comes home from gymnastics. Naturally I would like to see what she has learned there. Earlier I would go and see her as a toddler of three trying quite well to do a pulti. It went everywhere but straight. Now she says watch me and executes a perfect, what I call a pulti but is actually a somersault. Here she humours me and says Gnama I can do a pulti with a very nasal American twang. Very cute, and it makes me laugh.

And then the pièce de ré·sis·tance was when I was watching a nice plump Robin patrolling the lawn for worms after a heavy shower. Calling out to her I said, A---- come and see a nice FAT Robin running around the lawn. It was a lovely plump guy all puffed up against the cold. Immediately there was a big frown on her face. I was marched into the Laundry room and told I was in Time Out! Why?? I asked totally flummoxed. That’s ‘cause its a ‘put down’ she said frowning sternly at me.

The American had finally GOT the colonised Britisher!