Aussie 101

[Mackay]

Inspired by Kd's pretending to be a Limey thread, I thought I might give a few lessons on the Aussie vernacular. I don't use that many Aussieisms myself... or so I thought. Turns out more of what I say is Australian than I realised. That in mind, I'll give a few basic translations and answer to the best of my ability any questions that may come to anyone's mind.

Fire away! I'll be preparing my first "lecture".

[Ghost Post]

Iu aum aulreuaudy fluueunt iun auuussiueu!

[The Ktulu]

Haha. I had always wondered how you could spell Australian accents. Some accents are easier to spell, but RSA's got that one down.

[Mackay]

Before I start, first things first: the pronunciation of "Aussie". It has come to my attention, after living with many Americans, that the general pronunciation of this word amongst you folks from the states is somewhat along the lines of "Ah-see". In fact, it should be pronounced as "Oz-zee", as demonstrated here. (Sorry for bad sound quality, I was trying to keep the size of the files down.) Other words I've heard grossly misrepresented among the American population are "emu" and "ute". Both of these words should have the "u" pronounced as though it were the letter on its own, i.e. "You". Hence, the pronunciations "Eem-you" and "yoot", not "ee-moo" or "oot".

[Agamemnon]

Aussie thingy

[Huey]

How often do the people around you say "CRIKEY!"?

What do Aussie think of the Crocodile hunter?

Do you find Paul Hogan sexy?

[Huey]

Just listened to Aga's thingy. All I can say is ... "WHAT!?"

[The Ktulu]

Huey, that's easy. He said, "How to speak Australian: Eedum bahdum deebum de bahdum de beededum bahdum beedun bebahdun bahbun be beedum bahdum scoowieugh de beedum de bahdum be du bush. Australian for Beer."

[Mackay]

Huey:
How often do the people around you say "CRIKEY!"? The only person I've ever heard say "Crikey" other than Steve and other stereotypical TV Aussies is myself. And that's only either as a joke, at the request of American friends, or in conscious imitation of Steve himself. Another Australian expression of shock, horror or surprise is "Strewth" - which is used slightly more regularly by older folk. I was adapted from the expression "S'truth", short for "God's truth?!"

What do Aussie think of the Crocodile hunter? Well, mainly he's regarded as a big joke. I used to think he was awesome, before his show became Americanised. I believe that America originally got "The Crocodile Hunter", before it became "Steve Irwin's [such-and-such]"? That show was a riot. The guy is an idiot. The general consensus among viewers was that the show was hilarious, simply because that guy has GOT to be insane.

Do you find Paul Hogan sexy? Err... does ANYONE? (That's a no.)

[Mackay]

Now, for:
Lesson 1: Some basic Aussie phrases and pleasantries
Disclaimer: This is by no means a complete list. It's all pretty much off the top of my head. Other Aussies should feel free to add or subtract things at will, and for everyone else, feel free to point out anything I've missed.

Hello: "G'day"
Goodbye: "Hooroo"

How are you? "Ow-yer-goin'?"
Good: "Not bad" (Note: I point this out because Australians, whenever possible, speak in the negative. You won't find many who say "good" in favour of "not bad". I have consciously tried to break myself of this habit and therefore should not be taken as a typical example of Aussiehood.)
Sick: "Crook"
I'm tired: "I'm buggered", "I'm knackered", "I'm stuffed".

Pardon me/excuse me: "Beg yours" (as in, I beg your pardon)

Thankyou: "Ta"
You're welcome: "No worries"

Man: "bloke"
Woman: "sheila"
Child: "ankle biter"

American: "Yank", "Seppo" (Australian rhyming slang. American = yank = septic tank = seppo.)
Englishman: "Pommy", "Pom" or more commonly "Pommy bastard".
New Zealander: "Kiwi" or [insert any number of gratuitous jokes about having sex with sheep here].

Breakfast: "brekkie"
Dinner: "tea"

This afternoon: "the sarvo" or "this arvo"

Bathroom/toilet: "loo" or "dunny" (there are many other euphemisms, but these two are probably the most common.)

It'll be okay: "She'll be apples", "She'll be right", and once again, "No worries"
Well done: "Onya" (short for good on ya)
I concur: "I reckon", "Bloody oath", "Too right"

That should do you for a start. Also, look out for the following words, which have a different meaningin Aussieland than in, say, America:
Jumper: There, it's, um, some kind of dress or something, I believe. Here in Australia, it's what you guys call a sweater. (I think. I was never too clear on this issue.)
Fanny: In America, I think it means arse. In Aussieland, it means female genitalia. Hence the reason what you call "fanny packs" are named "bum bags" here.
Root: Well, here a tree root is a tree root, but the word has another meaning. That meaning being the act of sexual intercourse. For example: "Fancy a root?", "Oh, they're off having a root", "Get rooted!" and also leading into the classic Aussie pick-up line:
Person 1: "Have you ever tripped over a tree?"
Person 2: "No..."
Person 1: "How about a root?"

