And the culinary (mis) appropriation goes both ways. I don’t know why this is a big deal. (I’m not saying you’re saying it’s a big deal, but other posters seem to be making it into a bigger issue than it is.)
But you do. That’s how langauges work. Look, I gave another example of it in English (kielbasa sausage) and an example of it in Hungarian (baconszalonna). What’s the big deal?
Like I said, for me, it’s because both English and Hindi are ‘my language’. There are hundreds of millions of Indians for whom English is their language. There’s a sizeable intercourse between English speaking American and Indian people (though most of it may be one way), and so to millions of speakers of the English language, ‘Chai tea’ is ignorant nonsense(literally). I’m pushing back against it in an appropriate forum 
You would be wrong. The evidence is that chai came to english via british soldiers returning to the UK with a preference for a particular exotic tea mix and they called it chai.
And in areas where the majority of english speakers consider chai tea ignorant nonsense, guess what? No one will be using chai tea. But in the majority of America and other mainly english speaking countries, there isn’t that societal pressure.
I’d be really surprised, given the history of the two countries, if Hindi didn’t have tons of examples of this with English words.
Oh. Sounds nasty, but I like Earl Grey (bergamot rind) and some breed whose name escapes which I was told tasted like rot, oakum, and salt water because that’s what the tea from the bottom of the hold tasted like and some poorer Brits came to expect tea to taste like it. Some people will drink anything, I suppose.
I’ve heard it often referred to simply as “Chai” and people know they are talking about that style of tea. So if I ordered Chai, would I be justified when they give me that stinking mess of cloves and cardamom to say “Hey, chai just means tea! I wanted a plain tea!”?
Could you point me to this evidence? The word may have come back through British soldiers, but everything I’ve come across since I’ve looked into it, indicates that the word was used as a substitute for tea, as it should be.
Of course not, but next time you’re ordering it, if you could make fun of Starbucks to your friends for being silly enough to call something on their menu ‘tea tea’, I’d be much obliged
I don’t think I will, lol. The fact is that “borrowed” words don’t have to mean the exact same thing in the language that borrowed it and this word has come to be used to indicate a certain style of tea. It’s not a Hindi word in an English conversation, it’s an English word, so Hindi speakers just have to get used to it. That’s part of learning the language.
If it’s ignorant nonsense, it’s ignorant nonsense. I’m trying to fight it. And in a globalised world, this counts for (admittedly very little) societal pressure.
Then I’ll go next door to the pizza joint and laugh at them for calling it a pizza pie, and then to the housewares store for selling a paella pan.
You might find this thread amusing/interesting. Au jus: Usage in English - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board
Who says “salsa sauce”? That must be regional, because I’ve never heard that in my life.
And OP? Yes, we can.
Thank you! You are talking about making fun of people for being so stupid right? Right?
It’s not ignorant nonsense. It isn’t stupid. It’s the nuance of a language. You need to get over it, because you sound way more ridiculous than “Chai tea.”
No you!
I hadn’t ever heard it either, so I Googled it, and found this recipe video.
Guess where the cook comes from? 
Heh, and, do you think she’s incorrect?
Miller for the win!