'Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking'
I don't actually speak particularly Australian myself. Phrases like 'crikey' and 'strewth' never find their way to my speech. But there are a number of less ocker words that I do use everyday, some I didn't even realise weren't right until I started travelling. So here is my super quick guide to speaking like a true blue Aussie.
(oh and language warning for some, because swearing is a little more socially acceptable here!)
SHEILA
basically 'woman'
BLOKE
Man
THONGS
Flip flops/jandals/floppies/sandals
call them what you like but I will call them thongs
BOGAN
Not really sure how to translate this but effectively, Australia's answer to white trash.
G-String
What some of you may call a thong, but you're wrong!
TORCH
Flashlight
Rubbish Bin
Or you might call it a 'trash can'
FRINGE
I feel very awkward talking to American's and calling a fringe, bangs. How does it go from being singular to plural? That's always freaked me out
PASH
Which sounds way better than 'French Kiss'
SOFT DRINK
Instead of Soda or Pop. And the plain stuff (Sprite etc) is called Lemonade..
WINDCHEATER
We might also call it a jumper, or more recently a hoodie. But never a sweatshirt.
RUNNERS
Refers to all brands, not just Nike.
Kiwi
Anybody from New Zealand.
These were the two most famous Kiwi's I could think of..
SNAGS
Sausages
and finally
It's a PRAWN not a Shrimp
SOCCER not FOOTBALL
BATHERS not a BATHING SUIT
TRACKIES not SWEATPANTS
UNI not COLLEGE
PLAITS not BRAIDS
I have a MOBILE not a CELL PHONE
HOT CHIPS not FRIES
I'm sitting on the COUCH not a SOFA
CROP TOP instead of TRAINING BRA
and I BARRACK for my sports team, I definitely don't ROOT for them.. because ROOT is slang for making love...
I'm sure there are plenty more I forgot but I just thought this was kind of fun!
Anything you say totally different? I'd love to know
I LOVEEEE this!
ReplyDeleteI pretty much say everything like an American. Except I always call the couch a couch.
I think Windcheater is my favorite out of the list!
What do you call erasers??
Ohh a few American's have actually pointed out they call it a couch too.. I don't know why I just assumed it was more Aussie?!?!
ReplyDeleteI call an eraser and eraser, but they are also often called a rubber.. which is fine but thats also another word for condom so a lot of kids stop saying rubber after about the 4th grade...
and I should have included windcheater is pronounced more like 'wind-sheeter' than 'wind-cheater' just to make it more confusing!
I love that even though both countries speak English, I always feel like I have to stop and translate myself when in the US.. eg 'I want some chips for tea' wouldn't mean quite the same to you as it does me! Languages are funny like that.. and I'm such a nerd that I find this stuff insanely interesting..
Haha, yeah. I had some kids from England who kept asking me for a rubber and I was SO confused. I wasn't sure if it was the same in Australia. :)
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