The Great Aussie tongue...
It has come to my attention (almost daily!) that there is a fair gap between the Aussie language and that spoken in the good ol’ US of A. And probably the rest of the English-speaking world…
And as my readers (hello you lot!) are almost half-and-half (Yanks and Aussies, with a few Kiwis and Canadians thrown into the mix) I thought it might be appropriate to follow on from this earlier effort in bridging the language barrier we seem to face. This is to be an interactive post – pinching some definitions I posted earlier and adding a few I've gathered from queries over the past couple of months. I'll start, and then you suggest more and/or correct the previous offerings, and I’ll add to the below list as we go.
Let’s see what kind of fabulous 'Strine User’s Guide we end up with!
SWEARING - The first thing is that NOT ALL Aussies swear. We seem to have a reputation for foul language but really, we are pretty much like anywhere else in the world. Gordon Ramsay was interviewed here recently and was aghast that Aussies could criticize his language. “For F***’s sake, it’s bloody AUSTRALIA!” he bellowed. Sure Gordon, and I do love your work, but seriously, we DON’T ALL SWEAR! The “Ocker” or exaggerated Aussies (like the characters Paul Hogan plays) come across as rough and ready in a deeper shade of blue. And there are some Aussies like that – they are generally known as “characters” or when particularly rough around the edges “real characters’.
But plenty of others are much more civilized. Like my Ma. She doesn’t swear. At all. There was that one time she said “Witch Bitch” when the proverbial had really hit the fan one day, but I don’t think we can count that, do you? Shocked the pants off me, but I recovered. And I cannot imagine Nicole Kidman talking trash, or our GG Quentin Bryce. Or our PM even. So no, we don’t all swear.
Me? I do swear on occasion. The odd “bloody” is very effective as an exaggerative device (is that even a word?) provided you don’t overdo it. For example: “That was a good show” versus “That was a bloody good show”. For impact, the latter wins hands down for me. My grandmother would lecture with a cheeky finger: “That means “By Our Lady, young woman” and it’s taking the Queen’s name in vain!”(The Queen or the Virgin Mary, one of the two!) I rarely use the F word. And certainly never the C word. My Mum did have some influence on me. (OK, there is the odd occasion if SSB has been swearing a bit much, and no kids are in earshot, where I will pepper my sentences with the F word just to shock my hubby into some manners again. He hates it when I swear!! Heh heh!).
This said, some of the words below will resemble swear words. Be warned.
I have also addressed some other words that clash (between our fine nationalities) and ones that have needed to explain on this blog. And this is an interactive thing, so I’ll post up the best suggestions and additions right here. These are in vaguely alphabetical order unless relevance overtakes.
Ready? Grab a cuppa and let's get this party started!
ALFALFA
Aussie – little tiny sprouts one uses in sandwiches, salads and garnishes.
American –the crop which makes good fodder hay (and which Aussies call LUCERNE).
.
BASTARD - can be a term of endearment or defamation, depending on it's usage. For example, "You are a bit of a bastard" is a real put-down. On the other hand, "You are a complete bastard" can be quite a compliment.
.
BITUMEN
Aussie for a sealed road (the hot tar and blue metal mix) or as Americans call it: Black Top or asphalt. Not to be confused with “bitchin’” which is a great Aussie pastime and also a positive descriptive. As in Bitchin’ Bitumen. And if you are used to driving on dirt roads, almost all bitumen is bitchin’.
.
BLOKE – Aussie man, in parody often seen in stubbie shorts and thongs (flip-flops) but can be disguised as businessmen, stockmen (cowboys), and sometimes prime ministers.
.
BOB'S YOUR UNCLE - everything is OK, fixed. As in "I'll just finished tightening this screw and Bob's your uncle!".
BUSH – this does not refer to an American President or the nether regions of a female, but to the regions of Australia beyond suburbia. Those talking about ‘The Bush’ usually refer to areas which boast the presence of animal life such as emus, dingoes, cattle, sheep, camels etc. In typical Aussie irony, it does NOT necessarily include any evidence of foliage.
.
BUSHED - can mean either lost (I'm afraid we seem to be bushed), letting go (I bushed that horse yesterday (put it out in the paddock) or very tired (Geez, you looked bushed).