That should do for now.

[extropalopakettle]

http://www.matesupover.com/Aussie_Board/Differences.htm

[extropalopakettle]

Looking at that page - the word 'veranda' - always reminds me of a line from "Three Amigos" - Chevy Chase is talking to the Mexican girl - she says "Would you like to kiss me on the veranda?" - he says "on the lips will be fine".

[Mackay]

LOL. And thanks for that link, Extro - that's incredibly helpful.

For tips on spelling, see Kd's British thread. In Australia, the correct spelling is the English way, however, the American way is (unfortunately) also widely accepted. Yes, we use "u"s in our words such as "humour", "colour", "valour", "labour", etc. Another difference Kd failed to note was the words which end in "-ize". I *think* the brits also use an "s" in place of a "z", but anyway, that's how we do it in Aussie. For example, "iodise", "ionise", "colonise", "criticise", "realise" etc.

More as they spring to mind.

[Mackay]

Oh, and Americans leave out more vowels than just the ones in the "u" words.

Pedophile = paedophile
estrogen = oestrogen
encyclopedia = encyclopaedia

are three examples that spring to mind.

[Kd]

Oi! First you nick my idea, now you're trying to take it over? *tsk*

*runs off to record voice thingies*

[Vegetable]

Major or Majour? Would that make it Majour Major Major Major?

[Duphrates]

I've never understood why we (Brits) are called Poms. I thought it came from Prisoners of His/Her Majesty, which would mean that you would be POHMS because you are bred from our scum which we booted out.

[Dragon Phoenix]

I heard that "Pommy" was from "pomegranate", because the red fruit matched the British complexion?

[Mackay]

The true origin of "Pommy" or "Pom" is unknown. However, there are a lot of theories, some more widely believed than others. There are two main ideas that people hold. Me? I've always believed the pomegranate one, but not only for the reason that DP listed there There is an additional theory to the "pomegranate" story as well. He is indeed right though. One of the theories is that English people, upon arriving in Australia, would generally be a lot more round-cheeked than their Australian counterparts, and usually very, very sunburnt. Their round, red faces were compared to pomegranates, which was eventually shortened to "Pommy". The other widely accepted explanation to the "pomegranate" theory is that it was simple rhyming slang for "immigrant". They don't completely rhyme, but hey, give us a break. Have you ever tried to come up with an on-the-spot rhyme for "immigrant"? I personally think it's a combination of both.

As for Duph's theory, that's the other one that's quite widely accepted, though the acronym is different. Pommy has also been rumoured to have originated from the acronym "POME", standing for "Prisoner Of Mother England". However, the word entered the Australian vocabulary after convict times, I believe, so this theory is probably a myth.

Oh, and yet another pomegranate-related theory is pretty much the same as the reason that the British are also called "limeys" - the practice of eating pomegranates on the ships in order to prevent scurvy.

[Mackay]

Oh, and as to Vegt's question - major. n00b.

oh, and btw, re: the origins of Pommy, I just pulled that off the top of my head. So it might not all be accurate.

I googled just now and I'm pretty okay. Though I've also found things about "POHM", so I guess Duph was right about that one. Both acronyms are addressed in some articles. Either way, it's probably not applicable.

[This message has been edited by Mackay (edited 01-22-2004 10:16 AM).]

[The Ktulu]

Bah, I want to be nicknamed after fruit *-is jealous of Limeys and Pommies and Kiwis-*
I shall be...the Banananator!

[Mackay]

Firstly - LOL! Secondly, new Zealanders are called Kiwis after the bird, not the fruit. I think kiwi fruit originated in China or something. but you're asking the wrong person. Go ask Planky. *eyes glaze over, gets vacant expression on face* ...mmm... Planky...

[The Ktulu]

It doesn't matter if they were named after the bird or the fruit, I knew that. But they're still both a)Kiwis and b)the same name as the fruit Kiwis

And

[Duphrates]

Although we all know it really means 'Preferred Old Mates'

btw - it is the bird

[This message has been edited by Duphrates (edited 01-22-2004 10:31 AM).]

[Agamemnon]

Hey Ktulu, we can call you 'Seppo'. It's not a fruit, but still a little used term for a Yankee!
And DP can be 'Jan Kaas', another old nickname for the Dutch.

[The Ktulu]

Seppo sounds kind of familiar. I think I just read it in Colour of Magic or Good Omens. Hmmm...

[This message has been edited by The Ktulu (edited 01-22-2004 04:50 PM).]

[Mackay]

I kinda like my mental image of Ktulu as The Banananator, personally.

[The Ktulu]

Er...what kind of mental image is that?

