‘Digital timepass’ is India’s ‘lying flat’: How boredom became a business?

In the quirky world of Indian English, “timepass” is of relatively recent vintage. Its first known appearance was in a newspaper article from 1982. But like “prepone” — the opposite of postpone — the word has gained currency because of its sheer efficiency.

“What are you doing nowadays?” a friend inquires. “Timepass,” comes the reply. The stuff that’s filling up one’s day is really of no importance; it’s just helping pass the hours. The friend will know better than to probe any further.