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WE BE SLANG-CHUCKIN' YOKELS
Via J.F. Beck, this puzzling Guardian piece—by sports writer Kevin Mitchell, who claims to have grown up in Australia—on Australian slang:
Cockneys who imagine theirs is the only rhyming slang will be disabused of that notion soon enough. It flourishes in Australia. You can go ‘jungle-jimming’ at Bondi Beach, avoiding the ‘afters’ (after darks - sharks), then step out in your ‘bag of fruit’, and you might get a bit ‘Adrians’ (Adrian Quist, a famous tennis player). Gambling is the national sport so if you fancy a bet, look for a ‘billy’ (billy goat - Tote), and you will find one in the bar of nearly any ‘bib’ (bib’n’bub - pub).
There are some local cuties that are almost impossible to fathom unless you’re a native. A Blundstone is a utility truck or ute, coming from Blundstone boot, which is workmen’s footwear of choice.
If you’re going to leg it from some embarrassing situation, you can ‘Harold’, or bolt. Harold Holt was an Australian Prime Minister who disappeared after going for a swim.
I’ve lived here for nearly 42 years and haven’t heard any of these terms, apart from the archaic (and British-sourced) “bag of fruit”. Mitchell is talking out of his lemonade and sars.
Nah. Billy goat for tote is definitely an oldie (but not hugely old given that the Totalisator was invented in the 60s) and I’ve heard the Harold Holt one every so often in the last 20 years.
Posted by Jack Lacton on 2006 11 20 at 08:16 AM • permalinkMy old man used to say “pass the Harold Holt”. For salt of course, never heard the “bolt” usage. As for the rest of his offerings - total crap.
Posted by Whale Spinor on 2006 11 20 at 08:41 AM • permalinkKevin Mitchell: What a goon from Sasketoon. What a cornhusker. You’re strictly nowhere with that cheesy chat, Jackson. So get your boots laced buddy and get hep to the jive, with Paco’s Archaic and Colloquial Onomatology Guide. For an investment of one, measly double-sawbuck, you can step high and wide with the other ‘gates. So get ‘root! Get zoot! Get solid to boot! Get the PACO guide!
The only Australian slang I ever heard of was “billy” for tea and “tie me kangaroo down” for god only knows what. I was going to use those phrases when I visited Australia but now I am confused! I hate when they change the slang. =O
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 11 20 at 09:52 AM • permalinkBTW, for anybody who enjoys 1940’s-style film-noir detective patter, I highly recommend a film from last year called “Brick.” It’s set in a high school in present-day California, and the kids talk in this patois. Yeah, sounds like “Bugsy Malone”, but it’s a serious movie, and only gets self-conscious about the conceit a couple of times (and hilariously.) Joe Bob says check it out.
Why can’t all you bastards just speak American and save me the trouble?
Posted by Shaky Barnes on 2006 11 20 at 10:14 AM • permalinkStone the crows, someone sounds confused. Do you want to bet that he was talking to some locals who decided to pull the Pommy bastard’s leg with madeup Strine? My cousin did it to a Seppo tourist at a bar once, convincing him that our small change all had nicknames--like a “moosie” for our ¢25 piece that really features an elk.
BTW, is doing an “Andrew Bolt” when you use an old Enfield .303 to shoot a leftie?
Posted by andycanuck on 2006 11 20 at 10:32 AM • permalinkWhat on earth is this twat talking about?.
#25 “Hawd tawsk mawster”.Posted by Daniel San on 2006 11 20 at 11:50 AM • permalink"It’s perfectly ordinary banter, Squiffy.”
“No, I’m just not understanding banter at all well today.”
Yeah, I’m a Python geek.
And #17 Dave S. - what’s the count on boobs, car crashes and buckets of blood? Gee I miss seeing old Joe Bob’s reviews in the paper…
Posted by Tex Lovera on 2006 11 20 at 11:56 AM • permalink#21 Texas Bob: Are they talking about us?
