When we had a short stint living in Australia we had to learn some new words and terms for things. It was pretty easy to assimilate into a society where English was spoken but we found some of the words that they used a little bit different. I recently shared some of the lingo that we learned that was different in this post.
Before we moved I found several books that helped with the transition a little bit but the only way to really learn is to live it. I had a great group of friends who helped me learn some of the terms and who were fascinated with me at times. I don’t think I am all that different but I was there. “Smile”
Some of the food terms are easy to figure out and some not so easy. Here are a few that were common.
Food Terms
7-up = lemonade
Arugula lettuce = rocket
bell peppers = capsicum
bologna = polony, devon
bun = roll
candy = lolllies
cantaloupe = rockmelon
fine grain sugar = caster sugar
cheddar cheese = tasty cheese (and a note about this–they do not put any coloring
in their cheese so the cheddar is white which kind of threw me off for awhile!)
chicken = chook
cookies = biscuits, bickies
corned beef = silversides
custard = pudding sauce
frosted flakes = Frosties
ground meat (any kind) = mince
gum = chewies
hors d’oeuvres = nibblies (I love this one!)
jelly = jam
jello = jelly
ketchup = tomato sauce
lobster = crays/crayfish
meat pie = pie
oatmeal or any hot cereal = porridge
peanut butter = peanut paste
popsicle = paddlepop
porterhouse steak = tbone steak
potato chips = crisps
raisins = sultanas
romaine lettuce = cos
scallions = spring onions
shrimp = prawns
sodas = cool drinks, soft drinks
tangerines = mandarins
It is funny to me how we just take for granted that all English is the same. It is definitely not and I have had fun using some of the phrases and words we learned in our short time in Australia. So read these and enjoy and tell me in the comment section which one is your favorite phrase. Remember all comments made during July will add 50 cents to our Comments for a Cause — Brevard Music Center.
More Words
*back-to-front = opposite*cane it = drive fast
*easy peasy = easy job or task
*his blood’s worth bottling = a great guy
*ice cream spider = soda float
*jaffle = toasted sandwich
*kip = to nap
*lay by = lay away
*Macca’s (pronounced Macker’s) = McDonald’s
*niggle = minor complaint, pain, inconvenience
*oil = information (Give the oil on that project.)
*panel beater = auto body repairman
*p/w = per week, referring to rentals. Our house is a p/w rental as are most.
*quids = something you feel strongly about (I wouldn’t move for quids!)
*rattle your dags = to ride your bike
*sausage sizzle = weenie roast, cooking hot dogs on the BBQ. Great fundraiser—they have stands set up all over on the *weekends especially. A hot dog in a slice of bread with onions and some tomato sauce—yum!!!
*toe-up = to set up an appointment
*underdaks = underwear
*village bike = promiscuous woman
*waist pack = fanny pack (fanny in Australia means female genitalia so it is not normally used)
*yabber = lots of talk
*zine = small magazine
