Aussie-isms part II

(fairy bread as mentioned below)

So I had a lot of feedback saying that everyone is liking hearing about fun things about Oz. So here goes another list of different words. And I will post about family life soon.

So one of my first experiences of different lingo was within a day or so of arriving. We were hungry and wanted something fresh and healthy after the long flights we took to get here. We stopped at a wrap shop and Lindsay and I were going to split something. I was reading the menu and it said choose a wrap and get 2 salads with it. I was thinking sweetness, we will each get a salad and split the wrap. Wrong. A salad here means the typical salad but it also means toppings for sandwiches and wraps. So in other words out of all the yummy toppings, we could only choose two to go on our wrap. It seems I have lots of learning experiences like that. That actually reminds me as well of the first time I went to subway here....I was planning on getting a meal, when I asked what chips I could choose from (because I could not see where they were) I was told a meal just meant that I got a drink with my sandwich. And that is pretty common other than the big american chains like McDonalds or HUngry Jack's (Burger King).

At restraunts we also got confused because in America you can order and appetizer, entree, and desserts right? And little nibblies are Or'derves if I spelled that right. Here Or'derves are canapes and and appetizer is an entree and an entree is called a main and dessert is still delicious dessert. If that confused you I am sorry, it took us a while to get right as well.

Some other food variations....

chips.........french fries

crisps..........potato chips

silverbeet..........chard lettuce

rocket..........arrugala

rockmelon...................cantaloupe

sultanas...........raisins

lolly/lollies.........any candy, not just a lollipop

-which reminds me we bought the game candy land to help teach erik his colors and give him a fun game. He loves it and asks to play the "lollie game" all the time. Yes he is slowly starting to turn Aussie. He says daddy with an accent and sometimes mummy. Its really cute!

-fairy bread.....a traditional treat at birthdays....it's really just butter spread on white bread with the little round sprinkles packed on top

-hundreds and thousands.............those little round multi-colored sprinkles just mentioned

-fairy floss.........also a special occassion treat.....cotton candy!

Other sayings we dont have in America.....

jumper........sweater/long sleeve shirt/sometimes just a word for top

-well done..........used much more than good job. A family that spent time in America on exchange with our military told us that when they arrived in America they couldnt believe how much we use the term good job and were laughing. After that Lindsay and I now laugh because we really do use that term sooooo much! Watch yourself now, americans use it heaps (the common term for lots).

-Aussies also say "good on you" a lot. This is a fairly new one I have learned about. It it used genuinely to tell someone that they did something well or something good for someone. But they also use it sarcastically like when we would say "smooth move" or something similar.

-"Fair Dinkum"...........Truthfully is the most similar translation we have for this expression. So for example somebody tells you they just ate a 10 pound burger and you reply - Fair dinkum? ...like seriously? or they tell you they ate a 10 pound burger and somebody else replies no way, then you pipe up and say fair dinkum....like..truthfully/honestly/etc.

-Upsey Daisy is common term you will hear from mothers when their child has fallen and they are trying to encourage them to get up and brush it off without crying.

-whinge/whinging............whining

And just various strange variations....

-Daggies..........grandma panties, old clothes.etc. but commonly referred to I have seen as grandma panties....totally cracks me up.

-Buck and Hen's parties..............bachelor and bachelorette parties or you will hear they are having a hen's day at the horse races where ladies get discount drinks or whatever.

-trolley...........shopping cart. which by the way some stores you have to pay for carts (yes even some grocery stores)/and yes I know I couldn't believe it either. Especially when you have a lot to purchase or kids. And not always cheap either. They have coins for 1 and 2 dollar amounts and some require those coins. Also that reminds me....kiddy rides you see at malls and grocery stores here are all nearly 2 dollar coins. I gasped the first time I saw that and am grateful that Erik is completely happy to just climb on the rides and pretend to ride them because this mommy isnt willing to shell out dollars for a 30 second ride.

-car park..........any parking lot/garage. They dont differentiate between the two

-teetotaller......no I am not 100 percent about this one. I know it means someone who doesn't drink but I am not sure if it means someone who used to and has decided to stop or just anybody in general who doesn't drink.

-togs..............swimwear/bathing suit/trunks....like go get your togs and lets go

-budgee smuggler........speedo swimsuit.....a funny term used jokingly in our home.

-cot...........I can't remember if I had this on my last list but it's a crib or childrens bed

Hope you enjoy. I am really starting to feel adjusted and am enjoying life more as I settle into my own new creature habits and routines. Now that our house is coming together and friendships are being really established. I can now get around on all public transport easily most of the time and feel comfortable driving as well. I can now say I am an ambidextrous driver! Yay for me.