Technical Difficulties

So, our second hard drive crashed. That's annoying. Been trying to post about our trip to Melbourne with Mer and Steve, but we're having some real computer issues and pics are not accessible at the moment (though hopefully safe in the back up systems!)

Here are a few new Australianisms I've heard lately (those terms I used to post so often that were uniquely "Strine" - which is how most Aussies <pronounced 'ozzies'> pronounce the word "Australian", but actually most of the words have British roots -- I've tried to tag all the Australianism/slang entries if you want to have a look - and a laugh):

Prang / Dingle  (car wreck/collision)
"Blow me over"  ("No way"/unbelievable)
Dinkum  (a true Aussie)
Sprogs  (kids)
whinge (whine - I put this on a previous list but it's so ever-present around here that it's rolling                                    off my tongue right and left lately!)

Australianisms 2013

Every once in a while I'll do a post about what I call "Australianisms" - little quirky cultural differences I keep track of, including words or phrases that are different here. The latest:

Knickers (underwear)
Clean teeth (brush teeth)
Nail varnish (nail polish)
Midday (noon)
"You look so swish!" (stylish?)
Nudie Rudie (naked baby running around)
Block your nose (plug your nose)
Tick (check)
Sledge (sled)
Cubby (playhouse)
Rug (blanket)
"We are moving house." (We are moving.)
Chippies (potato chips, since "chips" are french fries)
Give it a miss (don't go, miss out)
Master Desmond (baby prefix, opposite of Mister on official/medical forms)
"Leave it with me." (I'll take care of it)
"You've got sleep in your eyes." (those little eye boogers)
"I've got a blood nose." (bloody nose, possibly because that's a swear in England?)
"Can you sight my homework?" (check homework)

It's funny when I find myself starting to forget some of the old ways of saying things. By the time we move home I'm going to have to start up a list of "Americanisms" right?

Aus Specialties

Australianisms continue...

juice poppers (juice boxes)
plate (retainer)
doona (comforter/quilt)
icy pole (popsicle)
stitch (cramp)
pop off (head out)
rock up (arrive unannounced)
wagged (tired out)
star jumps (jumping jacks)
diary (calendar - this one got me a few times)
zips (zippers)
wardrobe (closet)
coach (bus)
got it sorted (worked things out)
booking (reservation and also, getting a ticket/fine)

'Tis also the land of huge and intimidating bugs. I found this guy climbing into our garage fridge this afternoon as I was closing it. We put the jar on Will's pillow for a welcome home after school :)

And might I throw in a word about the recent spider dramas too. Y'all know that there are all sorts of venomous creepy crawlies down under, but seriously, it's time to spray again because we've had no less than 10 encounters in the last week alone. A couple of huge hairy Huntsmans on helmets and sleeping bags, some serious webs explored by Summer, one or two medium sized spiders on the couch, another tickling Annie's arm inside her sleeve (poor girl couldn't hop up and down or run away stranded there by the side of the pool without her crutches - just screamed and screamed) and one just now repelled down from the ceiling between my face and the computer screen. Talk about learning to live with them... I don't usually mind, but this is getting ridiculous.

Aussie-isms

I'm either too used to them now or have recorded most of them already on the blog (search my Australianisms-tagged posts) but the latest ones on the list are:

"fussed" (worried)
"wee" (small)
"clean your teeth" (brush your teeth)
"fierce" (harsh)
"braces" (suspenders)
"lie-in" (sleep-in)
"busking" (playing an instrument on the street for $, what's our word?)
"bag it" (claim/call "I call that seat!")

and this funny one...

My kids were offered "chickenburger, hamburger or cheeseburger" on the latest Special Lunch at school (it's a fundraising thing each term) and of course they checked "cheeseburger." Poor darlings were sorely disappointed when all they got was cheese, lettuce and tomato!

Vege-love

I've admitted my newfound pregnant love of Vegemite. 

