The words and phrases that mean something slightly different here in Shanghai than most other places. And we're not talking about the local hua...
'Cheap rent'
Other places: 2,500RMB a month.
In Shanghai: >4,000RMB a month.
'Bing'
Other places: Chandler's surname.
In Shanghai: Something that you have for breakfast; that search engine you begrudgingly use when your VPN crumbles.
'Orderly queue'
Other places: An organised line or sequence of people waiting for their turn.
In Shanghai: Error 404 - page not found.
'Cheap drinks'
Other places: 20RMB.
In Shanghai: 65RMB.
'Glass of water'
Other places: A cool refreshing beverage.
In Shanghai: A boiling drink often served in an inappropriate receptacle that burns your hand.
'Tap water'
Other places: Something that you can drink.
In Shanghai: Something that you use while brushing your teeth but still aren't 100 percent sure about.
'WeChat'
Other places: Sorry, what?
In Shanghai: That thing your life revolves around.
'VPN'
Other places: Something your dad used when he was paranoid about people hacking his online banking.
In Shanghai: That other thing your life revolves around.
'Bowel movements'
Other places: The last stop in the movement of food through one's digestive tract.
In Shanghai: A source of great concern.
'Disneyland'
Other places: The happiest place on earth.
In Shanghai: The happiest place in Pudong.