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 20 at 12:26 PM • permalink> I’ve lived here for nearly 42 years and haven’t heard any of these terms…
Further evidence for the proposition I’ve raised on this blog before-- Oz slang is a “make it up as you go along” paradigm, the purpose of which is to confuse the hell out of us Americans.
Posted by zeppenwolf on 2006 11 20 at 12:29 PM • permalinkApart from The 12th Man CDs, the other guys you foreign lot aught to try and watch is Roy and HG…
I’ve got the video of the highlights of “The Dream” they did for the Sydney Olympics (which i think was much funnier than the 2004 Athens Olympc version)... I always wonder how their humour would translate for overseas types… :o)
PS Always thought The 12th Man Again was probably the funniest of Birmingham’s efforts… With the Classic Catches competition where you could win a “Cruise for 2 in balmy Bass Strait”.... :o)
Its based around a Cricket commentary team famous in Australia (he takes off all the voices of the different members), but if you yanks (and others) want to get some insights into both the game of cricket, and the Aussie sense of humour, you could do worse than download a few of The 12th Man series and have a listen… :o)
Paco,
Your guide is the bee’s knees. I’m totally hep, daddy-oh. Twenty-three skidoo, good buddy!
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2006 11 20 at 02:42 PM • permalinkTexas Bob you just made me nostalgic for Thanksgiving in East Texas. . .
Posted by tabitharuth on 2006 11 20 at 03:28 PM • permalink#33: There you have the inside skinny from Urbs in Horto, hep cats and kittens! That ‘gate crossed my skin with four fins and collared the PACO guide, making him the Big Cheese where the elite meet to eat. Zoot!
#34: That RebeccaH is one fly chick, who’d never be so crude as to drop her mood on a square from way back, but if she cracked the whip, you’d make the trip, daddy-o, no bout adoubt it. Well awwwwwreet!.
I think some of this stuff is genuine, it’s just that it’s several generations out of date, which means that if Mitchell heard it when he was growing up, he must be around 90.
I remember an old guy in the public service using the term “Adrian Quist” in about 1980, but no one now would have any idea who Quist was. The current rhyming slang for inebriation is, of course, “Schindlers”
And remember the old Selvertex suit jingle c 1975:
“It’s a great bag of fruit
It’s s Selvertex suit”Posted by Consuela Potez on 2006 11 20 at 04:40 PM • permalink#42 - Reckon you’re right - he’s found an old book of Australian idioms in an op-shop. I remember ‘bag of fruit’ 30 years ago but that’s it. Rhyming slang is never used these days. My 20-ish adult children never used it.
#40 -
Barry: Now listen mate, I need to splash the boots. You know, strain the potatoes. Water the horses. You know, go where the big knobs hang out. Shake hands with the wife’s best friend? Drain the dragon? Siphon the python? Ring the rattlesnake? You know, unbutton the mutton? Like, point Percy at the porcelain?
Blanche: I think he wants to go to the loo.
Posted by walterplinge on 2006 11 20 at 05:04 PM • permalinkI remember Adrian Quist and Harold Holt as rhyming slang terms. And yes, I remember the Selvertex suit ad.
Posted by AlburyShifton on 2006 11 20 at 05:06 PM • permalinkOh, and since Bazza McKenzie has been mentioned, I’m surprised that the rhyming slang term “Barry Crocker” hasn’t been brought up…
Posted by AlburyShifton on 2006 11 20 at 05:08 PM • permalinkI didn’t think I used slang that much until I holidayed in Ireland and a couple of girls started calling me Alf. Seems when I get going I sound like Alf Stewart from Home and Away; all struths and bloodies.
Well anyway I’ve gotta run and grab a cuppa before knock over a paddock. Bloody hell it looks like it is going to be a stinker today.
The very famous Australiana by Austen Tayshus - will mystify all but a dinkum Aussie:-
Sittin’ at home last Sunday mornin’ me mate Boomerrang Said he was havin’ a few people around for a barbie, Said he might Kookaburra or two.
I said, “Sounds great, will Wallaby there?”