Well, just over a year in, we finally made it through our first jar. Add in Will's appetite for it and I'm guessing the second batch, despite its enormous-Costco-induced size, won't fair as well...

Australianisms Update

 A few more I've caught lately:

slippery dip (slide - cutest 3 yr old was yelling "let's go down the slippery dip!" at the park)
windcheater (windbreaker)
lippie (lipstick)
rivulet (stream)
stubbies (short shorts)
kitchen bench (kitchen counter - this one throws me every time)
feral (wild/dirty)
dressing gown (nightgown)
lie low (pool float/air mattress)
wee (pee)
lost property (lost & found)
He tucked himself (committed suicide)
I didn't pick it (didn't predict that, didn't see that coming)
I didn't twig that (didn't catch/notice/figure that out)
Can I scab a ride? (snag/catch a ride)

And my cute friend Holly of Delightful Domestic Science forwarded this clever quiz to me. Give it a try - I'm embarrassed to admit I only got 11 right. What kind of Aussie am I??

(I'll put the answers below in the comment section tomorrow for those of you who must know - and let me know how you go!)

Aussies

Barrack (cheer for)
Too easy (no problem)
Roll up! Roll up! (Come one, come all!)
L-platers (learners permit drivers)
Ice block (popsicle)
Fringe (bangs)
Blow away (blow dry)
Called (named)
Bond suit (onesie)
Ear bashing (gossiping?)
Sticky wickets (eavesdropping?)
Spot on/ Cracker Jack (perfect)
Convoy (caravan)

Mo (mustache)
Slice (any dessert in bar form)
Move house (moving)
Kitchen bench (counter)
Scungie (yucky/nasty)
Go off (go bad)

And correct me if I'm wrong, but basic Great Lash is like $2.99 tops back home, right? How can cosmetics possibly be that much more expensive?!

School Lunch

In the States that phrase might elicit some scrunched-up "yuck" faces. Being a government-run, streamlined program, it's not exactly the freshest, healthiest meal you want for your kid. Jaime Oliver's pretty much proven that.

But out here, it's totally different. You basically order what you want from the list; offerings like wraps, muffins, fried rice, pies, smoothies, etc. Then the Canteen whips it up for you that morning (with a few parent volunteers.) I help out once a term and always love seeing how the meals are put together.

The other day I was doing up some fresh baked "bikkies". And scooping out fresh-set jelly(o) with sliced fruit for fruit cups.

Meanwhile, Summer's under the counters - usually with a whole crowd of laughing, smiley faces.

I can't help but think we could significantly cut down on childhood obesity with a more natural, hands-on approach to school lunch like this. Pricier, yes, but fresh ingredients, less preservatives, real food - it's gotta be worth it.


They've also got an "Environment Centre" with kitchen attached. It's the highlight of the week to go in and cook pumpkin scones or vegetable pizza at these kid-sized appliances.

 They get to grow, sample and cultivate vegetable gardens right outside their doors.

From this..... to this 2 months later.

Throw in a compost heap and gathering fresh eggs from their chooks and you've got some real life learning experiences going on.

I reckon they're going to miss this school.

'No No's in Oz

I keep thinking we're tapering off on the Australianisms here, but on the flip side I have been made aware of some important "no-no"s that are worth mentioning. If ever you find yourself in the Land Down Under, be careful not to use the following phrases:

Fanny
Root For (as in cheering for a sports team)
Stuffed (as in "i'm stuffed" after Thanksgiving dinner)
Doodle (according to Will)

I won't go into what they mean but you can assume they are quite inappropriate.

Also, swearing is a whole different ball game. Our kids were more than a little shocked at all the "swearing" every day at school, until we learned that "damn" and "hell" are simply not swear words here. So, although our kids are still not allowed to say them, they sure are accustomed to it.