.
BUSH PIG - possibly one of the most derogatory terms one can use towards a female. "She's a real bush pig" means a very rough woman who takes little care of herself and is possibly a bit aggressive. There are such things as bush pigs (in the animal sense) or wild pigs which are very big, very hairy, very scary creatures. I guess one can see the correlation?
.
CHOOKS – Aussie for chickens, or hens. It’s the sound they make: chook, chook, chook, chook-ook!
.
GOOGS - that which chooks lay: eggs, or googy eggs. I have no idea how this one came about? Anyone?
.
CANUCKS - refers to Canadians, apparently. Not much in use Down Under (yet?). We just call 'em Canadians, or if we want to be really offensive, Yanks. (Sorry guys, but I challenge you to pick a Kiwi from an Aussie!). All Canadians are welcome to comment about what they like to be called!
.
COBB & CO – a
transport service from early European settlement in Australia. (Founded by four Americans!). Consisted mainly of horse-drawn vehicles which would take passengers from all walks of life to destinations of all sizes, both urban and remote. Much of the routes and coach stops have now vanished, but some of the actual coaches and the occasional hut now feature in, or been turned into, museums.
.
COBB & CO (hitch) – a
method of connecting wire to tighten and firmly hold something in place. Usually simply referred to as a ‘Cobb and Co’.
DRIZABONE – an
oilskin raincoat, originally designed by a Scottish sailor, used mostly by horsemen (and women). I imagine it is taken from the words “Dry as a Bone”. It is heavy with a split in the back allowing the rider to sit astride his/her mount easily.
Aside – if you want to see how much Aussies revere their sporting heroes, check this catalogue out featuring cricketer Brett Lee and rugby star Stephen
Larcombe (see Wallabies). We take the worship of sports stars to new levels.
.
DUCK's NUTS/Guts - excellent, giving someone or something a real rap: You are the Duck's nuts!
.
FAIR DINKUM - the real deal, honest, absolutely true. A fair dinkum person is one you can trust. Can also be used as a question: Fair dinkum? as in Are you having a go at me?.
.
FAIR SUCK OF THE SAV - an incredulous expression: Fair suck of the sav? as in Are you for real, mate?
.
FLAT OUT (LIKE A LIZARD DRINKING) - very busy, and often too busy to put in the part in brackets!! Can be a sarcastic comment also, as in "He's flat out (on the couch!)".
.
JOE BLAKE - (rhyming slang) a snake.
.
HINEY – caused this Aussie enormous confusion til it was explained that this is American for rear end, butt, anywhere from your belly button to your mid-thigh region. In Australia this section is known as the “backside” (and the front section, the *ahem* “fanny” region. So please stop using 'fanny' around Aussies, we will snicker every time. The name Fanny Mae is particularly amusing for some reason. Except, I spose, if you are an investor!)
.
MATE – a special title bestowed up those who have proven their loyalty, integrity and (in the case of blokes) ability to throw a few cold ones down with you in times of need. As in "Good on ya, mate!".
.
MILES – distance measure once used to measure Cobb and Co routes, but almost completely unused in Aussie language these days, except as a superlative – “that thing is miles too big!” We have metric measures here, folks. (You know, the ones that superseded the old imperial system?)
.
OCKER - extreme Aussie character, who invokes the infamous Cultural Cringe in his/her fellow Australians.
.
PISS UP – involves lots of alcohol (usually beer, and not that pansy warm stuff served in England, or trendy pale stuff marketed as ‘non-fattening’ – little respect is paid to drinkers who worry about their weight. It’s un-Australian!). Also known as “on the grog” and “throwing a few back”. Admittedly not a term often used by Aussies with any 'culture' but by those tending to Ocker (see above). The chardonnay set are more likely to refer to similar activities as "drinks" or "having friends over, darling!".
.
RECKON – think or guess, as in “I reckon that will be enough beer in that glass”. OK That’s hardly ever a usage for this word. But you get the drift.
.
GET THE DRIFT – Catch my meaning, get the hint etc.
.
