American Born Confused Desi (ABCD) refers to people of Desi origin (of Indian or Pakistani descent), living in the United States.
"Confused" refers to their confusion regarding their identity, having been born in America or lived there since childhood and been closer to American culture than their native culture. It is sometimes regarded as an ethnic slur.
When a desi is in India, they are regarded as an American, but when the same desi is in America, they are regarded as Indian. This is where the confusion arises.
The term also takes the form American Born Confused Desi Emigrated from Gujarat.
A full term using all letters of the alphabet was devised c. 1998 by Varun Nangia and Syed Zain Hoda as follows:
American Born Confused Desi Emigrated From Gujarat, Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lotsa Motels, Named Often Patel, Quickly Reaches Success Through Underhanded Viscious Ways; Xenophobic, Yet Zealous.
See also