On another note, since this is an Aussie language lesson thread, I'll speak in what bit of Oz-speak I have learned from Mackay and from past sources.

G'day, mates, and Mackay, I hope you're not sayin' I've got a banana for a doodle. Beg yours, but I don't reckon that's very nice. Are you a cockroach? But anyway, these lessons are not bad. Ta. Hooroo.

------------------
Nineteen Ninety-nine

[Mackay]

Yes, Kt, yes I am a "cockroach".
For the uninformed:
Cockroach = nickname for people from New South Wales. Generally used only by Queenslanders, who we call "cane toads".

Interestingly, another expression for Queenslanders is "banana benders". *looks pointedly at Ktulu*

[The Ktulu]

HAHA! You did not know it! I am really from Australia! That's why I chose the banana

[Mackay]

Aussie Nicknaming Techniques

If you want an Aussie nickname, go through the following few steps until you have received one. They are written in order of preference.

First things first. If you've ever done anything which you're particularly embarrassed or ashamed about, or there's anything consisten and embarrassing about your behaviour, we WILL immortalise it in your name, so you never, ever forget it. For example, a friend of mine from home gained a bad reputation for getting excessively drunk at parties, and throwing up everywhere every single time. We call him "Chucky".

If you've got nothing from that, look at your surname. Is there any way you can make it into an extremely stupid and obvious pun? If so, that will become your new name. For example, if your surname is "Parthe", ou'll probably end up with a nickname like "Muddy".

If you haven't got a name yet, repeat this process with your first name.

Still no luck? Look once again at your surname. This time, see if you can take just the first syllable of the word, slap an "o" onto the end, and make a moderately easy to say word. If it rolls nicely off the tongue, it'll probably end up as your name. eg. My surname is Davis. Therefore, I'm Davo. Vegt becomes Himmo, though I'm not sure he'd be happy with me publishing his full name, so I'll leave it up to y'all to ask him what it's short for.

Once again, do this to your first name. Anyone called David, for example, will also be a Davo, unless there's a preference higher up on this list. If someone had the name David Johnson, for example, they would not be a Davo, but a Johnno. Surnames ALWAYS take priority.

After this if you still don't have one, try the same technique as before, but with an "-y" or "-ie" sound. Remember to try for the surname first, then the first name. This is pretty much straying towards the conventional now, so I'll stop.

note: There's also a bunch of nicknames as far as talking about people's physical features goes. This is starting to become less and less common, so I'm not including it. Also, there are some other names that get special treatment... I'm not including those either. If you have any more questions, you can ask me. This was just some veeeery general pointers.

[The Ktulu]

Would that make me Uranus? Just curious.

[Mackay]

*mutters something undecipherable about Uranus at Kt*

[extropalopakettle]

Originally posted by Mackay:

---

If you've ever done anything which you're particularly embarrassed or ashamed about, or there's anything consisten and embarrassing about your behaviour, we WILL immortalise it in your name, so you never, ever forget it.

---

Reminds me of this joke.

[Mackay]

LOL! Just like that, extro, only without the usage of the actual surname. We'd probably just use the phrase [goat-f*cker] (spoilered for those who want to read the joke). In fact, there was one person I know of (true story, but I don't know whether or not the rumours were true) whose nickname was Ted. His real name was actually Gavin, so I had no idea why they would want to call him that. I later found out that it was due to a rumour about the nature of his relationship, while younger, with his teddy bear. Yeah. Those things stick.

I'll think of something else to write about soon, I just keep thinking of Vegemite. It's not even your fault this time, extro, unless I'm just doing it with association upon seeing you post in this thread. But seriously. I look at this thread and think "I wanna write about Vegemite!" Which isn't really great educational material. Later!

[The Ktulu]

Mmmmmm...Vegemite *-drools-*
[/Homer Simpson]

[Local Disrupter]

HEY! I've had Vegemite! My mom knows where to get it, and it's actually really good, if you don't coat your food with it...

[The Ktulu]

Where where where?

[Vinny]

Just finished reading Pratchet's The Last Continent. What a hoot! I recommend it to all aussies and aussie fans and wannabees.

[mith]

quote:

---

Oh, and Americans leave out more vowels than just the ones in the "u" words.

Pedophile = paedophile
estrogen = oestrogen
encyclopedia = encyclopaedia

are three examples that spring to mind.

---

That's not really true (and yes, I checked with linguistics girl first before posting this ). The "ae" was originally one letter (the weird combination one you see sometimes). Both groups are lazy, and don't write it that way (particularlly since publishing and typing and such have become common), but we write it just "e" (except in names, such as Aesop), where you write it "ae".

The "u" thing, on the other hand, is probably just a case of us being lazy.

[This message has been edited by mith (edited 04-26-2004 06:49 PM).]