Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh!

I always find it amusing how certain words or phrases take on new meaning and enter our vernacular. Sometimes this happens within a society as a whole or perhaps a smaller community - or even a household.

Take the phrase: "Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh!"

One of the videos we received of Niranjana while she was still at the orphanage in India showed another girl trying to get her attention by hitting her. Niranjana hit the girl back with a toy, then ran off with a rather mischievous smile across her face.

In the background, you can hear Kamala (the orphanage administrator who shoots all the video) say, "Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh! No fighting!" to the girls, particularly Niranjana.

We showed this video to Niranjana a few months after bringing her home, and she laughed with glee at the incident.

Now, every time Niranjana does something we think she probably should not be doing, we say to her: "Deh-deh-deh-deh-deh!" It just comes out automatically. I don't know what others think when they here it, as it sounds mildly like: "Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh" or "No-no-no-no-no."

Now, even Niranjana will say it to us when she thinks we are doing something wrong. This will likely stick with us the rest of our days.