He said “Yeah and Vegemite come too”.
So I said to the wife “Do you wanna Goanna?”. She said “I’ll go if Dingos”.
So I said “Wattle we do about Nulla?”
He said “Nullabors me to tears, leave him at home.”
We got to the party about two and walked straight out the kitchen to put some booze in the fridge. And you wouldn’t believe it, there’s Boomer’s wife Warra sittin there tryin to Platypus!
Now, I don’t like to speak Illawarra, but I was shocked, I mean how much can a Koala bear.
So I grabbed a beer, flashed me Wangarratta and went out and joined the party.
Pretty soon Ayers Rocks in and things really started jumpin’. This Indian girl, Marsu, turns up, dying to go to the toilet but she couldn’t find it. I said to me mate Al, “Hey, where can Marsupial?” He said “She can go outback with the fellas, she’s probably seen a cockatoo”.Well just then Warra comes out of the kitchen with a few drinks for everybody. Fairdinkum, you’ve never seen a Coolabah maid. I grabbed a beer and said, “Thanks Warra - tah”.
A couple of Queensland at the party, one smellin’ pretty strongly of aftershave. One of ‘em sat down next to me and I turned to him and I said, “Ya know mate, Eureka Stockade!”
It was a really hot day; Oscar felt like a swim. He said to Ina, “Do you want a have a dip in the Riverina?” She said “I haven’t got my Kosciusko”.
Well Bo says, “Come in starkers, Wattle they care!” Ina says “What, without so much as a Thredbo?” Ah, Perisher thought! Has Eucumbine in yet?
Well a few of the blokes decided to play some cricket. Boomer says “Why doesn’t Wombat?” “Yeah, and let Tenterfield”.
He said I should have a bowl but I was too out of it to play cricket so I suggested a game of cards. I said to Lyptus “Wanna game of Eucalyptus?” He said “There’s no point mate, Darwins everytime.”
Well Bill said he’d like a smoke. Nobody knew where the dope was stashed. I said “I think Merinos.” But I was just spinning a bit of a yarn. Barry pulls a joint out of his pocket. Bill says “Great, Barrier Reefer, what is it mate?” “Noosa Heads of course. Me mate Adelaide ‘em on me.” And it was a great joint too, Blue Mountains away and his Three Sisters.
Well I thought I’d roll one meself, I said “Chuck us the Tally Hobart”. He said “They’re out on the Laun, Ceston, can you get em for us?” Burnie says “Its okay mate, she’s apples, I’ll get em for ya”
Just then Alice Springs into action, starts to pack Billabong. And you wouldn’t believe it, the bongs broken. I said “Lord Howe!”
“Hay-man” somebody says “Will a Didgeridoo?” I said “Hummmmm mummmm mummmmm mummmmm maybe it’ll have ta.”
I look in the corner and there’s Bass sittin there, not getting into it, not getting out of it, I said “What, is Bass Strait or somthin?” Boomer says “As a matter a fact mate, he’s a cop” I said “Ya jokin mate, a cop, I’m getting outta here, lets Goanna.” She said “No way, I’m hangin round till Gum leaves. Besides, I dont wanna leave Jacardanda party on his own. Have you seen him? I think he’s trying to crack on Toowoomba, he’s already tried to Mount Isa And he’ll definitely try to lead you Australiana!”And after the Silvetex suit ad on 2SM it was back to Frank Hyde at Kogarah Jubilee as Langlands lines up for the kick.
“It’s high enough, it’s long enough, it’s straight between the posts”.
Is Frank still alive?
Posted by Effing & Blinding on 2006 11 20 at 05:59 PM • permalinkWell, I will say that since I started coming to this blog, I’ve adopted the following slang:
- eskey
- ute
- barbie
- sod off swampy!
- wheeliebin
- he’s a complete and utter tosser
- she’s uglier than a Margo KingstonOh yes, and “g’day mate”. I also drink Fosters and bitter too. My wife has accused Tim of being a bad influence on me.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 20 at 06:05 PM • permalinkSo the municipal bin inspector knocks on the door to the low-rent shack and says to the owner: “Wheres ya bin ?”.
