New Language

You said....Hey??

Australian English is almost the same as American English. It took me awhile to get used to though. They talk really fast. Australians always tell me that Americans talk so slow. I'm finally getting used to it though. I used to always feel bad for saying “what?” every time an Australian spoke to me.

The spelling is a little different between Australian English and American English. For example, the er ending like the er in center, liter, etc ends with re like centre, litre here. Yogurt is spelled yoghurt here. Also, the z is words like organization is spelled with an s here to get organisation.

Another thing is they pronounce words that end with an ea like an r sound. Example, they say idea like idear.

Australians also like to shorten everything especially cities. Brisbane is called Brissie. Melbourne is pronounced Melbin. Cairns is pronounded Cannes.

Here are some good words/ phrases to know:

You mean, Burger King?

heaps = a lot Example: There were heaps of cars on the road today.

biscuit= cookie

chemist= drug store

keen= excited

Bug= small crab (this freaked me out a few times when I read on a menu something like, "Fettuccine with Bugs")

Didgeridoo= Aboriginal wind musical instrument

lolly= candy

jelly=jello

brekkie= breakfast

Uni= university

trolley= cart

potato crisps= potato chips Don't call these chips, people will think you will be talking about fries.

chips= fries

fairy floss= cotton candy

boogan= a low-class person

reckon= to think Example: I reckon the answer to the test was A.

jumper= hoodie

nappy= diaper

singlet= tank top

yarn= to talk Example: Come to my office hours and yarn with me.

G'Day= Hi

Good on ya= Good job!

Avos= Avacados

How ya going?= How are you?

Hey?= What? Example: If you missed what someone said last, just reply with “hey?”

chemist's= drug store/ pharmacy

Boot= trunk of the car

petrol= gas Example: The petrol station was crowded yesterday.

toilet= bathroom No one here ever says bathroom.

rubbish= trash Example: Please put this wrapper in the rubbish bin.

barrack=to root Example: Barrack for your favorite team!

footy= football

Budgie smuggler= speedo

lift= elevator

mates= friends

"Crikey!"= an expression of astonishment

queue=line Example: I had to wait in the queue at the movies.

shop=store

Swimmers= swimsuit

Tim Tam= a brand of chocolate biscuit

Oz= Australia

Ozzie= Australian

Spewin'= 2 meanings.. throwing up/vomiting, or angry/mad/upset/disappointed

bottle-o= liquor store

Pokies= gambling slot machines

Prawn= shrimp

"Ra, ra, ra"=  equivalent to how we say, "blah, blah, blah"

"No worries!"= expression of reassurance or forgiveness; "no problem/that's ok"

"Oy!"= a way to call out to someone

takeaway= to take out, to go Example: Let's go get takeaway for dinner.

The states= America

Maccas (pronounced "Mackers")= McDonald's

kiwi= a New Zealander

fortnight= bi-weekly Example: Rent gets taken out every fortnight.

sunglasses= sunnies

thongs= flip-flops

footpath= sidewalk

rockmelon= cantaloupe

keen= excited

"Too easy!"= a phrase in response to anything that needs doing or has been done

Lamington= sponge cake covered in chocolate and coconut

tomato sauce= ketchup
parcel= package
wholemeal= wheat

Dodgy:= sketchy

Doona= comforter

Fair dinkum= true, genuine

Cross Trainer= eliptical

Flatmate= roommate
chewie= gum

Vegemite= brown yeast sandwich spread

Wanker= a male person that is really stupid, but they think they are the greatest

Waffl= talking nonsense ("waffle, waffle, waffle")

Hungry Jacks= Burger King

holiday= vacation Example: I went to the beach while I was on holiday.

For emergencies here, you dial 000 instead of 911.

Those are some useful phrases and words to know!

This sign means there's a crosswalk.