In honor of the day I thought I would talk about the Australian language.
During the first few weeks here in Brisbane, our relocation consultant was giving me a tour and took me to the doctor because I had a pretty bad cough and hadn't gone on my own yet. While I was filling out paperwork, she called David's office and had him called out of a meeting in order to double check our insurance info. She started out by casually saying that I was in "doctor's surgery" and needed to confirm our insurance. This threw David into a panic thinking I was actually in surgery! She got a good chuckle and explained I was just in the regular doctors office. So began our education in Aussie English.
Would you ever chuck a sickie? (call in sick)
Have you been somewhere that is so chockablock you had to leave? (very full or crowded)
Have you every been flat out like a lizard drinking? (extremely busy and under pressure )
Australians speak English, but anyone who has visited for a decent amount of time knows that a translator or translation dictionary is helpful when communicating. There is a reason there are Aussie slang dictionaries. We've been here almost two years and I still find myself looking up words.
The stereotypical "G'day" and "mate" are commonly used and are not just catchy words used in overseas advertising. The typical greeting of "How ya going?" took quite a while for me to get used to. Going? I'm not going anywhere. However, I guess if you think about it, "How are you doing?" doesn't make all that much sense either.
Popular responses to just about anything are "no worries, "no dramas," and "too easy." I keep wanting to keep tally on how many times a day I hear it.
Some other sayings I like include:
- gone pear shaped - taking a turn for the worse
- rock up - arrive
- good on ya - well done
- tuck in - begin eating and enjoying your meal
- rug up - dressing for cold weather
- like chalk and cheese - an unlike comparison; i.e. apples to oranges
- done and dusted - successfully completed
- your shout - referring to buying a round of drinks
- ripper/cracker/cracking - very impressive
This is said when something is cool, crazy or unbelievable. I've fully embraced this saying and feel like I am part of an old 70's hippie movie.
Aussies like to abbreviate their words.
For some words there is a bit of a formula. First you shorten the word then you add an "ie" or "y" to the end of it. For example:
- Aussie - pronounced Ozzy, means Australian; Oz = Australia.
- Brekkie - breakfast
- Prezzy - present
- Postie - postman
- Rellie - relative
- Mozzie - mosquito
- Sunnies - sunglasses
- Arvo - afternoon
- Servo - service station
- Rego - registration
- Jono - name short for Jonathan
- Cuppa - cup of tea or coffee "Please come by this arvo for a cuppa."
- Uni - University
- Ute - utility vehicle; pick-up truck
- Chook - chicken
- Spag Bol - spaghetti bolognaise (does not sound very appetizing in its shortened version)
Then there are just new words. Unknown words to us visitors left to look dazed and confused when in mid conversation with a local.
- Bogan - Aussie version of redneck
- Togs - bathing suit
- Full stop - period; end of sentence
- Stack - a fall or crash
- Tall poppy - successful person
- Ta - thank you
Thongs - flip-flops
Rubbers - erasers
Thongs are the unofficial shoe of Australia and are worn almost all year round here in tropical Brisbane.
Pencils do not come with erasers on the ends of them. The girls are constantly looking for rubbers when doing their homework.
It's time for us to get out and enjoy the holiday. If your in the neighborhood, come over this arvo for a cuppa and have the kids bring their togs!
Happy Australia Day!!