Owner looks shifty, then says: “I’se bin on holiday. Whats it to ya ?”.
No, no, says the inspector, “Wheres ya wheelie bin ?”.
Owner glares at him, then gives in: “Alright, alright - I’se weally bin in prison. Dont mean I’m a bad person”.
I don’t think many Australians drink Fosters, but I like the “uglier than a Margo Kingston” line.
Posted by Bruce Rheinstein on 2006 11 20 at 06:56 PM • permalinkThanks, murph! Now the money I spent on those bilingual lesson tapes isn’t wasted. Well, they were on how to “Speak Mongolian In Ten Days” but I’m sure they’ll help.
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 11 20 at 07:27 PM • permalink#50 bonmot
Thanks for that post about “Australiana” - bloody clever stuff from Austen Tayshus
This should be part of our new citizenship test for language comprehension I reckon
Posted by aussiemagpie on 2006 11 20 at 08:41 PM • permalink#37- that particular epithet was assigned to a managerial person in the organisation both you and I once served in- particularly accurate in this case, as he definately was three foot lower than one*.
As far as blundstone goes, never heard it used, but I did dub a subordinate “Boots”, which he was quite proud of until he discoved that I meant that it was all of his person visible from the regional manager’s bottom.
*Another variation used to refer to former Qld premier Joh Bjelke Petersen and his idiot wife and senator Florence- Flo has one, Joh is one.
‘Old’ beer is darker than ‘new’ and more like proper beer. Tooheys Old, or ‘black’ as it is known in northern NSW, is good. A lot of the other stuff is undrinkable.
He’da been better off saying that old beer is new and new beer is old.
He’s full of shit.
#55 Rob
Jeez, you cleaned that up and made it PC, didntcha?
#39 CB
That’s a good one. Heard all of them.What you must remember with rhyming slang is that the first word is usually only used.
#52 wronwright
So much for US cultural imperialism.
Oh yes, and “g’day mate”. I also drink Fosters and bitter too. My wife has accused Tim of being a bad influence on me.
You can lead a horse…
#58
that’s billabong not bong (high-tech diagram of)
This Kevin Mitchell strikes me as the sort of drongo who’d piss down your back To n’ From trying to make out he’s true blue.
We’re on to you sport. Your more full of Johnny Tapp than a Bombay sewer after a curry festival. Try this Edgar Britt again and we’ll knock you flatter than a shit carter’s hat and make sure you never enjoy a wellington boot again.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 20 at 09:06 PM • permalinkHey, I want to fathom some local cuties :-) She’s a six footer for sure ... eh?
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2006 11 20 at 09:31 PM • permalink#52 Wronright, they don’t drink Foster’s in Oz. And, for sonme reason, even though it is the most
populardrunk beer in Aistralia, neither do they drink Victoria Bitter.Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2006 11 20 at 09:40 PM • permalinkGambling is the national sport
No, that’s the national pastime. The national summer sport is charming the pants of foreigners. The national winter sport is roo shootin’ or pigging.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 20 at 09:47 PM • permalinkApparently Aussies have long been known for their quaint jargon based on this discover from the last century:
“BARRY MCKENZIE HOLDS HIS OWN (74) Barry Humphries’ sequel to his earlier The Adventures of Barry McKenzie is a hilariously sharp-witted satire filled with broad slapstick and the kind of ribald, in your face humor the denizens of Down Under are famous for. It’s also packed to overflowing with inventive Aussie slang ("have a crack at putting the ferret through the furry hoop"), “beeyah,” great songs, sex, “beeyah,” violence, vomiting, “beeyah,” prostitutes, kung fu fights, “beeyah,” a ridiculous vampire subplot and, of course, “beeyah.” (C)”
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 11 20 at 10:17 PM • permalink#4 Yobbo, your right about the sharks, although I haven’t heard that one in a while. Harry Holt on the other hand, I hear at least twice a year.