A few more funny terms:

Losing the Plot (frustrated/fed up)
Pay Out (sell out)
Nackered (exhausted)
Good Oh (okay)
Out in the Never Never (way out in the undeveloped bush)
Paw Paw (papaya)
Pinch (steal)
Early Mark (out of school early)
Prezzies (gifts)
First In Best Dressed (first come, first served)
Sook (crybaby)
Knickers (female underwear)
Tee-Up (organize/make an appointment)
Sticky Beak (nosey person)
Top End (far northern Australia)
Fancy Dress (dress-ups, as in costume, not ballgown)
Good Turn (good deed)

And finally, an American friend who is a Nurse Practitioner here said that professional competition takes some getting used to as well. In the States you're generally rewarded for being a go-getter and showing initiative in the workplace. But here, apparently it's not an appreciated attitude and you're more likely to get chopped down. Called "Tall Poppy Syndrome" - valuable advice for the professionals I guess. Be stealthy if you want to climb that corporate ladder.

Wonky Talky

Apparently, there's a proper name for this lingo I call "Australianisms." They call it 'Strine, as in the way Australians say the word "australian" - with the accent it sounds like they're saying "Strine."

Here are some more we've heard lately:

Power point (outlet)
Piked (crowded)
Skivvy (turtleneck)
Make a booking (reserve a spot)
Year 3 (3rd grade)
Essence (extract)
Pip (pit, like in a cherry)
Hob shop (second hand shop)
Lounge suit (business suit)
Prang (crash)
"the drink" (any body of water)
Righto (sure, sounds good)
Spit the dummy (throw a fit/tantrum, since dummy is a pacifier)
Top of (high of, in reference to weather temp)
Courier (shipping & handling)
Hash key (pound key)

Meant to (supposed to)
Brumby (horse)
Mobile (cell)
Digger (shovel)
Feeding (nursing)
Packet (food bag/box)
Expiry (expiration date)
Gumboots (rainboots)
Popper (juicebox)
Muck around (goof off)
Cochineal (food coloring)
Baddies (bad guys)

These are Australian marshmallows. Always half pink and more like the homemade ones you'd find at a cafe. I do miss the cheap bags of weightless, white, miniature mallows, but I'm not complaining - it's still a fluffy block'o'sugar.

Aussie-isms

Wobbly tooth (loose tooth - remind you of that Charlie & Lola episode?) 
Bee (gathering/party; ie: a Gardening Bee to clean up the school garden)
Collect (pick up)
Tip (dump)
Yukka (work)
Cinema (movie theater)
Vest (women's tank top, formerly listed as "singlet" but apparently that an "undershirt")
Wag (skip class)
Flat out (overwhelmed/ing)
Conserve (jelly)
Fire brigade (firemen)
Let me alone (leave me alone)
Rock melon (cantaloupe)
Beaut (good)
Biro (ball point pen)
Bloke (guy)
Mate (buddy)
Bush (countryside)
Fete (carnival)
Footpath (sidewalk)
Gaol (jail)
Little boys (little hotdogs/weiners/sausages)
Give it a miss (not interested)
Garden (lawn/yard)
It's not on (not allowed)
Loo (toilet)

Even More Australianisms

Snag (sausage)
Chucked a sickie (played hookie)
Bird table (bird bath)
Wind screen (wind shield)
"Eighdeen" (18 - no sharp "t"s pronounced in the teens)
Been in hospital (not in the hospital)
Plaster (cast)
On special (sale)
En Suite (master bath)
Pumpkin (all squash: "butternut pumpkin")
Rocket (lettuce)
In a bit of a flap (rushed)
Straightaway (quickly/soon)
Billet (host or receipt)
Till (cash register)
Paddock (meadow/field)
Pinch (steal)
Spitting (drizzling rain)
Parcel (package)


Makes me smile to hear these coming out of my kids' mouths.

