Learning the Lingo
When one moves to a foreign country the first thing you consider is the language that is spoken. We were thrilled to know that English is the chosen language for the Aussies. However, we were not prepared for the vast difference in lingo. According to my Americans’ Survival Guide to Australia, “Just because Americans and Australians use a language based on English doesn’t mean they speak the same language.” We have found ourselves asking people to repeat themselves in effort to translate what they are saying. I believe it is the accent and the terminology that give us trouble. I am told that it will get easier with time. Below is a list of terms and phrases we have encountered during our first couple of months in the Land Down Under . . .
A few spelling differences: tire is spelled tyre, organize is organise and the same with realize. The letter “z” is pronounced “zed” so they normally don’t use it when spelling words. Super can be spelled “super”, but we have found it spelled “supa” because that is how it is pronounced over here. Schedule has the same meaning, but is pronounced “shedule”.
Terminology:
Pardon – excuse me (we use this a lot because we can’t understand people)
Bathers – swimming suits
Mobile (pronounced moe-byle) – cell phone
SMSing – texting
Brekky/Brekkie – breakfast
Macca’s (pronounced “mackers”) – McDonald’s
Biscuit – cookie
Lollies – candy
“Knock it on is head” – not going to accept it, you’ll reject the idea
Ball Huggers – speedos
Barbie – BBQ
Barrister – lawyer
Soliciter – lower level lawyer
Bin – trash can
Booking – reservation
Boot – trunk of the car
Canteen – school cafeteria
Capsicum – bell pepper (any color)
Car Park – parking lot
CDB (Central Business District) – downtown
Chemist – pharmacist/pharmacy
Chips – french fries
College – high school
Uni – University
Cordial – KoolAid
Cos – romaine lettuce
Creche (pronounced “kresh”) – daycare facility
Cubby – kid’s treehouse or playhouse
Dodgy – not good/suspicious
Doona – comforter or quilt
EFTPOS (pronounced “ehft pohs”) – debit card
Entrée – appetizer not your main meal. The main meal is called “Main”
Excursion – a school field trip
Flannal – wash cloth or hand towel
Fringe – bangs (hair)
Glandular Fever – Mononucleosis
Globe – light bulb
Heaps – many, a lot
Holiday – vacation
“Howya going?” – “How ya doing?”
Ice Cream Spider or Spider – our version of a float (Root Beer Float) although they use various flavors of soda.
Jam – jelly
Jelly – JellO
Jumper – sweater or sweatshir
Knickers – girls’ underware
Jocks – boys’ underware
Lemonade – Sprite or 7-UP
Lift – elevator
Milk Bar – convenience store
Milk Shake – flavored milk (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, etc.) no ice cream
Mince – ground meat/hamburger, etc.
Mo – moustache
Mozzies – mosquitos, which by the way, are huge and abundant
Nappies – diapers
Petrol – gas
Pokies – slot machines
Post – mail
Postie – mailman, which delivers mail on a motorcycle with saddle bags for the mail
Pram – stroller
Preggers – pregnant
Prezzy – presents
Rellies – relatives
Reception – registration desk
Rock Melon – cantelope (Gary encountered this at work. He used cantelope and confused his guys. They had to google it to find out what he meant.)
Rice Bubbles – Rice Krispies
Sanger – sandwich
Chicken Schnitzel – breaded, fried chicken
Serviette – napkin
“She’ll Be Right” – “It’ll be ok”
Smash – car accident
Smash Repairs – auto body shop
Sultanas – rainsins (Sultana Bran is Raisin Bran)
Take Away – take out food
Tea – evening meal/dinner
Toilet – bathroom/restroom
Tomato Sauce – ketchup
Torch – flashlight
Yank – any American
Gum Boots – rain boots
Tiggy – the game tag
Rubbish – gargage
“Once a Fort Night” – every two weeks
Give Way – yield
Trolley – shopping cart
“Good Onya” – “Good Job” or “Well Done”
“Fair Dinkum” – the truth – genuine
These are just a few of the differences that we have experienced in the few months we have lived in this beautiful country. I’m sure we "Yanks" will encounter many, many more and will be saying “Pardon” when we don’t understand the lingo.
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