#25 Cassanova, “Muttiah’s a bit flat, he’s been up all night chucking...” Comic Gold.
As for the Ute, I heard a great once recently: ‘Champagne wheelbarrow’. (Say it in your best bogan accent)
I know it doesnt ryhme, we’ve always been a bit different here in WOZ.
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2006 11 20 at 10:26 PM • permalink#62 Kae, “What you must remember with rhyming slang is that the first word is usually only used.”
Strewth, bloody good thing ya told me, I was just about to get on the dog and bone to check up on the Noah’s arks. Might have to do a Harry Holt to get out of this one.
:P
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2006 11 20 at 10:31 PM • permalinkSorry J.F but you’re up yourself.Maybe it’s because I had 26 years start on you or perhaps it’s because I used to drink at the Tollgate Hotel at Parramatta in the ‘70s but I’ve heard and/or used them all.Admittedly in the last 20 years their usage has become less common and is probably now quite rare particularly in areas infested with multiculturals or pseudo intelluctuals.
"Bag of fruit” British? Don’t think so, more like “whistle”, as in “whistle ‘n’ flute”.
Posted by Harry Flashman on 2006 11 20 at 10:49 PM • permalinkIncidently, I think ‘Harold Holt’ was largely supeceded by ‘vote’ which, for those unfamiliar, is an abbreviation of ‘vote for Gough’ which rhymed with ‘fuck off’ meaning ‘leave this place’. Thus, “let’s vote” = “let’s vote for Gough” = “let’s go”. The expression is/was purely rhetorical, of course - no one in their right mind would actually vote or Gough or admit to it.
All this reminds me of the first time I visited the South, and learned to my amazement that they really do talk like that down there!
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2006 11 20 at 11:29 PM • permalink#76 Lew, that’s my local (well, the Royal Oak is closer). Although I don’t drink there much after one night witnessing a martial arts display by one of the locals using a pool cue as a kung fu stick, the climax when he broke the cue behind his own neck. The bouncer then issued a warning to me for sitting on one of the pool tables.
#79: And jest what the hell is that supposed to mean, boy? The way we all talk in the South is a damn sight closer to the old country than that there pat-twah they yammer up North, I reckon. Ain’t that right, boys?
Sounds of beer bottles slamming on tables, ringing spitoon bulls-eyes, angry voices shouting, “Damn straight!”, “Hell yeah!”, and “What’s your hurry, yankee? You got somethin’ against Hank Williams, Jr.?"
Wronwright, never thought of the Margo Kingston line. My personal fave is uglier than a hat full of arseholes.
Any my choice of slang?
Well, I like to keep a bottle of plonk in the ridgy didge for Justin, and when we’re having a bit of a corrobborre out back there’s always some left for Ron.
My dad still used the bag of fruit and adrian quist, but the others I’ve not heard.
He also calls people on the dogger and likes to hit the frog and toad when going walkabout.
As for Harold Holt, I used to live on the sames street as the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Pool. Never could figure out if it was named in honour or irony.
Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 11 20 at 11:59 PM • permalink#76, the point is that he states that:
It flourishes in Australia.
and then provides a bunch of examples that haven’t been heard in decades.
Posted by Art Vandelay on 2006 11 21 at 12:07 AM • permalink#39 CB, I’m reading that site, and I use so many of them in everyday conversation, it’s no wonder any seppos I speak with haven’t got the foggiest about what I’m actually saying.
I thought I was speaking english. Well there you go.
Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 11 21 at 12:11 AM • permalinkandycanuck @22
It’s a caribou.Not to be confused with Caribou:
Caribou, a feisty alcoholic beverage, was popularised ever since the first carnival. The recipe is attributed to Ti-Père, a commerce that was first established on Ste-Thérèse Street in the lower city, then, more recently, in Old Quebec. Suffice to say a typical drink of caribou contains brandy, vodka, sherry and port...
Cheers
Posted by J.M. Heinrichs on 2006 11 21 at 12:35 AM • permalinkAnd we have humping crayfish!
Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 11 21 at 12:50 AM • permalinkAndrea:
The only Australian slang I ever heard of was “billy” for tea and “tie me kangaroo down” for god only knows what.
When you arrive here, you’ll no doubt be a bit thirsty. In this case, go to the nearest bar, get a fairly central position and holler:
“I’m as dry as a dead dingo’s donger”
Service will immediately appear and you’ll meet a lot of friendly locals.
Only use the “tie me kangaroo down” bit if you want to listen to Rolf Harris tapes.
Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 11 21 at 01:00 AM • permalinkAnd if your peckish; order a dogs eye with heaps of dead horse.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 21 at 01:07 AM • permalink"Budgie smugglers", “Fartcatchers” or “Shreddies” are probably more used (and more appropriate) these days, although if you’re subject to the odd follow-through, Reg Grundy would be accurate- he’s produced more shit than the North Head outlet during a dysentry epidemic- “Grundies” to be accurate would have to have more skidmarks than the starting grid at Mount Panorama.
#88- I also prefer "as dry as a nun’s nasty", but this may cause offence to Cattle Ticks, Left Footers and Micks so should be used with discretion.
Likewise "dryer than a lubra’s loincloth" is little used, along with ;"as full as an Abo’s Valiant*" due to the vigilance of the Epithet Einstatzgruppen.
*This is a dangerous phrase, as Qld Cricketer Jimmy Maher can attest. Sentenced to tens years in the wilderness for this hienous transgression, which in relaity was a true reflection of his state at the time.
Actually, I think he was as full as a doctor’s wallet, or possibly even the ubiqiutous butcher’s pup.
She’s seen more meat than a butchers window or more pricks than a second hand dart board are useful for describing a good time girl.
You gotta be careful though because some sheila’s have got more tricks than a second hand outboard. And if you end up marrying one of these you’ll be as happy as a bastard on fathers day.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 21 at 03:08 AM • permalinkHere’s a site I really recommend for current (and past) Aussie colloquialisms.
Australian Word Map
Do you wear your cossie, swimmers or togs when you go to the beach? And when you’re there, do you eat an icy pole, an iceblock or a by jingo?
Do you say peanut butter or peanut paste?
What does dink mean?Australian Word Map is a co-production of the Macquarie Library Pty Ltd and ABC Online. It is an interactive website that is recording Australian regionalisms into one big database. As yet, most of Australia’s regionalisms haven’t been documented, let alone included in Australian dictionaries. So ABC Online and Macquarie Dictionary have designed an interactive online project that will document this part of our oral history.
What is a regionalism?
It’s a word, phrase or expression used by a particular community in particular parts of the country. For instance, the prepared meat called devon in New South Wales is called Belgium sausage in Tasmania, Empire sausage in Newcastle, fritz in South Australia, polony in Western Australia, Windsor sausage in Queensland and German sausage or Strasburg in Victoria.Here’s some more used appliance vernacular:-
"Seen more pricks than a second-hand Primus”.
"Playing up like a second-hand lawnmower”.
A wildlife/engine anology-
"I’m outta here like a tin of worms with an outboard motor”.
Another phrase for leaving in a hurry, with a luxury garden tool comparison:-
"I’m outta here quicker than shit off a chrome shovel”.
Cold as a mother-in-law’s kiss.
Off like a bride’s nighty.
Off like a bucket of prawns in the sun.
Faster than a speeding mullet.
Face like the south end of a northbound bus.
In New South Wales,
Crook as Rookwood. (crook is sick and Rookwood is the largest and oldest cemetaries in Sydney).In bed with a wog. (in bed sick)
Stiffen the lizards! This threads better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. Probably got The Seppos more beaten than a red headed step child as to what we’re all battin’ the breeze about though.
