In our house we use several Aussie words in our everyday communication: Our kids have all worn nappies (diapers); we throw rubbish (garbage) into the rubbish bin (garbage can); we stop at the petrol station to fill the van up with petrol. When we buy groceries, we put the bags in the boot (trunk); Michael loves footy (football); for a special treat for dinner sometimes we'll have bangers & mash (sausages with mashed potatoes), or put something on the barbie (grill/BBQ); and Michael checks the kids' rooms for mozzies (mosquitoes) before going to bed at night.
Then there are a lot of Australian words we don't use: we don't eat sangers for lunch -- we eat sandwiches. Michael says 'man' or 'guys' instead of bloke. We are happy/excited about various things, not rapt. We wear sandals or flip-flops on our feet, not thongs :-P.
Sometimes we both use our own word: I don't let the kids eating too much candy, Michael doesn't let them eat too many lollies. I look, Michael has a squiz.
Even though we use several Aussie words in our household, it struck me during this trip just how different some of our vocabulary really is. See if you can track with the following:
- Where's his dummy? =
- Look under the bonnet =
- This arvo =
- Hundreds & Thousands =
- Want a bikkie? =
- Put it in the back of the ute =
- I'm flat out today =
- Stop whinging (win' jing) =
So, here's the English to English translation from above:
- dummy = pacifier
- bonnet = hood of the car
- arvo = afternoon
- Hundreds & Thousands = those tiny colored candy sprinkles
- bikkie = cookie / biscuit
- ute = small pickup truck
- flat out = very busy (I always forget this one -- I keep thinking it means "tired" -- but I guess when your super-busy, you're likely tired as well! :-P)
- whinging (win' jing) = whining, complaining
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