What's in a Name"

In Gujarati culture, your mother's brother is your "Masa". His wife, your "Masi". Mom's sister is your "Gacci" and her husband your "Gacca". Now on your father's side his sister is your Foi" and brother a "Fua". At least I think that's how it goes.

I asked my wife and her American raiseed cousins. They haven't a clue. The titles were just part of their names. Their freakin impossible names.

Take this one Uncle. I was introduced to him as "Gacca" before I knew there was this incredibly complicated Uncle-Aunt thing. "OK Gacca, I can remember that name" I think to myself. Next time I see him, before attempting Gacca, I ask my wife his name.

"Sent", she tells me.

"I thought it was "Gacca", I said, slightly frustrated.

"Oh yeah. You can can call him Senti-gacca."

Now I'm getting it, I think to myself. It's one of those Bob versus Robert things.

Before I get a chance to address him, Daya's father calls to him, "Sentidras!"

"OK what's his name Daya?" frustrated, I asked her as point to the same Uncle.

Daya looks a bit confused herself and calls to him, "Bapu!"

I had about 40 of these names to get down. 15 years later, I'm about half way through the list.