pagal
Indian English slang derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for mad, crazy, or mentally ill.
Definitions
Indian English slang derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for mad, crazy, or mentally ill. Used widely across South Asia and in diaspora communities, 'pagal' covers a spectrum from genuinely mentally unwell to simply behaving erratically or foolishly. Delivery and context determine whether it is affectionate (fondly crazy in a fun way) or a genuine insult about someone's judgment or stability.
She called him pagal for quitting his job with nothing lined up, but he pulled it off.
Comments
An Indian slang term meaning crazy, mad, or out of one's mind. Borrowed from Hindi/Urdu, pagal is used across South Asian English and diaspora communities to call someone nuts, reckless, or wildly irrational. It can be an insult, a playful tease, or even an affectionate compliment depending on context — calling your friend pagal for doing something daring has a totally different energy than using it seriously.
She drove four hours in the rain just to catch that concert — absolute pagal behaviour, but we love her for it.
Comments
(India) Mentally ill person; lunatic.
“BBC Asian Network Asian Network Breakfast with Nikita Kanda Now Playing Lata Mangeshkar & Udit Narayan Dil To Pagal Hai”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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(India, obsolete) An idiot; a simpleton.
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Scottish slang meaning to fight, beat up, or physically attack someone. If someone says they're going to pagger you, you should probably move quickly. The word has a blunt, no-nonsense energy that fits the directness of Scottish dialect — it doesn't dress things up. It's mostly heard in west central Scotland and can also be used as a noun (a fight or a beating). It shows up in Scottish fiction, gritty dramas, and street slang without much translation needed for context.
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Indian derogatory slang for an unsophisticated villager or rural person, roughly equivalent to 'hick', 'bumpkin', or 'redneck'. The term is used by urban Indians to mock those perceived as naive, backward, or out of touch with city life. It carries class contempt and urban-rural condescension, and can be quite cutting when aimed at someone trying to navigate an unfamiliar urban environment.