Know Your English (Nov 2001)-1

Know your English

WHAT IS the difference between "cousin" and "half brother"?

The children of your father's/mother's sister or brother are your "cousins". In other words, your uncle's kids or your aunt's kids are your cousins. For most native speakers of English, cousins are what we in India call "first cousins". In India, however, we have a tendency to introduce anyone who is distantly related to us as "my cousin". Native speakers of English do not do this.
A "half brother" is someone who shares the same father or mother as you. You have only one parent in common. In other words, if you have a half brother, it implies that you either have a stepfather or a stepmother.


Source:

The Hindu daily, Tuesday, November 06, 2001