Anyone asks where I am, tell ‘em I went for a ride on the padre’s bike.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 21 at 04:49 AM • permalinkWouldn’t pull the skin of a rice pud(ding) = weak
Wouldn’t pull your uncle off your aunty. (weak)
If his brains were gunpowder they wouldn’t lift the hat of his head. (stupid)
Wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire. (not held in high esteem)
Wouldn’t shout if a shark bit him. (you do know what a shout is?)
Popular as a pork chop in a synagogue. (not popular, usually Dad coming home pissed as a nit)
Insults?
I hope your balls turn to bicycle wheels and pedal backwards up your arse.
I hope your chooks turn to emus and kick your dunny down.
If it was raining palaces, he’d get hit on the head by a dunny door.
If he fell in a barrel of nipples, he’d come out sucking his thumb.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 21 at 05:25 AM • permalinkHarold Holt gets a guernsey down here every now and then, but otherwise I always thought Aussie rhyming slang was a bit of an urban myth. Would never hear. Oops: exception for dog and bone, dead horse, trouble and strife etc from a crusty old former British merchant seaman type who eventually went home.
I’m always entertained by someone who goes off like a frog in a sock.
As for colloquialisms, bumnuts, or googs for brekkie, and I like moo juice on my cereal.
You can’t have a barbie without bunging on the mystery bags.
It just wouldn’t be right.
Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 11 21 at 06:22 AM • permalinkHangs ‘round like a fart in a phonebox.
About as popular as a turd in a punchbowl.
More front than a block of flats.
There’s a myriad of old colloquilisms which have gone by the by, who can recall the last time someone was stonkered, or gone on the ‘ran (short for rantan), or been on their uppers?
We need some new Austro-centric phrases to reflect our new wonderful multicultural society.
Here’s some examples:-
"I’ve just been WREXXXED!" to indicate that your expensive turbocharged Japanese saloon has been liberated by chaps of no identifiable background, in order for them to liberate the contents of the till of a bottleshop to advance the Palestinian cause.
"Get out of my way, you subbbie tubbie, fat cunts should set an example for starving Africa by being likewise thin when they live in terraces worth over a mill."
"Anarchy means rejecting all forms of government, so Centrelink kinds of makes you an ana-wankny type, you dickhead."
#82 #79: And jest what the hell is that supposed to mean, boy? The way we all talk in the South is a damn sight closer to the old country than that there pat-twah they yammer up North, I reckon. Ain’t that right, boys?
Damn straight, paco. And just whose slang is becoming the national American tawk? SOUTHERN (thankyaverramuch)
Posted by Sharon Ferguson on 2006 11 21 at 03:13 PM • permalink#91 “The language is clean of inflection, intonation and lilt. Easy even for foriegn devil types to understand if spoken slowly and loudly.”
Are you sure about that Grimmy? have you heard Cindy “Saint of they Hairy Legged Earth War Mothers Standing on her Son’s grave” Sheehan?! OMG, like - gag me with a spoon, okay?
Posted by Sharon Ferguson on 2006 11 21 at 03:18 PM • permalinkThis is for paco and all us Teksuns who are feelin’ a might left out raht now.
since some of the Aussie colloquialisms focus on how wet or dry something is, here’s a phrase they can appreciate : “It’s so dry the trees are bribin’ the dogs (We really could use a little rain around here)”
<a href="">Whut makes you think Teksuns tawk funny?</a>
Posted by Sharon Ferguson on 2006 11 21 at 04:41 PM • permalinkwhoops - forgot the url on that last one : http://omni.cc.purdue.edu/~guzmanr/textalk.htm
Posted by Sharon Ferguson on 2006 11 21 at 04:41 PM • permalink#127: We’ll do ‘er, Bob. Won’t we boys? More beer bottles slamming on tables, hearty rebel yells and shouts of “Damn straight” and “Hell, yeah”, and “Yo, T-Bob!"