RM WILLIAMS – a brand name for high quality (and relevantly priced!) clothing, footwear and horse-type gear. RM boots are quite famous – riding boots made from a single piece of leather with elasticized sides. (Our boot rack is overflowing with old RM boots.) Now worn by punters as much as a fashion statement as riding wear. The name of this company comes from the man who founded it – Reginald Murray Williams. He also lent his name to the Australia Stockmen’s Hall of Fame in Longreach. I met him once – I was young and impressionable, and he was an extremely charming old man and (I'm guessing) quite a handful in his day.
.
SHEILA – a truly terrible word referring to Aussie women. Don’t use it, certainly never to someones face, especially if you are hoping for a half decent cuppa (usually tea or instant coffee). Not quite as bad as Bush Pig though.
SMOKO - nothing to do with cigarettes (well, not so much anymore) and more to do with a small meal - morning or afternoon 'tea'. In a good Aussie bush home, your hostess might offer you tea or coffee with scones or pikelets (and lashings of jam and cream!).
.
STUBBLE JUMPER - (Canadian) someone from the prairies
.
TAKING THE PISS – an extremely Australian pastime, especially in the more regional areas where we must amuse ourselves more (less access to PS2 and malls). Involves telling very tall tales with an extremely straight face and seeing just how gullible the nearest visitor (townie, Pom or Yank) really is. All family members must be able to survive ‘having the piss taken’ (i.e. displaying a sense of humour about oneself), and will graduate to taking the piss when the sacred moment arrives (as decreed by an older sibling or cousin). Does not involve drug testing. Does not involve urinating.
.
TAKING A LEAK – does involve urinating.
.
HAVING A GO (at you) – see Taking the Piss. Can take the form ‘Having a lend (of you)’.
.
HAVING A QUIET ONE - involves alcohol in initially low-noise-level surroundings.
.
TAKING THE MICKEY – see Taking the Piss
.
YANK – with great apologies to all Americans, this refers to you. It does not matter which state of your great nation you hail from – to us you are as one, and you are all Yanks. Do not take offence, it is usually meant with enormous affection. When we are taking the piss (see above) this reference can take on the rhyming slang offshoot: Septic Tank. Some connection here with "yank your chain" and taking the piss (above)? We still love you (see ‘Good Sport’ below!).
.
POM – also known as “Bloody Poms”. Read above definition, filling in “Pom” for “Yank”. We know that to you, we are all just convicts and we are happy to be good sports about that, as long as we thrash you in the cricket (or tennis, or rugby, or aerial skiing, whatever that is). Winning at sport is our revenge. Never forget it!
WALLABIES - not only a form of wildlife (like a small kangaroo) one of Australia's world-beating sporting teams, in possibly the most important game of all (and the one they play in Heaven!): Rugby Union. Full of hulking good sorts and the odd doctor and lawyer.
and finally: GOOD SPORT – the most important characteristic to have whether you are an Aussie, Pom, Yank, Kiwi etc etc.
Doesn’t matter where you are from, as long as you can handle us “taking the piss”*, you’re officially a Good Sport, and all right with us.
OK Kids, your turn to drive ... let me have it!! I promise to be a good sport!
BB
PS
Karen alerted me to a great little online dictionary
Aussie Slang - but try not to cheat!!
Kid Wrangling is another I suspect I might do well to invest in - Lord knows I needed a laugh tonight when I discovered Dash and Violet had concocted enough glue (i.e. plain flour and water) to put the Ark back together. And I reckon Girl Stuff (about all things adolescent female) might be handy as Violet rockets towards those teenage years. Even if I just throw it at the boys trying to climb in the bedroom windows!
I suspect Hermoine might not be a Botox fan...
Now all the years I lived in the city, the only 'finger wave' I observed was employed by most drivers as an offensive move. You know... there you are happily minding your own business, trying to get into the correct lane before a major road exit at peak hour, and the person in the hotted up yellow 
She also did the magic plum pudding and accompanying rum cream sauce (is it any wonder my hubby forgot he hated sultanas momentarily?). 
This coral trout (isn't she gorgeous... even dead!) 
His brand of courage saw him stalwart in the face of unimaginable, inexplicable, inconsolable pain. To emerge victorious. 
...
...was the last thing they ever wanted to do.
But if I had to choose a tree that I resembled... it would probably be a blue gum. 