Australianisms Again

More Aussie-lingo
(pronounced "Ozzy" by the way, not "Aw-see" despite the misleading sss)

Gridiron (American football)
Versus (against)
Tips (tag - as in the childhood game, I got confused hearing my kids shout "I tipped you!")
Lead (leash)
Cubbyhouse (playset)
Smack (spank)
Tigger (tiger - actually I think it's still spelled with one 'g' but pronounced like Pooh's friend)
Quay (docks in Sydney, but pronounce it 'key' or you'll really give your tourist self away)
Specs (glasses)
Excursion (field trip)
Docket (receipt)
Sparky (electrician)
Chuffed (excited/stoked)
Telly box (tv)
Globes (light bulbs)
Mince (ground beef/meat)
On offer (available)
Smoker (pipe)
Lift (elevator)


And this is a fun one: FAIRY BREAD

white bread + butter + hundreds and thousands

I love the sprinkles here - more like fine threads of icing

 Or go ahead, cut off those crusts and bust out the cookie cutters 

when you're feeling extra fancy.

A party staple. Genius.

Go Big or Go Home

Not only do Aussies seem "bigger" in general (every third bloke on the street looks like he could be a professional rugby player) but they have an intriguing love affair with "big things" as well.

Littered about the country are all kinds of huge, random, fiberglass structures the lucky traveler might happen upon.

Sort of like a much more difficult, yet rewarding version of your childhood ABC game. (Remember that one on roadtrips?)

For instance:

the big merino sheep

the big red elephant

Also seen, but not quick enough on the camera draw:

the Big Orange

the Big Clam

I plan on keeping a running record of the ones we happen upon, but here are some sneak peeks from travelers less caught by surprise (or hurried) than we:

Tickle your fancy?

Read/view/google to your heart's content or click here for their wiki page.

Australianisms At the Disco

So, apparently, the word "disco" is used differently here. When the kids' school party advertised "best dressed prizes - parents included" for the upcoming Disco, I thought - SWEET! I almost completely disgraced myself (and my kids) by arriving dressed in a full paisley 70's bodysuit. As it turns out I only semi-disgraced myself (and my kids) by showing up in this get up:
 

I take "prizes" seriously y'all.*

Fortunately, I casually asked another mum at school that afternoon if she had any 70's costume-wear. She laughed aloud and explained patiently that it was "stripes & spots" theme only, not a thing to do with the 70's. Who knew "disco" was a key Australianism I'd need? Apparently, it's just a "dance."

Don't say I didn't warn ya.

 The rest of the list:

Naught (zero)
Jelly (jello)
Singlet (tank top)
Faultless (flawless)
Rub out (erase)
Drinking chocolate (hot cocoa)
Spotty (polka-dotted)
Sunnies (sunglasses)
Sausage sizzle (BBQ)
Pumpkin (squash, ie: "butternut pumpkin")
Reckon (think)
Cornflour (cornstarch)
Bi-carb soda (baking soda)
Icing sugar (powdered sugar)
Castor sugar (somewhere between powdered sugar and regular white sugar)
Golden syrup (cross between corn syrup & molasses, neither of which I've found)
Corridor (hallway)
Hall (gymnasium)
Plaits (braids)
Pitch (field)
Zed (the letter "z")
Coriander (cilantro)
Zebra (pronounced "zeh-bra" not "zee-bra")

Correction: An Aussie friend pointed out my mistake in listing "Chilly Bin"  for "cooler" on a previous post. I'm told that's the New Zealand term. The Australian term is "Esky." 

Duly noted and my apologies.

*And yes, you bet I DID win first place at the "disco" - although I'm sad to say there were no prizes.

(Unless you call standing up on stage in front of the school and winning the "applause-o-meter" contest next to a couple other embarrassed mums a "prize"....'cause really, what could top that?)

Latest Australianisms

Getting tired of these yet? They just keep croppin' up...