#125: Thass right, Sharon. And for only twenty dollars, all the rest of you folks out there - I’m lookin’ at you, wronwright - can learn yourselves how to talk southern, too, with Paco’s A-1 Confederate Orthography manual. Yessir, for only a few pennies more’n what you’d pay for a carton of cigarettes in New York (bootlegged from North Carolina), you can sound jest like real folks, same as me and Sharon and ol’ T-Bob up thar. Naow, you fellers, think on it a minute. You go into a bar up thar in the City, and you go up to a pretty lady, whatchu think’s gonna get her attention fastest? If you say, “Don’t you find the hermeneutics of Jurgen Habermas to be a bastardized version of Marxism?” - shoot, she’s jest gonna think to herself, “Hell, another goldurn teacher’s aid tryin’ to pass hisself off as a intellectual, probably gonna wanna go Dutch and score on the first date and expect me to give ‘im cab fare home.” But, if you go up to her and say, “Whhooooooeee! Dang, little lady, yore cuter’n a bug’s ear. How ‘bout let’s you and me have a few beers and you can show me ‘round town in my new Cadillac!” - that’s gonna bring home the bacon, son! So order today, while we still got a few copies in stock.
The language is clean of inflection, intonation and lilt. Easy even for foriegn devil types to understand if spoken slowly and loudly.
I dispute that Californians have no accent. When my cousins used to come visit, oh, we could understand them all right. We just couldn’t answer for laughing. And when they’d say things like: “You guys live out in the tules,” we had absolutely no idea what they were saying.
Seems like Australians share a lot of common sayings with southern Americans. I blame the Irish.
#126, Sharon Ferguson:
That’s not California Standard American. You’re thinking of the “valley girl” dialect. That is spoken by sub-juveniles and occasionally by adults who descend from excessively narrow breeding patterns (the kind that more closely resemble twining vines, rather than branching trees).
#131, RebeccaH:
And when they’d say things like: “You guys live out in the tules,” we had absolutely no idea what they were saying.
Tules isn’t a Slang, it’s a real word. The Tules is where the Tule Fog comes from and is also the rumored place of origin for such nifty nice things as boogeymen, banjo strumming pig porkers, dragons and werewolves.
It is also widely believed that the first tribe of Children of the Corn wandered out of the mists of the Tule and migrated to the mid west.
I dont speak CSA myself. My ma’ is a panhandle Texan and my pa’ is a Arkey. So I grew up knowing the difference between y’all and all y’all.
That is spoken by sub-juveniles and occasionally by adults who descend from excessively narrow breeding patterns (the kind that more closely resemble twining vines, rather than branching trees).
Cindy Sheehan = “adults who descend from excessively narrow breeding patterns”
I rest my case
*wink*
Posted by Sharon Ferguson on 2006 11 21 at 10:18 PM • permalink#131, RebeccaH,
"I blame the Irish"
Dont hate us coz we breed fast, hate us coz we’re better lookin and can drink more than ye.
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2006 11 21 at 10:24 PM • permalink#134 - We hate you because your feckless layabouts who write shit poems all day long. If you can drink so well, how come so many Paddy’s sleep under bridges?
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 22 at 03:56 AM • permalink#137, Tigs, Ever drink a whole bottle of Whiskey in one sitting? Thought so…
#139, Tex, Aint it a “sack o’ wet rice?” Or do Y’all have shiteloads of mices in Texas?
Posted by The_Wizard_of_WOZ on 2006 11 22 at 02:29 PM • permalinkDear Tim,
The article reminds me of the style of the old fun-poking/jokey newsreel fillers. I have heard enough of these particular slang expressions to give others the benefit of the doubt.
Jungle Jim was used by my parents (father in particular from Maitland area) and others to refer to young boys at vigourous play (down off the roof, Jungle Jim). Perhaps a reference to the Jungle Gym equipment once available.
Doing the Harold Holt is in frequent use.
After-darks for sharks is similarly long standing and current.
Bag-of-fruit I haven’t heard much...mostly from ardent anglophiles.
The others I haven’t encountered, but, as I said, I’m prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt.
Rustopher.
Posted by Rusty Catheter on 2006 11 24 at 07:43 PM • permalink
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If this bloke grew up here, I’ll walk east on broken glass.