Since it's Australia Day here, I thought I'd pass along a little lesson on how to speak Australian. The list could go on forever but these are words I encounter frequently or see in the paper.
Step #1 - the best thing to do is shorten any word, add an -ie or -y to the end, or just stick an o on it.
Rotto - Rottnest Island
Cott - Cottesloe, our neighborhood
Mozzie - mosquito
Footy - Australian rules football
Barbie - barbeque (and they don't throw shrimp on it, they say prawn here)
Ta - thank you
Lippie - lipstick
Step #2 - If in doubt, use British English
Nappy - diaper
Loo - toilet, restroom
Lift - elevator
Flat - apartment
Step #3 - Shorten every occupation
Leckie - electrician
Garbo - garbage collector
Journo - journalist
Step #4 - Don't be afraid to get creative!
Mackers - McDonald's
Cuppa - cup of coffee (and you need to know if it's tall or short, dark or white, and long or flat)
Station - farm or ranch
Bathers - swimsuit
Manchester - household linens
Doona - comforter
Nipper - little kid or young lifesaver/lifeguard
Jaffle - toasted sandwich
Lollies - candy
Nick off - to leave
Chook - chicken
Peckish - hungry
Ute - 4wd or sport utility vehicle
Bush - the outback or anywhere that isn't town
Creche - nursery
Mum - mom
Bub - baby
And my favorite of the week is to "chuck a sickie", or call in sick when you're perfectly healthy. Apparently half a million people did it yesterday to make a 4-day weekend. You can't accuse Australians of working too hard, that's for sure, but they know how to have a good time.
I do love how people talk here and I'm slowly learning a lot of the terminology. You wouldn't think an English-speaking country would have so many differences, and a lot of terms we'd already learned in Singapore thanks to the British influence, but there are still times when I have to ask people what they're talking about. That's what makes living abroad an adventure in the most unexpected places.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
i was asked by my boss if i had a good chrissy? "Christmas"... i have learned alot of these at the clinic in Singapore but Mackers... still cracks me up...
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting. Happy Australia Day!
ReplyDeleteAny tradesperson is a "Tradie" .... but then comes the carpenter who is a "Chippie", the electrician is of course the "sparkie".... the list goes on and on like you say!
ReplyDeleteJaffle for toasted sandwich depends on what state you are in... Jaffle is usually a sandwich done in a "Jaffle Iron" on a BBQ.
Someone that lives out in the bush or countryside is usually a "bushie".
ah yes .. the good old "chuck a sickie" ... cost the nation 250 million dollars last Monday 'cos so many took the day off!!
"Sickie" means a sick day, Australians usually get about 2 or 3 weeks a year 'sick leave'... thats not counting the 'extra sickies' they have!
"Snag" ... is a sausage.
The person that delivers the mail or post is a "Postie".
"Aussie salute" is brushing away flies with the hand.
"Arvo's" is of course having afternoon tea, or a coffee. Usually just a break of some sort.
Bit like a "smoko" for the "blokes" or men!
A "bingle" is a bit of a car accident.
That's it .... I give up now.... there are hundred's more that I am sure you will come across eventually.
Have fun!!!!
Thanks for the lesson! I really enjoyed it! Now to try it out!
ReplyDelete