To Speak Australian
Here are some phrases and terms Jean and I have picked up on here Australia
Phraseology
G'day: Hello, hey, good day, good morrow to you, salutations, greetings
G'day is not just for Crocodile Dundee. Normal people, not wielding large knives, say it all the time. It's also one of the phrases I find almost impossible to say without trying to emulate an Australian accent.
How are you going?: How are you? How are things going? What's up? What's happening? Que pasa?
"On foot probably." Australians as a whole don't think this response is funny.
How are you traveling?: See how are you going?
No worries: No problem, don't worry about it, you're welcome, hakuna matata
I think you absorb this phrase into your speech as you step onto the continent. I almost have to force myself not to say it now.
No drama(s): See no worries.
Throw "no dramas" into your Australian vernacular for a little variety
Too easy: Good, that's a relief, that's convenient, that was easy, that was fortunate
If Jean forgot to put potatoes on my shopping list and I bought potatoes anyway, Jean, upon hearing that I bought potatoes, might respond with, "too easy."
Good on you (yuh): Well done, congratulations, good for you
Cool bananas: Cool, good to hear, excellent news, fantastic
Terminology
Mate: Friend, pal, bub, buddy
Often paired with "G'day" or "no worries." Mate can either mean close friend as in, "He[Clancy] and my father were mates," or used to address a complete stranger. You might tell the male checker at the grocery store, "Thanks mate," when he gives you your receipt. Here's a snippet of conversation I overheard one day taking the term down another avenue altogether. Note that it's completely out of context and nothing illegal/unsavory/dodgy was actually going on.
Bloke: Guy, chap, man
Used to refer to a male in the third person as in "there are three blokes outside waiting for you."
Sickie: Sick day
Sickies seem to be fairly common the day after large sporting events.
Barbie: Barbeque
I heard an unsubstantiated stat that Australian family's have on average two barbies a week. Barbies are fairly common in my workplace (rail construction office). We might work in a sparsely furnished temporary building with inadequate heating and cooling but you can be sure there are a couple of industrial grade barbecue pits outside.
Brekkie, Brekky: Breakfast
This past Wednesday we had a brekkie barbie at work. Sausage and eggs on buttered bread. Yummers!
Mackers: McDonalds
In case all you globalization fans were concerned the golden arches have spanned the Pacific and are doing quite well here. There's competition though from an outfit called Hungry Jacks. However, Hungry Jacks looks suspiciously like another American fast food chain I know.
Fooder: Farmer's market, roadside food stall
Better make sure your sunnies have adequate UV protection
Swimmers: Swim suit, swimming costume, string bikini, board shots
Don't forget your swimmers and sunnies when you go to the beach. Sage advice.
Schooner: A pint of beer
Goonie: A box of wine
Boonies: A low population density and largely undeveloped area a substantial distance from all high population density and highly developed areas.
Some Australian friends of ours thought this might be an Australian term. I know I've heard my parents use it. I think it's a funny word to say and it rhymes with goonies.
Phraseology
G'day is not just for Crocodile Dundee. Normal people, not wielding large knives, say it all the time. It's also one of the phrases I find almost impossible to say without trying to emulate an Australian accent.
How are you going?: How are you? How are things going? What's up? What's happening? Que pasa?
"On foot probably." Australians as a whole don't think this response is funny.
How are you traveling?: See how are you going?
No worries: No problem, don't worry about it, you're welcome, hakuna matata
I think you absorb this phrase into your speech as you step onto the continent. I almost have to force myself not to say it now.
No drama(s): See no worries.
Throw "no dramas" into your Australian vernacular for a little variety
Too easy: Good, that's a relief, that's convenient, that was easy, that was fortunate
If Jean forgot to put potatoes on my shopping list and I bought potatoes anyway, Jean, upon hearing that I bought potatoes, might respond with, "too easy."
Good on you (yuh): Well done, congratulations, good for you
Cool bananas: Cool, good to hear, excellent news, fantastic
Terminology
Often paired with "G'day" or "no worries." Mate can either mean close friend as in, "He[Clancy] and my father were mates," or used to address a complete stranger. You might tell the male checker at the grocery store, "Thanks mate," when he gives you your receipt. Here's a snippet of conversation I overheard one day taking the term down another avenue altogether. Note that it's completely out of context and nothing illegal/unsavory/dodgy was actually going on.
Australian guy: Here I thought we were mates.
French guy: (laughs evilly) You will go to prison and you will find a true mate.
Bloke: Guy, chap, man
Used to refer to a male in the third person as in "there are three blokes outside waiting for you."
Sickie: Sick day
Sickies seem to be fairly common the day after large sporting events.
Barbie: Barbeque
I heard an unsubstantiated stat that Australian family's have on average two barbies a week. Barbies are fairly common in my workplace (rail construction office). We might work in a sparsely furnished temporary building with inadequate heating and cooling but you can be sure there are a couple of industrial grade barbecue pits outside.
Brekkie, Brekky: Breakfast
This past Wednesday we had a brekkie barbie at work. Sausage and eggs on buttered bread. Yummers!
In case all you globalization fans were concerned the golden arches have spanned the Pacific and are doing quite well here. There's competition though from an outfit called Hungry Jacks. However, Hungry Jacks looks suspiciously like another American fast food chain I know.
Me(incredulous): Bananas for $7 a kilo. Where did you find that?Sunnies: Sunglasses
Co-worker: I don't know. A fooder.
Me: What's a fooder?
Better make sure your sunnies have adequate UV protection
Swimmers: Swim suit, swimming costume, string bikini, board shots
Don't forget your swimmers and sunnies when you go to the beach. Sage advice.
Schooner: A pint of beer
Goonie: A box of wine
Boonies: A low population density and largely undeveloped area a substantial distance from all high population density and highly developed areas.
Some Australian friends of ours thought this might be an Australian term. I know I've heard my parents use it. I think it's a funny word to say and it rhymes with goonies.
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