So from the responses I have gotten, I guess a few of ya’ll find this amusing so far. One of the biggest differences is getting used to the accents and slang. Well the accents are a huge problem. Besides Australia have quite a few different accents, I think I have heard every other accent I could imagine.
From what I know, I have heard people speaking who were from (besides Australia): Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, New York, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Belgium, Malta, Spain, France, Somalia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, somewhere in Eastern Europe (couldn’t understand what they said), Fiji, Indonesia and a few others. It gets interesting sometimes given that occasionally my accent gets a little Southern. So it’s not always the easiest to communicate. On top of that add the following sample of slang and sayings.
sepo – septic tank – damn yank
Aristotle – bottle (only heard it once)
crust - bread - bread and honey = money
doona – duvet
thongs – sandals / flip flops
boardies – board shorts
buggie smuggler – speedos
carbos – carbohydrates
avo – afternoon
ambo – ambulance / ambulance driver/EMT
firey – firefighter
ute – short for utility, similar to an El Camino but 2 or 4 doors. Sedan with flat bed instead of a trunk. Also a pickup truck
vegemite – disgusting
goldie – gold coin, 1 or 2 dollars
muftie day – casual day at the office
a feed – to eat / meal
lollies – candy
shout – round of drinks
entrée – appetizer
main – entrée
footy – soccer, rugby union, rugby league or aussie rules
gridiron – American football
trekking – hiking
prawns - shrimp
mate – friend/buddy/pal/just about anyone
goodo / onay – good on you (kind of like thank you)
cuppa – cup of tea or coffee
agro – angry
airy fairy – vague
he/she’ll be apples – he/she’ll be alright
thunder box/dunny – toilet
troppo – crazy
trucky – truck driver
yank tank – American car
quay – pronounced “key” (i.e. Circular Quay – place name)
dodgy – sketchy, suspect, just not right
dinkum – real, genuine
Joe Bloggs – John Doe
Macca’s – McDonalds
nappy – diaper
panel beater – auto body repair shop
push bike – bicycle
mo – moustache
A lot of these make sense, some are a carry over from Cockney rhyming slang but most are just shortened from their normal form and adjusted for Stralian slang. Outside fo the few I’ve listed above, you do hear the usual British words as well (lift – elevator, jumper – sweater…). There are a few phrases you hear 100 times a day: “How you going?” instead of how are you. Heaps, perhaps the most over used word in Australia. Words you never hear – a lot, bunch, several, ton. Its only heaps. Mate – yup everyones a mate, but you won’t really hear g’day. Sorry to dispel that one.
The funny thing is a lot of people here can’t place my accent. It’s really amusing. Most people think I am Irish or Australian. Guess I have picked up a bit of the local accent already. Oh well. Not much I can do about that.
If you want to see how ridiculous I look with a moustache, read the previous posting and donate. Ok you don’t have to donate; I am embarrassed to post the pictures because I look pretty strange. The good thing is that there are other people in the office doing it but you can walk down the street and spot people all over that are participating as well.
From what I know, I have heard people speaking who were from (besides Australia): Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, New York, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Belgium, Malta, Spain, France, Somalia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, somewhere in Eastern Europe (couldn’t understand what they said), Fiji, Indonesia and a few others. It gets interesting sometimes given that occasionally my accent gets a little Southern. So it’s not always the easiest to communicate. On top of that add the following sample of slang and sayings.
sepo – septic tank – damn yank
Aristotle – bottle (only heard it once)
crust - bread - bread and honey = money
doona – duvet
thongs – sandals / flip flops
boardies – board shorts
buggie smuggler – speedos
carbos – carbohydrates
avo – afternoon
ambo – ambulance / ambulance driver/EMT
firey – firefighter
ute – short for utility, similar to an El Camino but 2 or 4 doors. Sedan with flat bed instead of a trunk. Also a pickup truck
vegemite – disgusting
goldie – gold coin, 1 or 2 dollars
muftie day – casual day at the office
a feed – to eat / meal
lollies – candy
shout – round of drinks
entrée – appetizer
main – entrée
footy – soccer, rugby union, rugby league or aussie rules
gridiron – American football
trekking – hiking
prawns - shrimp
mate – friend/buddy/pal/just about anyone
goodo / onay – good on you (kind of like thank you)
cuppa – cup of tea or coffee
agro – angry
airy fairy – vague
he/she’ll be apples – he/she’ll be alright
thunder box/dunny – toilet
troppo – crazy
trucky – truck driver
yank tank – American car
quay – pronounced “key” (i.e. Circular Quay – place name)
dodgy – sketchy, suspect, just not right
dinkum – real, genuine
Joe Bloggs – John Doe
Macca’s – McDonalds
nappy – diaper
panel beater – auto body repair shop
push bike – bicycle
mo – moustache
A lot of these make sense, some are a carry over from Cockney rhyming slang but most are just shortened from their normal form and adjusted for Stralian slang. Outside fo the few I’ve listed above, you do hear the usual British words as well (lift – elevator, jumper – sweater…). There are a few phrases you hear 100 times a day: “How you going?” instead of how are you. Heaps, perhaps the most over used word in Australia. Words you never hear – a lot, bunch, several, ton. Its only heaps. Mate – yup everyones a mate, but you won’t really hear g’day. Sorry to dispel that one.
The funny thing is a lot of people here can’t place my accent. It’s really amusing. Most people think I am Irish or Australian. Guess I have picked up a bit of the local accent already. Oh well. Not much I can do about that.
If you want to see how ridiculous I look with a moustache, read the previous posting and donate. Ok you don’t have to donate; I am embarrassed to post the pictures because I look pretty strange. The good thing is that there are other people in the office doing it but you can walk down the street and spot people all over that are participating as well.
2 comments:
The blog notes are great and entertaining. Please keep it up.
I never realized that cockney rhyming slang survives - and flourishes --in Australia
Uncle Richard
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