Full On (term of disbelief/intensity)
Tinned (canned)
Sleeps (naps)
Embiggen (enlarge)
Chilly Bin (cooler)
Lounge (living room)
Entree (appetizer)
Stockings (tights)
Pop it (place it, throw it)
Good Mark (good catch)
Assessments (report cards)

The Mint

Australian money's pretty cool. Fun, fancy colors and coinage that is actually worth something ($1 and $2). Darren is intrigued by coins. It's one of the many new interests he's taken up in the last couple years (sort of the opposite of a mid-life crisis, I'm starting to think - which, for the record, is cool with me.)

He took us on a fun little outing to the Australian Mint...

We got to "make" our own new coins.

Then watched robots dumping huge barrels of unprinted gold coins into machines that stamp and sort them. Cool displays on how everything's done, examples of misprints and cool, specially-produced coinage.

I love a good factory.

My friend pointed out the different lengths of their bills to aid the blind. Poses the question: How do blind Americans differentiate between bills?

Forward Thinking

Is it weird that I'm already making a mental list of "things I'll miss" about Australia? I guess that comes with the territory when you know you're not permanent. So there's the sky and the kangaroos and friendly people, but most recent additions to the list are:

PAVLOVA

I'm kind of at a loss for words on how to describe this delectable delight. "Pav": an irresistibly fluffy, chewy, light and crispy egg white nest filled with freshly sugared whipped cream and various fruity toppings (not complete without berries & passionfruit) and near impossible to stop eating until it's fully consumed. My good friend keeps filling me with the stuff, to which I am entirely in her debt (thanks, Kathryn!) As you can see, I could barely stop myself long enough to snap a leftovers pic of her latest offering. Unbeatable!

PUMPKIN SOUP

Slice it, dice it, roast it, bake it; pumpkin is a versatile as they come. (They're more prominent than zucchini in the vegetable aisles here.) You've eaten it in breads, cakes & pies to be sure, but consuming it in it's plain form is my fave, and as a soup it's simply divine. So rich and hearty - I've loved tweaking this recipe from Allrecipes by adding garlic and using garam masala or curry instead of the nutmeg. (Of course you can substitute whole milk or half & half for a healthier version or skip the roasting entirely for a faster "boil-only" method. You can add as many additional root vegetables as you want, too.) Kids inhale the stuff.

MY NEW 6.5 QUART SLOW COOKER

I left all my small appliances due to the voltage difference here and purchased this bad boy. Paired with this other nifty find, I can't stop using it! May be hard to return to my 4 quart one when I get home... This gal started a blog (here) about her challenge to use her slow-cooker every day for a year. Totally snowballed into a huge fan-base, interviews, multiple book deals and TV appearances. You really can cook about anything in a slow cooker from breads to desserts to hamburgers. I'm on a soup kick lately with the turn of the weather - just throw in a bunch of soaked or sprouted beans, grains, tons of veggies and a handful of spices and you've got yourself a fail-proof tasty dinner by day's end. Looooove it.

The Bluest Blue

I keep being impressed... Australia's sky is so unique. It holds the most brilliant hues of blue. I tried to capture it on our walk the other day (note, these are simple iphone camera shots):

 

More Australianisms

I keep being surprised that I'm still adding to these lists. I think many of them more often than I say them, but the kids have picked up a ton and don't even know it. School lingo I suppose. It's very cute.

hundreds & thousands (sprinkles)
snogging (kissing)
cheeky (usually about baby Summer; mischievous)
clever (smart)
texta (marker)
take-away (take-out)
overtake (pass a car)
tucker (meal)
tick (check off)
fabo (fabulous)
far out (amazing)
arvo (afternoon)
hire a car (rent a car)
Mackers (McDonalds)
bubblers (drinking fountains)
yanks (U.S. citizens)
servo (service station?)
petrol (gas)
runners (tennis shoes)
muck up (ruin)
muesli (granola)
ladybeetle (ladybug)
dummy (pacifier)
cot (crib)
bin (trash can)
drink bottle (waterbottle)
boots (cleats)
play/like/watch sport (never "sports")